Apple Prepares for the Next-Generation Mac Pro with M5 Chips Amid Uncertain Timelines

Over the course of 2024 and early 2025, Apple has rolled out updates to its entire Mac lineup featuring next-generation M4 chips, with the notable exception of the Mac Pro. The high-end desktop remains unrefreshed but is expected to receive a significant overhaul later this year.

The Current State of the Mac Pro and M-Series Chips

The existing Mac Pro model, available with the M2 Ultra chip introduced in June 2023, serves as the current pinnacle of Apple's desktop computing. While logically, a transition to the anticipated M4 Ultra would be expected, recent insights suggest Apple may not develop this variant.

Recent Mac Studio updates showcased two new configurations: one powered by the M4 Max chip and another with the M3 Ultra chip. Interestingly, Apple did not unveil an M4 Ultra for this device. According to Apple representatives, not every M-series generation will include an "Ultra" tier, indicating that an M4 Ultra might not exist.

Potential Future Chips for the Mac Pro

Discussions around the Mac Pro’s future chip options include several possibilities:

• Apple's upcoming M4 Ultra chip — rumors suggest it’s not ready yet.
• An M4 Extreme or similar — a hypothetical high-end chip separate from the Max series.
• An M3 Ultra chip — currently used in the Mac Studio, possibly used in the Mac Pro.
• An M5 Ultra chip — the next major step in Apple’s silicon roadmap.

However, the M4 Max's lack of UltraFusion connectivity—used in previous Ultra chips—casts doubt on the feasibility of a double-chip Ultra configuration. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman also reports that Apple might avoid building an M4 Ultra from scratch due to high costs, manufacturing hurdles, and sluggish demand for high-end machines.

Will the Mac Pro Wait for M5 Chips?

The launch of M5-powered Macs may occur later this year or early in 2026. Even then, an Ultra variant of the M5 might not be available immediately. As of now, official details remain scarce, and there are no concrete rumors of a redesign or major feature updates for the next Mac Pro.

Expected Features and Enhancements

Connectivity and Ports

• With the recent addition of Thunderbolt 5 to the Mac Studio and MacBook Pro, it’s likely the Mac Pro will also adopt Thunderbolt 5, enabling support for more high-resolution displays and faster data transfer.

Memory and Storage

• The M3 Ultra supports up to 512GB RAM; if the Mac Pro adopts this chip, it could support significantly more—far beyond the current 192GB limit.
• Storage capacities could double, supporting SSDs up to 16TB compared to the current 8TB.

Release Timeline

• Initially expected in late 2025, the Mac Pro’s release could slip into 2026, depending on chip development progress and strategic decisions by Apple.

Conclusion

While detailed plans remain under wraps, the upcoming Mac Pro is poised to feature cutting-edge Apple silicon, potentially with the new M5 Ultra chip, offering significant upgrades in RAM and storage. The absence of obvious design changes suggests the focus is primarily on internal advancements, setting the stage for a powerful professional workstation in the years to come.