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Mac Studio Q&A
Published July 6, 2023
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What are all the differences between the Mac Studio "M2" (2023) and their predecessors, the Mac Studio "M1" (2022)?
As organized by EveryMac.com, there are two stock "M1" 2022 Mac Studio models -- the Mac Studio "M1 Max" 10 CPU/24 GPU and Mac Studio "M1 Ultra" 20 CPU/48 GPU -- which were replaced by two stock "M2" 2023 Mac Studio models -- the Mac Studio "M2 Max" 12 CPU/30 GPU and "M2 Ultra" 24 CPU/60 GPU.
For all practical purposes, the 2023 Mac Studio models nearly are the same as their predecessors, but have enhanced processors, graphics processors, and connectivity. They have different identifiers, as well.
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (Mac Studio - Front)
The Mac Studio M1 2022 and Mac Studio M2 2023 models look the same, too. However, the specific differences -- as well as the similarities -- still are well worth understanding.
External Differences
The Mac Studio M1 2022 and Mac Studio M2 2023 models use the same cuboid case -- 3.7 inches tall and 7.7 inches wide and 7.7 deep. However, the M1 Ultra and M2 Ultra models are two pounds heavier -- 7.9 pounds rather than 5.9 pounds -- because the higher performance and higher heat Ultra processors use a heavier copper heatsink for cooling whereas the entry-level M1 Max and M2 Max processors from each line use a lighter weight aluminum one.
Connectivity Differences
Connectivity differs between the Mac Studio M1 2022 and Mac Studio M2 2023 models as well as between the entry-level Max and higher-end Ultra models in each line.
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (Mac Studio - Rear Ports)
All of these models have the same rear ports -- four Thunderbolt 4 ports (USB-C shaped connector), two USB-A ports, HDMI port, 10-Gigabit Ethernet port, and 3.5 mm headphone jack. All also have the same SDXC (UHS-II) card slot on the front.
However, the two unlabeled ports on the front are different between the entry-level Max models and Ultra models from each year. The entry-level Mac Studio M1 and M2 Max have two USB-C ports (up to 10 Gb/s) whereas the higher-end Mac Studio M1 Ultra and M2 Ultra have two much faster Thunderbolt 4 ports (up to 40 Gb/s).
The newer Mac Studio M2 models also support Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 whereas the earlier Mac Studio M1 models support the earlier Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0 standards. The newer Mac Studio M2 models also support additional displays -- with the Mac Studio M2 Max models supporting as many as five external displays -- formally including one that supports 8K resolution -- whereas the Mac Studio M2 Ultra models support as many as eight displays total including the option of three 8K displays. The earlier Mac Studio M1 Max and M1 Ultra models alike support "up to" five simultaneous displays with as many as four 6K displays.
Identification Differences
As diligently hand documented by EveryMac.com from the systems themselves, the Mac Studio M1 2022 and Mac Studio M2 2023 models have different Model Numbers and EMC Numbers on the hardware as well as different Model Identifiers in software:
| Mac Studio | Model No. | EMC No. | Model ID |
| M1 Max | A2615 | 3988 | Mac13,1 |
| M1 Ultra | A2615 | 3988 | Mac13,2 |
| M2 Max | A2901 | 8292 | Mac14,13 |
| M2 Ultra | A2901 | 8292 | Mac14,14 |
EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Lookup feature can identify these models by other identifiers, as well.
More information about specific identifiers is provided in EveryMac.com's extensive Mac Identification section.
Internal Differences
Internally, the most substantial differences are between the entry-level and higher-end Mac Studio models from both years. All of these models use highly similar internal designs, but there are a number of different components.
These differences -- processors, graphics processors, configurations, connectivity, identifiers, and prices -- for the standard Mac Studio models from each year are enumerated below.
Mac Studio M1 Max 2022/M2 Max 2023 Comparison Chart
 Mac Studio M1 Max |
 Mac Studio M2 Max |
|
|---|---|---|
| Std. Processors: | 3.2 GHz M1 Max | 3.68 GHz M2 Max |
| CPU Cores: | 10-Cores | 12-Cores |
| GPU Cores: | 24-Cores* | 30-Cores* |
| Neural Engine: | 16-Core | 16-Core |
| Memory Bandwidth: | 400 GB/s | 400 GB/s |
| Heatsink: | Aluminum | Aluminum |
| Std. RAM: | 32 GB | 32 GB |
| Max. RAM: | 64 GB† | 64 GB† |
| Std. Storage: | 512 GB | 512 GB |
| Wi-Fi: | 802.11ax (6) | 802.11ax (6E) |
| Bluetooth: | 5.0 | 5.3 |
| Thunderbolt 4: | 4 Ports | 4 Ports |
| 10-Gigabit Ethernet: | Yes | Yes |
| Display Support: | 5 | 5 |
| 8K Displays: | 0 | 1 |
| Order Number: | MJMV3LL/A | MQH73LL/A |
| EMC Number: | 3988 | 8292 |
| Model Identifier: | Mac13,1 | Mac14,13 |
| Weight: | 5.9 lbs. (2.7 kg) | 5.9 lbs. (2.7 kg) |
| Intro Price (US): | US$1999 | US$1999 |
| Intro Price (CA): | C$2499 | C$2699 |
| Intro Price (UK): | £1999 | £2099 |
| Intro Price (FR): | €2299 | €2399 |
| Intro Price (AU): | A$3099 | A$3299 |
* The Mac Studio M1 Max also was available with a 32-Core GPU via custom configuration. The Mac Studio M2 Max is available with a 38-Core GPU via custom configuration.
† The RAM in the Mac Studio M1 Max and Mac Studio M2 Max can, or could, be upgraded to 64 GB at the time of purchase via custom configuration. The RAM cannot be upgraded after the initial purchase of the system at all in any Mac Studio models.
Mac Studio M1 Ultra 2022/M2 Ultra 2023 Comparison Chart
Mac Studio M1 Ultra |
Mac Studio M2 Ultra |
|
|---|---|---|
| Std. Processors: | 3.2 GHz M1 Ultra | 3.68 GHz M2 Ultra |
| CPU Cores: | 20-Cores | 24-Cores |
| GPU Cores: | 48-Cores* | 60-Cores* |
| Neural Engine: | 32-Core | 32-Core |
| Memory Bandwidth: | 800 GB/s | 800 GB/s |
| Heatsink: | Copper | Copper |
| Std. RAM: | 64 GB | 64 GB |
| Max. RAM: | 128 GB† | 192 GB† |
| Std. Storage: | 1 TB | 1 TB |
| Wi-Fi: | 802.11ax (6) | 802.11ax (6E) |
| Bluetooth: | 5.0 | 5.3 |
| Thunderbolt 4: | 6 Ports | 6 Ports |
| 10-Gigabit Ethernet: | Yes | Yes |
| Display Support: | 5 | 8 |
| 8K Displays: | 0 | 3 |
| Order Number: | MJMW3LL/A | MQH63LL/A |
| EMC Number: | 3988 | 8292 |
| Model Identifier: | Mac13,2 | Mac14,14 |
| Weight: | 7.9 lbs. (3.6 kg) | 7.9 lbs. (3.6 kg) |
| Intro Price (US): | US$3999 | US$3999 |
| Intro Price (CA): | C$4999 | C$5499 |
| Intro Price (UK): | £3999 | £4199 |
| Intro Price (FR): | €4599 | €4799 |
| Intro Price (AU): | A$6099 | A$6599 |
* The Mac Studio M1 Ultra also was available with a 64-Core GPU via custom configuration. The Mac Studio M2 Ultra also is available with a 76-Core GPU via custom configuration.
† The RAM in the Mac Studio M1 Ultra could be upgraded to 128 GB and the Mac Studio M2 Ultra can be upgraded to 192 GB at the time of purchase via custom configuration. The RAM cannot be upgraded after the initial purchase of the system at all in any Mac Studio models.
For pricing information in dozens of other countries, refer to EveryMac.com's Global Original Prices section.
Comparison Summary
Compared to the "2022 M1 Max/M1 Ultra" models replaced, the "2023 M2 Max/M2 Ultra" models are a minor upgrade offering (1) roughly 21% more overall performance, (2) better external display support, (3) newer wireless connectivity, and on the high-end model (4) the option of more RAM at additional cost.
New & Used Mac Studio Purchase Options
There are an abundance of places to buy a new or used Mac Studio. However, purchasing from a well respected business with a solid track record in the Mac game will provide the ideal experience and save you money and time, too.
In the US, site sponsor Adorama sells new Mac Studio models with free shipping. Other World Computing and JemJem sell used and refurb Macs at bargain prices with free shipping, as well. Finally, if you need to sell a Mac Studio or just about any other recent Mac, A+ BBB-rated Cash for Your Mac will buy your older Mac with an instant quote and prompt payment.
In the UK, site sponsor Hoxton Macs sells used Mac Studio with a one-year warranty and free next working day delivery throughout the UK.
In Australia, site sponsor Mac City likewise may have used Mac Studio models available at low prices and with a free warranty and fast shipping across Australia.
Please also refer to EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Comparison feature to dynamically compare any Mac Studio to any other Mac.
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