# Apple's 'Extreme' Mac Chips Were Too Good for This RAM-Starved World

Apple's canceled Extreme chips shelved due to RAM shortages and costs.

- **Source:** [Macworld](https://brifing.si/source/5c5245ce-d063-40e0-bd54-48b60cbc761f)
- **Published:** 2026-07-20
- **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business)
- **Original article:** <https://www.macworld.com/article/3195058/apple-extreme-mac-chips-were-too-good-for-this-ram-starved-world.html>
- **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/9720917a-b219-4a2f-a621-54f171368ec0

## Apple's Extreme Chip Plans

When Apple introduced the M2 chip in 2022, Extreme versions were also on the agenda. These chips were planned for the Mac Pro but were canceled due to complexity and costs.

## Reason for M2 Extreme Cancellation

According to Bloomberg, the M2 Extreme chip was formed by combining four M2 Max chips. This increased both production difficulty and cost, leading to the project being shelved.

## M3 Extreme Also Didn't Make It

Apple had also developed the M3 Extreme chip alongside the M2. However, RAM shortages and low demand prevented these chips from going into production.

## The End of Mac Pro

Apple discontinued the Mac Pro entirely in March 2023. RAM shortages and high costs made continuing this high-end model impossible.

## Impact of RAM Shortages

The global RAM shortage limited Apple's high-capacity memory options. For example, the 256GB RAM option for the Mac Studio was removed.

## A Dream Machine

Apple's Extreme chips could have been groundbreaking in terms of both performance and price. However, RAM shortages and production challenges prevented this dream machine from becoming a reality.

## Sources covering this story

- https://www.macworld.com/article/3195058/apple-extreme-mac-chips-were-too-good-for-this-ram-starved-world.html — 

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_Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._