Apple’s new Mac Studio desktop comes with the M5 Max and M5 Ultra processors. The new models focus on high performance, local AI tasks and professional workloads.
The Mac Studio with M5 Max has an 18-core CPU, up to a 40-core GPU and up to 128GB of unified memory. Meanwhile, the M5 Ultra version goes up to a 36-core CPU, 80-core GPU and 512GB of unified memory.
Moreover, Apple has improved the connectivity options with Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 and Thunderbolt 5. The new Mac Studio can handle up to 8 displays, which is useful for heavy workstation tasks.
Mac Studio Gets M5 Max and M5 Ultra Chips
Apple’s M5 chip family is the biggest change in the new Mac Studio.
The M5 Max version has an 18-core CPU and up to a 40-core GPU. It also supports up to 128GB of unified memory and memory bandwidth of up to 614GB/s.
The M5 Ultra, meanwhile, offers even more power with up to 36 CPU cores and 80 GPU cores. It has up to 512GB of unified memory and up to 1.2TB/s of memory bandwidth.
According to Apple, the M5 Ultra can achieve up to 4.3 times the AI performance of the M3 Ultra. It can also deliver up to 1.8 times higher graphics performance than the previous generation.
Designed for Local AI Workloads
AI is one of the main areas that Apple is focusing on with the new Mac Studio.
The M5 Max and M5 Ultra GPUs have Neural Accelerators for AI workloads. This allows users to run large language models and other AI tools entirely on the Mac without depending on the cloud.
As a result, the new Mac Studio might suit developers, content creators and professionals who use AI models, image generation and other demanding applications.
The M5 Ultra also features Apple’s new UltraFusion chip design, which links several chip dies together. This allows the Mac Studio to keep its compact design while providing high processing power.
Mac Studio Gets Faster Connectivity
The new Mac Studio also has better connectivity.
Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 now come with the desktop. It also includes Thunderbolt 5 ports, which can offer data transfer speeds of up to 120Gbps.
Plus, the Mac Studio can handle up to eight displays. This is helpful for users who work with multiple monitors, large video projects and professional applications.
The new models also come with updated SSD technology for faster storage and data transfers.
Mac Studio Key Specifications
| Specification | M5 Max | M5 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Up to 18-core | Up to 36-core |
| GPU | Up to 40-core | Up to 80-core |
| Unified Memory | Up to 128GB | Up to 512GB |
| Memory Bandwidth | Up to 614GB/s | Up to 1.2TB/s |
| Thunderbolt | Thunderbolt 5 | Thunderbolt 5 |
| Display Support | Up to 8 displays | Up to 8 displays |
The above specifications are based on the configurations Apple announced.
Mac Studio Price and Availability
Apple has started accepting pre-orders for its new Mac Studio. The base price of the M5 Max is $2,499, while the M5 Ultra starts at $5,499 in the US.
In the Philippines, the Mac Studio with M5 Max starts at PHP 169,990. The M5 Ultra version starts at PHP 379,990. Education pricing starts at PHP 155,990 and PHP 351,990, respectively.
Apple will start shipping the new Mac Studio on September 22, 2026. The 512GB unified memory option will be available later in October.
What to Expect From the New Mac Studio
The new Mac Studio keeps its compact desktop design but offers major improvements inside. For professional users and AI developers, the M5 Max and M5 Ultra chips offer plenty of power.
The most impressive feature is the M5 Ultra, which packs up to 36 CPU cores, 80 GPU cores and 512GB of unified memory. It also offers high memory bandwidth, which makes it suitable for large AI models and demanding creative tasks.
Overall, Apple is focusing the new Mac Studio on performance, AI and professional workloads. The new desktop is designed for users who need more power than Apple’s standard Mac mini.