The Mac Studio just got its first update, and it’s a screamer.
The desktop machine now comes with Apple’s new M2 Ultra chip — the “most powerful chip ever created for a personal computer,” according to Apple.
The new chip, based on Apple silicon, triples the performance of the previous M1 machine.
The M2 Ultra Mac Studio
Photo: Apple
The new machine is a welcome update to the Mac Studio, which Apple first introduced in March 2022 as a modular, expandable computer for “studio” professionals. Although not as upgradeable as some customers might like, the machine has generally been very well-received. Reviewers praised its power, speed, quiet operation, and good connectivity options. There have been some complaints of noise issues, but it’s a popular choice for a lot of setups.
M2 Ultra Mac Studio specs
The new Mac Studio retains the previous design, but now comes with M2 Max or M2 Ultra chips. The M2 Ultra effectively doubles the M2 Max chip, and the new machine is up to three-times faster than the older M1-based Mac Studio.
Apple touted the new machine’s “incredible” performance and connectivity. Based on the M2 Ultra chip, the new machine runs rings around its predecessors.
The new chip features a 24-core CPU; a 76-core GPU; and a 32-core neural engine. It can support and a whopping 192-Gbytes of unified memory.
“It’s the most powerful chip ever created for a personal computer,” said Apple’s Jennifer Munn, Director, Engineering Program Management, referring to the new M2 Ultra chip.
“It is a monster of a chip,” said added.
The new Mac Studio now features a higher-bandwidth HDMI port that can run an 8K display at 240Hz. On the back are four Thunderbolt 4 ports, a 10 Gigabit Ethernet port, HDMI, and two USB-A ports. On the front, it has two USB-C ports and an SD card slot.
Mac Studio availability
The M2 Max Mac Studio starts at $1,999 ($1,799 for education), the same pricing as its predecessor. The M2 Ultra Mac Studio starts at $3,999. Both versions are available to order today from Apple’s website. They will be available in Apple’s retail store and authorized resellers next week, beginning Tuesday, June 13.
