The History of Mac Studio
Introduction
Mac Studio is a compact workstation that Apple introduced in 2022. It aims to pack Mac Pro–class computing performance into a small, Mac mini–like chassis so that professional workflows can be completed right on the desktop. Born from the Pro Workflows Team listening to professional users, it is characterized by an abundance of ports and a design that prioritizes quiet operation. By 2025, three generations had appeared, with significant advances in chips, memory capacity, and connectivity. This article organizes the history of the series by looking back at the development background, the features of each model, and user reception.
Background and the First Generation
Development Background
In the late 2010s, Apple faced criticism from the professional market because the thermal design of the Mac Pro had become a constraint. In response, Apple formed the Pro Workflows Team and gathered feedback from professional users such as video editors, music producers, and 3D artists. The team heard a need for “a powerful desktop with plenty of ports that sits between the Mac mini and the Mac Pro,” and began designing a new product. When discontinuation of the 27‑inch iMac was decided, it also became necessary to fill the gap for a desktop machine aimed at creators. Research revealed that USB‑A ports were still essential and that thermal management for integrating an M1 Ultra chip internally would be a challenge. Apple conducted hundreds of computational fluid dynamics simulations, and by placing more than 2,000 vents on the sides and bottom of the chassis, it achieved both quiet operation and high performance.
First-Generation Mac Studio (2022)
On March 18, 2022, Apple announced the first-generation Mac Studio. Its aluminum chassis measured about 3.7 inches (95 mm) in height and 7.7 inches (197 mm) in width and depth, resembling two Mac minis stacked together and billed as “a compact pro machine for the desktop.” The first generation could be configured with the M1 Max or the newly developed M1 Ultra chip.
• M1 Max model – Featured a 10‑core CPU and up to a 32‑core GPU, 32 GB or 64 GB of unified memory, and up to 8 TB of SSD storage. On the front were two USB‑C (Thunderbolt 4) ports and a UHS‑II SD card slot; on the back were four Thunderbolt 4 ports, two USB‑A ports, 10 Gb Ethernet, HDMI 2.0, and a headphone jack. Prices started at $1,999, and its balance of price and performance drew attention.
• M1 Ultra model – Equipped with the M1 Ultra, which connects two M1 Max dies via UltraFusion. It offered a 20‑core CPU, up to a 64‑core GPU, 64/128 GB of memory, and up to 8 TB of SSD storage, with the front ports upgraded to Thunderbolt 4. Internally it used a copper heatsink and dual fans for cooling, while keeping noise low.
The first Mac Studio was criticized for lacking expandability, but its unusually fast desktop SSD (read speeds of 9.86 GB/s) and quiet operation were praised. Engadget dubbed it “a big Mac mini,” lauding the slim design, rich port selection, and strong performance across many pro apps, while pointing out drawbacks such as non‑upgradeable memory and storage and the headphone jack being located on the rear.
Lineup and Model-by-Model History
2023 Models (M2 Max / M2 Ultra)
• Overview of the update – At WWDC on June 5, 2023, Mac Studio was refreshed with M2 Max and M2 Ultra. Using the same chassis, the M2 Max model featured a 12‑core CPU, up to a 38‑core GPU, and up to 96 GB of memory. The M2 Ultra connected two M2 Max dies to deliver a 24‑core CPU, up to a 76‑core GPU, and up to 192 GB of memory, achieving up to three times the speed of the previous generation. Prices remained unchanged, with the M2 Max model starting at $1,999 and the M2 Ultra model at $3,999.
• Connectivity improvements – The new models added support for Wi‑Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3, and the HDMI port moved to HDMI 2.1, enabling 8K/240 Hz output. On the back were four Thunderbolt 4 ports, two USB‑A ports, 10 Gb Ethernet, HDMI 2.1, and a headphone jack. On the front, the M2 Max model offered two USB‑C ports, while the M2 Ultra model provided two Thunderbolt 4 ports plus an SD card slot.
• User reception – Engadget praised the M2 Ultra’s overwhelming processing power and the fact that 32 GB of memory came standard, calling it “a Mac Pro you can use on your desk.” At the same time, it noted as shortcomings that front Thunderbolt ports were limited to the Ultra model, the non‑upgradeable design, and the continued placement of the headphone jack on the back.
2025 Models (M4 Max / M3 Ultra)
• Overview of the update – On March 5, 2025, Apple announced that the new Mac Studio would adopt the M4 Max and the newly developed M3 Ultra chips. The M4 Max model features up to a 16‑core CPU, up to a 40‑core GPU, and 36–128 GB of memory, with memory bandwidth reaching 546 GB/s. The M3 Ultra model connects two M3 Max dies to provide up to a 32‑core CPU, up to an 80‑core GPU, 96–512 GB of memory, and 819 GB/s of bandwidth, delivering 2.6× CPU performance and 2× GPU performance versus the M1 Ultra. Both models allow up to 16 TB of SSD storage, and Apple said they can process AI models of around 60 billion parameters entirely in memory.
• Thunderbolt 5 and display support – The 2025 models are the first Macs to feature Thunderbolt 5, achieving data transfers up to 120 Gb/s thanks to a design in which each port has dedicated bandwidth. According to MacRumors, M4 Max configurations have four Thunderbolt 5 ports on the rear, while M3 Ultra configurations increase that to six. The front ports are two USB‑C (10 Gb/s) on the M4 Max model and two Thunderbolt 5 ports on the M3 Ultra model. The M3 Ultra model supports up to eight 6K displays, while the M4 Max model can drive four 6K displays plus one 4K TV simultaneously.
• Other specifications – According to PC Watch, the M4 Max model offers either a 14‑core CPU + 32‑core GPU or a 16‑core CPU + 40‑core GPU, with 36/48/64/128 GB of memory and up to an 8 TB SSD, and weighs 2.74 kg. The M3 Ultra model offers either a 28‑core CPU + 60‑core GPU or a 32‑core CPU + 80‑core GPU, with 96/256/512 GB of memory and up to a 16 TB SSD, and weighs 3.64 kg. Interfaces are common: Thunderbolt 5, USB‑A, HDMI 2.1, 10 Gb Ethernet, and a headphone jack on the rear, with an SD card slot on the front.
• User reception – Reviews from Engadget reported that the M4 Max posted top‑tier CPU scores and showed major gains in GPU performance and media encoding speeds. Thunderbolt 5 enables use of very fast external SSDs and many displays, but memory and storage are still only configurable at purchase time, and the M3 Ultra model is very expensive, raising cost concerns. Macworld noted that the M4 Max model is 76% faster than the M2 Max and 25% faster than the M2 Ultra, and praised Thunderbolt 5’s 80 Gbps (120 Gbps for video) bandwidth for enabling external GPUs and high‑speed storage. On the other hand, it pointed out that there are still few Thunderbolt 5 peripherals to take advantage of, and criticized the high prices of optional configurations.
User Reception
Since its debut, Mac Studio has been highly regarded as a professional desktop. Across generations, it has consistently offered a rich set of ports and delivered astonishing performance while staying quiet, enabling professional‑grade workloads. Based on reviews from outlets such as Engadget and Macworld, the trends in user reception can be summarized as follows.
• Performance and quiet operation – In every generation, CPU and GPU performance far exceeded that of contemporary notebooks and all‑in‑one desktops, massively shortening time for video editing, 3D rendering, and software development. The M1 Ultra and M3 Ultra, which connect multiple dies, delivered multithreaded performance beyond comparison with the Mac mini or iMac, while keeping thermals in check and running quietly—points that were highly praised.
• Port configuration and design – Mac Studio uses a square aluminum chassis with vents on all sides, and its appearance was even described as “a work of art that shines on the desk.” The rear provides a wide variety of interfaces—Thunderbolt ports, USB‑A, HDMI, Ethernet—and the front also offers high‑speed ports and an SD card slot, making it easy for professionals to connect peripherals. This “abundance of ports” helped make up for what the old Mac Pro lacked and won support from many creators.
• Weaknesses and criticisms – Across all generations, the inability for users to upgrade memory or storage has been a common drawback. For long‑term use, buyers need to choose a generously configured system upfront, and prices climb steeply for higher‑performance builds. In particular, while the M3 Ultra model offers up to 512 GB of memory and a 16 TB SSD, it is extremely expensive—domestic pricing can exceed ¥1,000,000—so cost‑effectiveness is a concern. There is also persistent criticism that the 3.5 mm headphone jack is on the rear, which many frequent users find inconvenient.
• Hopes for the future – While the 2025 models adopted Thunderbolt 5, dramatically improving connectivity with high‑speed peripherals such as SSDs and external GPUs, there are still few compatible devices on the market, so ecosystem growth is an issue. And since there was no M4 Ultra, many hope future updates will bring an M4 Ultra and more features for professionals.
Key Models, Release Years, and Features
| Year | Chip Configuration | Key Specs/Features | Price (at launch) |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 2022 | M1 Max / M1 Ultra | • Aluminum chassis: height 95 mm, width × depth 197 mm. • M1 Max model: 10‑core CPU, up to 32‑core GPU, 32/64 GB unified memory, up to 8 TB SSD. Front: USB‑C ×2; Rear: Thunderbolt 4 ×4, USB‑A ×2, HDMI 2.0, 10 Gb Ethernet, etc. • M1 Ultra model: 20‑core CPU, up to 64‑core GPU, 64/128 GB memory. Front ports become Thunderbolt 4 ×2; copper heatsink for cooling. | M1 Max: $1,999+ / M1 Ultra: $3,999+ |
| June 2023 | M2 Max / M2 Ultra | • Chassis design unchanged. M2 Max: 12‑core CPU, up to 38‑core GPU, up to 96 GB memory. M2 Ultra: 24‑core CPU, up to 76‑core GPU, up to 192 GB memory. • Adds Wi‑Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, HDMI 2.1 with 8K/240 Hz output. • Front ports: USB‑C ×2 on M2 Max; Thunderbolt 4 ×2 + SD card slot on M2 Ultra. | M2 Max: $1,999+ / M2 Ultra: $3,999+ |
| March 2025 | M4 Max / M3 Ultra | • Thunderbolt 5 onboard. M4 Max: up to 16‑core CPU, up to 40‑core GPU, 36–128 GB memory, up to 8 TB SSD. Front: USB‑C ×2 (10 Gb/s); Rear: Thunderbolt 5 ×4. • M3 Ultra: up to 32‑core CPU, up to 80‑core GPU, 96–512 GB memory, up to 16 TB SSD. Front: Thunderbolt 5 ×2; Rear: Thunderbolt 5 ×6. • M3 Ultra supports up to eight 6K displays; M4 Max supports four 6K displays plus one 4K output. | M4 Max: from $1,999 (approx. ¥328,800) / M3 Ultra: from $3,999 (approx. ¥668,800) |
Conclusion
Mac Studio was created to bridge the gap between the Mac mini and the Mac Pro, and in just three years it has undergone multiple model changes and grown substantially. The first generation drew astonishing performance from a small chassis with M1 Max/Ultra chips; in 2023, the M2 Max/Ultra further boosted performance while strengthening connectivity; and the 2025 models, with Thunderbolt 5 and up to 512 GB of memory, made it possible to handle multiple high‑resolution displays and large‑scale AI models, raising the bar for a professional workstation. On the other hand, every generation still restricts user upgrades, and top‑end configurations remain extremely expensive. Looking ahead, users expect an M4 Ultra and even larger SSD options to better meet pro‑market demands. The history of Mac Studio shows Apple’s continued pursuit of a balance among performance, quiet operation, and connectivity through dialogue with professional users—developments that will continue to draw attention.
Newsroom / Press Releases
- Apple Unveils New Mac Pro Featuring Quad 64‑bit Xeon Processors (Aug 7, 2006)
- Apple Introduces New Mac Pro (Jan 8, 2008)
- Apple Announces New Mac Pro (Mar 3, 2009)
- Apple Unveils New Mac Pro With Up to 12 Processing Cores (Jul 27, 2010)
- Apple unveils all‑new Mac Pro made in USA (Oct 22, 2013)
- Mac Pro available December 19 (Dec 18, 2013)
- Apple unveils all‑new Mac Pro and Pro Display XDR (Jun 3, 2019)
- Apple’s new Mac Pro to be made in Texas (Sep 23, 2019)
- Apple expands in Austin — begins production of all‑new Mac Pro (Nov 20, 2019)
- Apple announces Mac transition to Apple silicon (Jun 22, 2020)
- Apple introduces M2 Ultra (Jun 5, 2023)
- Apple unveils new Mac Studio and brings Apple silicon to Mac Pro (Jun 5, 2023)
- New Mac Studio and Mac Pro available today (Jun 13, 2023)
Tech Specs
- Mac Pro — Technical Specifications（2006 初代 / “Original”）
- Mac Pro (Early 2008) — Technical Specifications
- Mac Pro (Early 2009) — Technical Specifications
- Mac Pro (Mid 2010) — Technical Specifications
- Mac Pro (Mid 2012) — Technical Specifications
- Mac Pro (Late 2013) — Technical Specifications
- Mac Pro (2019) — Tech Specs（製品ページ）
- Mac Pro (2023) — Tech Specs（Supportページ版）
- Mac Pro — Technical Specifications（現行 M2 Ultra モデル / 製品ページ）
- Mac Pro（年別）マニュアル／ダウンロード（2006 “Mac Pro” ランディング）
2006–2012
2013
2019
- About PCI Express cards in Mac Pro (2019)
- About the PCI slots in Mac Pro (2019)
- About the Thunderbolt 3 ports on Mac Pro (2019)
- Add and remove memory in Mac Pro (2019)
- About the graphics cards in Mac Pro (2019)
- About the Mac Pro module types (MPX などのモジュール種別)
- Install and replace parts in your Mac Pro (2019)
2023
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Use an external graphics processor (eGPU) with your Mac（Appleシリコンでは未対応の旨を明記）
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Final Cut Pro X: Major update supporting dual GPUs, 4K, more (Oct 22, 2013)
