They look the same, both are impressive, but one Mac Studio configuration costs twice as much as the other. Here's how to choose the method that's best for you.
Both machines, identical in dignity – both have a lot to offer professionals in the creative, scientific and engineering industries. However, there are some key differences, and it's not just that one costs twice as much as the other.
If you have the budget for a Mac Studio with an M1 Ultra, it's worth checking out as it can handle your workload now and will hopefully handle your workload well into the future. Still, there are some considerations that could push its cost beyond its base $3,999.
But for that price, you can buy two basic Mac Studio machines with M1 Max. If you work in a team, that can be a tempting option—although only if the performance is good enough.
It's mostly about the performance and speed of the processor working for you, but it's also about how the machine fits into your workflow.
|
Mac Studio with M1 Max |
Mac Studio with M1 Ultra |
| Base price |
$1,999 |
$3,999 |
##Memory | 32GB, expandable to 64GB | 64GB, expandable to 128GB |
CPU | 10 cores | 20 cores |
Graphics Processor | 24 Cores | 48 Cores |
Neural Engine | 16 Cores | 32 core |
SSD | 512GB | 1TB |
Front port | 2 USB-C, 1 SDXC | 2 Thunderbolt 4, 1 SDXC |
Rear ports | 4 Thunderbolt 4 ports, 2 USB-A, 1 HDMI, 1 10GB Ethernet, 1 3.5mm headphone | 4 Thunderbolt 4 ports, 2 USB-A, 1 HDMI, 1 10GB Ethernet, 1 3.5mm headphones |
Beyond Processor Selection
The obvious difference between the two base versions of Mac Studio recommended by Apple is the processor inside them. But there's more.
If you buy the base Mac Studio with the M1 Max, you get in part:
- 32GB RAM
- 512GB SSD
- 2 USB-C front ports
And if you buy the Mac Studio with M1 Ultra, these three specs will change to:
- 64GB RAM
- 1TB SSD
- 2 Thunderbolt 4 front ports
You can upgrade the base M1 Max version to 64GB RAM for $400, then go from 512GB for $200 SSD upgraded to 1TB SSD. This will raise the price to $2,599.
That’s $1,400 less than the base M1 Ultra version. So buying a second Mac Studio is no longer enough, but it still helps a lot with buying a new Studio Display.
What you cannot change is the front port. Whether they're USB-C or Thunderbolt 4, having them on a front like this is a real boon.
This means it's more convenient when your workflow requires you to repeatedly add and remove external storage or cameras, etc. Turning the machine doesn't seem difficult, but it can easily become so if the ports on the back are filled with short cables.
This convenience is the same whether it's a USB-C port on the front or a Thunderbolt 4 port. The difference is the data transfer speed. If you are doing a broadcast operation, the speed difference may be important to you.
Perhaps most of the time, though, for most people with the most workflows, the speed difference in this area won't be noticeable. Or, if it were, it wouldn't matter.
And local storage, the 512GB SSD in the base M1 Max version, does.
This is debatable as there are many workflows that could use 512GB. This may be because the files and documents being processed are not very large, or they are very temporary.
This may be because the mass storage is simply located far away from your WAN connection.
However, those who find 512GB won't be bogged down by Final Cut Pro, sucking up every byte of available space. There are some things you can do to mitigate this, including using an external drive for everything.
But having more internal storage will make life easier, even if you don't think you're making complex or lengthy videos.
As for RAM, we've had unified memory for long enough now that we know Apple is right and you can do more with less. This unified memory is excellent compared to regular RAM.
However, it's also limited, and if there's one thing that's pushing the limits, it's the kind of high-volume, high-resolution, and perhaps fast workflow that Mac Studio is built for.
The issues with RAM and SSD storage are the same as Mac Studio with M1 Ultra. Except the base model comes with 64GB of RAM and 1TB of SSD storage, which is probably enough for most users.
However, you do get more benefits in terms of RAM when you buy the M1 Ultra version. This is your option with 128GB RAM.
It will cost you another $800, but it’s an option you don’t get on the M1 Max version.
It really comes down to the processor
However, the two considerations that ultimately influence your choice between these models are the processor and cost. We won't know until the Mac Studio is released and put through real-world testing, but the M1 Ultra version will definitely be faster than the M1 Max, to say the least.
Then there is the problem of the media engine. The M1 Max has a video decoding engine, two video encoding engines, and two ProRes encoding and decoding engines. Because the M1 Ultra is actually two M1 Max chips, it has two video decoding engines, four video encoding engines, and four ProRes encoding and decoding engines.
This depends largely on what you do with the machine. None of this matters if you are a photography-centric user. If you're a videographer, they absolutely will.
Leaked benchmarks show that the M1 Ultra beats the top-performing Intel Mac Pro.
Where you come from matters
Apple may be bringing some switchers to the Mac for the first time thanks to Mac Studio. But it's likely that most users already use a Mac, and the Mac they use will influence their choice of Mac Studio.
Perhaps you're at a company where you and many of your colleagues rely on an entire line of Mac Pro machines. In this case, the M1 Ultra is the best choice. You could switch to it now and maybe sell off the Mac Pro line.
Alternatively, you can transition to Mac Studio by swapping out the odd Mac Pro if you wish.
Similarly, you can currently use a Mac mini. If you are, then it's likely because your typical workflow and workload aren't that high that you're compelled to switch to a Mac Pro.
Switch to Mac Studio with M1 Max. It's better and faster, you'll feel the difference right away, and it's probably performant enough that you'll have room to expand your workflow for years to come.
If Mac Pro and Mac mini are at the extremes, those in between are using an iMac, iMac Pro, or MacBook Pro.
Mac Studio with M1 Ultra will definitely beat them all, but Mac Studio with M1 Max might as well.
It’s hard to quantify your current workflow, and even harder to compare it to someone else’s. If there's one thing high-end Mac users in media, science, and other industries have in common, it's that workflows have changed.
Maybe you have periods of feast or famine, but overall the workflow tends to increase. This means that in an ideal world, everyone would just use Mac Studio with an M1 Ultra.
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