When the M4 Ultra chip arrives in 2025, Apple is set to take Mac into previously unexplored performance territory that will further cement the platform’s place at the crossroads of where design, video editing and AI meet. With the M4 Pro and M4 Max releases out of the way, the M4 Ultra hopes to bring double the power of its previous flagship and may be a game changer for users depending on high power computing.
M4 Ultra Chip Key Features
According to Apple analyst Mark Gurman, the M4 Ultra is shaping up to be Apple’s most advanced chip to date:
- 32 CPU Cores and 80 GPU Cores: Similar to Apple’s past “Ultra” versions, the M4 Ultra doubles the quantities of the M4 Max core count, providing an unmatched pace and graphics processing.
- Enhanced Neural Engine: It is expected to feature big improvements in AI processing, ideal for people who work with machine learning and work with AI centric applications.
- Ray Tracing Capabilities: Ray tracing support would be ideal for designers and animators to use and take graphic rendering and visual effects to a different level.
Expected Release and Models
The M4 Ultra will likely power two of Apple’s high-performance desktop models:
- Mac Studio: The expected launch between March and June 2025 will mark this model’s market for professionals that need a compact but also a powerful workstation.
- Mac Pro: Apple’s most advanced architecture and top-end processing make the Mac Pro with M4 Ultra slated for the second half of 2025, the most powerful Mac on the market.
Will The M4 Ultra Matter to Pro Users?
The M4 Ultra chip will mark a major leap in Apple’s chip technology, with innovations that include:
- Performance for Demanding Applications: With its high core count and improved GPU, the CORSAIR One Proese renders perfectly for advanced tasks—to the professional level—that involve complex video arranging or editing, 3D rendering, or other advanced simulations.
- Increased Efficiency: The M4 Ultra advances Apple’s ARM architecture to ensure power efficiency, meaning you should get extreme power without giving up heat or battery.
- Unified Ecosystem Advantage: As Apple Silicon continues to evolve, macOS will also progress, making the M4 Ultra a seamless integration with Apple’s software and applications that take full advantage of Apple’s software.
Looking Ahead: Will an “M4 Extreme” Come Out?
While rumors of Apple’s canceled ‘M2 Extreme’ Mac Pro has been a barren wasteland since it was canceled, the M4 Ultra’s specs could be more than enough for most professional needs. Even the Ultra chip’s added neural engine and ray tracing chops could be enough to earn it a place as a pro user’s powerhouse.
Final Thoughts
Apple’s most ambitious jump forward in high performance computing is likely to turn Mac Pro and Mac Studio into giant machines on steroids for creative and scientific types. As we get closer to launch, 2025 has the potential to be a big pro Apple year, with Macs leading in the exciting new standards for desktop computing.