For years, the Mac Pro was the undisputed king of Apple’s desktop lineup, the go-to workhorse for creative professionals. But according to a new report, its reign may be coming to an end. In the latest issue of Power On newsletter, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman suggests Apple has “largely written off” its iconic cheese-grater, with the more compact Mac Studio set to take its place.
This isn’t the first time the Mac Pro has faced a crisis. Back in the early 2010s, it was a fan favorite for video editors, photographers, and designers. Then came the 2013 model—the infamous “trash can” design. While a bold experiment, it was ultimately an impractical failure that Apple eventually apologized for.
The 2013 model’s problem wasn’t just its looks. As executives later admitted, the cylindrical design backed Apple into a “thermal corner.” This meant the computer couldn’t be upgraded with more powerful chips without dangerously overheating, a critical flaw for a machine built for high-performance tasks.
Apple finally corrected course in 2019, releasing a redesigned tower that returned to the classic aluminum “cheese-grater” look. With this launch, Apple pledged that the Mac Pro would be updated regularly. But that promise didn’t quite play out. The next major update didn’t arrive until 2023, when the desktop finally transitioned to Apple Silicon with the M2 Ultra chip.
Since then, the Mac Pro has stalled. In a confusing move, Apple’s flagship desktop has been overshadowed by its younger sibling. The Mac Studio received the more powerful M3 Ultra chip earlier this year, while the more expensive Mac Pro was left behind with the M2 Ultra.
According to Gurman, this trend is set to continue. He claims there is no M4 Ultra chip in the works, and the next high-end desktop processor will be the M5 Ultra. As of now, Apple is reportedly only focused on putting that new M5 Ultra chip into an upcoming Mac Studio.
What do you think of this shift? Is the Mac Studio powerful enough for your needs, or is Apple making a mistake by sidelining the legendary Mac Pro? Let us know in the comments. Stay updated with the latest news on this by downloading the Appleosophy App from the App Store or by visiting our website.
