Apple launches new Mac Studios with its ‘most powerful chip ever’ — the M5 Ultra
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Apple has launched new Mac Studio models built around its M5 Max and a newly introduced M5 Ultra chip, ending the mismatched line-up in which the previous generation awkwardly paired an M4 Max with the older but more powerful M3 Ultra. The compact chassis is unchanged since its 2022 debut, but the machines now house what Apple calls its most powerful chips yet, with the M5 Ultra billed as "the most powerful chip ever" and touted for major AI performance gains. Following the recent discontinuation of the Mac Pro, these Studios are now the most powerful computers Apple makes.
The M5 Max model starts at $2,499 with 36GB of unified memory and 512GB of storage, matching the current M4 Max price after June's $500 rise, while the M5 Ultra starts at $5,499 with 96GB of memory and 1TB of storage, up from the M3 Ultra's original $3,999 launch price. Apple claims up to 4.3 times faster AI compute, 1.8 times faster graphics and 1.3 times faster CPU performance than the M3 Ultra, alongside faster storage, Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6. The Studios ship with macOS 27 on 22 September, though the top-tier M5 Ultra configuration with 512GB of memory won't arrive until late October, with pricing yet to be confirmed.
- Apple unifies Mac Studio line under new M5 Max and M5 Ultra chips
- M5 Ultra starts at $5,499; entry M5 Max model costs $2,499
- Ships 22 September; top 512GB configuration follows in late October
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Apple's Mac Studio is a compact desktop computer aimed at professionals who need serious processing power, such as video editors and software developers. Since its launch in 2022, it has run on Apple's own custom-designed chips rather than the Intel processors Apple used to rely on. This latest update swaps in two new chips, the M5 Max and M5 Ultra, replacing the previous line-up.
The change matters because Apple recently stopped making its separate Mac Pro desktop, meaning the Mac Studio is now the most powerful computer the company sells. The new chips are built for tasks that need heavy computing muscle, including artificial intelligence work, and Apple says they offer large gains in speed over the previous generation.
Apple regularly refreshes its computer chips to improve performance and stay competitive with rivals such as Intel, AMD and Nvidia, whose processors power most other PCs. These launches are watched closely because they signal how far ahead, or behind, Apple's chip technology is compared with the rest of the industry, and because pricing changes can affect how accessible high-end computing is for professionals and businesses.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Apple has resolved the confusing previous generation configuration of M4 Max with M3 Ultra by introducing a properly aligned M5 lineup. The substantial performance improvements—particularly 4.3 times faster AI compute—deliver genuine value for professionals engaged in artificial intelligence and graphics-intensive work, reflecting Apple's continued silicon innovation.
The case against
The price increases appear difficult to justify, with the M5 Ultra rising $1,500 from the M3 Ultra's original launch price (a 37.5% increase) and the M5 Max adding another $500 premium. The discontinuation of the Mac Pro removes form-factor choice, forcing professionals needing desktop computers into this more expensive solution regardless of their specific requirements.