Apple unveils new Mac Studio featuring M4 Max and M3 Ultra chips.
The M3 Ultra may not be an M4, but it is still a great device.
Apple has decided to update the Mac Studio after more than a year and a half, introducing a couple of models that stand out for their uniqueness: the device incorporates two generations of chips, the M4 Max for the base version and the M3 Ultra for the upgraded model. Users can now pre-order on Apple's website, with prices starting at $1,999 for the M4 Max and $3,999 for the M3 Ultra, and both models will be available for purchase starting March 12.
The Mac Studio with M4 Max is advertised as "up to 3.5 times faster" than the original version with M1 Max, including a 14 to 16-core CPU and a 32 to 40-core GPU. Like the MacBook Pro with M4 Max, this version starts with 36GB of RAM, which is an upgrade from the 32GB in the M2 model, and it can be configured with up to 128GB, surpassing the 96GB of the Studio M2 Max. Additionally, like its predecessor, it begins with 512GB of SSD storage, expandable up to 8TB.
On the other hand, the Mac Studio with the M3 Ultra chip promises exceptional performance, offering up to 32 cores, of which 24 are high-performance cores, representing "50% more than any previous Ultra chip." Its GPU starts with a 60-core configuration and can go up to 80 cores, and it also features a 32-core Neural Engine, ideal for artificial intelligence and machine learning applications. This model also offers 96GB of base RAM, with the option to expand it to an impressive 512GB, enough to run significant AI models. Finally, the initial internal storage of 1TB can be increased to a maximum of 16 terabytes.
Apple has incorporated new functionalities into the GPUs of the Mac Studios, including dynamic cache, which allows frequently accessed data to be stored to reduce latency, as well as hardware-accelerated mesh shading. Both features are innovations for the company's graphic chips. In addition, a second-generation ray tracing engine is highlighted, improving content creation and gaming experience.
As for the exterior design, the new Mac Studio maintains the same square and compact shape in silver as its predecessors, featuring two USB-C ports and an SD card slot on the front. On the back, there are four additional USB-C ports, two USB-A ports, as well as connections for Ethernet, power, audio, and an audio connector next to the power button. Both CPU configurations include Thunderbolt 5 connections, but, as in previous generations, only the four rear USB-C ports of the M4 Max support Thunderbolt 5; the Mac Studio with M3 Ultra allows this function on all six ports.