Will the Mac Pro be introduced in March 2023 alongside the M2 Ultra chip? We’re not sure.
the Mac Studio, then Apple’s most powerful computer ever, was introduced, leaving many Mac Pro users slightly befuddled and confused. Even more so when Apple’s senior vice president of Hardware Engineering, John Ternus, teased a new processor for the Mac Pro on stage at that event, saying “just one more product to go: Mac Pro, that’s for another day.” (via MacRumors (opens in new tab)).
Could a Mac Pro launch happen within the next few weeks? We’re not so sure, despite the publication of four recent patents (via Appleinsider (opens in new tab)) that tackle the issue of third party GPU support while skirting around the other ones (system memory expansion, third party accelerators etc). Appleinsider is quick to note though that “Apple does apply for patents constantly, and there is no guarantee that even granted patents will lead directly to products. Plus patents might be applied for years before Apple can use them.”
The current Mac Pro was launched all the way back in December 2019, with the model before that (featuring the infamous cylindrical design) in June 2013, only to be discontinued six years later when its successor was launched. So Apple is content with, well, making its target audience wait. If the gap is maintained, then you won’t get a new Mac Pro till June 2026 at least, which is roughly twice the refresh cycle of any business machine and AppleCare+ warranty for the MacPro.
Apple is ruthless at canceling product lines when the ROI is simply not there: the Xserve, the iPod and the MacBook to name just a few. So adding the Mac Pro to that list wouldn’t be such a big deal; it is not – after all – a household name and it would make sense at a time when worldwide desktop and laptop sales have suffered record declines due to tightening budgets. Then there’s the Mac Studio which some may say, is a great substitute for some Mac Pro users at a much more affordable price point.
