The Mac Studio stands as Apple’s pinnacle of performance, and this year, it introduces a new twist with the option of either an M4 Max or an M3 Ultra processor. While the M3 Ultra may initially appear to be a step back given that nearly all Macs, excluding the Mac Pro, are transitioning to M4 chips, it remains Apple’s top-performing processor. This makes the latest Mac Studio the fastest computer Apple has ever created. Despite its impressive capabilities for creative professionals and engineers, the M3 Ultra model starts at a hefty $4,000, with prices soaring from there. However, the M4 Max model, which I received for this review, is likely to be the more appealing choice for the average consumer, starting at a more manageable price point.
The design of the Mac Studio has not changed since its original M1 Ultra version launched in 2022. This consistency is a testament to its timeless aesthetic, which has aged gracefully and occupies minimal desk space. Its dimensions are roughly equivalent to two older Mac minis stacked together, and it features the same sleek aluminum casing that exudes a premium feel. Even the packaging and power cables reflect Apple's commitment to quality and sustainability.
On the front, the Mac Studio houses an SDXC card slot capable of supporting UHS-II speeds (up to 300 MB/s) and includes two 10Gbps USB-C ports, which are upgraded to Thunderbolt 5 on the M3 Ultra model. The rear of the device is equipped with four Thunderbolt 5 ports, providing a remarkable throughput of up to 15 GB/s—three times faster than the previous Mac Studio with Thunderbolt 4 capabilities. Additional connectivity options include a 10Gbps Ethernet port, two USB 3.1 Type A slots, an HDMI port, and a 3.5mm headphone jack, making it easy to connect multiple external drives, monitors, and peripherals.
The M3 Ultra version of the Mac Studio is arguably over-engineered, boasting an astonishing 32-core CPU—eight more than the M2 Ultra model. The GPU features a record-breaking 80 cores, complemented by a 32-core Neural Engine dedicated to on-device AI and machine learning tasks. The unified memory starts at 96GB and can be expanded to an incredible 512GB, with a bandwidth of up to 819 GB/s. Storage options reach up to 16TB, pushing the total cost of a fully maxed-out Mac Studio to a staggering $14,099.
On the other hand, the M4 Max model, while still powerful, has more accessible configurations. The top-tier version includes a 16-core CPU and a 40-core GPU, featuring over 546 GB/s of unified memory bandwidth and up to 8TB of storage. With a base price of $1,999, you receive a 14-core CPU, a 32-core GPU, and a 16-core Neural Engine, along with 36GB of unified memory. My test unit came with a maximum 128GB configuration priced at $3,699. It's important to note that once purchased, neither the processor, memory, nor storage can be upgraded, so careful consideration of specifications is essential when ordering.
The Mac Studio with the M4 Max processor excelled in synthetic benchmarks, achieving the highest single-core Geekbench 6 CPU score among all PCs tested. While it fell slightly short of the M2 Ultra in multicore performance, it outperformed the M3 Ultra in single-core tests. The GPU performance was equally remarkable, with the ATTO disk achieving peak write speeds of up to 8 GB/s, the highest recorded to date.
To truly gauge the machine’s capabilities, I subjected it to demanding content creation tasks, particularly video editing, using Premiere Pro and DaVinci Resolve. The Mac Studio handled 4K, 6K, and even 8K video files effortlessly, showing no signs of lag on a 4K timeline. The M4 Max’s ability to decode RAW and 10-bit H.264 or H.265 files in real-time made for a smooth editing experience. It even managed to play a single layer of 8K video with color correction without any issues, although performance dipped when attempting multiple 8K tracks simultaneously.
Encoding times were impressively brief; I was able to export a 3.5-minute 4K timeline in just 1 minute and 51 seconds. In contrast, my MacBook Pro with an M3 Pro processor took over double that time at four minutes and 10 seconds. The Mac Studio also performed admirably with Lightroom Classic and Photoshop, allowing for fast editing of large RAW images without any noticeable lag.
While the fan does engage during intensive tasks, the Mac Studio's larger chassis and superior cooling system offer better thermal performance compared to the Mac mini. To test its AI capabilities, I utilized Apple’s Whisper transcription tool on a 75-minute podcast, achieving a conversion time of just 1 minute and 32 seconds—significantly faster than other MacBook Pro models.
Although the Mac Studio is primarily designed for content creators, I also tested its gaming performance with Baldur’s Gate III. The machine managed to deliver smooth gameplay at high settings and 1440p resolution, though limited by the Studio Monitor's refresh rate. The GPU performance was impressive compared to most PCs, but the selection of games available for macOS remains a limiting factor.
For those contemplating whether to invest in the Mac Studio or settle for a Mac mini, it depends on your specific needs. The Mac mini M4 Pro offers a capable alternative for less demanding tasks at a lower price point. However, if your work involves frequent 4K video editing, 3D rendering, or gaming, the Mac Studio is the superior choice. The M3 Ultra version, while powerful, may be overkill for most users, and the Mac Pro is priced for studios and large enterprises. Ultimately, the Mac Studio has solidified its position as the high-end Mac for professionals.
