Mac Studio Teardown: No Upgradable Storage … Yet
Background
The Mac Studio was announced on March 8th, 2022, and released on March 18th alongside the new Studio Display. In a return-to-form for the Mac family, the Mac Studio offers a 9.5 cm × 19.7 cm × 19.7 cm extruded aluminum casing, plenty of front and rear ports, and some much-appreciated modular storage; however, it’s not determined whether the storage can be upgraded.
The Mac Studio currently comes in two variants: the base model, which features a 10-core CPU, 24-Core GPU, and 16-Core Neural Engine, with 32 GB unified memory and 512 GB SSD storage ($1,999); or the upgraded model, which features a 20-core CPU, 48-Core GPU, 32-Core Neural Engine, with 64 GB unified memory and 1 TB SSD storage ($3,999).
Regardless of the model, it’s important to note that the Mac Studio’s RAM is soldered to the motherboard, making upgrades impossible.
Identification
The Mac Studio looks like a Mac mini but is 2-3 times as tall. The compact desktop features two forward-facing USB-C ports and an SD card slot. The rear has four Thunderbolt 4 ports, ethernet, USB-A, HDMI, and even a headphone jack.
The Mac Studio (2022) can me identified my model number A2615, which is printed on the bottom cover, along with the serial number.
Technical Specifications
Size and Weight:
- 3.7 in (9.5 cm) x 7.7 in (19.7 cm) x 7.7 in (19.7 cm)
- Weight (M1 Max): 5.9 lbs (2.7 kg)
- Weight (M1 Ultra): 7.9 lbs (3.6 kg)
Processor:
- M1 Ultra Configurable Up to 20-cores
- M1 Max Configurable Up to 10-cores
Memory:
- 32, 64, 128 GBs RAM
- It’s important to get enough RAM at checkout because it’s soldered to the motherboard.
Storage:
- M1 Max: 512 GB SSD
- M1 Ultra: 1 TB SSD
Wireless Connectivity:
- 802.11ax (Wi-FI 6)
- Bluetooth 5.0
- 10Gb Ethernet (Nbase-T Ethernet with support for 1Gb, 2.5Gb, 5Gb, and 10Gb Ethernet using RJ-45 connector)
Graphics And Video:
- M1 ultra: 48 Core GPU Configurable to a 64-core GPU
- M1 Max : 24 Core GPU Configurable to a 32-core GPU
Audio:
- Built-in speaker
- 3.5 mm headphone jack with advanced support for high-impedance headphones
- HDMI port supports multichannel audio output
Ports:
- Back:
- 4x Thunderbolt 4 ports
- 1x 10GB Ethernet port
- 2x USB-A ports
- 1x HDMI port
- 1x 3.5 mm headphone jack
- Power socket (IEC C5)
- Front (M1 Max):
- 2x USB-C ports
- SDXC card slot (UHS-II)
- Front (M1 Ultra):
- 2x Thunderbolt 4 ports
- SDXC card slot (UHS-II)
Electrical and Operating Requirements:
- Line voltage: 100–240V AC
- Frequency: 50Hz to 60Hz, single phase
- Maximum continuous power: 370W
- Operating temperature: 50° to 95° F (10° to 35° C)
- Storage temperature: –40° to 116° F (–40° to 47° C)
- Relative humidity: 5% to 90% non-condensing
- Operating altitude: tested up to 16,400 feet (5000 meters)
