Early reviews of the 2025 Mac Studio tout the speed boost that comes with the Apple M3 Ultra processor, and the M4 Max version is certainly no slouch. And, as reviewers point out, the new chips build on previous versions that offered an impressive set of features packed into a relatively small casing. For those interested in the latest developments in AI-powered performance, check out the latest Apple AI news.
If you’re interested in Apple’s latest laptops, the MacBook Air M3 is now available for purchase.
Considering the new desktop? This is just what you need to know:
2025 Mac Studio: ‘Incredible performance’
The third iteration of the Mac Studio launched in early March. The design of the compact desktop didn’t change — this is a “chip and ship” upgrade with the M4 Max and M3 Ultra coming in to replace older processors. Nevertheless, reviewers clearly came away impressed.
The Gizmodo reviewer said, “The Mac Studio is in a class of its own. Designed for the AI coders and Disney Imagineers of the world, this little box has enough power to tackle any work task, no matter how big.”
“The Studio is made for work, and you’ll be hard-pressed to tax it to the point where you’ll elicit anything but a soft whir from its fans,” writes Gizmodo.
“The Mac Studio is a lunchbox-sized device that does not look at all like it should be the most powerful Mac ever made,” said Wired’s review.
M3 Ultra versus M4 Max
The base unit for Apple’s new desktop comes with an M4 Max, an enhanced version of the chips Apple put in the latest MacBook Pro, Mac mini and other computers in late 2024. Or it can be configured with an M3 Ultra processor, which makes it, in Apple’s own words, “the most powerful Mac ever.” Reviewers put that claim to the test.
Starting with the M4 Max version of the 2025 Mac Studio, Tom’s Guide found that it solidly outperforms the M2 Ultra version from 2023, the most recent predecessor. On the Geekbench 6 multi-core benchmarking test, the chip scored 26,966. The older processor scored 21,376 on the same test, so Apple’s latest comes in 26% faster.
Moving to the more powerful M3 Ultra version of the 2025 Mac Studio, The Verge found that on the Geekbench 6 multi-core test, the computer hit 28,376. That’s 33% faster than the M2 Ultra version.
Comparing the two current versions of the Mac desktop head-to-head, on the Cinebench 2024 CPU test, the M3 Ultra scored 3,076 versus the 2,107 score of the M4 Max version, according to Ars Technica.
Just note that the M3 Ultra version starts at twice the cost of the M4 Max version. The higher-priced option comes with roughly triple RAM and double the storage, but considering the cost differential buyers should weigh carefully whether they need the extra performance of the M3 Ultra.
Mac Studio vs. Mac mini
A reoccurring theme is reviewers pointing out that the 2025 Mac Studio offers way more performance than average users can take advantage of.
“The Mac Studio falls solidly in the realm of creative professionals and the AI coder wunderkinder,” points out Gizmodo.
And The Verge writes, “The M3 Ultra chip is overkill for many. If you need this level of power, you already know exactly how you’ll get the most from it. It’s for visual effects artists and animators. It’s for professionals doing ambitious audio and video production work.“
Plus, the Mac Studio is a very high-end device, with a price to match. It starts at either $2,000 or $4,000 depending on the processor.
“You don’t have to spend anywhere close to this much money for a dependable, speedy Mac,” noted The Verge.
The Mac mini desktop offers all the performance needed by average users, and it starts at $599.
Order 2025 Mac Studio now
The 2025 Mac Studio can be ordered now, with deliveries to customers and purchases from Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Resellers beginning Wednesday, March 12. The desktop is available in 28 countries and regions, including the U.S.
Pre-order from: Apple
Mac Studio starts at $1,999 for a version with M4 Max, 36GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. The M3 Ultra version starts at $3,999 for 96GB of RAM and 1TB of storage.
The desktop can be configured at purchase with a range of faster processors, plus more RAM and storage, with the price going up accordingly, of course.
