Since its 2022 debut, Apple's Mac Studio has kept the same 7.7-inch aluminum chassis, but each generation has brought major internal changes. The latest M5 Ultra, announced in August 2026, offers up to 512GB of memory and 1.2TB/s bandwidth, nearly 50 percent higher than the M3 Ultra managed. Apple skipped the M4 Ultra entirely due to hardware limitations.
The product's role has also shifted. Apple discontinued the Mac Pro in 2026, leaving the Mac Studio as the most powerful Mac it sells. According to The Information, enterprise customers demanding more capable machines for running local AI models forced Apple to release the new generation earlier than planned.
Pricing has become a major business story. In June, Apple raised prices on most hardware due to an AI-fueled memory shortage, with the M3 Ultra jumping from $3,999 to $5,299—the steepest price rise of any Mac in history. The new M5 Ultra starts at $5,499, with the fully configured 512GB model due in late October.