Nvidia dominates the market for the processing chips that enable many AI applications and services. But it’s now taking another step. At CES 2025, Nvidia unveiled its new desktop ‘supercomputer’ for AI developers – the Project DIGITS.
The new computer, running the company’s new GB10 Superchip with 128GB RAM and up to 4TB of SSD, shares similar dimensions to the Mac mini. It sits on a desk taking up very little space. CEO Jensen Huang says the goal is to put “an AI supercomputer on the desks of every data scientist, AI researcher and student.” Hopefully, that target audience can afford the USD$3000 price tag for a system that the company says can run 200B-parameter models when it’s released in May 2025.
Where this becomes more interesting is that Nvidia is also bundling its development tools, creating an all-in-one solution for developers. Huang’s announcement is not just a hardware release. It’s about creating a vertically integrated AI solution.
Nvidia already dominates the server-side for AI. Almost every major AI-server is running Nvidia’s powerful chips. Having the same platform in a package made for developers further solidifies Nvidia’s position. And it’s that integrated approach that looks like it’s straight from the Apple playbook.
Apple’s so-called ‘walled garden’ delivers a very specific type of experience where the hardware and software work hand-in-hand. And it seems Jensen Huang is aiming for a similar experience with the software tools matched to the hardware. That said, a consumer technology experience is very different from one created for developers.
Nvidia’s play with Project DIGITS sets a high bar for AI developer systems. Nvidia will invest significant resources in making this the best possible developer platform for AI. This is about more than selling desktop computers. It’s about ensuring developers spend as much time as possible using Nvidia’s tools and creating code that is optimised to run on servers utilising Nvidia’s chips.
Anthony is the founder of Australian Apple News. He is a long-time Apple user and former editor of Australian Macworld. He has contributed to many technology magazines and newspapers as well as appearing regularly on radio and occasionally on TV.