Mac Studio: small device, big specifications

The new Mac Studio is a small cabinet, but looks can be deceiving. The specifications are quite good.

It may be the undersigned, but fixed ‘desktop’ PCs from Apple are always snowed under. That while they always offer great specifications. Just think of the Mac Pro series: priceless, but extremely suitable for performing hefty tasks. If it’s all a little smaller, then the Mac Mini is for you. As of today, a model sits between these two Macs. Meet the Mac Studio.

Mac Studio

What it is: In both size and specs, it’s literally the intermediate step between Mac Pro and Mac Mini. It’s a little bigger than the Mac Mini, but not a big case like the Mac Pro. Specs are easier to explain on the basis of the new MacBook Pros. The latest M1 chipsets were unveiled: the M1 Pro and the M1 Max.

M1 Max and M1 Ultra

Now it gets really fun: you can forget about M1 Pro, M1 Max is now the entry-level model. This provides a working memory of 32 GB or 64 GB. The basic version offers a 10-core CPU and a 24-core GPU. That already sounds great, but the M1 Ultra is even a fraction faster. It starts with 64 GB of RAM, but that can be 128 GB. The CPU can go up to 32, 48 or 64 cores on this top version. SSD storage can also be further expanded to 8TB of storage. This makes it one of the fastest PCs they’ve ever built, according to Apple.

Ports

You also get a wide range of ports, including four or six Thunderbolt 4 connections (the M1 Ultra gets two extra TB4 ports in the front), an Ethernet cable, two USB-A ports, an HDMI cable to connect it to the Studio Display (or any other screen) and a 3.5 mm jack connection. Heavy tasks are nothing for this powerful PC.

Prices (expensive!)

As always, that has its price tag. The Mac Studio starts from 2,329 euros† That is the 32 GB RAM version with a 512 GB SSD and the M1 Max chip. There is a lot to choose from, but if you really choose everything, you will end up with the 20-core M1 Ultra with 128 GB of RAM and an 8 TB SSD. That goes 9,229 euros cost. Oof. Order now and by March 21st you will receive your brand new Mac Studio.