Apple launches new Mac Studio with M3 Ultra and M4 Max chips

March 6, 2025

Apple has unveiled its 2025 Mac Studio, a compact desktop workstation featuring the new M4 Max chip alongside the M3 Ultra. This update replaces the previous M2 Max and M2 Ultra models from 2023. The new Mac Studio sits between the Mac Mini and Mac Pro in Apple’s lineup, targeting creative professionals, developers, and data scientists. This article will discuss everything about the latest

Mac Studio Overview

The 2025 Mac Studio maintains its compact form factor while delivering significant performance improvements. The device features either an M4 Max or M3 Ultra chip, providing substantial computing power for demanding tasks. Additionally, it supports up to five external displays and includes multiple connectivity options.

Furthermore, the new Mac Studio comes with macOS Sequoia, which includes Apple Intelligence features such as writing tools, image generation, and Siri enhancements. The system also includes a backlit Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and either a Magic Mouse or Magic Trackpad.

Performance

The M4 Max chip is built on a 3nm process and delivers up to 2.5x faster CPU and 4x faster GPU performance compared to the latest AI PC chips. Meanwhile, the M3 Ultra doubles the M3 Max’s capabilities with up to 32-core CPU and 80-core GPU.

Both chips feature Neural Engines for AI tasks, with the M4 Max housing a 16-core version and the M3 Ultra containing a 32-core unit. This hardware enables the Mac Studio to handle complex workflows like large language models and advanced video processing.

Memory and Storage

The M4 Max offers a memory starting at 36GB, which can be upgraded to 48GB, 64GB, or 128GB of unified memory. In comparison, the M3 Ultra begins with a much larger 96GB of unified memory, upgradeable to 256GB or even 512GB. The M4 Max boasts a memory bandwidth of up to 273GB/s, marking a 75% increase over the M3 Pro and double the performance of AI-focused PC chips. Meanwhile, the M3 Ultra achieves even higher bandwidth thanks to its dual-chip architecture, reaching up to 800GB/s in some configurations.

When it comes to storage, the M4 Max starts at 512GB SSD, with options to upgrade to 1TB, 2TB, 4TB, or 8TB. The M3 Ultra, on the other hand, begins at 1TB SSD, with upgrades available to 2TB, 4TB, 8TB, or a massive 16TB, offering more storage options right from the base model.

Connectivity Options

The Mac Studio includes four Thunderbolt ports (Thunderbolt 5 for M4 Max models or Thunderbolt 4 for M3 Ultra), two USB-A ports, HDMI, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a 10Gb Ethernet port. For wireless connections, it features Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3.

The Thunderbolt 5 ports on M4 Max models provide data transfer speeds of up to 120Gb/s, doubling the capacity of Thunderbolt 4 connections.

Also, read

Why Apple Launched the M3 Ultra So Late (2025)?

There are whispers that Apple’s delay in launching the M3 Ultra in 2025 might be tied to a mix of manufacturing issues and strategic decisions. Sources suggest TSMC’s 3nm process faced some yield problems, causing production hiccups, while the M3 Ultra’s complex design, requiring two M3 Max chips, may have added extra challenges. Rumor has it that Apple’s usual 18-month product cycle also played a role, pushing the M3 Ultra’s release to better align with the Mac Studio and Mac Pro refreshes. With the M3 for laptops and the A17 Bionic for iPhones taking priority in 2023, the M3 Ultra seemed to take a backseat for a while.

There are also rumors circulating that Apple used the extra time to fine-tune the M3 Ultra’s performance, especially for AI and pro workflows, making sure it was ready for prime time. Some even speculate that Apple may have delayed the launch to better position the M3 Ultra against AMD and Intel’s latest high-core-count processors. Economic factors like tariffs and production cost adjustments are also believed to have played a role in the timing, which also suggests Apple was waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

Apple Mac Studio Specifications

Processor Options:
- M4 Max: 14-core or 16-core CPU, 30-core or 40-core GPU
- M3 Ultra: 28-core or 32-core CPU, 60-core or 80-core GPU
Memory:
- M4 Max: 36GB to 128GB unified memory
- M3 Ultra: 96GB to 512GB unified memory
Storage:
- M4 Max: 512GB to 8TB SSD
- M3 Ultra: 1TB to 16TB SSD
Dimensions: 7.7 x 7.7 x 3.7 inches
Weight: 5.9 pounds
Audio: Six-speaker sound system with force-canceling woofers

Mac Studio Price in Nepal and Availability

The M4 Max Mac Studio starts at $1,999 in the US, while the M3 Ultra model begins at $3,999. Pre-orders are available from March 5, 2025, with in-store availability starting March 12, 2025. When the Mac Studio reaches Nepal, prices would start at no less than NPR 299,850 for the base M4 Max model and NPR 599,850 for the M3 Ultra version.