Apple is poised to release a new Mac Studio, codenamed J575, possibly as early as this week, alongside the new MacBook Airs. This news comes from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman via X (formerly Twitter), hinting at a strategic differentiation between the Mac Studio and the Mac Pro. While the new MacBook Airs are anticipated to feature the M4 Max chip, the upcoming Mac Studio might surprisingly house the M3 Ultra processor.
M3 Ultra Chip: A Performance Leap for Mac Studio
Gurman suggests that the inclusion of the M3 Ultra chip in the Mac Studio is a deliberate move to distinguish it from the Mac Pro. Currently, both machines utilize the M2 Ultra, leading to performance overlap. By equipping the Mac Studio with the M3 Ultra, Apple creates a clear performance gap, paving the way for the Mac Pro to potentially receive the more powerful M4 Ultra in the future. This strategy addresses the current performance parity between the two high-end Macs.
The M1 Ultra debuted in 2022, followed by the M2 Ultra in 2023, making the arrival of the M3 Ultra a logical next step. While the exact core count of the M3 Ultra remains undisclosed, it’s expected to surpass the M2 Ultra’s 24-core CPU configuration (16 performance cores and 8 efficiency cores). This upgrade promises a significant performance boost for the Mac Studio.
Mac Pro’s Future with M4 Ultra
This strategic move also suggests that the Mac Pro might leapfrog the M3 Ultra generation entirely, potentially adopting the M4 Ultra when it eventually receives a refresh. This would solidify the Mac Pro’s position as the ultimate powerhouse in Apple’s lineup, further differentiating it from the increasingly capable Mac Studio.
A Welcome Performance Upgrade
Even with the Mac Studio adopting the M3 Ultra, the performance improvement over the existing M2 Ultra model will be substantial, making the new model a compelling choice for professionals. The anticipation continues to build as we await official details regarding the specifications and release date of the new Mac Studio and the future of the Mac Pro.
