It could be that there is simply no point in making any more M1 family chips. The M2s might have only minimal costs above their M1 equivalents. So they might just stick in an M2 Max/Ultra and leave everything else exactly the same.
They are new chips using new core technology on the N5P process which is different than the M1 5nm process. It still takes some considerable RnD to make a whole new batch of these chips. The Ultra variant using ultra fusion is also a bit more complex too. My thought is that Apple doesn’t think it’s worth it to create the Ultra chip every year. Professionals tend to upgrade less often than consumers since we buy machines that are beyond our requirements so they last for several years, and Apple historically has not always done annual upgrades of the higher-end pro machines too due to RnD and manufacturing costs.
The Mac Pro has always been somewhat of a
loss leader (Though I think Apple still makes
some money off of them, just not their usual margins). The Mac Pro is there to serve as a
halo product and to showcase Apple’s most powerful features. The Ultra variant of the studio is likely in this same category. It’s there not because it’s going to sell high volumes of computers, but it’s there to showcase power and performance at the highest levels. It’s to show that Apple can compete with intel and AMD. It’s to show that Apple is the leader in the silicon wars.
But these loss leaders and halo products can’t be made every year. Apple doesn’t need to do this either. That’s why I think Mac Studio and Mac Pro won’t come out every year. Apple doesn’t need to. They’re halo products meant to strengthen the Apple Silicon and Macintosh brands.
That would be great.
