M1 Ultra Mac Studio is 2 Pounds Heavier Than M1 Max Version Due to Thermal Differences

[MacRumors]

The Mac Studio comes in two varieties, one with the same M1 Max chip used in the 2021 MacBook Pro models and a second featuring an M1 Ultra chip, which is two interconnected M1 Max chips that operate as a single chip.

Following yesterday's event, Apple's technical specifications for the Mac Studio went live, and there was a curiosity - the M1 Ultra version of the Mac Studio is a full two pounds heavier than the M1 Max version, and it wasn't clear why. Apple today provided an explanation to The Verge, and it turns out the two machines have a different thermal setup.

According to Apple, the M1 Ultra has a copper thermal module, while the M1 Max has an aluminum heatsink. Copper is heavier than aluminum, hence the weight difference. The M1 Max Mac Studio weighs in at 5.9 pounds, while the M1 Ultra version is 7.9 pounds.

They have the same 370W power supply. The additional weight is due to M1 Ultra having a larger copper thermal module, where as M1 Max has an aluminum heatsink.

Different thermal management setups is not a surprise given the power of the M1 Ultra vs. the standard M1 Max. The M1 Ultra includes a 20-core CPU and up to a 64-core GPU for double the computing power of the M1 Max. Despite the high-powered chip, Apple has said that the Mac Studio is able to run quietly, with an architecture that that pulls air in through the airflow channels on the bottom using double-sided blowers and pushes it out through additional perforations on the back of the chassis.

Article Link: M1 Ultra Mac Studio is 2 Pounds Heavier Than M1 Max Version Due to Thermal Differences

 

[Bug-Creator]

Guess I just bought the Apple StudioAirMax.....

 

[kingalien]

That's $1,000 a pound difference between the models!!

 

[jz0309]

good thing it's a desktop and not a laptop ...

 

[CWallace]

The aluminum case will also weigh more, as well. In some ways, impressive they kept it all within a kilogram of the mini.

 

[DHagan4755]

This should answer the question of whether the M1 Ultra will end up in a laptop...

 

[BlueCreek]

That’s a deal breaker, I planned on using it as a portable device.

/s

 

[ddtmm]

Interesting that they supply the same 370W power supply for both. Perhaps it is cheaper for them to just make 1 power supply. That's how they're able to pass the savings on to the customer.

 

[KaliYoni]

Soon we'll be hearing some Apple exec crowing about how the M1 Max Mac Studio is "the lightest Mac Studio ever!"...

 

[BlueCreek]

Interesting that they supply the same 370W power supply for both. Perhaps it is cheaper for them to just make 1 power supply. That's how they're able to pass the savings on to the customer.

Apple > savings > customer. Are not three words I would associate together.

 

[Brandon42]

That's $1,000 a pound difference between the models!!

It is an investment. When copper hits $1,250 a pound you will be kicking yourself for not buying one.

/s

 

[headlessmike]

Copper has a little less than twice the thermal conductivity of Aluminum (for the pure metals, alloys may differ). Presumably the M1 Ultra has twice the TDP of the M1 Max. So they should run at similar temperatures all else being equal.

 

[StupidOpinion]

is the material the only differnece? i take it that they will have the same size heatsink and the same number of fans?

 

[PinkyMacGodess]

Wow, I'm surprised. It doesn't sound very advanced then. Interesting. No way a fan weighs 2 pounds. Maybe a huge block of machined copper heat sink. Can't wait to see one naked.

According to Apple, the M1 Ultra has a copper thermal module, while the M1 Max has an aluminum heatsink. Copper is heavier than aluminum, hence the weight difference. The M1 Max Mac Studio weighs in at 5.9 pounds, while the M1 Ultra version is 7.9 pounds.

Yep. Didn't read the article, oops...

That's a heat sink...

 

[zorinlynx]

Freaking hell, I bet these machines are beasts. If the M1 is so power efficient that a Macbook Air doesn't need a fan at all and performs decently, imagine these machines which need all this cooling.

Looking forward to seeing some real world benchmarks.

 

[saronian]

That's a chunk of copper!
5.25" x 2.5" x 0.5" = 2 pounds

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

That's $1,000 a pound difference between the models!!

Hey copper was recently at 29 cents per ounce. Gotta cover that extra cost. Don't want Apple to go under, do we? ?

 

[LonestarOne]

That’s a deal breaker, I planned on using it as a portable device as I travel by plane frequently.

8 pounds shouldn’t be a problem for modern airplanes.

 

[Bustycat]

Wow, I'm surprised. It doesn't sound very advanced then. Interesting. No way a fan weighs 2 pounds. Maybe a huge block of machined copper heat sink. Can't wait to see one naked.



Yep. Didn't read the article, oops...

That's a heat sink...

Normally a CPU cooler is combined with a heatsink and a fan (or more), and that heatsink could be really heavy.

 

[Danoc]

They should have named it Big Mac.

 

[ouimetnick]

Interesting that they supply the same 370W power supply for both. Perhaps it is cheaper for them to just make 1 power supply. That's how they're able to pass the savings on to the customer.

Pass the savings? ? lol.

It’s a custom power supply design, likely contracted out to Delta like the custom power supply inside HomePod and Apple TV. It’s cheaper to engineer, design, and validate just one design. That’s why they are using just one power supply for both units.

 

[diddl14]

In Europe the difference is almost a Kilo!

 

[Realityck]

Per the Verge

That means that, if the design of the heatsinks is exactly the same, the copper version would be over three times heavier than the aluminum one.

What a difference using copper.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Here's my question for those in the know: any anticipated reason why Studio could not be wall mounted instead of sitting on a desk, assuming a suitable wall mount is available and strong enough to not let it fall at some point? As long as the vents are not covered, is there anything that would concern someone with this kind of knowledge about using it vertical instead of horizontal???

I'm thinking any worries about dust in the ports could get mitigated by mounting ports left & right. I don't care if the logo would be sideways as the whole thing would disappear behind a monitor. OR, carefully cover the unused ports so the vent at the back faces up (so heat can rise up and out).

 

[Bug-Creator]

assuming a suitable wall mount is available

That would be called a shelf....

I'm kinda serious if your planning to mount it with the bottom facing the wall (and the ports up and down or left and right?) you will change airflow especially under low load. This could lead to hot sports forming in places Apple didn't anticipate and there didn't put thermal sensor.


-> just buy a small shelf.....