Computing News
Apple ‘Completes’ Transition From Intel With M2 Ultra-Based Mac Pro, Exec Says
Dylan Martin
With the updated Mac Pro using Apple’s new and powerful M2 Ultra chip, the client device giant now uses the homegrown M-series chips for all of its Mac desktop and laptop computers after it began replacing Intel CPUs with custom Arm-based processors in its lineup in 2020.

Apple said it has completed the transition from Intel chips to homegrown silicon for its Mac computer lineup with an updated Mac Pro, powered by what it called the “most powerful chip ever created for a personal computer.”
At its WWDC 2023 event on Monday, the Cupertino, Calif.-based client device giant said the Mac Pro—the last PC in its Mac lineup to receive Apple silicon—is powered by the new M2 Ultra, which combines two M2 Max chips on a single die to deliver double-digit performance boosts over the M1 Ultra.
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It’s a momentous occasion for Apple, which began replacing Intel CPUs in its Mac lineup in 2020 with custom Arm-based chips designed in house. Three years later, the company’s entire lineup of Macs is powered by homegrown M-series chips, including its MacBook Pros, MacBook Airs, iMacs and Mac Minis.
“This completes the transition to Apple silicon, which has completely transformed the desktop and laptop experience,” said John Ternus, senior vice president of hardware engineering at Apple. “And we’re just getting started. For Intel-based Mac users, every Mac is now a gigantic upgrade.”
Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger told CRN in 2021 that after losing business from Apple he is focused on enabling PC manufacturers that compete with Apple. At the same time, he has stated a desire to win new business from Apple by convincing the Mac maker to contract Intel to manufacture its custom chips.
On top of the new Mac Pro, Apple also revealed an updated Mac Studio that can use the new M2 Ultra plus an all-new 15-inch MacBook Air running on M2, the second-generation base chip debuted last year.
“It’s the best and most capable lineup in the history of the personal computer, and I couldn’t be more excited about its future,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO, said in the WWDC keynote.
All three Macs are available for pre-order today and will be available next week.