Mac
Mac Studio (M5 Max / M5 Ultra)
Apple's pro desktop with M5 Max or M5 Ultra, from $2,499.
It's brand new, so it won't be replaced any time soon.
At a glance
Our take
Updated in September 2026, so it's early in a cycle that usually runs well over a year. It's for heavy video, 3D and AI work; most people are better served by a Mac mini.
Research-based: we haven't tested this model ourselves. It's built from Apple's specs, published tests and owner reports.
Pros & cons
What's good
- M5 Max or M5 Ultra power
- Thunderbolt 5 everywhere
- Up to 512GB memory option
What's not
- $2,499 and up
- Overkill for most people
Video, 3D and AI work that needs serious power
Your work runs fine on a Mac mini
Prices
| Model (Apple, US) | Price |
|---|---|
| M5 Max, 32-core GPU | $2,499 |
| M5 Max, 40-core GPU | $3,099 |
| M5 Ultra 30-core | $5,499 |
| M5 Ultra 36-core | $6,799 |
Prices checked Nov 12, 2026. They can change at any time. How we get prices.
Ways to pay less
No cheaper options confirmed yet. We check prices regularly.
Key specs
How it compares
| This pageMac Studio (M5 Max / M5 Ultra) | MacBook Pro (M5 Pro / M5 Max) | MacBook Pro with PROLED XDR Display | MacBook Pro 14-inch (M6) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price from | $2,499 | $2,499 | $2,899 | $1,999 |
| Verdict | Buy now | Buy now | Buy now | Buy now |
| Chip | M5 Max or M5 Ultra | M5 Pro or M5 Max | M5 Pro or M5 Max | M6 |
| Display | — | 14.2- or 16.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR (mini-LED) | 14.2- or 16.3-inch tandem OLED touchscreen | 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR (mini-LED) |
| Battery | — | Up to 24 h video | Up to 24 h video | Up to 24 h video |
| Memory | 36GB (M5 Max) / 96GB+ (M5 Ultra) | 24GB (M5 Pro) / 36GB (M5 Max) | 24GB (M5 Pro) / 36GB (M5 Max) | 16GB |
| Storage | 512GB (M5 Max) / 1TB (M5 Ultra) | — | — | 1TB |
More comparisons
What's next?
Nothing credible yet
We haven't seen a reliable report of a replacement in the next six months.
How we worked out "Buy now"
Latest news
Repair
Self Service Repair adds iPhone 18 Pro, M6 Mac mini and M5 Mac Studio parts
Apple's DIY repair store now sells genuine parts for iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, the M6/M5 Pro Mac mini and the M5 Max/M5 Ultra Mac Studio in the US, Canada and Europe. Easier official repairs can lower long-term ownership costs.
Products
Source: MacRumors
LaunchNew Mac mini and Mac Studio go on saleThe M6 and M5 Pro Mac mini (from $899) and the M5 Max and M5 Ultra Mac Studio (from $2,499) became available about four weeks after their announcement. Both had faced shortages earlier in the year, so availability is good news for desktop buyers.
Launch
New Mac mini and Mac Studio go on sale
The M6 and M5 Pro Mac mini (from $899) and the M5 Max and M5 Ultra Mac Studio (from $2,499) became available about four weeks after their announcement. Both had faced shortages earlier in the year, so availability is good news for desktop buyers.
Products
Source: Apple Newsroom
LaunchApple introduces M6, its first 2nm chip, and quad-die M5 UltraApple says M6 offers up to 1.2x faster multithreaded performance than M5, while M5 Ultra links four dies for up to 36 CPU cores and 512GB of memory. These chips set the baseline for Macs launched through late 2026.Launch
Apple introduces M6, its first 2nm chip, and quad-die M5 Ultra
Apple says M6 offers up to 1.2x faster multithreaded performance than M5, while M5 Ultra links four dies for up to 36 CPU cores and 512GB of memory. These chips set the baseline for Macs launched through late 2026.
Products
Source: Apple Newsroom
LaunchMac Studio updated with M5 Max and M5 UltraThe new Mac Studio starts at $2,499 with M5 Max, and M5 Ultra models start at $5,499. Pros who held off through the year's shortages and price hikes now have a current model.Launch
Mac Studio updated with M5 Max and M5 Ultra
The new Mac Studio starts at $2,499 with M5 Max, and M5 Ultra models start at $5,499. Pros who held off through the year's shortages and price hikes now have a current model.
Products
Source: Apple Newsroom
Questions people ask
Should I buy the Mac Studio (M5 Max / M5 Ultra) now?
Buy now. It's brand new, so it won't be replaced any time soon.
How much does the Mac Studio (M5 Max / M5 Ultra) cost?
Apple sells it from $2,499 in the US (M5 Max, 32-core GPU: $2,499, M5 Max, 40-core GPU: $3,099, M5 Ultra 30-core: $5,499, M5 Ultra 36-core: $6,799).
When will the Mac Studio (M5 Max / M5 Ultra) be replaced?
We haven't seen a credible report of a replacement in the next six months.
Who is the Mac Studio (M5 Max / M5 Ultra) best for?
Video, 3D and AI work that needs serious power. Skip it if your work runs fine on a Mac mini.
Sources
- Apple tech specs (checked Nov 12, 2026)
- Apple Newsroom announcement (checked Nov 12, 2026)
Page updated Nov 12, 2026 · Spotted an error? Tell us.