Then, of course, there’s the M1 Ultra option, which effectively doubles everything thanks to Apple’s UltraFusion technology joining two Max chips together so that they appear to the system as one. For graphics work, this would be a sensible upgrade but for audio work, it is an unnecessary added cost since audio processing doesn’t make much use of GPU cores and is instead reliant on CPU. A second M1 Max variant is available with an additional eight GPU cores, making for a total of 32, for an extra £200. The standard 512GB storage seems stingy and, while this can be upped to 1TB for £200, 2TB will cost £600 and the full 8TB is a staggering £2,400.Ĭonsidering the fast Thunderbolt I/O on offer, you might consider going with less internal storage and adding a large, fast external SSD for data for less money. Upping the RAM to 64GB will cost £400, which is worthwhile if you can stretch to it given that it’s not user-upgradeable. The base model Mac Studio is an excellent solution for creators, with an M1 Max chip packing 10 cores, a 24-core GPU and 16-core Neural Engine and 32GB of RAM. You get the Mac and a power lead but have to add your own keyboard, mouse or trackpad, and screen(s). The Mac Studio starts at £1,999 and boasts promising specs. The Mac Mini too is fine for everyday users, but lacks the grunt the Studio offers. The iMac is a beautiful machine for less demanding users but tops out at an eight-core standard M1 and 16GB of RAM. It is the Mac for creatives – musicians, photographers, filmmakers, designers and even coders that want the desktop experience, more ports, and need to go beyond what the current iMac can do.

The Mac Studio name has arrived with intent. Pro-grade Macs have long been the choice of many creative professionals, and that’s something the company is willing to devote considerable resources to maintaining. Mac represents a much smaller slice of Apple’s gargantuan profits than the iPhone and the company’s services arm.

READ MORE: Bose Soundlink Flex review: Versatile Bluetooth travel speaker packs a punch but works best at home.The Mac Studio, however, is a more creator-focused machine and is therefore relatively niche, even within the Mac lineup. In the run-up to its launch, Apple kept the Mac Studio under wraps in a way that’s almost impossible with its iPhones, subject as they are to frenzied speculation across the consumer tech press.

Best mac for home studio