Apple plans server return with Nvidia's NVLink Fusion tech by 2029

Apple retired its Xserve line in 2011 and has largely left enterprise machines to other manufacturers since. The growing demand for compute power as the AI industry continues to expand has apparently led the company to believe there is an opening for its powerful but efficient ARM-based M processors. Its Mac Mini and Mac Studio have proven popular with AI developers, which has led to shortages.

The rumored server product, whether it's called Xserve or something else, would run on two or four M8 Ultra chips depending on the model. Apple only just announced the M6 in August, so the M8 line is a ways out. It's also rumored that Apple's servers could incorporate Nvidia's NVLink Fusion tech, which connects multiple chips together so they can operate as one.

While the two companies have historically had a frosty relationship behind the scenes, recently Apple turned to Nvidia chips to power its revamped Siri servers. Incorporating NVLink could lead to further collaboration between the two, but plans could still change. The outcome hinges on whether the rumored Nvidia partnership and the 2029 timeline hold, and on whether Apple's M-series chips can translate their popularity with AI developers on Mac Mini and Mac Studio into demand for dedicated server hardware.