Mac Pro's M4 chip update delayed, uncertain launch date

Apple has updated most of its Macs with new M4 chips, but the Mac Pro is still waiting for its refresh. The current model uses the M2 Ultra chip, released in June 2023. It was expected that the Mac Pro would upgrade to an M4 Ultra chip, but it seems Apple may not be developing this chip. Recently, Apple released updates for the Mac Studio with an M4 Max chip and an M3 Ultra chip, but no M4 Ultra version was announced. Apple has indicated that not every generation of M-series chips will feature an Ultra version. This raises questions about what chip the Mac Pro will use. There are several possibilities. Apple's M1, M2, and M3 Ultra chips are made by linking two Max chips together. The M4 Max does not have this linking feature, making its use in the Mac Pro less likely. Apple might be working on a new chip, either an M4 Ultra or a version called "M4 Extreme," but there are claims that creating an Ultra chip from scratch is not feasible due to costs and low sales for high-end models. Another possibility is that the Mac Pro will use the M3 Ultra chip, which is already available in the Mac Studio. However, Apple could be delaying the Mac Pro for further development, with no major features rumored yet. New Macs with M5 chips could potentially arrive later this year, but some speculate these might not be available until early 2026. No significant changes to the Mac Pro's design are expected. However, it will likely include Thunderbolt 5 ports, similar to the recent Mac Studio and MacBook Pro updates. This upgrade will enhance connectivity options for high-resolution displays. The M3 Ultra chip can support up to 512GB of RAM, a significant increase compared to the current model's limit of 192GB. If included, the Mac Pro could also offer storage options up to 16TB SSD, double what is currently available. The anticipated refresh for the Mac Pro is likely toward the end of 2025, but due to uncertainties with the chip, it may be postponed until 2026.