Apple has recently unveiled the M4 series of SoCs, showcasing impressive capabilities. It has been four years since Apple introduced its Silicon, and the M-series ARM chips are now more advanced in terms of both power and efficiency. Currently, the 'Ultra' variant of the M SoCs stands out as the most powerful option, featuring two 'Max' dies. Although there are rumors about an M4 Ultra being in the works, those who hope for an even more powerful M4 Extreme may need to adjust their hopes.
Delay on the M4 Extreme
A report from The Information, highlighted by MacRumors, reveals that Apple has been looking into a high-performance 'M4 Extreme' SoC, which would combine the power of two M4 Ultra chips or four M4 Max chips. However, these plans have reportedly been put on hold by Apple. The report suggests that this decision was made to focus on creating a server chip based on Apple Silicon. Those familiar with the evolution of Apple Silicon might recall that a similar situation occurred with the rumored M2 Extreme, which likely contributed to the Mac Pro's struggle to maintain its status as a leading workstation.
The Potential Power of the M4 Extreme
Should the M4 Extreme ever become a reality, it could feature an astonishing 64-core CPU and an integrated GPU boasting 160 cores. The die size would be extraordinarily large, and the number of transistors might surpass even that of server-grade equipment. With the M4 Extreme now seeming unlikely, it is uncertain if Apple will revisit this concept in the future. Nonetheless, a Mac Pro equipped with an M4 Extreme would undoubtedly be seen as a premier product, although developing and marketing it may not be practical. Ultimately, only time will tell what Apple decides.
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