Apple might make servers again to cash in on the AI rush

苹果可能重返服务器市场，以掘金人工智能热潮

According to The Information, Apple is planning to get back into the server game and might just pair up with Nvidia to make it happen. Apple retired its Xserve line in 2011 and has largely left enterprise machines to other manufacturers since. But 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.

据《The Information》报道，苹果公司正计划重返服务器市场，并可能与英伟达（Nvidia）携手合作。苹果在 2011 年停产了 Xserve 产品线，此后基本将企业级机器市场留给了其他制造商。然而，随着人工智能行业的持续扩张，对计算能力的需求日益增长，这显然让苹果认为其强大且高效的 ARM 架构 M 系列处理器大有可为。目前，Mac Mini 和 Mac Studio 已深受 AI 开发者的青睐，甚至导致了供不应求的局面。

The server product, whether it’s called Xserve or something else, likely won’t debut until 2029. Word is that it will run on two or four (depending on the model) M8 Ultra chips. Apple only just announced the M6 in August, so the M8 line is a ways out.

这款服务器产品（无论最终是否命名为 Xserve）预计要到 2029 年才会问世。据传，它将搭载两颗或四颗（取决于具体型号）M8 Ultra 芯片。由于苹果在今年 8 月才刚刚发布 M6 芯片，因此 M8 系列的推出尚需时日。

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.

另有传闻称，苹果的服务器可能会整合英伟达的 NVLink Fusion 技术，该技术能将多颗芯片连接在一起，使其协同工作如同单颗芯片一般。尽管两家公司在幕后一直关系冷淡，但苹果近期已开始使用英伟达芯片来驱动其升级后的 Siri 服务器。整合 NVLink 可能会促成双方更深层次的合作，但相关计划仍存在变数。