Apple Mac Studio (2023) Review: Power-Packed Desktop for Creative Professionals
Apple’s desktop lineup took a strategic leap in 2023 with the launch of the updated Mac Studio, alongside the long-awaited refresh of the Mac Pro and an upgraded Mac Mini. Positioned as the ideal middle ground between entry-level and ultra-high-end Macs, the Mac Studio now comes with powerful M2 Max and M2 Ultra chip options, catering to professionals in need of serious computing performance.
Whether you're into video editing, 3D modeling, or high-end app development, the new Mac Studio (2023) might just be the powerhouse you’re looking for.
💸 Mac Studio Price in India
The Mac Studio (M2 Max) base model starts in India at ₹2,09,900, featuring:
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M2 Max SoC (12-core CPU, 30-core GPU)
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32GB Unified RAM
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512GB SSD
Upgrades include:
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M2 Max with 38-core GPU: ₹20,000 extra
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64GB RAM: ₹40,000 extra
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1TB SSD: ₹20,000 extra
The M2 Ultra version starts from ₹4,19,900, offering:
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24-core CPU
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60 or 76-core GPU
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Minimum 64GB RAM
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1TB SSD
You can configure up to 192GB RAM and 8TB SSD, but pricing can shoot up significantly. With accessories like Apple’s Magic Keyboard, Magic Mouse, and Studio Display, the full setup can easily cross ₹5,00,000.
🧱 Design and Build
The Mac Studio retains the minimalist aluminum cube design, resembling a taller Mac Mini. Measuring the same width and depth but over twice the height, it’s compact but substantial, making it best suited for desktop placement.
Front Ports:
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2x USB Type-C (M2 Max: USB 3.1 Gen2, M2 Ultra: Thunderbolt 4)
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SDXC card slot
Rear Ports:
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4x Thunderbolt 4
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2x USB-A (USB 3.1 Gen2)
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HDMI
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10Gb Ethernet
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3.5mm headphone jack
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AC power input & power button
Despite its powerful internals, the M2 Max model weighs just 2.7kg, while the M2 Ultra version weighs 3.62kg, due to enhanced cooling requirements. Both are still portable for on-location work.
⚙️ Mac Studio (2023) Specifications
M2 Max SoC Features:
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12-core CPU
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30 or 38-core GPU
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32–96GB RAM support
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ProRes hardware acceleration
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67 billion transistors
M2 Ultra SoC Features:
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Essentially two M2 Max chips fused together
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24-core CPU, 60 or 76-core GPU
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Supports up to 192GB Unified RAM
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134 billion transistors
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Double the AI, memory, and media resources
Display Output Support:
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M2 Max: Up to 4x 6K displays + 1x 4K
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M2 Ultra: Up to 8x 4K, 6x 6K, or 3x 8K displays at 60Hz
The Mac Studio includes Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3, with macOS Ventura (upgradeable) pre-installed.
🚀 Real-World & Benchmark Performance
We tested the M2 Max version (30-core GPU, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD) and here's what stood out:
Productivity & Creative Workloads:
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Geekbench 6: 14,508 (multi-core), 2,664 (single-core)
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Cinebench R23: 14,539 (multi), 1,660 (single)
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Final Cut Pro: 23.8GB ProRes 4K to 1080p H.264 – ~37 sec
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Blender (Classroom scene): ~5 min 50 sec
Graphics & Gaming:
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GFXBench 4K Offscreen:
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Aztec Ruins: 144.9 fps
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Car Chase: 589.7 fps
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Rise of the Tomb Raider (High Preset):
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1920x1080: 111 fps
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2560x1440: 75 fps
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4K: 38 fps
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Despite Apple’s platform not being built for gaming, the GPU handles graphically demanding tasks exceptionally well.
SSD Performance:
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Sequential Read: ~6497 MB/s
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Sequential Write: ~7044 MB/s
These speeds are more than sufficient for high-resolution video editing and data-intensive workflows.
🔇 Thermal and Acoustic Performance
The Mac Studio’s cooling system is nearly silent, even during intensive rendering or video processing. The chassis remains cool to the touch, with no noticeable fan noise, even after prolonged use.
⚖️ Verdict: Should You Buy the Mac Studio?
The 2023 Mac Studio is a powerful, compact desktop designed for creatives, developers, and professionals who need workstation-class performance in a minimalist form factor.
✅ Best For:
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Video editors (especially working with ProRes or 8K)
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3D modelers and VFX artists
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Software developers working on large builds or ML training
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Users needing support for multiple high-resolution displays
❌ Not Ideal For:
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General users with basic editing or browsing needs
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Gamers (macOS still lacks broad gaming support)
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Anyone needing internal upgradeability (no DIY RAM/SSD upgrades)
If your workload justifies the cost, the Mac Studio with M2 Max offers solid value. However, if you need more GPU cores, RAM, and display output capabilities, the M2 Ultra variant is a true powerhouse — albeit at a significantly higher price.
For users not needing extreme specs, the Mac Mini with M2 or M2 Pro might be a more budget-friendly choice.
🛒 Mac Studio (2023) – Where to Buy
Available via Apple’s official store, authorized resellers, and major e-commerce platforms like Amazon and Flipkart.
Starting Price in India:
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M2 Max Variant: ₹2,09,900
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M2 Ultra Variant: ₹4,19,900
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