Apple has unveiled its latest powerhouse desktop, the Mac Studio, boasting impressive performance upgrades thanks to the introduction of the M3 Ultra chip. This new iteration offers two configurations: one featuring the robust M4 Max and the other showcasing the brand-new M3 Ultra. While the design remains largely unchanged, the internal enhancements promise to redefine creative workflows.
M4 Max and M3 Ultra chips.Apple’s new M4 Max and M3 Ultra chips power the latest Mac Studio.
M3 Ultra: A Leap in AI Performance
The M3 Ultra chip takes center stage as a game-changer for AI tasks. Apple claims it delivers up to 2.5 times the performance of its predecessor, the M1 Ultra. This performance boost is further amplified by support for up to a staggering 512GB of unified memory, an unprecedented amount for a personal computer. This immense memory capacity allows the Mac Studio to handle complex large language models (LLMs) with over 600 billion parameters directly in memory, pushing the boundaries of AI capabilities.
Configuration Options and Powerhouse Specs
The new Mac Studio offers various configurations to suit different needs and budgets. The base model starts with 96GB of memory, scalable up to the aforementioned 512GB. The top-tier M4 Max configuration features a 16-core CPU and a 40-core GPU, while the M3 Ultra boasts a 32-core CPU, an 80-core GPU, and up to 16TB of SSD storage. These powerful configurations promise significant performance gains across a range of professional applications.
The new Mac StudioThe updated Mac Studio retains its familiar design while packing significant performance upgrades.
M3 Ultra Architecture and Thunderbolt 5
The M3 Ultra chip’s impressive performance is a result of combining two 3nm M3 Max dies using Apple’s UltraFusion packaging architecture, resulting in a massive 184 billion transistors. Another key feature is the integration of Thunderbolt 5 connectivity. Each port is equipped with a dedicated controller on the chip, ensuring consistent bandwidth up to 120Gb/s for each port.
Performance Benchmarks and Real-World Gains
Apple highlights significant performance improvements with the M3 Ultra, including up to 16.9x faster token generation in LLMs, up to 2.6x faster scene rendering, and up to 1.4x faster 8K video rendering compared to the M1 Ultra. These benchmarks showcase the potential of the M3 Ultra to revolutionize professional workflows.
Pricing and Availability
The new Mac Studio is available for pre-order, with official availability beginning March 12. The base model starts at $1,999 ($1,799 for education), while the fully loaded configuration reaches $14,099.
A Surprise Announcement
Unlike the recent iPad Air launch, which was teased by CEO Tim Cook, the Mac Studio announcement came as a surprise. While a refresh was anticipated, previous rumors suggested a mid-year launch. This unexpected release provides professional users with an immediate upgrade option to tackle demanding tasks. For those requiring even more power, the Mac Pro is expected to receive a similar chip upgrade later in 2025. Apple also launched a new MacBook Air, starting at $999.
