Next Mac Studio: 5 Key Features and Specs
▼ Summary
– Apple is working on an updated Mac Studio expected in 2026, with current models facing supply shortages.
– The design will remain unchanged, retaining its compact size and Thunderbolt 5 support.
– It will feature new M5 Max and M5 Ultra chips, with the Ultra offering up to a 36-core CPU and 80-core GPU.
– The machine will likely get a faster SSD and may face RAM limitations, with the Max model supporting up to 128GB.
– Apple discontinued the Mac Pro, making the Mac Studio its only pro desktop, and a potential price increase is possible.
With the current Mac Studio models facing supply constraints, anticipation is building for Apple’s next-generation desktop powerhouse, expected to arrive in 2026. This update will solidify the Mac Studio’s position as the company’s premier pro desktop, especially following the discontinuation of the Mac Pro. The forthcoming model is poised to deliver significant performance gains through new silicon while navigating a challenging global hardware landscape.
The physical design of the Mac Studio is not anticipated to change. It will retain its compact, squircle form factor, measuring 3.7 inches tall and 7.7 inches wide, which remains far smaller than the legacy Mac Pro tower. Port configuration is also expected to stay consistent, with continued support for the high-speed Thunderbolt 5 connectivity found in the current generation.
The core of the upgrade will be the introduction of new M5 Max and M5 Ultra chips. Apple has already launched the M5 Max in recent MacBook Pro models, where it features up to an 18-core CPU and a 40-core GPU. This chip promises up to 30 percent faster CPU performance for professional workflows compared to the M4 Max. The more powerful M5 Ultra chip, which has yet to be unveiled, will likely follow Apple’s historical pattern of fusing two Max dies together. This could result in a staggering configuration with up to a 36-core CPU and an 80-core GPU, offering a unified chip generation for the Mac Studio lineup after the mixed M4 Max and M3 Ultra offering.
Storage performance is also set for a boost. Following the precedent set by the latest MacBook Pro, the next Mac Studio is expected to adopt a faster SSD. Apple claims these new storage drives offer speeds up to twice as fast as those in the prior M4-based machines, which would significantly accelerate data-intensive tasks.
RAM availability presents a major constraint. A global memory shortage, driven by high demand from AI server manufacturers, has severely limited supply for consumer electronics. This situation led Apple to discontinue the 512GB Mac Studio configuration earlier this year and has caused price increases across the PC and smartphone industries. While Apple has held its pricing so far, the next Mac Studio will likely face similar limits. The M5 Max model will probably max out at 128GB of RAM, mirroring the MacBook Pro, while the M5 Ultra variant could support up to 256GB.
Current shortages have made specific high-RAM configurations of the existing Mac Studio unavailable to order, though this appears related to component supply issues rather than signaling an immediate product launch. Regarding cost, while no rumors point to a specific price hike, Apple has increased starting prices on other Macs this year. It is possible the next Mac Studio could see a higher entry price, potentially offset by a base storage increase to a 1TB SSD instead of 512GB.
With the Mac Pro now discontinued, the Mac Studio stands alone as Apple’s professional desktop solution. Its release timing remains uncertain due to the supply chain challenges. The next logical announcement window would be WWDC 2026, with its keynote on June 8, as Apple has historically introduced new Mac hardware at the developer conference. If it does not debut then, a launch later in the fall, perhaps in October or November, becomes more likely.
(Source: MacRumors)
