Mysterious New 'Compute Module' Found in Apple Beta Code

[MacRumors]

An all-new "compute module" device has been spotted in Apple beta code, hinting that new hardware may soon be on the way.

The new "ComputeModule" device class was spotted in Apple's iOS 16.4 developer disk image from the Xcode 16.4 beta by 9to5Mac, indicating that it runs iOS or a variant of it. The code suggests that Apple has at least two different compute modules in development with the identifiers "ComputeModule13,1" and "ComputeModule13,3."

The modules' purpose is unclear, but speculation argues that they are designed for the Apple silicon Mac Pro – potentially serving as a solution to enable a modular interface for swappable hardware components or add additional compute power via technologies like Swift Distributed Actors. There is also a chance that the compute modules could be designed for Apple's upcoming mixed-reality headset or something else entirely.

Yesterday, recent Apple Bluetooth 5.3 filings were uncovered, a move that often precedes the launch of new products, so the compute module finding could be the latest indication that new Apple hardware is likely on the horizon.

Article Link: Mysterious New 'Compute Module' Found in Apple Beta Code

 

[hajime]

So many new things constantly up-coming in short period. So difficult to make a purchase decision.

 

[spcopsmac21]

Power Mac G3 and G4 vibes

 

[MacWiz_007]

I realize we are all about rumors here, but I wouldn't mind getting a little more information from time to time!

 

[rpmurray]

So many new things constantly up-coming in short period. So difficult to make a purchase decision.

What "many things"? Apple's product lineup has been pretty stagnant, and continues to remain so, other than some spec bumps.

 

[syklee26]

I thought M processors are not “modulerable.”

 

[orbital~debris]

Let’s hope these modules have more in common with the Apollo 13 Command Module than the Death Star’s vulnerability.

 

[goonie4life9]

What "many things"? Apple's product lineup has been pretty stagnant, and continues to remain so, other than some spec bumps.

Au contrarie! Apple is currently selling the All New iPhone 14 and the most powerful iPhone ever, the iPhone 14 Pro. Additionally, Apple has best-on-class laptops, using the most powerful Apple Silicon ever available in a portable device. And Apple hasn’t stopped there. The most powerful Apple Silicon ever is now available in Apple desktop device, delivering pro-level performance in beautifully designed chassis. Finally, Apple just released Beats headphones in three incredible new colors and the AirPods and AirPods Pro continue to be the best, most integrated headphones Apple has ever released. Apple is so excited by all the innovative, best-ever products they currently have available and can’t wait to see the incredible things customers will do with them.

 

[dr_lha]

What "many things"? Apple's product lineup has been pretty stagnant, and continues to remain so, other than some spec bumps.

There are wrong opinions, and then there's this.

 

[Spaceboi Scaphandre]

I thought M processors are not “modulerable.”

The RAM as it stands is part of the SoC yes, however the Mac Studio's SSD was modular, however software locked so it couldn't be replaced with something else. I've theorized in order for the Apple Silicon Mac Pro to succeed they would need to create a modular custom ARM Mac where you had proprietary upgrade modules you would swap out. That way instead of having to refresh the Mac Pro, they could just refresh the module parts, so it could get upgrades more often and stay ahead of the curve while satisfying the highest end user.

 

[StoneJack]

It is Apple Car
Finally

 

[ProfessionalFan]

So many new things constantly up-coming in short period. So difficult to make a purchase decision.

No rush. Look at all of them in detail, read reviews and make a decision after that even if you have to wait longer for delivery

 

[iZac]

I always thought this sort of modular approach was a good idea

 

[VaruLV]

The RAM as it stands is part of the SoC yes, however the Mac Studio's SSD was modular, however software locked so it couldn't be replaced with something else. I've theorized in order for the Apple Silicon Mac Pro to succeed they would need to create a modular custom ARM Mac where you had proprietary upgrade modules you would swap out. That way instead of having to refresh the Mac Pro, they could just refresh the module parts, so it could get upgrades more often and stay ahead of the curve while satisfying the highest end user.

Apple being Apple they would probably ask for those modules just as much as for a new computer.
Slightly exaggerating, but you get the point.

 

[bradman83]

The RAM as it stands is part of the SoC yes, however the Mac Studio's SSD was modular, however software locked so it couldn't be replaced with something else. I've theorized in order for the Apple Silicon Mac Pro to succeed they would need to create a modular custom ARM Mac where you had proprietary upgrade modules you would swap out. That way instead of having to refresh the Mac Pro, they could just refresh the module parts, so it could get upgrades more often and stay ahead of the curve while satisfying the highest end user.

Because the M-series has the storage controller built into the chip they don't use standard SSD modules, they just use raw flash storage chips (whereas industry standard M.2 SSDs have the storage controller on the SSD itself). If you swap out the memory module with a configuration the M1/M2 isn't expecting it won't work. The same was true of the Intel Mac Pro - the T2 security chip contained the storage controller and the SSD module could not be readily upgraded without some fancy work in Configurator.

There is nothing stopping you from connecting a Thunderbolt PCIe chassis to an M-series Mac, adding an M.2 expansion card and adding all of the M.2 drives you want. The same would be true of a Mac Pro - as long as it supports internal PCIe expansion the system will recognize additional internal drives just fine, you just can't easily upgrade the boot drive.

 

[GraXXoR]

I thought M processors are not “modulerable.”

Everything is "modulerable" if you pad it with enough logic.


But dreamers like me are just going to dream of a Raspberry Pi CM4-alike Computer Module with an A15 Bionic instead of a Broadcom.

 

[return2sendai]

Au contrarie! Apple is currently selling the All New iPhone 14 and the most powerful iPhone ever, the iPhone 14 Pro. Additionally, Apple has best-on-class laptops, using the most powerful Apple Silicon ever available in a portable device. And Apple hasn’t stopped there. The most powerful Apple Silicon ever is now available in Apple desktop device, delivering pro-level performance in beautifully designed chassis. Finally, Apple just released Beats headphones in three incredible new colors and the AirPods and AirPods Pro continue to be the best, most integrated headphones Apple has ever released. Apple is so excited by all the innovative, best-ever products they currently have available and can’t wait to see the incredible things customers will do with them.

Thank you, Tim Apple.

 

[andrewxgx]

my theory for a mac pro is basically a mac studio that you are able to extend with additional ultra chips via some kind of expansion ports
so you end up with m2 ultra as base that is able to run the OS with say 4 additional m2 ultra boards that you can throw workload at

 

[Robert.Walter]

Au contrarie! Apple is currently selling the All New iPhone 14 and the most powerful iPhone ever, the iPhone 14 Pro. Additionally, Apple has best-on-class laptops, using the most powerful Apple Silicon ever available in a portable device. And Apple hasn’t stopped there. The most powerful Apple Silicon ever is now available in Apple desktop device, delivering pro-level performance in beautifully designed chassis. Finally, Apple just released Beats headphones in three incredible new colors and the AirPods and AirPods Pro continue to be the best, most integrated headphones Apple has ever released. Apple is so excited by all the innovative, best-ever products they currently have available and can’t wait to see the incredible things customers will do with them.

And AirTags so, should you lose them, you can find the remote to your Apple TV, cable to your HomePod, subscription to iTunes Match, and your dog Mac.

 

[neilw]

Now that's a juicy piece of rumor news. Points to the possibility that the Mac Pro will be much more interesting than just an overblown Studio.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

What "many things"? Apple's product lineup has been pretty stagnant, and continues to remain so, other than some spec bumps.

And don't forget slightly different sizes.

 

[Spaceboi Scaphandre]

Apple being Apple they would probably ask for those modules just as much as for a new computer.
Slightly exaggerating, but you get the point.

I wouldn't doubt them to do it, but at least you'd get what you want with an expandable Apple Silicon machine. Microsoft charges the price of a new Xbox Series X/S for a 1TB SSD expansion to it. That's what happens when you go absolutely proprietary.

 

[Kim Larni]

Wonder what that might be, cause Mac Studio with M1 Max is: 13,1 and Ultra 13,2?

 

[prime17569]

The fact that the module has a model identifier of "ComputeModule13,x" suggests that it is likely based on M1-generation silicon.

I can tell this because, among other things, the iPhone 12 (with A14, the same generation as M1) is iPhone13,x, and the Mac Studio (M1 Max/M1 Ultra) is Mac13,1 and Mac13,2.

It appears that the Mac Studio was the first Mac to have the enigmatic MacX,Y model identifier; the previous M1 MacBook Air, for example, is MacBookAir10,1.

 

[bradman83]

macOS already supports symmetric multiprocessing, which extends to multiple whole CPUs, as well as multiple GPUs. It's entirely possible Apple will package multiple M2 Ultras in a similar manner. There's nothing about the SoC configuration that would prevent this on a hardware level so long as the OS/kernel are programmed for how to address these redundant resources.