Note: This mannequin hasn’t been up to date since 2023. An replace is predicted in 2025.
What is it? The Mac Studio joined Apple’s Mac lineup in March 2022 and was up to date in June 2023 when it gained the M2 Max and M2 Ultra. It’s a desktop “modular” Mac that’s extra highly effective (and costlier) than the Mac mini and equally specced to the Mac Pro, however missing the Mac Pro’s enlargement choices.
Who’s it for? The Mac Studio is for the consumer who needs the utmost processing energy. It’s not the one highly effective Mac accessible–the Mac Pro additionally runs on the M2 Ultra–however it’s the least expensive strategy to get both the M2 Max or M2 Ultra chips. If you need the enlargement choices of the Mac Pro then you’ll need to look elsewhere, however the Mac Studio brings all the ability often reserved for the last word Mac in a small package deal.
How a lot does the Mac Studio price? There are two customary configurations beginning at $1,999/£2,099 (was £1,999) for the Mac Studio M2 Max with 30-core GPU and 512GB SSD, and $3,999/£4,199 (was £3,999) for the Mac Studio M2 Ultra with 60-core GPU and 1TB SSD. There are additionally build-to-order choices that embrace a 76-core GPU, as much as 192GB Unified Memory, and 8TB SSD. Fully maxed out a Mac Studio would price $8,799/£8,999.
What are the specs? The Mac Studio makes use of both the M2 Max or M2 Ultra processors. Apple provides two customary configurations:
- Apple M2 Max SoC with a 12-core CPU, 30-core GPU, 32GB of reminiscence, and a 16-core Neural Engine; 512GB SSD, $1,999/£2,099
- Apple M2 Ultra SoC with a 24-core CPU, 60-core GPU, 64GB of reminiscence, and a 32-core Neural Engine; 1TB SSD, $3,999/£4,199
- Additional choices: M2 Ultra SoC with a 76-core GPU, as much as 192GB unified reminiscence, and as much as 8TB SSD.
The Mac Studio doesn’t embrace a show, keyboard, or mouse, so you’ll have to offer your personal, or you can customise your order to incorporate these gadgets as extra-cost choices. Apple launched the Studio Display similtaneously the unique Mac Studio, however it may be used with third-party shows, too.
How do I join stuff?
The Mac Studio has the next ports:
- M2 Max: Four Thunderbolt 4 ports on the again; two USB-C ports on the entrance.
- M2 Ultra: Four Thunderbolt 4 ports on the again; two Thunderbolt 4 ports on the entrance.
- SDXC Card slot on the entrance.
- Two USB-A ports.
- 10Gb ethernet.
- HDMI 2.0.
- 3.5 mm headphone jack (with superior help for high-impedance headphones, a characteristic lacked by the M1-series fashions)
- 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6E (was 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6 in predecessor)
- Bluetooth 5.3 (was Bluetooth 5.0 in predecessor)
Thunderbolt helps USB-C and USB-4.
To hook up with a community, you can use the built-in ethernet port, or you can use Wi-Fi, which comes customary.
To join a show, you can use the HDMI 2.0 port or a Thunderbolt port. You might need to purchase an adapter in case your show doesn’t have both HDMI or a port that may hook up with Thunderbolt. You can join as much as eight 4K shows, six 6K shows, or three 8K shows to the M2 Ultra. The M2 Max helps fewer shows.
How quick is it? Despite the arrival of the M3 Max, the M2 Max Mac Studio is a really quick Mac at a really aggressive value level. Once Apple provides the M3 Max as an choice Its velocity will probably be equal to that of the 14- and 16-inch MacEbook Pro fashions that characteristic the M3 Max, however even now it prices a fraction of the worth: $1,999 in comparison with $3,199/£3,299 for the 14-inch and $3,599/£3,699 for the 16-inch, making it a superb alternative for anybody on a funds.
Even with the arrival of the M3 Max, the M2 Ultra Mac Studio is Apple’s quickest chip, each in CPU and GPU velocity. We anticipate that when the M3 Ultra arrives the velocity positive factors will probably be nice.
Macworld’s shopping for recommendation: The Mac Studio is good for customers who use processor- and graphics-intensive apps, equivalent to media manufacturing, software program growth, graphics software program, and extra. If you end up spending loads of time watching progress bars whereas you work, you’ll profit from the ability of the Mac Studio. The solely query is whether or not you can wait till Apple upgrades the processors to M3 Max and M3 Ultra, which we anticipate taking place round WWDC in June 2024.
The solely drawback is that the Mac Studio depends on exterior connections for expandability. If you need a pro-level Mac with the power to swap enlargement playing cards you should have a look at Apple silicon-based Mac Pro under. Also learn: Why Mac professionals should switch to a Mac Studio.
