Apple has unveiled the latest iteration of its Mac Studio, now powered by the advanced M3 Ultra chip, marking a significant leap in performance and capabilities for professional users.
M3 Ultra Chip: A Technical Overview
- CPU and GPU: The M3 Ultra boasts a 32-core CPU, comprising 24 performance cores and 8 efficiency cores, delivering substantial computational power. Its GPU starts with a 60-core configuration, upgradeable to 80 cores, catering to intensive graphical workloads.
- Neural Engine: Equipped with a 32-core Neural Engine, the M3 Ultra enhances machine learning tasks, doubling the cores compared to its predecessors.
- Memory and Bandwidth: The chip supports up to 512GB of unified memory with a memory bandwidth of 819GB/s, facilitating seamless performance in memory-intensive applications.
- Media Engine: The M3 Ultra includes hardware-accelerated H.264, HEVC, ProRes, and ProRes RAW support, along with multiple video encode and decode engines, optimizing media processing tasks.
Mac Studio Configurations and Pricing
- Base Model: Priced at $3,999, the entry-level Mac Studio features the M3 Ultra chip with a 28-core CPU, 60-core GPU, 32-core Neural Engine, 96GB of unified memory, and 1TB of SSD storage.
- Fully Upgraded Model: For users requiring maximum performance, a fully configured Mac Studio with a 32-core CPU, 80-core GPU, 512GB of unified memory, and 16TB of SSD storage is available at $14,099.
Connectivity and Expansion
The updated Mac Studio introduces Thunderbolt 5 ports, offering more than twice the bandwidth per port compared to previous versions, enhancing data transfer speeds and peripheral connectivity.
Performance Enhancements
The M3 Ultra delivers up to 2.6 times the performance of the M1 Ultra, positioning it as Apple's most powerful chip to date. This advancement significantly benefits professionals engaged in demanding tasks such as 3D rendering, video editing, and complex simulations.
Availability
The new Mac Studio models are available for order starting today, with shipments commencing on March 12.
The introduction of the M3 Ultra chip in the Mac Studio underscores Apple's commitment to delivering cutting-edge technology tailored to the needs of professionals seeking exceptional performance and efficiency.