The arrival of Mac Studio is the first time Apple has addressed a group of long-neglected Mac users. These users have largely returned to the 27-inch iMac to suit their power and budget needs, and Mac Studio finally offers them a headless Mac to consider.
Mac Studio is a brand new Mac in some ways, and in other ways it is an evolution of the Mac that came before. Apparently, Mac Studio fills in the gap left when Apple discontinued the 27-inch iMac, but at the same time, it’s the evolution of the Mac mini and a call back to the old Mac Pros.
So whether you want to upgrade from the old all-in-one or add a new Mac to your collection, you may be wondering how Mac Studio compares it to the modified IMs and whether it is a viable alternative to Apple’s overhead. Complete the iMac. Spoiler Alert: If you’re worried that Mac Studio will not be a suitable update from your current iMac, you need not worry.
Mac Studio vs iMac: Overview
The iMac is Apple’s most popular computer, which set Apple on its way to becoming the company it is today. Launched as a colorful consumer all-in-one that has grown little by little over the years, the latest 27-inch model features a beautiful 5K Retina display, Intel 10th generation Core i9 processors, 128GB of RAM and up to 8TB of storage. For a while, Apple sold the 27-inch iMac Pro, which used 18-core Intel Xeon W processors, various high-end graphics cards, and 256GB of RAM and 4TB of storage.
Dominic Tomaszsky
In contrast, the Mac Studio is only part of the system — it does not have a display, keyboard, or mouse — but it does offer 20-core CPU, 64-core GPU, 128GB RAM, and 8TB of storage. Ever done. However, if you upgrade from iMac, you will need to purchase a new display as you will not be able to use Target Display Mode on M1 Macs.
Mac Studio vs iMac: Specifications And ports
The now-defunct 27-inch iMac was last updated in August 2020, when the Radeon Pro 5000 series graphics received the 10th generation Intel Core i5 or i7 CPU as standard configurations. It only offered 8GB of RAM as standard and the entry level storage option is 256GB SSD. If you want more ohm, there are built-in options to include a 10-core CPU, up to 128GB of RAM, an 8TB SSD and an Intel 10th generation Core i9 processor with Radeon Pro 5700 or Radeon Pro 5700 XT graphics. . To get the final configuration, including 128GB of RAM and maximum storage capacity, you would have to pay more than $ 5,000.
While the comparison of Intel and Apple chips is not straightforward, the Mac Studio specifications and price make it an excellent value for money, even if you do not already have a keyboard, monitor and mouse. If you have the basic model 10-core CPU / 24-core GPU M1 Max, 32GB RAM and 512GB SSD for $ 1,999, you already get a 27-inch fully loaded engine. iMac. If you upgrade to the $ 3,999 M1 Ultra, you’re completely blowing the doors of your old iMac.
To see the difference, look at these definitions that cost $ 4,499 / £ 4,499 from the 2020 iMac. The Mac Studio here is a 32-core M1 Max model priced at $ 2,199, which is more than half the price of the iMac. So any configuration you choose will give you more power than ever before.
Anyone who spends so much on a new Mac will have plenty of peripherals to connect to and the Mac Studio 27-inch iMac will not lose expansion and capability. Imac had it here:
- 3.5mm headphone jack
- SDXC Card Slot (UHS-II)
- Four USB-A ports
- Two Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C)
- Gigabit Ethernet
Here’s what’s on Mac Studio:
- Four Thunderbolt 4 ports with support:
- 3.5mm headphone jack
- SDXC card slot (UHS-II (front)
- Two USB-A ports
- Four Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) ports (rear)
- Two USB-C (M1 Max) or Thunderbolt (M1 Ultra) ports (front)
- HDMI
- 10GB Ethernet
So regardless of your layout, you do not have to worry about the expansion ports available in Mac Studio. If anything, you have more than you need.
Mac Studio vs iMac: Design and Display
The 27-inch iMac has not changed its appearance since the slim unibody version arrived in 2013. We expected it to be redesigned to fit the 24-inch M1 model, but Apple gave us two separate devices: the Mac Studio and the 27-inch Studio display.
The Mac Studio looks like a tall Mac Mini, roughly equivalent to three minis stacked on top of each other. It is a compact and elegant design that does not take up much space on your desk and can easily sit under a studio display or other monitors. Basically, if you have space for Mac Mini on your desk, you have space for Mac Studio. It has a simple design.
Willis Loy / Foundry
The biggest difference between iMac and Mac Studio is the display. On the one hand, you have a Mac with a 27-inch 5K display, and on the other hand you have a Mac without a display. To make up for the difference, Apple is selling the 27-inch Studio Display for $ 1,599 to those who want an experience like the iMac – and it offers some features not found on the 27-inch iMac. At its highest point, Apple sells the 32-inch Pro Display XDR for $ 4,999 and does not even come with a stand (that is an additional $ 1,000).
The Studio Display has its own 5K resolution of 5,120 × 2,880 at 218 pixels per inch, 600 Nights brightness, support for P3 color range and True Tone. It is very similar to the display of the 27-inch iMac, which had the same features and resolution but topped the 500 nits brightness. Like the iMac, the standard Studio display uses standard anti-glare, and offers a matte nano-textured glass option for $ 300.
It has the same design as the chinless 27-inch iMac and works the same way – you can tilt the screen but not adjust the height. Apple Studio offers a tilt and height adjustable stand for the display, which costs another $ 400.
Willis Loy / Foundry
The Studio Display features some features not found on iMac and other Macs and third-party displays, thanks to the inclusion of the A13 chip (as seen on the iPhone 11). These features also include a built-in 12MP Ultra White camera, which is more advanced than the 1080p FaceTime HD camera on the 27-inch iMac. The camera also has support for the center stage, which automatically keeps you centered in the frame when you move during a call.
The Studio Display also features a three-microphone array with a beam shape for “Hey Siri” support, as well as six speakers (four Force-Cancel woofers and two high-performance tweeters) with spatial audio. Finally, you get three extra USB-C ports on the back.
Of course, you do not have to spend that kind of money to get a decent display. Any monitor works with Mac Studio, and you can get a 27-inch monitor (or larger) for less than $ 1,599. Most of them do not have a camera, high-end speakers or remote microphones, so you need to weigh how important those features are.
Mac Studio vs iMac: Price
Now that we have overcome the differences between the two models, we will try to compare prices. The Mac Studio is available for $ 1,999, with a 10-core M1 Mac CPU, 24-core GPU, 32GB RAM and 512GB SSD. Add the Studio Display, for a minimum of $ 3,598.
You may be looking at the built-in-order option as the 10-core model is not standard to match with the 27-inch iMac. If you want to enhance your 27-inch iMac with 3.6GHz 10-core Intel Core i9 and 32GB RAM, you’ll be looking at the $ 3,299 bundle closest to the Mac Studio and Studio Display bundle above. The M1 is far from the price of the Ultra Mac Studio (without a display, of course).
Mac Studio vs iMac: Judgment
There is no doubt that Mac Studio offers more upgrades than the 27-inch iMac. When you break down the price of the comparable 27-inch iMac, you get the best machine with high expansion and versatility at the lowest price.
The only real issue is the cost of entry level. You can previously get the 27-inch iMac for $ 1,799, starting at $ 1,999 without the Mac Studio display. Until the M1 Pro Mac mini arrives, users who do not need the power of the Mac Studio will be able to see one of Apple’s M1 engines, which fits in well with the standard 27-inch iMac. You could consider a 14-inch MacBook Pro with an 8-core M1 Pro processor for $ 1,999.
But if you are looking for an alternative to the high quality iMac for the same price, you will be very happy with whatever display you decide to combine with Mac Studio.