The Future of the Mac Studio: Will It Survive 2023?
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The Mac Studio's Dilemma
The current flagship of Apple’s silicon line finds itself in a precarious situation. Despite its impressive capabilities, I have never felt compelled to purchase a Mac Studio, even for review purposes. This led me to consult my colleague, Andy Wood from Pulse8, who promptly acquired one for his video production needs.
Quoting Andy, "The Mac Studio has its merits, but it’s not for everyone."
Why I’m Not Pursuing a Mac Studio
Upon reflection, my reluctance isn't due to the Mac Studio's performance—quite the contrary. I genuinely respect Apple's engineering of the device. They’ve democratized Mac Pro-level performance, which is commendable. However, this creates a dilemma.
With a new Apple silicon Mac Pro expected this year, and the recent launch of a powerful Mac mini featuring the M2 Pro chip, the silence surrounding the Mac Studio is concerning. The Mac Studio did not receive an M2 Max or Ultra upgrade last week, nor have there been any credible rumors about upcoming enhancements. Does this indicate an impending discontinuation for the Mac Studio in 2023?
What We Know About the Upcoming Apple Silicon Mac Pro
The next Mac Pro has been delayed, making it the only Mac that has not adhered to Apple’s goal of transitioning all models to M-based chips within two years. John Turnas, Apple’s Vice President of Hardware Engineering, mentioned that the new Mac Pro was "for another day" during the Mac Studio unveiling last March. Since then, Apple has remained tight-lipped about this high-end model while continuing to sell the Intel version at the same price since its 2019 launch.
The anticipated Mac Pro is expected to closely resemble the existing model but with a successor to the M1 Ultra, likely dubbed the 'M2 Ultra'. It could boast up to 24 CPU cores, 76 GPU cores, and support for at least 192 GB of unified memory. However, it is unlikely that the memory will be upgradeable like the current Mac Pro, although internal SSD swaps and graphics card additions may still be possible.
The M2 Extreme Chip: A Canceled Ambition
Rumors suggest that Apple had aspirations for an even more powerful M2 chip, nicknamed ‘M2 Extreme’, which would have significantly outperformed the M2 Ultra with a 48-core CPU and a staggering 152-core GPU. However, this plan seems to have been shelved due to manufacturing costs and logistics.
The Mac Studio: Too Powerful for Its Own Good?
Interestingly, the Mac Studio might be considered too powerful. While that may sound peculiar, with Apple scaling back plans for an ultra-high-end Mac Pro, there exists limited room for enhancements beyond the Mac Studio's already impressive specifications.
If I were to max out the Mac Studio’s specs on Apple’s website, I’d end up with a 20-core CPU, 64-core GPU, 128 GB of unified memory, and an 8 TB SSD—all for a hefty price tag of £7,999. This pricing places it in Mac Pro territory, offering capabilities that only a select few users would fully utilize. What remains unclear is where to go from there—how many users truly require more than what the current M1 Mac Studio provides?
Considering Alternatives: Mac Studio vs. MacBook Pro
As we ponder Apple's strategy for the Mac Studio in 2023, it’s worth noting that no solid updates have surfaced, and it was conspicuously absent from last week’s announcements. This leads to two possible scenarios: either an update is on the way later this year (potentially around March, marking a year since the first Mac Studio launch) or it may quietly exit the stage once the new Mac Pro arrives.
The recent launch of the M2 Pro Mac mini adds to the pressure on the Mac Studio. The M2 Pro version, with a 12-core CPU, 19-core GPU, 32 GB of unified memory, and an 8 TB SSD, retails for £4,499. While it may not match the Mac Studio’s top specs, it presents a compelling option for everyday power users, further complicating the decision for those contemplating a high-end Mac.
Conclusion: A Crossroad for the Mac Studio
I sincerely hope the Mac Studio doesn’t fade away; it’s too valuable for that fate. Yet, I also wish for a less convoluted Mac lineup. Whatever Apple decides for its high-end offerings will be crucial, especially with a powerful Mac Pro on the horizon and the recent introduction of an impressive Mac mini. The Mac Studio stands at a critical juncture.
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