Apple has been building mini PCs for a long time – so far, the Mac mini models were not exactly slow, but they were not particularly powerful either. The Mac Studio is not much larger (just higher), but has a lot more power – the smaller model with M1 Max was also able to convince in the test across the board.
No bargain
The Mac Studio is pretty mini, the price rather max. Nice the smallest variant beats at 2,300 euros to book, keyboard and mouse or trackpad go again extra. The tested model with the smaller processor variant M1 Max, but otherwise very lavish equipment with stronger graphics (32 cores), extra-large SSD (2 terabytes) and a lot of RAM (64 gigabytes) even costs almost 3,700 euros (at the time of testing), with the chic new one Keyboard-mouse combo in black just under 4,000 euros.
M1 Max with top speed
Easy to reach on the front: 2x USB-C (on the M1 Max with USB 3.2 Gen2, on the M1 Ultra with Thunderbolt 4) and the card reader for SD cards.
Graphics with speed
The graphics in the processor are also strong. Calculate in the tested Mac Studio 32 graphics cores (there is also a 230 euro cheaper processor version with 24 graphics cores) and they ensure a very high speed not only when working, but also when playing. On average, the M1 Max calculated at Play in 4K (3840×2160 pixels) 108 frames per second – almost eight times faster than a Mac mini and a whole lot faster than the 16-inch MacBook Pro with the same processor. Here, the Mac Studio benefits from the significantly larger cooling system, which allows the processor to run longer with particularly high performance (and correspondingly high heat generation). Only the Mac Studio with M1 Ultra is currently faster for games. However, the speed boost of the Mac Studio is not always so drastic, for example with Office programs. Here the Mac Studio with M1 Max is “only” 30 percent faster than the Mac mini. This is mainly due to the fact that these programs do not require as much computing power.
Chic but rarely seen – “Mac Studio” engraved on the bottom. The Mac Studio uses the small holes for cooling.
Very economical and quiet
Great: Despite the concentrated power, the Mac Studio is very quiet and very economical. The fans are included maximum 0.5 sons hardly heard. The power consumption falls with it maximum 30 watts much lower than with a high-performance PC with Windows, which, with a high-performance graphics card, sometimes swallows more than 300 watts under full load. In normal operation, the Mac Studio is enough even 10 watts.
The cooling system occupies a large part of the rear. Most of the connections are underneath: 4x USB-C with Thunderbolt 4, network, 2x USB-A, HDMI and audio jack.
Finally more connections
Pace with Office programs
Video editing speed
Game speed (Full HD / 4K) in frames per second
USB tempo from external SSD to Mac / Mac to external SSD
RAM (built-in / expandable)
Memory: usable size, type
Free expansion options
Connections (front / rear)
Operating noise ( video / games)
Power consumption: Office / full load / costs per year
Quality of the keyboard/keyboard lighting/standard layout/Navigation keys standard size/biometric unlocking/connection
Quality of mouse/scrolling/additional buttons/connector
Please buy appropriate
Test conclusion Apple Mac Studio M1 Ultra
Also with the M1 Max is the Apple Mac Studio (Test grade 1.5) not a bargain (base price 2,300 euros). But for many users it is a good choice. Because even with the smaller processor, the Mac Studio is a super-fast, well-equipped and very quiet desktop computer in mini format. Only a few notice the speed difference to the much more expensive M1 Ultra model, but everyone notices the significantly lower price.