Joelist
Power User
- Joined
- Nov 16, 2021
- Posts
- 197
I have to admit that, to me, it doesn't really make sense for there to be a new Mac Pro or even for the current model to continue. This is why I believe this (and I could easily be wrong):
1) Apple Silicon is not built around the idea of modular components. It is an integrated SOC and leverages SOC properties (like being physically close - indeed on die) to increase efficiency and performance. The closest thing we've seen to modular has been the Ultra, and that is simply two Max SOCs stitched together.
2) Are we actually seeing scenarios where an M2 Ultra is inadequate (honest question I don't know)? If yes they have to be pretty corner case in nature because even the current Max SOCs are monsters performance wise and assuming the M2 Ultra scales better it will be something to behold. I guess this leads to...
3) What does a Pro do that a Studio can't? Before they rolled out the Studios I understood the case more but the Studio with its monster cooling system and large port count plus the Ultra seems to sit in a similar spot in the lineup.
4) With the reliance Apple has on their SOCs getting good yields on large runs I am having problems understanding why they would commit to very specific custom chips that inherently would have small runs. Consider that the same fab run for the Max supplies the MacBook Pro and the Studio (both Max and Ultra since an Ultra is two Maxxes). In the same vein the run for the Pro does MacBook Pros and Mac Minis. And so on.
I guess that to me IF there were a "Pro" it would take the form of a chassis that held two Ultras stitched together (essentially 4 Maxxes).
1) Apple Silicon is not built around the idea of modular components. It is an integrated SOC and leverages SOC properties (like being physically close - indeed on die) to increase efficiency and performance. The closest thing we've seen to modular has been the Ultra, and that is simply two Max SOCs stitched together.
2) Are we actually seeing scenarios where an M2 Ultra is inadequate (honest question I don't know)? If yes they have to be pretty corner case in nature because even the current Max SOCs are monsters performance wise and assuming the M2 Ultra scales better it will be something to behold. I guess this leads to...
3) What does a Pro do that a Studio can't? Before they rolled out the Studios I understood the case more but the Studio with its monster cooling system and large port count plus the Ultra seems to sit in a similar spot in the lineup.
4) With the reliance Apple has on their SOCs getting good yields on large runs I am having problems understanding why they would commit to very specific custom chips that inherently would have small runs. Consider that the same fab run for the Max supplies the MacBook Pro and the Studio (both Max and Ultra since an Ultra is two Maxxes). In the same vein the run for the Pro does MacBook Pros and Mac Minis. And so on.
I guess that to me IF there were a "Pro" it would take the form of a chassis that held two Ultras stitched together (essentially 4 Maxxes).