TL;DR: Apple announced the second-generation Mac Studio with M2 Max and M2 Ultra chips at the WWDC on Monday. The price starts at $1,999, and it is available for pre-order at the Apple Store right now. The official release date is June 13th.
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The Apple Mac Studio received a significant upgrade at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) on Monday. The release date is June 13th, and you can pre-order now.
The second generation of Apple’s premium compact desktop computer will come in two new configurations with M2 Max and M2 Ultra chips. Both versions offer improved performance and connectivity features, while preserving the same boxy aluminum design as the M1 Ultra-powered model from last year.
M2 Max vs M2 Ultra Specs
Launched earlier this year with a MacBook Pro and Mac Mini, the M2 Max has a 12-core CPU, up to a 38-core GPU, and up to 96GB of memory with 400GB/s of memory bandwidth. This constitutes a 50% speed boost over the M1 Ultra, according to Apple.
On the other hand, the M2 Ultra is a completely new custom silicone chip that features a 24-core CPU, up to a 76-core GPU, and up to a whopping 192GB of memory with 800GB/s of unified memory bandwidth. Apple calls it “a monster of a chip” that is twice as powerful as the M2 Max and up to three times faster than the M1 Ultra.
WWDC 2023: Apple announces M2 Ultra chip, its most powerful yet
Both variants of the new Mac Studio come with WiFi 6E for faster download speeds, Bluetooth 5.3, and a high-bandwidth HDMI port that supports up to 8K resolution and 240Hz frame rates. The M2 Ultra version can supposedly handle up to six of Apple’s Pro Display XDRs to drive over 100 million pixels, in case you’re trying to create a control room. You’ll get four Thunderbolt 4 ports and two USB-A ports for peripherals, plus two USB-C ports and an SD card slot for easy photo importing.
Here is where you can pre-order the new Mac Studio ahead of its official release:
Where to Buy the M2 Max Mac Studio
Currently, the M2 Max-equipped Mac Studio is available exclusively on the Apple Store. It starts at $1,999 for a system with a 12-core CPU, a 30-core GPU, a 16-core Neural Engine, 32GB of unified memory, and 512GB of built-in storage. You can upgrade to a 38-core GPU, increase memory to 64GB or 96GB, boost storage to 1TB, 2TB, 4TB, or 8TB, and opt to have it pre-installed with Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro.
Where to Buy the M2 Ultra Mac Studio
The beefed-up Mac Studio with the new M2 Ultra chip starts at $3,999 with a 24-core CPU, a 60-core GPU, a 32-core Neural Engine, 64GB of unified memory, and 1TB of storage. Optional upgrades include a 76-core GPU, 128GB or 192GB of memory, a storage capacity of 2TB, 4TB, or 8TB, and pre-installed copies of Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro. Currently, it is also exclusively available at the Apple Store.
This story is developing.
