Apple Unveils Second Gen Mac Studio featuring M2 Max and M2 Ultra Chip

Apple unveiled its latest lineup of desktop computers targeted at professionals during the WWDC 2023 developer conference. Alongside the introduction of the thinnest 15-inch MacBook Air, the tech giant showcased the second generation Mac Studio M2 series, powered by the highly anticipated M2 Max and M2 Ultra chips, promising unparalleled performance.

CEO Tim Cook wasted no time diving into the details of the new desktop computers during his WWDC 2023 keynote. The second generation Mac Studio M2 series marks a departure from its predecessor, moving away from the M1 Max and M1 Ultra and embracing the power of the M2 Max and M2 Ultra.

Apple’s M2 chipset is its fastest yet, boasting a 5nm manufacturing process and an impressive 134 billion transistors. According to Apple, the M2 CPU delivers a 20% increase in performance compared to the M1 Ultra, while the GPU offers an even more substantial 30% leap, and the neural engine takes a significant 40% jump. The M2 Ultra configuration comprises two M2 Max chips, resulting in a 24-core CPU with 16 high-performance and eight-efficiency cores, thanks to UltraFusion technology.

The GPU options include 70 or 76 cores, delivering a three-fold increase in 3D rendering speed compared to a Mac Studio equipped with the M1 Ultra. A Mac with the M2 Ultra chip can support up to 192 GB of RAM, and the memory bandwidth has been significantly enhanced, reaching 800 GB/s. Moreover, the M2 Ultra chip offers expanded display capabilities, with the ability to drive up to six Pro Display XDRs, totaling over 100 million pixels.

Aside from the impressive new chipsets, the second generation Mac Studio M2 Max and M2 Ultra feature an upgraded HDMI port with higher bandwidth, enabling the transmission of 8K video and supporting a refresh rate of 240 Hz. Users who opt for the Mac Studio with the M2 Ultra chip can connect up to six Pro Display XDRs simultaneously. Other notable features include Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, Thunderbolt 4, 10 Gb Ethernet, HDMI, USB-A, and an SD card slot.

Mac Studio M2 Max/Ultra price and release date

The new Mac Studio desktops are now available for pre-order on Bhphotovideo.com and are scheduled to ship starting from June 13th. The Mac Studio with M2 Max and a 30-core GPU comes for $1,999, featuring 32 GB of memory and a 512 GB SSD. Meanwhile, the basic configuration of the Mac Studio with M2 Ultra, offering 64 GB of RAM and a 1 TB SSD, is priced at $3,999.