The Information：蘋果考慮採用輝達技術，可能重返伺服器市場

路透9月16日電——《The Information》週三引述知情人士報導，蘋果（Apple）正考慮重返企業伺服器市場，將自家晶片與輝達（Nvidia）的網路技術結合。Sept 16 (Reuters) - Apple is considering returning to the enterprise server market, combining its own chips with Nvidia’s networking technology, The Information reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the matter.

根據報導，總部位於加州庫比蒂諾的蘋果正在開發一款 AI 伺服器，可能搭載計畫推出的兩顆或四顆 M8 Ultra 晶片；M8 Ultra 是蘋果效能最高的處理器。Cupertino, California-based Apple is developing an AI server that could be offered with either two or four planned M8 Ultra chips, its highest-performance processors, according to the report.

若成真，此舉將顯示蘋果進軍 AI 基礎設施。隨著企業工作負載從訓練 AI 模型轉向執行這些模型，蘋果將瞄準快速成長的推論市場，同時把自研晶片策略從消費性裝置擴展到更多領域。Such a move would signal Apple's push into AI infrastructure — targeting the fast-growing inference market as enterprise workloads shift from training AI models to running them — while expanding its strategy of using in-house silicon beyond consumer devices.

《The Information》報導，這款伺服器預計最快要到2029年才會上市，且仍可能取消，或在不採用輝達技術的情況下推出。報導並稱，該計畫約一年前啟動時，獲得當時擔任硬體主管、現為執行長的 John Ternus 支持。The server is not expected to reach the market until 2029 and could still be canceled or launched without Nvidia technology, The Information reported. It added that the initiative was backed by the then-hardware chief, now CEO, John Ternus when it began about a year ago.

根據報導，蘋果正考慮採用輝達的 NVLink Fusion 技術連接 M8 晶片，部分員工認為輝達為該專案提供了目前可取得的最佳連接解決方案。Apple is considering Nvidia's NVLink Fusion technology to connect the M8 chips, with some staffers believing Nvidia offers the best available connectivity solution for the project, according to the report.

NVLink Fusion 提供晶片製造商現成的連接器與專用記憶體，使客製化 AI 晶片能接入輝達規模更大的資料中心系統。NVLink Fusion gives chipmakers ready-made connectors and specialized memory so custom AI chips can plug into Nvidia's larger data-center systems.

蘋果與輝達未立即回應路透的採訪請求。路透無法獨立查證這項報導。Apple and Nvidia did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment. Reuters could not independently verify the report.

蘋果上月更新 Mac 產品線，推出搭載 M6、M5 Pro、M5 Max 與 M5 Ultra 晶片的機種，並表示採用2奈米製程的 M6 可帶來最高達4倍的 AI 效能提升，而高階晶片則鎖定開發者與專業 AI 工作負載。Apple last month refreshed its Mac lineup with M6, M5 Pro, M5 Max and M5 Ultra chips, saying the 2-nanometer M6 delivers up to four times faster AI performance, while the higher-end chips target developers and professional AI workloads.

若該專案成形，將是蘋果自2011年停產 Xserve 產品線以來，首次推出專用伺服器硬體產品。蘋果當年停產 Xserve 後，將重心轉向標準 Mac 硬體與消費性裝置。The project would represent Apple's first dedicated server hardware offering since it discontinued its Xserve line in 2011 after shifting its focus toward standard Mac hardware and consumer devices.

報導也顯示，蘋果與輝達之間的關係可能出現解凍跡象。兩家公司關係緊張近20年，起因於多起爭議，最終在與輝達繪圖晶片有關的 MacBook 大規模故障後，蘋果與輝達切斷合作關係。The report also suggests a thaw in relations between Apple and Nvidia. The companies have had a strained relationship for nearly two decades, following disputes that culminated in Apple severing ties after widespread MacBook failures linked to Nvidia graphics chips.

（班加羅爾 Anhata Rooprai 與 Akash Sriram 報導；Joyjeet Das 編輯）(Reporting by Anhata Rooprai and Akash Sriram in Bengaluru; Editing by Joyjeet Das)