Computer Hardware Desktop
Rank 02
Apple Mac Studio (M5 Max, 2026)
The new desktop benchmark for creators: M5 Max Studio beats last year's M3 Ultra in most tests, stays silent, and starts at $2,499.
Photograph: Mac Studio (2022, identical enclosure) by Yasu, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped, resized
Why it is here
Shipped 2026-09-22 and reviewed by Macworld, PetaPixel, Ars Technica and AppleInsider. Macworld measured Geekbench 7 multi +22% and Cinebench 2024 GPU +33% vs the M4 Max, edging the M3 Ultra on Geekbench 6 multi (+7%) and Cinebench GPU (+10%). PetaPixel (9.5/10) recorded its best-ever Photoshop and Premiere Pro results. Ars measured ~31 tok/s on Qwen 3.8 27B, against 18–20 for the Framework Desktop.
Who it is for
Photo, video, 3D and software professionals on macOS who want workstation performance, up to five displays and near-silent running without paying Ultra prices.
Sources
- Mac Studio (M5 Max) review: Shifting into overdrive18c/40c/128 GB/4 TB unit ($6,899): Geekbench 7 multi +22% / single +8% vs M4 Max; Cinebench 2024 GPU +33% vs M4 Max and +10% vs M3 Ultra; 30%+ higher game frame rates; base price $2,499 (+$500 vs M4 Max launch).
- Mac Studio with M5 Max review: the best Mac for photo and video we've tested9.5/10. Best Photoshop result PetaPixel has measured and a record Premiere Pro score; close to a 256 GB M3 Ultra in Lightroom and Resolve; silent. Cons: speakers, expensive upgrades.
- Review: Apple's hyper-pricey M5 Ultra Mac Studio made me into a vibe coderTests both Studios: M5 Max ~31 tok/s on Qwen 3.8 27B vs 18–20 on Framework Desktop / M2 Max; M5 Max beat the Ultra in HandBrake H.264; 64 GB / 1 TB full-chip Max costs $3,799.
- M5 Max Mac Studio review: far better choice than Ultra for most desks5/5. Unit 18c/32c GPU, 1 TB (about $2,799); Geekbench 7 single 3,718; base $2,499 with 512 GB.
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