Apple alters Ultra chip strategy, skipping M4 Ultra

Photo: Apple

Apple has confirmed it will not release an M4 Ultra chip, deviating from its previous pattern of sequential Ultra chip upgrades. This decision, revealed after the launch of the M3 Ultra alongside the new M4 chip in the Mac Studio, signals a strategic shift in Apple's approach to high-performance computing. The company clarified that Ultra-tier chips will not be released for every Apple Silicon generation.

The M3 Ultra, built using Apple's UltraFusion architecture to connect two M3 Max chips, delivers significant performance gains over its predecessors. However, reports indicate the M4 Max lacks the necessary UltraFusion connectors, making an M4 Ultra impossible without a substantial redesign. Apple prioritized upgrading the Mac Studio with the M3 Ultra while simultaneously advancing its M4 lineup, suggesting a focus on strategic performance enhancements rather than automatic annual updates.

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Apple MacBook Pro now runs on M4 chips

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Following the launches of the new iMac and Mac mini, Apple announced the refreshed MacBook Pro with the choice of an M4, M4 Pro, or M4 Max chip. The base model addresses criticisms of last year's M3 model. It now gets 16GB of memory instead of the paltry 8GB (at least for a pro-centric laptop). We may have the inclusion of Apple Intelligence to thank for this change. But we welcome it nonetheless.

Aside from introducing a minimum of 16GB memory, the base MacBook Pro comes with three Thunderbolt 4 ports instead of two and it's now available in black. If you pick up the more expensive M4 Pro or Max options, you get faster chips and ports. Apple brings Thunderbolt 5 to the MacBook for the first time.

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Apple iMac now comes with an M4 chip

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Apple's week of Mac announcements kicked off with the new version of the iMac. It now runs on an M4 chip with an 8-core processor and up to 10-core GPU. The entry-level model costs $1,699 in Canada and has two Thunderbolt USB-C 4 ports. Meanwhile, the higher-end models start at $1,949 and have four ports. This new desktop PC comes with accessories that support USB-C charging ports instead of Lightning.

The iMac still comes with a 24-inch 4.5K display, but there's now a new "nano-texture glass option" for an extra $250, which Apple claims to help reduce glare and reflections. The more expensive variant supports up to two external 6K screens at 60Hz or one external 8K display at 120Hz. There won't be a larger 27-inch model.

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Apple exec teases a 'week' of Mac announcements beginning Monday

Image: Greg Joswiak (@gregjoz) / X

Apple doesn't have a formal product event coming up, but it has new devices to announce next week. Apple Senior Vice President Greg Joswiak teased on X that "an exciting week" of Mac announcements is coming starting Monday, October 28. We can most likely expect the launch of Apple M4 Macs. The first M4 chip-powered device to come out this year was the iPad Pro launched in May. But we should now see it reach different Apple Mac devices like the MacBook Pro, iMac, and perhaps even the Mac Mini. We don't have to wait too long to learn what this "exciting week" entails.

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