If there’s any consolation, the new Mac Studio holds the line on pricing ($2,499) in its base configuration (18-core CPU/32-core GPU, 36GB, 512GB). The price stasis is somewhat surprising given the hardware upgrades, including a new M5 Max SoC and PCIe Gen 6 SSD . However, upgrades are pricey, with the 18-core GPU/40-core GPU variant of the M5 Max adding $300 to your bill. The upgraded SoC is the only way to unlock additional memory options (48GB, 64GB, 128GB).
Stepping up the Mac Studio with M5 Ultra more than doubles the base, entry price of the M5 Max config at $5,499. This gets you a 30-core CPU and 64-core GPU, while the upgraded 36-core CPU/80-core GPU is a $1,300 option. 96GB of RAM comes standard, while 256GB is a $4,000 upcharge. SSD options are equally expensive: 2TB costs $500, and 16TB costs $7,500.
No matter which way you slice it, those firmly entrenched in the Apple hardware ecosystem are paying a heavy price for memory/storage shortages. Apple customers are doubly affected, as the company’s traditionally outrageously priced memory and storage upgrades have become even more expensive, putting Apple’s previously value-driven models like the Mac mini out of reach of bargain shoppers.
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Brandon Hill is a senior editor at Tom's Hardware. He has written about PC and Mac tech since the late 1990s with bylines at AnandTech, DailyTech, and Hot Hardware. When he is not consuming copious amounts of tech news, he can be found enjoying the NC mountains or the beach with his wife and two sons. ","collapsible":{"enabled":true,"maxHeight":250,"readMoreText":"Read more","readLessText":"Read less"}}), "https://slice.vanilla.futurecdn.net/13-4-25/js/authorBio.js"); } else { console.error('%c FTE ','background: #9306F9; color: #ffffff','no lazy slice hydration function available'); } Brandon Hill Social Links Navigation Senior Editor Brandon Hill is a senior editor at Tom's Hardware. He has written about PC and Mac tech since the late 1990s with bylines at AnandTech, DailyTech, and Hot Hardware. When he is not consuming copious amounts of tech news, he can be found enjoying the NC mountains or the beach with his wife and two sons.
usertests As I said on the main article, this $899 16 GB LPDDR5X model could be "affordable" compared to M7 w/ LPDDR6 next year. Reply
ezst036 The RAM price hike would not be Apple's fault. It would be AI companies such as Google and it would be the fault of Nvidia. You just had to have a Geforce, didn't you. Hope$you$enjoy$it$when$you$need$to$buy$DRAM.. Reply
Key considerations
- Investor positioning can change fast
- Volatility remains possible near catalysts
- Macro rates and liquidity can dominate flows
Reference reading
- https://www.tomshardware.com/desktops/mini-pcs/SPONSORED_LINK_URL
- https://www.tomshardware.com/desktops/mini-pcs/apple-price-hikes-continue-as-mac-mini-with-16gb-ram-and-256gb-is-now-usd899-1tb-storage-option-adds-usd500-to-entry-level-headless-system#main
- https://www.tomshardware.com/membership
- How XPUs Meet a World-Class AI Factory
- Hot Chips 2026: Samsung makes LPDDR5X smart with logic unit in memory — LPDDR5X-PIM is 3.01x faster than LPDDR5X in AI inference with 8x the bandwidth
- Nvidia’s GB300-powered DGX Station desktop tower listed for nearly $100,000 online — Enterprise AI powerhouse now available to buy for mere mortals with lots of
- Class Is in Session: GeForce NOW Levels Up Linux, Chromebooks and More
- 32GB of DDR5 6000 RAM now costs $400 — the latest price hike puts DIY PC building further out of reach than ever before
Informational only. No financial advice. Do your own research.