The rumors that emerged recently have been confirmed. Apple has introduced a high-powered non-display desktop computer that sits between the Mac mini and the Mac Pro. The firm has launched the Mac Studio, a compact machine with a 20-core M1 Ultra chip, a 64-core GPU, and more expansion than its “mini” counterpart. Unsurprisingly, Apple promises a pretty ambitious level of performance: Studio is up to 60 percent faster at CPU tasks than the 28-core Intel Mac Pro, 80 percent faster than the fastest Mac graphics card, and has 18 simultaneous CPU tasks. It says it can handle up to 8K ProRes 4:2:2 video streaming.
On the back are four Thunderbolt 4 ports, two USB-A ports, HDMI and Ethernet, and many different options for accessories and peripherals. It seems that Apple is also aware of the desire for front ports, and thanks to two USB-C ports and an SD card slot, you won’t have to reach for the back of the device for relatively short uploads.
The computer also seems pretty power efficient. Apple claims that the Mac Studio uses about 100W less power than a 16-core Windows at similar performance levels. Of course it’s unclear how the performance will perform in real life, but even Apple’s comparison of a desktop Mac with high-end consumer PC towers can be interpreted as a remarkable mark of confidence.
Mac Studio with M1 Max, 32GB RAM and 512GB SSD starts at $1,999 and will be available on March 18. Pre-orders start today. The version with the M1 Ultra and 64 GB RAM will have a price tag of $ 3,999. The companion 27-inch Apple Studio Display costs $1,599, and predictably you’ll need to purchase accessories like the Magic Keyboard (with Touch ID), Magic Trackpad, and Magic Mouse separately.
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