With Apple‘s recent introduction of new additions to its computer lineup, the Mac Studio and the Mac Pro emerge as two formidable contenders. However, these machines exhibit notable differences at a technical level, catering to distinct target audiences. In this article, we aim to highlight the dissimilarities between them, including their respective price ranges, to shed light on their unique offerings.
Input configurations
When considering the basic options of both computers, we can already identify two significant differences: the components and the price. If we opt for the Mac Studio, there are two initial configurations available, which can be further upgraded:
1. M2 Max: This model features a 12-core CPU, 30-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine, 32GB of unified memory (RAM), and a 512GB SSD. It is priced at 2,429 euros.
2. M2 Ultra: The M2 Ultra offers a more powerful setup, including a 24-core CPU, 60-core GPU, 32-core Neural Engine, 64GB of unified memory (RAM), and a 1TB SSD. This higher-tier option comes with a price tag of 4,849 euros.
If we opt for the Mac Pro, there are two initial configurations available, each with a distinct design:
1. Tower Format: This configuration features the M2 Ultra chip with a 24-core CPU, 60-core GPU, and 32-core Neural Engine. It includes 64GB of unified memory (RAM) and a 1TB SSD. The tower format is priced at 8,399 euros.
2. Rack Format: The rack format option also includes the M2 Ultra chip with a 24-core CPU, 60-core GPU, and 32-core Neural Engine. It comes with 64GB of unified memory (RAM) and a 1TB SSD. The rack format, designed for data center installations, is priced slightly higher at 9,099 euros.
Ports and expansions
In addition to the differences in format, the design variance between the two computers extends to their connection ports and expansion capabilities. The Mac Pro offers more extensive options for expansion, specifically through its PCI Express slots. However, it’s important to note that the functions performed by the M2 chip cannot be expanded upon. If more power is desired, it must be configured at the time of purchase. Here are the connectivity details for both computers:
Mac Studio:
– M2 Max: Four Thunderbolt 4 ports, six Thunderbolt 4 ports, two USB-A ports, one HDMI port, up to 10Gb Ethernet speed, and an SD card slot.
– M2 Ultra: Six Thunderbolt 4 ports, two USB-A ports, one HDMI port, up to 10Gb Ethernet speed, and an SD card slot.
Mac Pro:
– Eight Thunderbolt 4 ports, three USB Type-A ports, two HDMI ports, two 10Gb-speed Ethernet ports, and seven PCI Express card slots.
The Mac Pro offers a greater number of Thunderbolt 4 ports, USB ports, and Ethernet ports, as well as the significant advantage of seven PCI Express card slots for expandability.
Included peripherals
While both the Mac Studio and Mac Pro require an external monitor to work, the difference lies in the peripherals provided for interacting with the interface.
The Mac Studio comes with the computer case and a power cord but does not include a mouse or keyboard. If you don’t already have these peripherals, you will need to purchase them separately.
On the other hand, the Mac Pro includes the Magic Mouse 2 and the Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and numeric keypad as standard. Additionally, you have the option to select a Magic Trackpad instead of the mouse or include both peripherals if desired.