Apple Unveils M3 Ultra Mac Studio Featuring 32-Core CPU and 80-Core GPU, Promising Double the Performance of M4 Max Chip with Thunderbolt 5

In addition to launching the innovative M4 MacBook Air, Apple has unveiled the robust M4 Max and M3 Ultra-powered Mac Studio, boasting substantial performance improvements over its predecessors and industry norms. Although there were rumors surrounding the M4 MacBook Air, Apple’s surprise rollout of the new Mac Studio has certainly captured attention. Featuring the familiar boxy design of its predecessor, this upgraded model promises remarkable performance capabilities thanks to its dual-chip configurations.

Introducing the Advanced Mac Studio with M4 Max and M3 Ultra Chip Options

The new Mac Studio is available in two powerful configurations: the M4 Max and the M3 Ultra. This state-of-the-art technology is engineered to provide creators and professionals with significant enhancements, delivering a leap in processing capabilities compared to the earlier Max and Ultra chips. While the design remains sleek and minimalist, a range of ports is conveniently located at the back for easy access.

One of the standout features of the new Mac Studio is its integration of Thunderbolt 5 ports. This upgrade means users can experience data transfer speeds of up to 120 Gbps—an impressive increase that is three times faster than its predecessor. Apple states:

Apple today announced the new Mac Studio, the most powerful Mac ever made, featuring M4 Max and the new M3 Ultra chip. The ultimate pro desktop delivers groundbreaking pro performance, extensive connectivity now with Thunderbolt 5, and new capabilities in its compact and quiet design that can live right on a desk. Mac Studio can tackle the most intense workloads with its powerful CPU, Apple’s advanced graphics architecture, higher unified memory capacity, ultrafast SSD storage, and a faster and more efficient Neural Engine. It provides a big boost in performance compared to the previous generation, and a massive leap for users coming from older Macs.

Focusing on performance specifications, the M3 Ultra chip impressively contains a 32-core CPU, comprising 24 performance cores and eight efficiency cores—the highest core count ever in a Mac. In addition, it features a remarkable GPU of up to 80 cores, surpassing any previous Apple Silicon configurations. When compared to the M4 Max, the M3 Ultra demonstrates a performance enhancement that is 2.6 times more efficient than the older M1 Ultra Mac Studio, and its computing ability is twice as fast in CPU and GPU-oriented tasks.

Memory capacity for the M3 Ultra begins at 96GB of unified RAM and can be expanded to an incredible 512GB, while users can opt for storage options scaling up to 16TB. Connectivity options are user-friendly; the front panel includes two USB-C ports and an SD card slot for quick access. The rear features four Thunderbolt 5 ports, an HDMI port, a 10Gb Ethernet port, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and two USB-A ports.

For professionals utilizing PCIe expansion cards in their workflows, Thunderbolt 5 facilitates connections to external expansion chassis that offer higher bandwidth and reduced latency. The M3 Ultra enables the Mac Studio to support up to eight Pro Display XDRs at full 6K resolution, ensuring robust connectivity essentials for creative functions and incorporating built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

Prior to this launch, Apple presented its M4 Max chip alongside the MacBook Pro lineup last year; however, the introduction of the M3 Ultra chip marks a significant milestone. User performance details are eagerly anticipated, particularly regarding Geekbench scores for the new chip. The starting price for the M4 Max Mac Studio is set at $1, 999, while the M3 Ultra version begins at $3, 999. For those interested in top-tier performance, a fully equipped Mac Studio can reach $14, 099. Pre-orders are now available, with shipping scheduled to commence on March 12. Stay tuned, as we will provide comprehensive insights into the latest chip advancements in the upcoming days.

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