Just two days ago, NVIDIA has published a job posting for a software engineer to “implement and extend 3D graphics and Metal”. Given that they specify the Metal API, and they want applicants who are “Experienced with OSX and/or Linux operating systems”, it seems clear that this job would involve macOS and/or iOS.
First, if this appeals to any of our readers, the job posting is here.
Second, and this is where it gets potentially news-worthy, is that NVIDIA hasn’t really done a whole lot on Apple platforms for a while. The most recent NVIDIA GPU to see macOS is the GeForce GTX 680. It’s entirely possible that NVIDIA needs someone to fill in and maintain those old components. If that’s the case? Business as usual. Nothing to see here.
The other possibility is that NVIDIA might be expecting a design win with Apple. What? Who knows. It could be something as simple as Apple’s external GPU architecture allowing the user to select their own add-in board. Alternatively, Apple could have selected an NVIDIA GPU for one or more product lines, which they have not done since 2013 (as far as I can tell).
Apple typically makes big announcements at WWDC, which is expected in early June, or around the back-to-school season in September. I’m guessing we’ll know by then at the latest if something is in the works.
“The other possibility is
“The other possibility is that NVIDIA might be expecting a design win with Apple”
Probably not any Nvidia Design wins but it’s just for MacOS/Metal and OpenGL Nvidia support on any external TB/TB3 External PCIe Graphics Boxes attatched to Apple’s laptop’s/PC’s where the user may want to use a Nvidia GPU.
Nvidia may be too costly compared to AMD’s graphics inside Apple’s PC/Laptop products but there has been Pascal/MacOS support for Nvidia’s Pascal SKUs on any Apple PC/Laptop External TB/TB3 PCIe Boxes where user may want to use their GPU of choice.
So I think that its mostly for external PCIe TB/TB3 boxes that Apple now supports for external GPUs. The article below from 9to5mac is from Jun. 7th 2017 and states:
“Of course, you should also be able to pair an Nvidia GPU with an eGPU box now that Apple supports external graphics, and Nvidia’s Pascal architecture supports macOS. Who ever though we’d be able to make those two statements back to back?” (1)
(1)
“Hands-on: macOS High Sierra’s native eGPU support shows promise [Video]”
https://9to5mac.com/2017/06/07/hands-on-macos-high-sierra-native-egpu-support-shows-promise-video/
You can easily use
You can easily use Kepler/Maxwell based cards in a mac pro (cheese grater ones) if you want. nVidia has maintained “web driver” for those for a long time. Nowadays even Pascal cards work.
If Apple wanted Nvidia in
If Apple wanted Nvidia in their computers it would happen long ago. AMD GPUs are the only ones that are supported by Apple. Nvidia has to deal with the driers on their own without Apple’s help.
Perhaps its for their drive
Perhaps its for their drive Px integration with the “apple car”