● Covered by 5 sources · 6 reportsMedium impact1 negative3 neutral2 positive
Apple Releases New Mac Studio with M5 Ultra Chip, Targeting Local AI and Pro Workloads
Key points
- New Mac Studio models feature M5 Max and M5 Ultra chips.
- M5 Ultra offers up to 30% faster CPU and 63% higher GPU performance than M3 Ultra.
- The device is designed for AI developers and visual effects professionals.
- It supports running local AI models with high performance and 1.2 TB/s memory throughput.
- Pricing for the M5 Ultra model starts at $5,500, with a high-end configuration at $12,299.
- M5 Max base price increased by $500 to $2,500.
- M5 Ultra model price increased by $1,500.
- Price hikes are due to rising memory and storage costs.
- Hedging and profit margins also contribute to price increases.
- Mac Mini tops out at M5 Pro processor and 64GB of RAM.
- Mac Mini has 307 GB/s of memory bandwidth.
New Mac Studio Models Introduced
Apple has released updated versions of its Mac Studio desktop computer, now equipped with the M5 Max and M5 Ultra chips. These new chips succeed the M4 Max and M3 Ultra processors found in previous models. The Mac Studio retains its compact, rounded-square aluminum design, which has been in use since 2022, and includes multiple high-speed ports on both the front and back.
Performance Benchmarks and Target Users
The M5 Ultra Mac Studio, featuring a 36-core CPU and 80-core GPU, has shown substantial performance improvements. Benchmark tests indicate up to 30% faster CPU performance and 63% higher GPU rendering scores when compared to the M3 Ultra. This level of performance is aimed at specific professional users, including AI developers and those working in demanding 3D visual effects.
The M5 Ultra's 1.2 TB/s memory throughput is highlighted as beneficial for running local AI models. Reviewers noted its capability to handle personal assistants powered by local models efficiently, potentially reducing reliance on cloud-based AI services and associated costs.
Pricing and Configuration Details
The M5 Max model of the new Mac Studio starts at $2,499, featuring an 18-core CPU, 32-core GPU, 36GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage. The M5 Ultra model, however, sees a significant price increase, starting at $5,500. A high-end configuration with an M5 Ultra chip, 256GB of RAM, and 4TB of storage is priced at $12,299.
The increased pricing, particularly for the M5 Ultra, is partly attributed to rising memory costs. While the M5 Max model saw a jump from a base $2,000 to $2,500, the M5 Ultra's starting price represents a substantial increase from the previous model's $4,000.
Positioning in Apple's Desktop Lineup
With the discontinuation of the Mac Pro earlier this year, the Mac Studio now serves as Apple's top-end desktop offering. It supports memory options up to 256GB, with 512GB expected later. The system is described as a small, quiet powerhouse with strong performance, making it suitable for a range of creative professionals, including video editors, photographers, and game designers, in addition to its AI capabilities.
Updates
- M5 Max base price increased by $500 to $2,500.
- M5 Ultra model price increased by $1,500.
- Price hikes are due to rising memory and storage costs.
- Hedging and profit margins also contribute to price increases.
- Mac Mini tops out at M5 Pro processor and 64GB of RAM.
- Mac Mini has 307 GB/s of memory bandwidth.
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Primary sources
GitHub allenai/olmocr GitHub steipete/summarize GitHub ml-explore/mlx GitHub viticci/remctl GitHub jundot/omlx GitHub antirez/ds4How outlets covered it
The base price of Apple's Mac Studio M5 Max increased by $500 to $2,500, and the M5 Ultra model increased by $1,500 to $5,500. These price hikes are primarily due to rising memory and storage costs, with hedging and profit margins also contributing factors.
A personal review of the M5 Ultra Mac Studio with 256GB RAM highlights its performance for running local AI agents. The reviewer found it capable of running models like Qwen3.8-Flash-Next quickly, enabling local personal assistants without cloud costs.
Initial reviews for the M5 Ultra Mac Studio emphasize its performance in running local AI models, with one reviewer noting its ability to handle personal assistants powered by local models without cloud costs. The device is being compared to previous models and other high-end PCs, with reviewers highlighting its efficiency for local AI tasks.
Apple released new Mac Studio models featuring M5 Max and M5 Ultra chips, replacing the M4 Max and M3 Ultra. The M5 Ultra model demonstrated up to 30% faster CPU performance and 63% higher GPU rendering scores compared to the M3 Ultra, targeting AI developers and demanding visual effects professionals.
Apple's new Mac Studio with the M5 Ultra chip provides increased performance for creative and AI professionals but comes with a substantial price hike, making it a niche product for only the most demanding users. The price increase is partly attributed to rising memory costs, making the M5 Ultra model significantly more expensive than its M5 Max counterpart.
Apple's Mac Studio, now featuring the M5 Ultra chip, delivers strong performance and 1.2 TB/s memory throughput, making it suitable for running local AI models. This update positions the Mac Studio as Apple's top-end desktop following the discontinuation of the Mac Pro.