Mac Studio Sold Out EVERYWHERE

[Jorbanead]

Hearing that 256GB options of the Ultra, and 128GB options of the max are showing as unavailable in many countries now.

I guess there’s more margin in the MBPs…

Not at all. It just means they’ve stopped production and are out of inventory.

 

[Onimusha370]

Not at all. It just means they’ve stopped production and are out of inventory.

Yeahhh, I guess if studios were more profitable than the MBP they would reallocate resources and make more Studios instead though? Guess there’s a lot of details we don’t know…

 

[xraydoc]

Hey, that's exactly what I've got.

It smokes.

Like your payment methods these days.

Same. Studio M4 Max 16-core/40-core with 64GB RAM and 2TB SSD. Bought right after they came out. It will be years before I need a new machine.

 

[SDAVE]

The really top end Mac Studios are very niche so if it's not available most likely it's not being manufactured anymore since the M5 is around the corner and most likely in production before the WWDC announcement.

 

[Ifti]

Also bear in mind the RAM shortages, which are having an impact on production timescales too.....

 

[anthony13]

Given that the displays are already out, and WWDC is still pretty far out I would think the m5 studio and mini refresh is pending any day. However the ram shortage does throw a question mark into the mix. Maybe we’ll get one of those 3-day updates one of these weeks with studio-mini-home pods

 

[SDAVE]

Given that the displays are already out, and WWDC is still pretty far out I would think the m5 studio and mini refresh is pending any day. However the ram shortage does throw a question mark into the mix. Maybe we’ll get one of those 3-day updates one of these weeks with studio-mini-home pods

WWDC is less than 2 months away...

 

[anthony13]

WWDC is less than 2 months away...

Right, and you currently cant buy a Studio with a higher RAM amount. So that seems like a long time for a company the size of Apple to just not have a desktop power user solution to me. But I’m just an average Mac rumor goer so who knows.

 

[EricandSuebee]

I received my M4Max base studio today, so they are shipping out orders, just have to be patient or if you ordered a BTO you may or may not get yours before they announce the M5Max/Ultra.

 

[Jorbanead]

Yeahhh, I guess if studios were more profitable than the MBP they would reallocate resources and make more Studios instead though? Guess there’s a lot of details we don’t know…

Not if they’re already ramping up production for the M5 versions.

What likely happened is Apple ramped down production of the current models based on historical trends. They tried to time it so around when the new models release, they will have cleared all inventory of old models.

However, this past few months saw a massive rise in demand due to AI, and Apple likely didn’t anticipate this and ran out of stock before they had M5 ready to ship.

The time and logistics it would take to ramp up older models would essentially take a month or two which… at that point just wait for the new models to come out.

 

[anthony13]

Not if they’re already ramping up production for the M5 versions.

What likely happened is Apple ramped down production of the current models based on historical trends. They tried to time it so around when the new models release, they will have cleared all inventory of old models.

However, this past few months saw a massive rise in demand due to AI, and Apple likely didn’t anticipate this and ran out of stock before they had M5 ready to ship.

The time and logistics it would take to ramp up older models would essentially take a month or two which… at that point just wait for the new models to come out.

Thats not a bad theory at all. It's funny how Ai is causing RAM to be scarce and ALSO causing people to buy up machines. it's like a double whammy.

 

[krell100]

Not if they’re already ramping up production for the M5 versions.

What likely happened is Apple ramped down production of the current models based on historical trends. They tried to time it so around when the new models release, they will have cleared all inventory of old models.

However, this past few months saw a massive rise in demand due to AI, and Apple likely didn’t anticipate this and ran out of stock before they had M5 ready to ship.

The time and logistics it would take to ramp up older models would essentially take a month or two which… at that point just wait for the new models to come out.

This does sound like the most plausible explanation.

 

[JPack]

If it were due to DRAM/NAND constraints, then M5 MacBook Pro 128GB/8TB configs would be pushed back as well. Even M4 iMac with 24GB/2TB would be pushed. But that's not happening. It's pretty clear this is due to ramp down of M4 Mac mini and Mac Studio.

There is a huge demand for Mac mini and at the same time, the assembly has shifted to making M5 minis and Studios.

 

[Bill Av]

October?

The next Mac Studio and MacBook Pro releases could be postponed by several months

Bloomberg is now expecting the Mac Studio to release in October and the MacBook Pro to be available in early 2027.

www.engadget.com

 

[Pressure]

Once again is the "top of the line" desktop computer relegated to the bottom rank (when and if they are not outright abandoned) 😂

It's really annoying buying a new Apple desktop computer and then mere months later the next generation SoC gets announced.

 

[Elwe]

Once again is the "top of the line" desktop computer relegated to the bottom rank (when and if they are not outright abandoned) 😂

It's really annoying buying a new Apple desktop computer and then mere months later the next generation SoC gets announced.

For many years, it has been apparent that Apple continues to determine that its entire desktop lineup is less important to update regularly. Looking at the other PC providers and their market share growth (or lack there of), this seems like the correct business strategy, particularly at times of component scarcity.

It might be that Apple is considering or has made the decision to wait for M6 to update its desktop products, too. If they can’t adequately supply current M4 options, why introduce a M5 lineup that would also has limited availability?

It is not what I want as an end user, but it would seem to make good business sense.

 

[AnInanimateCarbonRod]

It might be that Apple is considering or has made the decision to wait for M6 to update its desktop products, too. If they can’t adequately supply current M4 options, why introduce a M5 lineup that would also has limited availability?

If Apple were waiting for M6 for the desktop products, they wouldn't launch until after the redesigned MacBook Pro in early 2027. Apple isn't going to announce and launch a new chip generation on the two least selling products in the Mac ecosystem.

 

[Elwe]

If Apple were waiting for M6 for the desktop products, they wouldn't launch until after the redesigned MacBook Pro in early 2027. Apple isn't going to announce and launch a new chip generation on the two least selling products in the Mac ecosystem.

Maybe. Apple's product strategy for chip generation introductions hasn't been consistent. Just two generations of examples: the M5 was introduced first with the iPad Pro, Vision Pro, and the lowest-end MacBook Pro. We had to wait several months for other products. The M3 cycle was also . . . not an exact pattern that was used prior nor has been since.

Bloomberg (Gurman) is today stating that while the Mac Studio, for example, was initially slated for an upgrade mid this year, that now October is the earliest because of component shortages. If the M6 is going to be released (in perhaps some products like the iPad Pro, a low end MacBook Pro, and/or the iMac) in the fall . . . does it make sense to release a M5 Max/M5 Ultra in a Mac Studio at all? It seems hard to say from history. Regardless, just in the era of Apple Silicon, not a single desktop model has received consistent yearly upgrades like the iPhones and certain MacBook and iPad models have. The Mac Pro (now dead, but last was upgraded to the M2 Ultra), Mac Studio (didn't have M3 Max nor M4 Ultra), Mac mini (didn't have M3 nor M3 Pro), nor iMac (didn't have M2). There is just not enough consistency to be sure what Apple is planning at this point, I think.

 

[AnInanimateCarbonRod]

Maybe. Apple's product strategy for chip generation introductions hasn't been consistent. Just two generations of examples: the M5 was introduced first with the iPad Pro, Vision Pro, and the lowest-end MacBook Pro. We had to wait several months for other products. The M3 cycle was also . . . not an exact pattern that was used prior nor has been since.

Bloomberg (Gurman) is today stating that while the Mac Studio, for example, was initially slated for an upgrade mid this year, that now October is the earliest because of component shortages. If the M6 is going to be released (in perhaps some products like the iPad Pro, a low end MacBook Pro, and/or the iMac) in the fall . . . does it make sense to release a M5 Max/M5 Ultra in a Mac Studio at all? It seems hard to say from history. Regardless, just in the era of Apple Silicon, not a single desktop model has received consistent yearly upgrades like the iPhones and certain MacBook and iPad models have. The Mac Pro (now dead, but last was upgraded to the M2 Ultra), Mac Studio (didn't have M3 Max nor M4 Ultra), Mac mini (didn't have M3 nor M3 Pro), nor iMac (didn't have M2). There is just not enough consistency to be sure what Apple is planning at this point, I think.

The rumours up to now have said that the M6 launches first in the redesigned MacBook Pro, which Gurman today now pushes back until early next year. Vision Pro is almost certainly skipping the M6 and really only got the M5 refresh because Apple didn't want to continue production of M2 chips, and the iPad Pro isn't getting refreshed until next year as well (according to Gurman in March).

I also don't really see Apple "throwing away" the work that has to have been done on the M5 Mac Studio in order for a ~June launch. I doubt you can just drop new silicon onto existing logic boards without work; I also don't really know how feasible it is to do that re-engineering work in ~6 months to launch. Product pipelines are planned out years in advance.

I would prefer myself to see the Mac Studio launch with M6 if it is going to launch near the end of this year but I just don't see it being a realistic path. Unfortunately, the current timing makes the choice awkward for buyers - do you buy a Studio in October, or wait 3 months for the M6 MacBook Pro on the 2nm node with presumably another nice jump in single core performance?

 

[Bill Av]

For many years, it has been apparent that Apple determines that its entire desktop lineup is less important to update regularly. Looking at this other PC providers, this seems like the correct business strategy, particularly at times of component scarcity.

It might be that Apple is considering or has made the decision to wait for M6 to update its desktop products, too. If they can’t adequately supply current M4 options, why introduce a M5 lineup that would also has limited availability?

It is not what I want as an end user, but it would seem to make good business sense.

Good points. However, I could see them coming out with M5 Mac Minis this year and waiting until M6 for the Studios. I'm basing that on articles about the apparent popularity of OpenClaw and Mac Mini. If the Mini has momentum, then Apple might prioritize it over the Studio.

 

[maflynn]

Once again is the "top of the line" desktop computer relegated to the bottom rank (when and if they are not outright abandoned) 😂

Apple reports that its best selling Macs are the laptops, so it makes sense to that they focus their attention on them

Older article but I think the points are still relevant.
MacBook Pro and MacBook Air overwhelmingly drive Apple Mac sales

If this is anywhere near accurate, then its clear that apple doesn't move many studios at all - at least compared to MBPs and MBAs. Its even selling less then the now discontinued Mac Pro.

 

[chrfr]

Apple reports that its best selling Macs are the laptops, so it makes sense to that they focus their attention on them

Older article but I think the points are still relevant.
MacBook Pro and MacBook Air overwhelmingly drive Apple Mac sales

If this is anywhere near accurate, then its clear that apple doesn't move many studios at all - at least compared to MBPs and MBAs. Its even selling less then the now discontinued Mac Pro.
View attachment 2623532

I have a really hard time believing the Mac Pro was outselling the Studio by 3:1. There’s no way those desktop numbers are accurate.
I am certain, though, that Apple laptops outsell their desktops by a massive number.

 

[maflynn]

I have a really hard time believing the Mac Pro was outselling the Studio by 3:1. There’s no way those desktop numbers are accurate.
I am certain, though, that Apple laptops outsell their desktops by a massive number.

I think as time went on, the studio did start outselling the Mac Pro simply for the fact that Mac Pro was on such an old processor. The point is, regardless of Mac Pro outselling the Studio, is that we're talking single digits compared to a combined MBA/MBP sales equaling 90%

Apple is going to focus their time, treasures and talent on those products before they turn their attention to the desktops

 

[ascender]

I also don't really see Apple "throwing away" the work that has to have been done on the M5 Mac Studio in order for a ~June launch. I doubt you can just drop new silicon onto existing logic boards without work; I also don't really know how feasible it is to do that re-engineering work in ~6 months to launch. Product pipelines are planned out years in advance.

I would prefer myself to see the Mac Studio launch with M6 if it is going to launch near the end of this year but I just don't see it being a realistic path. Unfortunately, the current timing makes the choice awkward for buyers - do you buy a Studio in October, or wait 3 months for the M6 MacBook Pro on the 2nm node with presumably another nice jump in single core performance?

I suspect with the Mac Studio form factor, there's not much work needed to be done for a refresh and that they actually can just "drop new silicon" in, unless there's something like a new ultra chip which may need extra work around the thermals to consider?

Mini and Studio are probably still important products for them to have and the benefit of Apple Silicon is that they can just drop the SOCs into them without massive engineering effort needed or depending on an unreliable 3rd party like Intel.

But way-smaller sales mean they're going to prioritise laptops over these when there's supply constraints unfortunately so its no surprise if they do get pushed out or miss chips/generations etc.

 

[colodane]

Does the Pie Chart show units sold or revenue??