Observe: This mannequin hasn’t been up to date since 2023. An replace is predicted in 2025.
What’s 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 Extremely. It’s a desktop “modular” Mac that’s extra highly effective (and costlier) than the Mac mini and equally specced to the Mac Professional, however missing the Mac Professional’s enlargement choices.
Who’s it for? The Mac Studio is for the person who desires the utmost processing energy. It’s not the one highly effective Mac accessible–the Mac Professional additionally runs on the M2 Extremely–however it’s the least expensive approach to get both the M2 Max or M2 Extremely chips. If you’d like the enlargement choices of the Mac Professional you then’ll need to look elsewhere, however the Mac Studio brings all the ability normally reserved for the final word Mac in a small package deal.
How a lot does the Mac Studio value? 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 Extremely with 60-core GPU and 1TB SSD. There are additionally build-to-order choices that embody a 76-core GPU, as much as 192GB Unified Reminiscence, and 8TB SSD. Absolutely maxed out a Mac Studio would value $8,799/£8,999.
What are the specs? The Mac Studio makes use of both the M2 Max or M2 Extremely processors. Apple presents 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 Extremely SoC with a 24-core CPU, 60-core GPU, 64GB of reminiscence, and a 32-core Neural Engine; 1TB SSD, $3,999/£4,199
- Extra choices: M2 Extremely SoC with a 76-core GPU, as much as 192GB unified reminiscence, and as much as 8TB SSD.
The Mac Studio doesn’t embody a show, keyboard, or mouse, so that you’ll have to supply your personal, or you’ll be able to customise your order to incorporate these gadgets as extra-cost choices. Apple launched the Studio Show 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: 4 Thunderbolt 4 ports on the again; two USB-C ports on the entrance.
- M2 Extremely: 4 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 assist 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 need to use the built-in ethernet port, or you need to use Wi-Fi, which comes customary.
To attach a show, you need to 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 connect with Thunderbolt. You possibly can join as much as eight 4K shows, six 6K shows, or three 8K shows to the M2 Extremely. The M2 Max helps fewer shows.
How briskly is it? Regardless of the arrival of the M3 Max, the M2 Max Mac Studio is a really quick Mac at a really aggressive worth level. As soon as Apple provides the M3 Max as an choice Its pace will probably be equal to that of the 14- and 16-inch MacBook Professional 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 wonderful alternative for anybody on a funds.
Even with the arrival of the M3 Max, the M2 Extremely Mac Studio is Apple’s quickest chip, each in CPU and GPU pace. We anticipate that when the M3 Extremely arrives the pace good points will probably be nice.
Macworld’s shopping for recommendation: The Mac Studio is good for customers who use processor- and graphics-intensive apps, comparable to media manufacturing, software program growth, graphics software program, and extra. If you end up spending quite a lot of time watching progress bars whilst you work, you’ll profit from the ability of the Mac Studio. The one query is whether or not you’ll be able to wait till Apple upgrades the processors to M3 Max and M3 Extremely, which we anticipate taking place round WWDC in June 2024.
The one drawback is that the Mac Studio depends on exterior connections for expandability. If you’d like a pro-level Mac with the power to swap enlargement playing cards you must have a look at Apple silicon-based Mac Professional under. Additionally learn: Why Mac professionals ought to change to a Mac Studio.
