A mid-tier $2399 configuration is needed for Mac Studio

[ccsicecoke]

I feel like there should be a mid-tier configuration with 10 core CPU, 32 core GPU, 32gb RAM and 1TB SSD in stock.

Creating this poll to see how many would like to go with this configuration. The price for this config would be $2399 on Apple.com

It would probably be more popular than the $1999 entry level. I hate to wait for 5 weeks for my order.

 

[aurora_sect]

Sorry for your lot. I ordered that minus the extra GPU on March 8, received on 3/18.

 

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

I don't get this. “There should be a mid tier”? There is? Just go to Apples website or ask your favorite Mac pusher to get it for you?

 

[aurora_sect]

I don't get this. “There should be a mid tier”? There is? Just go to Apples website or ask your favorite Mac pusher to get it for you?

I think OP doesn't want to wait five weeks. So wait longer in protest is my advice.

 

[Phil77354]

You are assuming that the only configuration Apple is producing routinely is the base model, but that is not the case at all.

Take the iPhone 13 Pro Max, for example. The base configuration is 512GB but you can now find just about any configuration - color and storage - in stock at most apple stores (or available within a very short period of time).

As time progresses Apple will be building various configurations of the Studio in advance of demand, in greater quantities as they get experience with what combinations of processor, RAM and storage are most popular. They probably did this from day 1, in fact, but it's just not easily seen by regular consumers.

You will find that this will become apparent in time, as they work through the initial demand surge and those products ship and the backlog becomes less. It is too early to see this impacting delivery times, but you will see it happen.

In other words, they are not going to identify this or any other 'standard configuration' for the Mac Studio, just as they don't do this for any of their other computers that have a variety of configurations available. But you will see it effectively happening when the initial surge in demand has declined.

 

[F-Train]

The information that I got from a discussion with Apple is that stores will only be carrying the base models. As I understand it, this is also the case with the MacBook Pros that were launched in November. Lots of people would like something else, which is what build to order is for.

Tomorrow I'm returning the base M1 Max that I got from a nearby Apple store on March 18th and will be joining the build to order lineup. The current wait for what I want is 12-14 weeks, although I hope that that is Apple being careful about delivery commitments

 

[F-Train]

In other words, they are not going to identify this or any other 'standard configuration' for the Mac Studio, just as they don't do this for any of their other computers that have a variety of configurations available. But you will see it effectively happening when the initial surge in demand has declined.

Actually, that is precisely what Apple is doing with both the Mac Studio and the MacBook Pros that were launched four months ago.

 

[Phil77354]

Actually, that is precisely what Apple is doing with both the Mac Studio and the MacBook Pros that were launched four months ago.

Yes, just so.

 

[roland.g]

You are assuming that the only configuration Apple is producing routinely is the base model, but that is not the case at all.

Take the iPhone 13 Pro Max, for example. The base configuration is 512GB but you can now find just about any configuration - color and storage - in stock at most apple stores (or available within a very short period of time).

As time progresses Apple will be building various configurations of the Studio in advance of demand, in greater quantities as they get experience with what combinations of processor, RAM and storage are most popular. They probably did this from day 1, in fact, but it's just not easily seen by regular consumers.

You will find that this will become apparent in time, as they work through the initial demand surge and those products ship and the backlog becomes less. It is too early to see this impacting delivery times, but you will see it happen.

In other words, they are not going to identify this or any other 'standard configuration' for the Mac Studio, just as they don't do this for any of their other computers that have a variety of configurations available. But you will see it effectively happening when the initial surge in demand has declined.

Apple may produce in advance configs that they see more often, however, it is unlikely that they will stock additional configs in store. If they did, what would it be, a $2,199 variant with 1TB storage? I don't think the 32core GPU is that sought after. The variant that makes the most sense to add would be a M1 Pro 10 core w 16 core GPU and 32GB RAM for $1,599. That won't happen either. And that machine would still come with 512GB storage which people (myself included) would bemoan.

 

[Phil77354]

Apple may produce in advance configs that they see more often, however, it is unlikely that they will stock additional configs in store. If they did, what would it be, a $2,199 variant with 1TB storage? I don't think the 32core GPU is that sought after. The variant that makes the most sense to add would be a M1 Pro 10 core w 16 core GPU and 32GB RAM for $1,599. That won't happen either. And that machine would still come with 512GB storage which people (myself included) would bemoan.

You're probably right about that, although maybe a couple of different configurations - greater storage for example - might start showing up. But the Studio is an expensive product so it may not make sense.

My point though is that these will become more readily available because they'll be making them in advance of receiving orders, and have them available for quick shipment. Not every possible configuration, but the most common ones. So I think we are saying the same thing.

 

[aurora_sect]

The variant that makes the most sense to add would be a M1 Pro 10 core w 16 core GPU and 32GB RAM for $1,599.

There certainly should be an M1 Pro desktop, be it a Studio or Mini. But hey, they successfully upsold me by not offering it.

 

[EvilCo_E]

I think a "mid tier" option that would have been good would be something like an option to get 14-18 CPU cores. But I guess maybe the way they bin the Max chips it just doesn't turn out that way. When I originally saw the announcement for the M1 Ultra I thought that there could be a binned option like that.

The "10 core CPU 32 core GPU 32gb RAM and 1TB SSD" option is what I actually got and received today after I ordered on launch day. I don't see them adding more customized models to stores anytime soon until stock levels are back up. Anyways after the stock levels out the wait times for build to order options will be less

 

[Mac Hammer Fan]

I think a "mid tier" option that would have been good would be something like an option to get 14-18 CPU cores. But I guess maybe the way they bin the Max chips it just doesn't turn out that way. When I originally saw the announcement for the M1 Ultra I thought that there could be a binned option like that.

The "10 core CPU 32 core GPU 32gb RAM and 1TB SSD" option is what I actually got and received today after I ordered on launch day. I don't see them adding more customized models to stores anytime soon until stock levels are back up. Anyways after the stock levels out the wait times for build to order options will be less

I am looking forward to your experiences. Good luck.

 

[Falcon_64]

The information that I got from a discussion with Apple is that stores will only be carrying the base models. As I understand it, this is also the case with the MacBook Pros that were launched in November. Lots of people would like something else, which is what build to order is for.

For most of their computers, the stores carry the low end base, high end base and a higher spec version of the upper tier. It's usually the top CPU & RAM and mid range storage. For the 14" MBPro, they carry an M1 Max 10/32/64GB/2TB in addition to the high & low base models. 24" iMac they carry a 16GB/1TB up specced variant of the highest stock config and same for the Air

Once the supply situation eases some, my completely unjustified guess is there will be a third unadvertised config - M1 Ultra 20/64/128GB/2TB SSD

 

[Chancha]

Apple Store “traditionally” do carry various nonstandard higher SKUs for MacBooks, but almost never for desktops. The reason I guess is obvious the lack of volume for desktops.

I still remember the days when all 5k iMacs had HDD or Fusion Drive stock, not even a 256GB SSD swap is offered. You had to BTO and wait. Lack of such an SKU made it rather hard to score deals in 3rd party discounts and refurbs, and also edu pricing places.

 

[roland.g]

For most of their computers, the stores carry the low end base, high end base and a higher spec version of the upper tier. It's usually the top CPU & RAM and mid range storage. For the 14" MBPro, they carry an M1 Max 10/32/64GB/2TB in addition to the high & low base models. 24" iMac they carry a 16GB/1TB up specced variant of the highest stock config and same for the Air

Once the supply situation eases some, my completely unjustified guess is there will be a third unadvertised config - M1 Ultra 20/64/128GB/2TB SSD

I see the reasoning, but I don't know that B&M stores will expect as many people walking in or ordering for in store same day pickup a $6,200 desktop. That 14" MBP config is 2/3s the price at $4,100. But who knows, they may put 1-2 of those Ultras you mention in each store...