Apple Launches New Mac Studio with M4 Max and M3 Ultra Chips
New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): Apple has launched a new version of the Mac Studio, featuring updated chipset options, including the newly launched M4 Max and M3 Ultra chips. The new small-form-factor workstation is designed for high-performance tasks, including running large language models (LLMs) with over 600 billion parameters, and is positioned above the Mac mini in Apple's product lineup. The Mac Studio now comes with Thunderbolt 5 ports, offering improved connectivity options for users.
Mac Studio Price in India
The new Mac Studio is priced starting at Rs. 2,14,900 for the base variant that includes the M4 Max SoC, 36GB of unified memory, and 512GB of SSD storage. The higher-spec M3 Ultra variant, which comes with 96GB of unified memory and 1TB of SSD storage, is priced at Rs. 4,29,900.
Pre-orders for the Mac Studio are currently open in 28 countries, with shipments expected to begin on March 12. Buyers can also configure the Mac Studio with additional options on the Apple website.
Mac Studio Specifications
Apple has touted the new Mac Studio with the M4 Max chip as being up to 3.5 times faster than the previous M1 Max version. It is powered by up to a 16-core CPU and up to a 40-core GPU, with configurations available up to 128GB of unified memory and 8TB of SSD storage. The Mac Studio also features a 16-core neural engine, capable of running on-device AI models and Apple's suite of Intelligence features. For content creators and gamers, the device offers advanced graphics architecture, including dynamic caching, hardware-accelerated mesh shading, and a second-generation ray-tracing engine. The Mac Studio also supports multiple streams of 4K ProRes video through its Media Engine with two ProRes accelerators.
The Mac Studio with the M3 Ultra chipset is available with up to 512GB of unified memory and up to 16TB of SSD storage, capable of storing up to 12 hours of 8K ProRes video. The M3 Ultra SoC includes a 32-core CPU with 24 performance cores and an 80-core GPU, as well as a 32-core neural engine for AI and machine learning tasks. The M3 Ultra-powered Mac Studio delivers up to 2.6 times faster performance than the previous Mac Studio with the M1 Ultra chip and benefits from the same advanced graphics architecture as the M4 Max variant.
Design and Connectivity
Both the M4 Max and M3 Ultra Mac Studio models retain a similar design to their predecessors. The Mac Studio is made of aluminum, with the Apple logo prominently displayed on top, and features USB Type-C or Thunderbolt ports and an SDXC card slot on the front. A notable update is the inclusion of Thunderbolt 5 ports at the back, which support data transfer speeds of up to 120 Gb/s—three times faster than the previous generation. The new Thunderbolt 5 ports enable the Mac Studio to connect to an external expansion chassis with higher bandwidth and lower latency. The device is now capable of running up to eight Pro Display XDRs at full 6K resolution.
Additionally, the Mac Studio includes a variety of rear ports, such as 10Gb Ethernet, HDMI, Thunderbolt 5, and USB-A ports. It also supports Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, and includes a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Final Thoughts
With powerful new chips, improved connectivity, and greater customization options, the new Mac Studio is positioned as a powerhouse for demanding tasks like AI, content creation, and gaming. While the design largely mirrors previous models, the significant performance enhancements and the introduction of Thunderbolt 5 ports make it an attractive option for professionals looking for cutting-edge technology.
