Apple may be preparing to retire the Mac Pro, once the company’s most powerful desktop computer. A new report suggests Apple has “all but abandoned” plans to update the machine in 2025 or 2026, signaling a major shift in its high-end desktop strategy.
According to the report, Apple originally intended to release an M4 Ultra chip specifically for a new Mac Pro. However, the company canceled that processor and appears to have halted development on the accompanying hardware as well.
Mac Studio Becomes the New Performance Leader
Instead of reviving the Mac Pro, Apple now views the Mac Studio as its top-of-the-line desktop. The company expects to launch an M5 Ultra chip in the future, but current plans do not include a Mac Pro version. Apple’s internal teams reportedly see the Mac Studio as the platform best suited for next-generation performance.
This shift does not come as a surprise. Apple Silicon dramatically changed the desktop landscape when it arrived in 2020. Many Macs suddenly delivered speeds that rivaled or surpassed older Mac Pro models. By 2022, the new Mac Studio pushed that trend further, offering extreme performance at a lower price.
The Decline of a Former Flagship
For years, professional users relied on the Mac Pro for unmatched power and modular design. But its position weakened when even the entry-level Mac mini began outperforming some Intel-based Mac Pro configurations.
The Mac Pro also became the last computer to transition to Apple Silicon, and the company gave it little attention afterward. As a result, the machine struggled to justify its high cost—especially when the Mac Studio delivered better performance in a compact form.
A Possible End to a Legendary Line
If Apple ultimately retires the Mac Pro, it will close a chapter that began with one of the most iconic workstations in computing history. The Mac Pro earned a loyal audience, but changing technology and shifting priorities may have made its future unsustainable.
