Are you satisfied with your purchase of the Mac Studio?

[whwang]

Very happy with my M3U 256GB Studio. I used it for scientific calculations and image processing. It replaces an iMac Pro, and the upgrade in speed is very obvious. It's fast, cool (both temperature and looking), and quiet.

My complaints:

1. It doesn't have enough ports in the back. I would hope there could be one or two more TB/USB-C ports in the back. Yes, there are two more TB/USC-C ports in the front. At least on my desk, the front ones are only for temporary plug and play devices like a flash drive. Permanent TB cables from the front ports just look ugly on my desk. I would hope the cables for monitors, external drives, hubs etc can all be more or less hidden (using the rear ports).

2. Its single-core performance is only M3 class, not M4. There are still some tasks that only use single cores. So it's a shame.

 

[SpecFoto]

Extremely Happy with my M2 Studio Max I got in Jan 2024 for my photo editing, now that I have fine tuned it.

~Base unit was 64GB ram and 1TB SSD refurbished unit from Apple (at a $500 discount), but I added a 8TB WD850x Black NVME as my startup drive in a Acasis 405 M1 Pro external enclosure with a super-quiet, built in fan.

~Have 2 more WD 8TB Blacks in an Acasis 405 Pro dual NVME enclosure with fan as a 16TB RAID 0 storage disk. These units all work at TB4 speeds.

~Attached backup storage is 2 Oyen Digital Pro Mini RAID V4 dual SSD drives, one with dual 4TB's and one with dual 8TB's, these work at USB3 speeds, but using SuperDuper (15 + year user) and the smart backup function it is usually less than a hours time for both to be backed up every week.

Dual 27" Apple Studio displays. Internal 1TB SSD is cache file with system OS backup, just in case.

Only issue is the lack of Apple providing enough power to all the TB4 ports, only 2 will work at any time with external drives. Solution was a OWC TB4 Dock with 2 added ports TB4 ports, 1 for the 2nd Display and the 16TB RAID.

 

[dasjati]

I got an M2 Max 64GB/2TB refurbished from Apple early last year. I love it. It's small, powerful, and quiet. My biggest fear is that Apple tries to innovate at some point and then messes it up.

 

[Varmann]

I am so impressed how the cpu load is distributed. As I wrote I ran a big handbrake job (I rip and convert all bought bluray to high quality mkv) for 5 days straight in the background. As mentioned I only once felt it affected my other tasks. I guess having lots of cores, enough memory and a better load balance programming makes a difference.

 

[JSRinUK]

I am so impressed how the cpu load is distributed. As I wrote I ran a big handbrake job (I rip and convert all bought bluray to high quality mkv) for 5 days straight in the background. As mentioned I only once felt it affected my other tasks. I guess having lots of cores, enough memory and a better load balance programming makes a difference.
View attachment 2575106

I find it amazing that it can be pushing up against its RAM limit, but still doesn’t need to swap, and remains completely responsive while it’s doing some intensive work.

 

[Pressure]

While I have been very happy with my Mac Studio purchase I will say that I have high expectations from Apple going forward with RAM configurations.

All those new AMD mini PCs can ship with 128GB of integrated LPDDR5X memory for only $2199 and 64GB LPDDR5X for $1699.

The Asus Ascent GX10 based on GB10 comes with 128GB of integrated LPDDR5X for $2999.

 

[maflynn]

Apple going forward with RAM configurations.

prepare to be disappointed, I have no such expectations, sadly.

 

[rb2112]

While I have been very happy with my Mac Studio purchase I will say that I have high expectations from Apple going forward with RAM configurations.

All those new AMD mini PCs can ship with 128GB of integrated LPDDR5X memory for only $2199 and 64GB LPDDR5X for $1699.

The Asus Ascent GX10 based on GB10 comes with 128GB of integrated LPDDR5X for $2999.

If you mean that Apple would increase the base amount, I find that very unlikely. The upsell price has netted them mucho dinero. As far as upgrade pricing, I see a continuation of their pricing now unless the next few years market research shows mini/studio sales fall due to mini PC competition.

 

[Geoff777]

Very happy with my M2. The only thing that concerned me was the air intake being on the bottom.
However, my son 3D printed a simple stand that lifts it about 3cm off the desk. I have placed my SSD drives underneath and it looks very neat.
Not sure if it actually helps but it sure makes me feel better!

 

[Landing]

Very happy with my M2. The only thing that concerned me was the air intake being on the bottom.
However, my son 3D printed a simple stand that lifts it about 3cm off the desk. I have placed my SSD drives underneath and it looks very neat.
Not sure if it actually helps but it sure makes me feel better!

Do you have any pictures of it?

 

[Geoff777]

Do you have any pictures of it?

Not easy to see but there are simple struts between each corner to keep it all rigid.

 

[Geoff777]

And here's a template (free, allows for locks which mind doesn't) if you have a 3D printer or have access to one.

2022 Mac Studio Stand / Legs for Kensington Locks by Creative Arts and Technology Spaces | Download free STL model | Printables.com

www.printables.com

 

[Landing]

Not easy to see but there are simple struts between each corner to keep it all rigid.

Ok, thank you!

 

[rb2112]

I mean, it is not so bad right now. The problem is the price of the RAM or SDD from Apple. It's almost extortion

I really do not see why people would pay a lot for SSD by Apple since external TB4/TB5 drives cost a lot less. Seems like a pretty easy workaround?

 

[rb2112]

I would hope the cables for monitors, external drives, hubs etc can all be more or less hidden (using the rear ports).

I added these (extra cables) using 1x TB hub on the back and most of it is hidden. Well, I also have mine under my desk

 

[whwang]

I added these (extra cables) using 1x TB hub on the back and most of it is hidden. Well, I also have mine under my desk

I am actually already using a TB5 hub and a TB4 hub. Putting the few external SSD on the TB5 hub slow them down a bit than they run together. So the number of rare ports is not quite enough for me.

 

[JoeG4]

Yep, I'm pretty happy with mine. I wanted more i/o and more ram and got a good deal on it. I specifically did not want a maxed out mini lol.

It's a nice machine. Completely quiet. It drives my 7680x2160 monitor when I want to use it with that.

 

[Ifti]

Very happy with mine.
I have always had MacBooks in the past, and as it never left my desk I decided to replaced with a M4 Max Studio and the Studio Display.
I love the setup now.
I do wish it had more Thunderbolt 5 ports though!
I also wish the M4 Max version had front Thunderbolt 5 ports as well, like the Ultra, rather then front USB-C.

I have mine on a Spigen stand, which has a dust filter in the bottom. This has worked perfectly well, and whenever I check I do not see any spec of duct that has reached the Studio itself.

OWC have just announced the OWC StudioStack - I will deffo pick one of these up if I can - as I have a spare 8TB SSD to put inside, and will then connect my other external drives via that, giving me ample TB5 ports overall.

 

[rb2112]

1. It doesn't have enough ports in the back. .... would hope the cables for monitors, external drives, hubs etc can all be more or less hidden (using the rear ports).

2. Its single-core performance is only M3 class, not M4. There are still some tasks that only use single cores. So it's a shame.

I agree with the single core, but I have accepted that as a trade off for the extra RAM. Oh well.

I also had not enough ports in the back, but an relatively inexpensive USB hub solved my connection needs.

 

[Killerbob]

I honestly think a lot of people are whining about the small stuff - basically “oh no, my pony is dirty…”

The Mac Studio is a small factor computer, with a bunch of ports on the back, that can be configured with a very fast CPU and decent graphics capabilities, and enough RAM for 99.99% of anything you can throw at it. Yes, it is very very expensive to add storage to the configuration, but with TB ports and 10GbE networking, that can easily be overcome.

If you need more ports, get a good TB hub, and it that is still not enough, perhaps don’t get a Mac Studio. I use my ports for two TB monitors, one TB hub, and one PCIe extension box. The TB hub gives me 3 additional TB ports, and I daisy chain at least a few TB accessories.

I have a 2019 Mac Pro, pretty well configured, and the day I got my M1 Max Studio, I almost entirely stopped using my Mac Pro.

 

[AlaskaMoose]

I honestly think a lot of people are whining about the small stuff - basically “oh no, my pony is dirty…”

The Mac Studio is a small factor computer, with a bunch of ports on the back, that can be configured with a very fast CPU and decent graphics capabilities, and enough RAM for 99.99% of anything you can throw at it. Yes, it is very very expensive to add storage to the configuration, but with TB ports and 10GbE networking, that can easily be overcome.

If you need more ports, get a good TB hub, and it that is still not enough, perhaps don’t get a Mac Studio. I use my ports for two TB monitors, one TB hub, and one PCIe extension box. The TB hub gives me 3 additional TB ports, and I daisy chain at least a few TB accessories.

I have a 2019 Mac Pro, pretty well configured, and the day I got my M1 Max Studio, I almost entirely stopped using my Mac Pro.

You may be correct, but there is a great possibility that other posters, including myself, have different ideas of what "we" want or need in a computer. Every person has his or her own needs and wants, too. Apple is not interested in the buyers "feelings" at the moment, but to sell the product. Apple has already known what the buyer wants long before the buyer decides to buy the product. Some can afford it, some buy on credit, some have limited budgets, while others have none. It is the same in the PC market, or even a candy store or a supermarket.

The main thing to consider is that not all of us feel equally the same in all respects.

 

[Killerbob]

...Apple is not interested in the buyers "feelings" at the moment, but to sell the product.

No company is interested in the buyer's feelings. All companies want to sell their products. All that stakeholders care about is profit...

There is a joke about Apple that I really like:

Q: How many Apple engineers does it take to change a lightbulb?

A: None. If the lightbulb blows, Apple will redefine the standard to darkness...

 

[AlaskaMoose]

No company is interested in the buyer's feelings. All companies want to sell their products. All that stakeholders care about is profit...

There is a joke about Apple that I really like:

Q: How many Apple engineers does it take to change a lightbulb?

A: None. If the lightbulb blows, Apple will redefine the standard to darkness...

Agree.

An we, the consumer buys an Apple mouse with the charging port at the bottom that clearly tells the consumer to either buy the Mose as designed, or buy a different mouse from another company. The same goes for buying a Mac, or iPhone, or iPad in that..."if you want an Apple device, then pay the price."

That said, it is true that Apple produces devices at the lowest cost, and then sells it at the most profitable level possible. By making products thinner, or more compact, or using aluminum allows versus titanium and more expensive materials saves a lot of money in the process. Not only that, but the components inside the Mac are nearly impossible for the average consumer to tinker with; Apple has closed "that" door already.

And the sales pitch of the product design as "being good for the environment" is just a perk directed to some the consumers' emotions, which in turn only benefits Apple.

 

[Killerbob]

And the sales pitch of the product design as "being good for the environment" is just a perk directed to some the consumers' emotions, which in turn only benefits Apple.

That’s called Greenwashing…