Apple has unveiled its most powerful Mac Studio to date, featuring the M5 Ultra chip with a 36-core CPU and 80-core GPU. The fully configured model reaches a premium price of $18,299, a dramatic jump from the entry-level M5 Ultra variant priced at $5,499. An alternative M5 Max configuration begins at $2,499, offering consumers multiple options across different performance tiers.
The substantial cost difference reflects aggressive pricing on memory and storage upgrades. Transitioning from 256GB to 1TB of storage alone costs $7,500, illustrating how configuration choices dramatically impact the final price. Apple’s hardware chief Johny Srouji positioned the M5 Ultra Mac Studio as the company’s most capable desktop for artificial intelligence applications and professional workflows.
Industry observers attribute the steep pricing to global supply constraints affecting memory components, commonly referred to as RAMageddon. Data centers expanding artificial intelligence infrastructure have accumulated massive volumes of RAM and related semiconductors, constraining availability for consumer electronics manufacturers and driving up component costs across the board.
The new Mac Studio launches alongside a refreshed M6 Mac mini, with both devices available for preorder ahead of a September 22 release. The announcement precedes Apple’s anticipated September event, where the company is expected to introduce new iPhone models, including a foldable variant, alongside updated wearables and smart home devices.
Originally reported by Mashable →
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