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Occasionally, people ask why I have so many Macs. Some even suggest that I should “think of the environment” before bringing another one into my studio.
I understand this sentiment. Because, from afar, it looks daft. Why would one guy need eleventy seven Macs?
The reason is pretty simple: I’m running a tech reviews business that focuses largely on Apple. Therefore, having lots of those devices to hand kinda comes with the territory.
Despite this, I try and use them all as much as possible. I’m also aware that people want me to review every Mac that comes out. And as much as I’d love to do that, the reality is that it costs an absolute fortune to do so (Tim has no idea who I am, so I have to buy this stuff myself, you see).
So, I have to balance my review unit budget with what makes the most sense to review for my audience.
After much thought, I don’t think the Mac Studio fits into that bracket.
Here’s why.
My reasons for not needing a Mac Studio
Reviews aside, there are plenty of reasons I don’t need a Mac Studio.
Firstly, it’s expensive. I have rent, bills, and corporation tax to pay. I also quite enjoy eating food, as does my girlfriend.
It’s not what I wanted from this event, either. I was expecting a new MacBook Air, which would have slotted perfectly into my review unit budget, and delivered what I suspect would be one of the most important reviews of the year for my brand.
But the biggest reason I don’t need that Mac Studio is that I already have an incredibly powerful Mac – the 16-inch MacBook Pro.
Conversely, I don’t need all of the power nestled within the specced-up M1 Max chip I chose for that laptop. But my reasons for buying one were as follows:
- I already had three M1-based Macs, and needed to find out what the platform was capable of, following the launch of the M1 Pro and M1 Max;
- I needed a mobile editing rig, rather than being tied to my M1 Mac mini; and
- there was a compelling story behind the new MacBook Pro.
For me, the Mac Studio fails in all three areas above. I don’t need to find out what the M1 Max version is capable of, because I already have a computer featuring that chip (I’ll get to the M1 Ultra later).
The mobility thing is irrelevant, too – the 16-inch MacBook Pro fills the role of laptop and desktop powerhouse perfectly (and will even more so once my Studio Display arrives).
But what about the story? Well, the Mac Studio has one, undoubtedly, but it feels a bit like the Mac Pro story; I’d rather discuss it from afar for now.
More importantly – I don’t need a Mac Studio on my desk to help you buy one.
But how can you review a product without touching it?
I’m a big fan of the film critic, Mark Kermode. He’ll regularly remind us that he never reviews a film without watching it first; his opinion won’t be pre-empted by previous films in the same series or the reviews of others.
I think it’s important to take a similar approach with tech.
Until it isn’t.
You see, I think the Mac Studio is one of the few products you can review without getting your hands on one – if you have a decent amount of experience using Apple’s various takes on its own silicon.
I have gained that experience. Remember? I’m the guy with too many Macs.
I’m also the guy with an M1 Max-based 16-inch MacBook Pro. I know what that thing can do. Rip off the keyboard, remove the screen, stretch it out, add a couple more Thunderbolt ports, and you’ve got a Mac Studio.
But what about the M1 Ultra version, you ask.
The problem with the M1 Ultra Mac Studio
I wouldn’t know how to review it.
Seriously. I barely push the M1 Max chip in my MacBook Pro. And, if you know me by now, you know that I would rather play cricket than conduct benchmark tests.
Sure, I could do a Final Cut Pro render and export test, but we’d probably only see a few seconds shaved off. Unless the M1 Ultra is capable of reducing my export time from five minutes to 30 seconds (which it isn’t), I’m not interested.
So, I’m not going to buy a Mac Studio. For now. Maybe in the future, depending on where Apple heads with its product roadmap. Who knows – maybe we will see a 27-inch iMac replacement. Maybe the Mac mini will get the update it deserves.
If either of those releases take place this year, I’d be far more willing to add to my Mac collection.
What are you going to do?
I’ve received a wave of comments and emails about the Mac Studio since Tuesday’s event. One thing is clear: there are lots of confused people out there.
So, now that you’ve had a chance to think about it a bit, are you tempted by the Mac Studio? Or are you going to give it a miss? I’m fascinated by this – please get involved in the comments, below!
Main image courtesy of Apple.
5 Comments
I’ve ordered mine already. Just the base model, but with 1TB drive; it will do the job. My dev/design rig has 2 x 4K 27” Dell Ultras but my laptop is the last of the 16” MacBook Pros with the i9 Intel chip. I hate laptops in this kind of setup because I have to run it closed and so lose the Touch ID. Also it really didn’t run two monitors well on its own so I have them connected via a powered DisplayPort. Also the fans are noisy and switch on and off when I’m playing full-screen video. on the other hand the Mac Studio will allow direct connection via USB-C. I was looking at the M1 16” MacBook Pro but this is a much better option. Added benefit is that the Intel laptop can live in my backpack ready to go for site visits.
I think its a wise decision. There will be a lot of reviewers in the same boat as yourself who will buy one and then just say ‘its more power than you need’ without realising the target audience is people who need that power.
It doesn’t really fit into “Tech reviews and tips for normal people” because normal people don’t need one!
That said whilst you might not be able to film in there it might be nice to get a blog post from some impressions from the Apple Store? A local reseller might even be willing to let you film on the premises….
Hi Mark,
Thanks for again a great review. I like the down to earth way you’re describing and summarizing what the Apple world is up to.
Regarding the above I have a few thoughts I like to share:
1) I fully understand your predicament that as an independent reviewer, its financially not doable (or if your wallet is so big that it might be doable it would still not be smart use of funds) to buy each and every single device. Hence desktop review only based on published specs. Or is there a middle ground? I’m sure there must be other reviewers in the same boat. Find a few that don’t live on the other side of the planet and more importantly, with whom you have a friendly professional relationship. Buy the damned thing as a team, rotate it for individual reviews, then sell it and split the loss.
2). I agree, the Mac Studio Ultra is insane. Many reviewers get odd results from testing and benchmarking simply because they cant get the cores and the unified memory and the video engines etc etc to reach their max performance. Hence it is difficult if not impossible to compare certain components if the others aren’t maxed out. To a certain extend thats already visible in the M1 PRO. It becomes more visible in the M1 Max 24 core let alone the 32 core. I cant even imagine how on earth these benchmarkers are going to develop a test that actually measures what they want to find out. Yes the M1 Ultra is absolutely wild but only a very small group of users really could benefit from it. In my view the M1 Ultra is the entry level Mac Pro of the future.
3) The Mac Studio with the base M1 Max 24 core is a different story. Compare a 16 inch MacBook PRO with M1 Max 24 core chip against the Mac Studio + Studio display. Both carry the same SoC, both are give or take 100 bucks around 3,600 dollars. But one system provides portability (albeit with the 16 inch that is a relative value) and the other system provides more ports, far bigger cooling and lets not forget the 10 Gb intranet port. Both systems are similar to a large extend, one focussed on a fixed workstation with associated goodies, the other focussed on portability with the associated goodies. I call that an even battle. The choice will be to large extend be determined by the mobility required by the job, home-work commute and family situation (will someone else in the family use it as well or not).
4). What about the midrange? I fully agree with you: the current lineup has a gap. Not a small one that is, I’m thinking a gap the size of the Grand Canyon. I am convinced Apple will not allow that gap to continue. It would mean the loss of (part of) a very profitable range of the product lineup. Low entry machines carry relative small profit percentages but are meant to draw the newcomers in. The high end and ultra high end might have high(er) profit margins but volume will be low. The purpose of these high end machines is twofold: bring the real pros back into the ecosystem (not so much for the primary profit but because those users are often influencers and thats where the big bucks are). The second reason for the high end units is pure marketing in the style of the old fashioned teenagers who all want to have the biggest “you know what”. Winning that competition shines on all those who have a machine with similar form factor but much lower specs . That’s where the volume market is. So, yes currently there is a gap. Will that gap stay there? No way.
5) If the primary choice between Mac Studio and MacBook is determined by how one lives his/her job and mobility vs stationary pro’s and cons, then the next question could be: “What if you need both”. What if one is used to having an iMac at home (or office) and carries a MBA for mobility. There are many with such a setup and their choice has become even more difficult then it was before. You mentioned that the 16 inch is your workhorse yet you’ve ordered a Studio display for using the MacBook when at home. That’s an interesting thought. One could conclude that the 16 inch, despite its great screen etc, still isn’t as comfortable to use as a big screen. On the flip side: you will only need 1 aluminum box to carry 1 single computer brain that does the hard work, which box has built in screen and keyboard for portability whilst it has a large screen waiting for the days you work stationary.
Personally however, I like a setup with one stationary machine with a big engine, and have a small less powerful portable machine for mobility. Although your setup is attractive as well.
Finally, based on what’s currently known Apple could be filling the gap by a combination of the following machines (which should be relatively easy to build and would greatly enhance RoI:
* The separation between pro and consumer will be stronger more explicit. Fancy colors vs silver and space grey, SoC focussed on efficiency (4 efficiency 4 high performance cores vs 2 efficiency and 8 or more high performance)
* I would guess that we will see a Mac Mini with M2 chip
* MBA with M2
* iMac M1 and next year with M2
* Entry level MacBook PRO with a binned M1 Pro and limited goodies (no mini led screen etc)
* Mac Studio with a M1 PRO SoC and perhaps cheaper less powerful cooling system
* Mac Pro entry with M1 ultra + pcie features
* Mac Pro biggest meanest gun on the world with M1 QUDRA (double the ultra)
Unfortunately one of my most favorite Mac’s the 27 inch iMac (which I have been using for god knows how many years) is doomed to the archives as I don’t see it return
Well long story to say I agree on most with you, but not all + some nuances are hidden just below the surface
Ps: I am at the verge of starting to publish on Medium LoL
Thanks, Jurry! And definitely get yourself signed up on Medium as a writer!
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