Tested: The Mac Studio M5 Max claims its crown as the best of all Apple computers

Apple's pinnacle Mac Studio, the M5 Ultra with 512GB of memory designed for local AI computations, is slated to launch at the end of October. Consequently, the less expensive M5 Max variant is experiencing a price reduction.

The M5 Max model, suitable for creative professionals and AI developers seeking Mac Studio capabilities without the premium price of the M5 Ultra, is now $200 cheaper at B&H Photo. The Mac Studio (M5 Max, 36GB, 512GB) is priced at $2,299, down from $2,499.

This configuration, featuring an 18-core CPU, 32-core GPU, and 16-core Neural Engine, includes four Thunderbolt 5 ports, 10Gb Ethernet, HDMI 2.1, an SD card slot, and Wi-Fi 7. B&H notes that supply at this price point is limited.

The M5 Max's strengths lie in local AI, with a 26% multi-core advantage over the M5 Max, but a similar single-core performance. For most professionals, the M5 Max proves to be the most practical option, as 36GB of memory accommodates many workflows. However, 1TB storage is generally a more practical starting point than 512GB, which is currently discounted to $2,579 (from $2,799) on the site.

Priced at $2,299, this represents an 8% discount off Apple's initial $2,499 price tag. While Mac Studio discounts may become more prevalent after launch, particularly around Black Friday, this is currently the lowest price observed. As with previous Macs, memory in this model cannot be upgraded later, so ensure that 36GB is sufficient before making a purchase.