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The next step in Apple’s M3 chip rollout involves the introduction of the M3 Mac Studio, as well as the M3 MacBook Air and M3 Mac Mini. Whilst those last two have a firm user base, the Mac Studio still feels a bit…lost?
It’s the most powerful Mac Apple has ever produced meaning it is also one of the most expensive. A fully specced-up M2 Mac Studio costs double that of an M2 Mac Mini. It’s no surprise then that when it was first released, the main question people had was; who is the Mac Studio for?
The answer is, obviously, people who need it. So-called ‘power users’. Those who need every inch of performance to meet the strictest of deadlines or the most demanding tasks. Music producers, 3D graphic designers and high-end video editors.
At the end of the day, it’s a Mac that hardly anyone needs. So where does that leave the upcoming M3 Mac Studio, a new update that’s supposedly going to include the M3 Ultra?
Let’s run through the rumoured details, including its release date and specifications, to see what kind of computer the M3 Mac Studio will be…and if anyone should think about buying it.
M3 Mac Studio Release Date
The most likely M3 Mac Studio release date is June 2024 at WWDC. WWDC is Apple’s annual marque event and 2023’s edition was when the last Mac Studio update was introduced.
The mid-summer release window is expected to see both M3 Max and M3 Ultra configurations of the Mac Studio announced.
M3 Mac Studio Specifications
The Mac Studio is already immensely powerful. In many ways, we don’t really need M3 versions. Either way, the addition of the TSMC 3nm M3 chipset will deliver ridiculous levels of performance.
We are now familiar with what the M3 Max offers. With up to 16 CPU cores and 40 GPU cores, the M3 Max is a truly mind-blowing bit of technology. In an M3 MacBook Pro, the M3 Max offers unrivalled efficiency and is suitable for 99.9% of people’s needs. In fact, it’s overkill for most.
Less certain is the M3 Ultra version. The M2 Ultra saw two M2 Max chips combined to double the number of cores available. If this is followed by the M3 Ultra Mac Studio then it will have 32 CPU cores and 80 GPU cores. Yes, 80 GPU cores.
Beyond what we could have imagined a year ago, the M3 Ultra will be nothing short of outrageous in terms of its power. 80 GPU cores will far exceed anybody’s needs in terms of graphical work and will make things like video editing an absolute breeze.
The 32 Core CPU will include 24 performance cores, eight more than the M2 Ultra, but the same eight efficiency cores.
Who needs an M3 Mac Studio?
Let me be clear, this isn’t a snarky question directed at Apple. The Mac Studio is an incredible machine and is pushing computing boundaries we didn’t even know existed yet. It is a masterpiece.
I’m more wondering if anyone will actually buy an M3 Ultra Mac Studio.
The average Mac user needs nothing more than an M1 Max MacBook Pro and they’ll be set for the next five years. Even taking a step up to those who need more for tasks like video editing, an M2 Pro Mac Mini offers ample performance.
Going higher up the ladder still to those who require the very top percentage of efficiency, an M2 Ultra Mac Studio is easily enough to cover their needs. So where does that leave the M3 Ultra Mac Studio?
Well, as we say quite often here, if you need such a machine then you know you need it. If you experience slowdowns and annoying barriers in your workflow, then you’ll want a more powerful Mac.
The only problem for me (and potentially Apple’s sales figures) is that I don’t know who actually needs more than an M2 Ultra or M3 Max Mac Studio right now.
What are your thoughts on the upcoming M3 Mac Studio? Let me know below!
Review: The Dust Has Settled: Is It Worth Buying An M3 MacBook Pro?
FAQ
When will the M3 Mac Studio be released?
The M3 Mac Studio is expected to be released in June 2024 at WWDC.
What specifications will the M3 Ultra Mac Studio have?
The M3 Ultra will have 32 CPU cores and 80 GPU cores.
How much is the M3 Mac Studio?
There is no price information yet, but the M2 Ultra Mac Studio is sold by Apple for £4,199/$3,999. Apple’s M3 MacBook Pro was released for £100/$100 less than the M2 MacBook Pro, so there is a chance we could see a price freeze or drop. However, this is unlikely due to the amount of CPU and GPU cores on offer.
