Apple has updated its Mac Studio lineup, offering users a choice between the new M4 Max and the M3 Ultra chips. This upgrade aims to provide professionals with enhanced performance and flexibility, catering to a range of computing needs.
Highlights
The M4 Max variant starts at $1,999, while the M3 Ultra model begins at $3,999. Pre-orders are now open, with availability in Apple Stores starting Wednesday, March 12.
M4 Max vs. M3 Ultra
Despite its numbering, the M3 Ultra is the most powerful option in this lineup. Apple’s naming convention places the Ultra version above the Max, meaning users choosing the M3 Ultra can expect significantly higher performance levels.
| Specification | M4 Max | M3 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $1,999 | $3,999 |
| Base Unified Memory | 36GB | 96GB |
| Base Storage | 512GB | 1TB |
| Max Configurations | Up to 512GB RAM / 16TB Storage | Up to 512GB RAM / 16TB Storage |
| Front USB-C Port Speed | Standard USB-C | Full Thunderbolt 5 |
Apple states that the M3 Ultra is up to 2.6 times faster than the M1 Ultra, making it particularly well-suited for tasks like video editing, 3D rendering, and machine learning.
In its base configuration, the M4 Max version includes 36GB of unified memory and 512GB of storage, while the M3 Ultra model starts with 96GB of memory and 1TB of storage.
For users requiring higher capacities, Apple offers configurations of up to 512GB of RAM and 16TB of storage, making the Mac Studio one of the most powerful compact desktops available.
Retaining the Compact Design With Connectivity Upgrades
The Mac Studio keeps its compact form factor, maintaining its design while incorporating upgrades in connectivity. The back of the device includes:
- Four Thunderbolt 5 ports
- Two USB-A ports
- One HDMI port
- One 10Gb Ethernet port
- A 3.5mm headphone jack
On the front, users will find an SD card slot and two USB-C ports. However, a key difference exists: the front USB-C ports on the M3 Ultra model support full Thunderbolt 5 speeds, while those on the M4 Max remain standard USB-C ports.
This provides faster data transfer for professionals handling high-bandwidth workflows.
Up to 512GB for AI and Professional Workloads
The M3 Ultra variant introduces up to 512GB of unified memory, a first for personal computers. This capability allows for seamless handling of AI models with over 600 billion parameters, catering to researchers, developers, and media professionals.
With memory bandwidth exceeding 800GB/s, the Mac Studio ensures real-time data processing without slowdowns.
Thunderbolt 5
For the first time on a Mac, Thunderbolt 5 delivers speeds up to 120Gb/s—three times faster than Thunderbolt 4. This upgrade improves external storage performance, supports high-bandwidth peripherals, and enables PCIe expansion.
Users of the M3 Ultra model can now connect up to eight Pro Display XDR monitors at full 6K resolution, making it a powerful choice for creative professionals and engineering workflows.
80-Core Graphics for High-End Workflows
The M3 Ultra features an 80-core GPU, marking Apple’s most advanced graphics architecture.
The inclusion of second-generation ray tracing, hardware-accelerated mesh shading, and dynamic caching makes the Mac Studio ideal for 3D rendering, high-resolution video editing, and game development.
Apple claims that in Redshift rendering, the M3 Ultra is up to 2.6 times faster than the M1 Ultra, benefiting professionals in visual effects and animation.
AI-Optimized Performance With a 32-Core Neural Engine
Apple has integrated a 32-core Neural Engine into the Mac Studio, accelerating machine learning and AI processing tasks.
According to Apple, this results in up to 16.9x faster token generation in large language models compared to the M1 Ultra.
The Mac Studio is also optimized for Apple Intelligence, offering advanced features such as real-time transcription, content summarization, and AI-assisted writing tools.
On-Device AI Processing and Privacy Enhancements
Apple Intelligence is designed to operate on-device, ensuring user privacy by eliminating cloud dependencies for AI-powered features.
For more complex AI workloads, Apple’s Private Cloud Compute provides additional processing power without storing or sharing data externally. These privacy measures aim to give users control over how their data is processed while benefiting from AI-driven enhancements.
Apple’s Sustainability Commitment in the Mac Studio
Apple continues its focus on sustainability, integrating a higher percentage of recycled and renewable materials in the new Mac Studio.
The company is working toward its goal of achieving a carbon-neutral footprint by 2030, with data centers powering Apple Intelligence running on 100% renewable energy.
