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“5 Facts About Mac Studio: What You Need to Know”

Jan 14, 2024Jan 14, 2024

Apple's latest release, the Mac Studio M2 (2023), has made an appearance at WWDC 2023, surprising many as its predecessor was only launched in 2022. This new creative workstation is even more powerful than its predecessor, but unfortunately, it comes with a hefty price tag that most of us cannot afford. While many were expecting Apple to release the long-rumored iMac 2023, the company instead chose to update its compact workstation for content creators and other creative professionals.

The Mac Studio M2 (2023) is powered by Apple's M2 Max and M2 Ultra SoCs, making it much more capable than its M1-powered predecessor. According to Apple, it is up to three times faster than the 2022 M1 Ultra Mac Studio and up to six times faster than the highest-specced, now-defunct Intel-based 27-inch iMac. The M2 Max model features a 12-core CPU, up to a 38-core GPU, and up to 96GB of unified memory. The M2 Ultra model, on the other hand, features a 24-core CPU, up to a 76-core GPU, and up to 192GB of memory.

In addition to its enhanced performance, the Mac Studio M2 (2023) also offers enhanced connectivity. It now has higher-bandwidth HDMI, allowing it to support up to 8K resolution and 240Hz frame rates. The M2 Ultra model can support up to six Pro Display XDRs to drive over 100 million pixels and can run 22 streams of 8K ProRes video at the same time without breaking a sweat. It also offers Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity.

Despite its upgraded internals and boost in power and connectivity, the Mac Studio M2 (2023) is still housed in the same chassis as its predecessor, with the same ports and compact form. Unfortunately, Apple has not bothered to update the chassis, which may be a letdown for those who were not fans of the plain boxy look.

The Mac Studio M2 (2023) starts at $1,999 in the US and £2,099 in the UK, with additional configurations available. While Apple did not dare to up the price, it is still an outrageous amount to pay for a desktop computer. This creative workstation is designed for professionals who need a lot of power for their graphically-intensive and processor-heavy tasks. For everyone else, it may be overkill.

In conclusion, while the Mac Studio M2 (2023) promises a huge boost in performance and improved connectivity, it comes with a hefty price tag that most of us cannot afford. It is designed for creative professionals who need a lot of power for their workloads, and for everyone else, it may not be the most cost-effective solution. Despite its upgraded internals, it is still housed in the same chassis as its predecessor, which may be a letdown for those who were hoping for a new design.