Mac Studio Update Expected This Week: Surprising M3 Ultra Launch Reported, While More Powerful M4 Ultra May Be Reserved for Mac Pro

Apple continues to keep fans and tech enthusiasts on their toes. Instead of revealing the anticipated M4 MacBook Air series, the company surprised everyone by showcasing the new M3 iPad Air lineup. Recent reports suggest that an updated version of the Mac Studio is set to debut sooner than expected. However, those hoping for the M4 Ultra will have to wait, as the upcoming launch will feature the M3 Ultra alongside the mini-workstation model. This strategy indicates that Apple aims to distinguish between the Mac Studio and Mac Pro by releasing a significantly enhanced silicon variant later this year.

Understanding the Current Mac Studio and Mac Pro Offerings

The existing Mac Studio and Mac Pro are powered by the M2 Ultra chips, providing a similar level of performance. Yet, there is a stark contrast in pricing, with the Mac Pro commanding a much higher cost. According to Mark Gurman from Bloomberg, the new Mac Studio may also be configured with the M4 Max, identified by the codename ‘J575’ in his updates on X.

Gurman explains that Apple’s rationale behind introducing the M3 Ultra is straightforward: consumers looking for top-tier performance are more likely to opt for the Mac Pro, especially if it transforms into a powerhouse with the M4 Ultra chipset. Until now, many speculated that Apple might have shelved development on the M3 Ultra, primarily because other chipsets for lower-cost Macs have been selling in larger quantities.

Insights on M3 Ultra Capabilities and Future Prospects

Reports from late 2023 suggested that the M3 Ultra had not yet entered extensive testing phases. However, the anticipated high-end configuration is expected to feature a robust 32-core CPU coupled with an impressive 80-core GPU. Other rumors indicate that the revamped Mac Studio would incorporate the M4 Ultra, while the Mac Pro would be equipped with Apple’s next-generation ‘Hidra’ chipset, touted as the most advanced custom SoC from Apple to date.

It is important to note that the M3 Max does not support Apple’s UltraFusion Interconnect, which would allow for a dual-chip architecture. This limitation suggests that the M3 Max might adopt a monolithic design that can be mass-produced utilizing TSMC’s second-generation 3nm technology.

It’s not an “Air” — but the new Mac Studio, codenamed J575, appears to be imminent. It could be announced as early as this week along with the new MacBook Airs. There are signs these will come with an M4 Max but that its new Ultra chip will actually be an M3 Ultra.

— Mark Gurman (@markgurman) March 4, 2025

Unfortunately, Gurman’s latest update does not reveal specifics regarding these model specifications, which leaves us eagerly waiting for the M3 Ultra launch to shed more light on what to expect. From a business perspective, equipping the Mac Pro with a more powerful silicon variant makes sense, especially considering that both the M2 Ultra models deliver equivalent performance, yet the Mac Pro carries an additional price tag of $3, 000.

For continuous updates, watch Mark Gurman’s reports on Twitter: Mark Gurman.

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