Apple Announces New Mac Studio with M4 Max and M3 Ultra, Enhanced Connectivity, and AI Features
Apple has unveiled the next generation of its professional desktop powerhouse, the Mac Studio, boasting the company’s latest silicon advancements: the M4 Max and the groundbreaking M3 Ultra chips. This iteration promises unprecedented performance, enhanced connectivity with Thunderbolt 5, and expanded capabilities for professionals across various industries.
“The new Mac Studio is the most powerful Mac we’ve ever made,” declared John Ternus, Apple’s senior vice president of Hardware Engineering. “A complete game-changer for pros around the world,” he added, highlighting the device’s compact design and quiet operation.
Performance Powerhouses: M4 Max and M3 Ultra
The Mac Studio now offers two distinct chip configurations:
- Mac Studio with M4 Max:The M4 Max is specifically designed for video editors, developers, and creative professionals. With up to a 16-core CPU and a 40-core GPU, it offers significant performance improvements over previous models. According to Apple, it delivers up to 3.5 times faster performance than the M1 Max Mac Studio. Furthermore, compared to the top-tier Intel-based 27-inch iMac, it is up to 6.1 times faster. It also brings Apple’s advanced graphic architecture to the Mac Studio for the first time.
- Mac Studio with M3 Ultra:
The M3 Ultra is designed for peak performance. To begin with, it features up to a 32-core CPU and an 80-core GPU. Additionally, it supports up to 512GB of unified memory—the highest ever in a personal computer. According to Apple, it delivers nearly twice the speed of the M4 Max in demanding tasks. Moreover, it is up to 2.6 times faster than the M1 Ultra Mac Studio.
AI and Connectivity Advancements
A key focus of the new Mac is its AI capabilities. The M3 Ultra, with its powerful Neural Engine and massive unified memory, can handle large language models (LLMs) with over 600 billion parameters entirely in memory. It is also built for Apple Intelligence, Apple’s new personal intelligence system.
Connectivity has also been significantly upgraded with the inclusion of Thunderbolt 5 ports, offering transfer speeds up to 120 Gb/s. This enables faster connections to external storage, expansion chassis, and high-bandwidth accessories. The M3 Ultra model can now drive up to eight Pro Display XDRs at full 6K resolution.
Enhanced Features and macOS Sequoia Integration
The new Mac Studio arrives with macOS Sequoia, bringing features like iPhone Mirroring, improved window tiling, and the new Passwords app. Apple Intelligence features are also integrated into the OS.
Apple continues its commitment to environmental sustainability, with the new Mac featuring over 30 percent recycled content and a focus on renewable energy in its manufacturing.
Pricing and Availability
The new Mac Studio is available for order soon on the online Apple Store, in the Apple Store app, and in Apple Store locations and Apple Authorised Resellers. Pricing starts at RM8,999, with various configure-to-order options available.
Apple Intelligence will be available on all Mac models with M1 and later, with initial availability in localised English for select regions, with more languages coming over the course of the year.
