Update – Mac Studio: some details omitted by Apple

Update: SSD storage could be replaceable after purchase, see details further down in the article

The Mac Studio is this new computer, halfway between the Mac mini and the Mac Pro. It was announced last Tuesday March 8 during a keynote, that wesummary here.

In its most high-end configuration, it is Apple's most powerful computer. Moreover, during the presentation, the Californian did not fail to highlight the “incredible” performance of the beast, but also its moderate energy consumption compared to its capabilities.

Certain characteristics of the case were presented at length, others simply mentioned or even sometimes omitted. Let's fix that with a list of points that are not secret, but that Apple has not deemed relevant to highlight:

• RAM:only the M1 Ultra version can go up to 128 GB of unified memory. The M1 Max version of the Mac is limited to 64 GB maximum
• Audio :The case includes a speaker, which can always help if necessary. But we imagine that the audio quality transmitted by this speaker is not of a very high level.
• Wired connectivity:only the M1 Ultra version has two USB-C ports on the front compatible with Thunderbolt 4 (40 Gbits/s). The M1 Max version does have two USB-C ports, but these are limited to a transfer speed of 10 Gbits/s
• Wireless connectivity:Bluetooth 5.0 is there, as is Wi-Fi 6, regardless of the configuration
• Ethernet :10 Gigabit Ethernet technology is required, regardless of the configuration
• SSD :it could be that the SSD storage is attached to a removable card. The replacement of this card could therefore be done after purchase according to the first information which has been published on this subject. This would mean on the one hand that the use of a third-party SSD other than what Apple provides would not be possible. But the replacement of the component could be done after purchase, either in the event of repair, or in the event of a desire to increase the internal storage of the machine
• Weight :The Mac Studio with M1 Ultra SoC weighs almost 1 kg more than the same computer with M1 Max SoC (3.6 kg versus 2.7 kg respectively). This is probably due to the larger cooling system for the M1 Ultra, and therefore heavier (see details further down in the article)

In terms of prices, the cheapest configuration is displayed at2 299 €, with M1 Max SoC (10-core CPU, 24-core GPU and 32 GB of unified memory), and 512 GB SSD.

If we want maximum power, i.e. the M1 Ultra chip with 20-core CPU, 64-core GPU and 128 GB of unified memory, we reach the6 669 €. It's barely €170 more than the cheapest Mac Pro (with 8-core Intel Xeon CPU) and 32 GB of RAM. Suffice to say that the basic Mac Pro currently no longer has much reason to exist.

• Also read:M1 Ultra: Apple's new chip dominatesthe Mac Pro

Updated March 10, 2022

Apple spoke about its new machine in the columns ofThe Verge. The Californian notably provided an answer to the question of the weight difference between Mac Studio M1 Max and Mac Studio M1 Ultra. In fact, on the M1 Max version, the heat sink used is made of aluminum. On the M1 Ultra version, the radiator is made of copper. However, copper, although more efficient in storing heat, is heavier than aluminum. That's why the Mac Studio with M1 Ultra SoC weighs 900g more than the Mac Studio M1 Max.

What do you think of Mac Studio? Is this a machine you might consider for home or work?

Don’t miss the video summary of the keynote, by Presse-citron:

Editor-in-chief for iPhon.fr. Pierre is like Indiana Jones, looking for the lost iOS trick. Also a long-time Mac user, Apple devices hold no secrets for him. Contact: pierre[a]iphon.fr.