Apple’s recent unveiling of the Mac Studio featuring the M3 Ultra chip took many by surprise, especially given the simultaneous release of the M4 Max variant.
The M4 Max Base model, equipped with the M4 Max chip, starts at $1,999 and offers robust performance with a 14-core CPU, 32-core GPU, and 36GB of unified memory.
For professionals seeking even greater capabilities, this M3 Ultra model starts at $3,999 and boasts a 28-core CPU, 60-core GPU, and 96GB of unified memory. Both configurations are available for preorder, with shipments starting on March 12, 2025.
The Mac Studio’s design remains consistent with its predecessors, featuring a (relative to Mac Pro) compact form factor and an array of connectivity options, including Thunderbolt 5 ports, USB-A ports, HDMI, and 10Gb Ethernet.
Users can customize their machines during purchase, upgrading the M3 Ultra to an 80-core GPU, up to a whopping 512GB of unified memory, and up to 16TB of SSD storage. These enhancements position the Mac Studio as a formidable tool for professionals in video editing, 3D rendering, and AI development, offering significant performance improvements over previous models.
Ultra Performance Across Generations
| Manufacturer Part Number | Mac16,9 |
|---|---|
| Year | 2025 |
| MSRP ($) | $3,999 |
| CPU/SOC Family | M3 |
| CPU/SOC Variant | Ultra (binned) |
| Total CPU Cores | 28 |
| Total GPU Cores | 60 |
| Memory Bandwidth (GB/s) | 819 |
| Geekbench Single Core | 3,190 |
| Geekbench Multi Core | 26,408 |
| Geekbench Metal GPU | 224,093 (Normalized: 30,698) |
| Normalized Combined Geekbench Score | 60,296 |
| Bang for Buck | 15.08 |
| Bang for Buck Grade | B |
| See Leaderboards | |