Mac Studio Key Features & Pricing | M2 Max vs M2 Ultra [2024 Update]

In March, Apple introduced the Mac Studio, a new pro-level Mac computer powered by last year's Apple M1 chip (in the forms of the M1 Ultra and M1 Max). It was billed as a more powerful version of the Mac mini.

However, with the January release of the Mac Mini with the Apple M2 chip, the Mac Studio (and its M1-series chips) lost some of its luster. However, you can now buy a new Mac Studio with either an M2 Ultra or M2 Max chip, which started shipping on June 13.

Curious about the Mac Studio? It lets you build the perfect studio with up to 12 high-performance ports, including an SDXC card reader for transferring video and photos, and an expanded HDMI output that supports 8K resolution for connecting to a TV.

With M2 Max, you can take on challenges of all sizes, from recording music to editing your first film. And with M2 Ultra in the Mac Studio, you can scale up your workflow like never before.

So, what are the features and pricing of the Mac Studio? Let's dive in!

The Mac Studio's standout features

Apple's new Mac Studio, which comes with either the M2 Max or the M2 Ultra chip, began shipping to customers in June. In addition to its processors, the Mac Studio boasts …

✨The Design of the Mac Studio

The new Mac Studio looks similar to the 2022 model, but it now comes with Apple's latest M2 Ultra and Max chips, speedy Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity, and improved support for high-impedance headphones.

When it was introduced, the Mac Studio shared the same design as the Mac mini, and the second generation followed suit. The 2023 Mac Studio features an Apple logo on top, in silver. The base of the Mac Studio is similar to that of the Mac mini, measuring 7.7 inches square. However, the Mac Studio stands 9.5 inches tall, making it significantly thicker than the 1.41 inches of the other model.

As before, there are differences between the Max and Ultra models: the Max has four Thunderbolt ports, while the Ultra has six.

In addition, the Max has two extra USB-C ports, and both it and the Ultra have two USB-A ports for compatibility with older peripherals. Finally, the Mac Studio houses a 5.9-pound M2 Max chip; the M2 Ultra weighs in at 7.9 pounds.

The M2 chip in the Mac Studio.

The Mac Studio is a top-of-the-line desktop Mac computer aimed at professionals, slotting in between the Mac Pro and the Mac Mini. It comes with either an M2 Max or an M2 Ultra chip, features innovative cooling designs, and has multiple ports, as mentioned above.

We're already familiar with the M2 Max, as it's been inside the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros. The M2 Ultra, we've had to speculate about, based on rumors and what we know about the M1 Ultra (which combines two M1 Max processors).

Events are unfolding as expected.

• M2 Ultra: Equipped with up to 24 CPU cores and a 76-core GPU. It also offers up to 192 GB of unified memory and a memory bandwidth of 800 GB/s.
• M2 Max: Features a 12-core CPU and a GPU with up to 38 cores. The M2 Max can provide a memory bandwidth of up to 400 GB/s.

The M2 Ultra is a very different proposition to the M2 Pro and M2 Max; you can read this article for more information about the M2 chips.

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Apple Mac Studio Display

With the power efficiency of Apple silicon Macs, the Mac Studio enables M2 Ultra and M2 Max – as well as your imagination – to go further in a compact form factor. It's a desktop that's meticulously optimized, ingeniously designed to fit perfectly under any display, delivering incredible performance and convenient connectivity.

The Mac Studio with the high-end M2 Ultra supports up to six 6K Pro Display XDRs and one 4K display connected via HDMI. That means you can connect up to eight 4K displays, six 6K displays, or three 8K displays to a Mac Studio. The addition of 8K display support is a key new feature for 2023.

Apple introduced the Studio Display, a 27-inch 5K Retina display designed to pair with the Mac Studio. The monitor features an A13 chip, a 12-megapixel ultra-wide camera, a six-speaker sound system, and Center Stage with spatial audio.

It also features a pro-grade triple-microphone array and an adjustable, tilting stand. And the Studio Display can be connected to up to five monitors with an M2 Max chip or up to eight with an M2 Ultra.

What is the price of the Mac Studio?

There are two main Mac Studio models, and while prices remain similar in the US, they have risen by £100-200 in the UK. The M2 Max Mac Studio starts at:

• The Mac Studio with a 24-core CPU, 32-core Neural Engine, and 60-core M2 Max GPU, paired with a 1TB SSD and 64GB RAM, starts at $3,999/£4,199.
• The Mac Studio with a 12-core CPU, 16-core Neural Engine, and 30-core M2 Max GPU, equipped with a 512GB SSD and 32GB RAM, starts at $1,999/£2,099.

The M2 Ultra Mac Studio pricing is as follows:

• Configured with the Apple M2 Ultra chip, featuring a 76-core GPU, a 24-core CPU, and a 32-core Neural Engine, adds $1,000.
• Choosing an 8 TB SSD adds $2,200.
• Up to 192 GB of total memory adds $1,600.

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M2 Max vs. M2 Ultra Mac Studio: Which One Should You Choose?

Uncertain whether to choose between the M2 Max and the M2 Ultra Studio? We'll provide a video that delves into the key differences between these two devices. Before making your decision, here's a preview of the main points covered in the video:

• 00:31 - Specifications and Connectivity
• 01:05 - SSD Performance
• 01:32 - Geekbench 6 CPU Benchmark
• 02:12 - Web Browsing Speed

Here are the pros and cons of the M2 Ultra Mac Studio and the M2 Max Mac Studio:

If you like to work across multiple displays, the M2 Max supports up to five external monitors: four 6K displays and one 4K display, all at 60Hz. The M2 Ultra supports up to eight 4K displays and six 6K displays, all running at 60Hz.

Bonus tip:

Losing data on your Mac Studio can be a productivity nightmare. System crashes, unexpected shutdowns, and accidental deletions can all lead to significant data loss on your Mac Studio. Don't worry; we've rounded up six methods for data recovery:

• Use a Mac Data Recovery Tool
• Utilize a Shared Disk Utility
• Recover from Mac's Trash
• Restore from a Time Machine Backup
• Use the Terminal
• Restore from an iCloud Backup

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Conclusions

You need to ponder why you need a Mac Studio. If you understand how CPUs work and primarily do tasks that heavily rely on CPU power, such as video editing or complex coding, then the M2 Ultra might seem like a better choice.

But if you do things that put a high demand on the GPU, like 3D graphics or modeling, the M2 Max with 30 or 38 GPU cores would be the better choice.

Mac Studio Frequently Asked Questions

Let's examine some common questions to better understand the topic:

1. What is the Mac Studio used for? The Mac Studio is an Apple-designed high-performance desktop computer primarily intended for: 1. **Professional Creativity**: It is ideal for graphic designers, video editors, musicians, and 3D artists. Its powerful processor and graphics capabilities handle large files and complex creative projects effortlessly. 2. **Video and Audio Editing**: With the M1 Ultra chip, the Mac Studio smoothly edits 4K, 8K, and even higher resolution videos, supporting multiple video streams simultaneously. For audio production, it can handle numerous audio tracks and effects plugins with exceptional sound quality. 3. **Software Development**: Developers can leverage the Mac Studio's powerful performance for compiling code, running emulators, and testing applications, boosting productivity. 4. **Scientific Computing and Data Analysis**: Its high-performance processor and memory make it suitable for handling complex computational tasks, appealing to researchers and data analysts. 5. **Gaming**: Although not specifically designed for gaming, the Mac Studio's graphics capabilities can handle many high-quality Mac games. 6. **Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR)**: It supports the creation and testing of VR and AR content, catering to developers and creators in these fields. 7. **Home Server**: For users needing to store and share large amounts of data within a home network, the Mac Studio can function as a powerful media center and file server. In summary, the Mac Studio is a workstation-class device designed for users requiring high computing power, catering to a wide range of professional and creative work environments.

With 12 high-performance connections, Mac Studio lets you build the creative setup you've always wanted. Transfer photos and videos with an SDXC card reader. Connect to a display or TV with support for up to 8K resolution with an upgraded HDMI port. And pair with future accessories that support Bluetooth 5.3.

2. How much does the Mac Studio 2023 cost?

The M2 Ultra Mac Studio starts at $4,999, and the M2 Max Mac Studio at $3,999.

3. Is the Mac Studio the most powerful computer?

At its 2023 Worldwide Developers Conference, Apple unveiled an updated version of the Mac Studio, which, according to the company, is now the most powerful personal computer ever, thanks to its choice of either the newly announced M2 Ultra or M2 Max Apple silicon chips.

4. What is the difference between a Mac Studio and an iMac? Both the Mac Studio and the iMac are high-performance desktop computers from Apple, but they differ in design, performance, and target audience: 1. **Design and Expandability:** - The Mac Studio is a compact workstation resembling a small box, with a more discreet design that can easily sit on a desk or under a monitor. It offers more port options, such as USB-C, HDMI, and Thunderbolt, allowing for better connectivity with external devices. - The iMac features an all-in-one design, integrating the computer hardware within a thin, stylish display. Its expandability is relatively limited, usually featuring a few USB-C or Thunderbolt ports along with a headphone jack. 2. **Performance:** - The Mac Studio boasts higher configuration options, with the M1 Max or M1 Ultra chips available, making it suitable for professional-level image processing, video editing, 3D rendering, and encoding tasks. - The latest iMac models also come with the M1 chip, providing strong performance but may be slightly less powerful than the Mac Studio for high-end applications. 3. **Display:** - The Mac Studio does not include a monitor, requiring users to purchase one separately. This allows for choosing a display tailored to individual needs or using an existing monitor. - The iMac has an integrated high-resolution display, offering great visual quality without the need for an additional monitor. 4. **Price and Target Market:** - Due to its higher performance and customizable configurations, the Mac Studio is typically priced higher than an equivalently equipped iMac. - The iMac is better suited for those who want an all-in-one desktop with a high-performance display for general use, without the need for extreme professional-grade capabilities. In summary, if you require a powerful and versatile workstation for professional workloads, the Mac Studio might be the better choice. On the other hand, if you're looking for a sleek, all-in-one desktop with good performance for everyday use, the iMac is a suitable option.

The main difference between the Mac Studio and the iMac lies in their performance. They are equipped with different processors, resulting in a significant gap in performance. The iMac is powered by Apple's M1 chip and supports up to 16 GB of RAM. In contrast, the Mac Studio is equipped with either the M1 Ultra or Max chip, capable of supporting up to 128 GB of RAM.