Apple’s new Mac Studio targets on-device AI with M5 Ultra chip

Apple has announced the new Mac Studio, a desktop device engineered to handle on-device artificial intelligence and extreme professional workloads. The update features the M5 Max and the all-new M5 Ultra chips, with the latter marking a significant architectural shift in Apple’s silicon strategy. According to the company, the new hardware delivers up to 4.3 times faster AI performance compared to the previous M3 Ultra generation, alongside enhanced graphics capabilities and higher memory bandwidth.

The M5 Ultra is the first "Ultra" chip to utilise a quad-die architecture, connecting four dies via next-generation UltraFusion technology. This configuration allows the system to scale up to a 36-core CPU and an 80-core GPU, supporting up to 512GB of unified memory. Apple states that this memory capacity enables users to run large language models entirely on the device, reducing reliance on cloud infrastructure. The M5 Max model, by contrast, features an 18-core CPU, a 40-core GPU, and up to 128GB of unified memory.

Connectivity has also been upgraded, with the introduction of Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 via Apple’s N1 chip. The inclusion of Thunderbolt 5 is particularly notable for institutional buyers, as it allows multiple Mac Studio units to be clustered for distributed AI inference. Apple claims that a cluster of four systems can deliver up to three times faster performance than a single unit, creating a shared memory pool for demanding tasks.

Storage performance is up to twice as fast, utilising a next-generation SSD architecture built on PCIe Gen 6. The system supports up to eight displays, or four Studio Display XDR units at full 5K resolution and 120Hz. These specifications are designed to support professional workflows in fields such as video editing, 3D rendering, and data science, where high throughput and low latency are critical.

Pricing for the new lineup starts at US$2,499 for the M5 Max model, which includes 36GB of unified memory and 512GB of storage. The M5 Ultra version, equipped with 96GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD, is priced at US$5,499. Pre-orders opened on 25 August 2026, with general availability commencing on 22 September 2026. The launch follows the recent release of the M6 Mac Mini, indicating a broader trend of Apple adjusting performance and pricing across its Mac ecosystem.

Johny Srouji, Apple’s chief hardware officer, described the new Mac Studio as the "ultimate desktop for on-device AI". He noted that integrating Neural Accelerators directly into the GPU cores and offering massive amounts of high-bandwidth unified memory represents the company’s most powerful Mac to date. The device is also built with 35 per cent recycled content, including 100 per cent recycled aluminium in the enclosure, as part of Apple’s carbon neutrality goals.