Mac Studio Max Review for Photographers

[fcracer]

I received my Mac Studio Max 10C/32GPU/64GB/1TB back in April after an agonizing wait (something I think we all have experienced!) and have been putting it through its paces with Capture One Pro 22 and a general photography and daily use workflow. I came from a 2019 i9 iMac Vega 48 with 64GB of RAM.

• Most processes improve performance by ~20-30% vs. the iMac, lower than what I expected based on Apple's hype at the launch event
• Apps need to be optimized to fully utilize the additional CPU and GPU cores; Capture One Pro 22 and Affinity Photo rarely used the full CPU/GPU cores during my testing
• Media Engine lives up to the hype, performance improvement is orders of magnitude; if you do video editing, the Studio Max is an incredible bargain
• Small form factor with this much performance is pretty amazing, but we already saw this in the 14/16 MacBook Pro with Max CPU
• Never breaks a sweat under any load conditions; my Studio Max is so quiet that I can't hear it above my room's noise floor
• Studio Display is much better than expected; lots of utility in my personal and work workflows
• If you don't need the Media Engine or Apple Silicon, a slightly used 2020 iMac 27" i9 with upgraded GPU and RAM may be a great bargain right now
• The combined package of the Studio Max and especially the utility of the Studio Display make it worthwhile for my use case, but I could have saved a lot of money and stayed with my 2019 i9 iMac 27"

Let me know if you have any questions or want other tests to be run. Happy to try and oblige. For those still waiting for your Studio, I wish you an early delivery!

 

[Feek]

Nice review, thank you.

 

[F-Train]

I received my Mac Studio Max 10C/32GPU/64GB/1TB back in April after an agonizing wait (something I think we all have experienced!) and have been putting it through its paces with Capture One Pro 22 and a general photography and daily use workflow. I came from a 2019 i9 iMac Vega 48 with 64GB of RAM.

View attachment 2037867

• Most processes improve performance by ~20-30% vs. the iMac, lower than what I expected based on Apple's hype at the launch event
• Apps need to be optimized to fully utilize the additional CPU and GPU cores; Capture One Pro 22 and Affinity Photo rarely used the full CPU/GPU cores during my testing
• Media Engine lives up to the hype, performance improvement is orders of magnitude; if you do video editing, the Studio Max is an incredible bargain
• Small form factor with this much performance is pretty amazing, but we already saw this in the 14/16 MacBook Pro with Max CPU
• Never breaks a sweat under any load conditions; my Studio Max is so quiet that I can't hear it above my room's noise floor
• Studio Display is much better than expected; lots of utility in my personal and work workflows
• If you don't need the Media Engine or Apple Silicon, a slightly used 2020 iMac 27" i9 with upgraded GPU and RAM may be a great bargain right now
• The combined package of the Studio Max and especially the utility of the Studio Display make it worthwhile for my use case, but I could have saved a lot of money and stayed with my 2019 i9 iMac 27"

Let me know if you have any questions or want other tests to be run. Happy to try and oblige. For those still waiting for your Studio, I wish you an early delivery!

"we already saw this in the 14/16 MacBook Pro"

What's the relevance of this? The 14" and 16" MacBook Pro were released all of three/four months before the Mac Studio. Configured equivalently to my Mac Studio, they add US$900 and $1100 to the cost respectively, for a display that I don't need and don't want. The 14" is also subject to throttling under load.

"Capture One Pro 22 ... rarely used the full CPU/GPU cores during my testing"

Whose problem is that? I've been using Capture One Pro for the last two years, currently v. 22. It's clear that Capture One doesn't have, or won't spend, the resources on programming that it should. It was slow on support for Apple Silicon and it's consistently behind Adobe on features. In June, it finally released Capture One for iPad, eight years after Adobe released Lightroom for iPad. To put it mildly, Capture One for iPad is underwhelming. The company's public excuse is that it's "just the first version and will improve". Meanwhile, it expects Capture One users to pay an additional subscription fee for this half-baked product.

Blackmagic is quite a different story. It's been on top of Apple Silicon from Day 1, and is actively implementing app improvements to take advantage of the M1 chip. Maybe Grant Petty will buy Capture One, move it to Australia and fix its lacklustre development, including its Apple Silicon performance.

"I could have saved a lot of money and stayed with my 2019 i9 iMac 27"

Yeah, and I could have stayed with my fully loaded 2018 Mac mini. All I'd have to do is buy into your apparent position that a 20%-30% increase in performance (according to your tests) is trivial, and write off the saving on my electrical bill as irrelevant. Besides, I really miss the fact that I could heat my house with the mini, and the fan was music to my ears.

 

[wilberforce]

If you don't need the Media Engine or Apple Silicon, a slightly used 2020 iMac 27" i9 with upgraded GPU and RAM may be a great bargain right now

I have been watching prices and availability of the 2020 iMac ever since the Studio came out. That sort of configuration of 2020 iMac is becoming difficult to find at a reasonable price. For example, the cheapest i9 2020 iMac on Apple's refurb store is $3759, which is more than a base Studio plus Studio display. Three months ago it was a totally different story.

Thanks for the review based on actual usage, always good to get a another perspective

 

[Killerbob]

Being a photographer myself, I completely agree with your observations. I do think, that my workflow in Adobe has improved more. I came from a 2013 Mac Pro and to some extent a 2019 Mac Pro, but for my photography workflow it was mostly my 2013 Mac Pro.

Even in normal operations, my Mac Studio is for sure much faster and more quiet. Stictching and HDRing multiple RAW files is much faster, and exporting is significantly faster as well. I see the Performance cores in use, and I think Adobe is further ahead in utilizing the capabilities of the M1 Max CPU.

 

[darthaddie]

Sadly all that Capture one offers is lame excuses. Their customer support is bad. It still does not run on M1 macs efficiently and probably never will. I dont care about an iPad app when there primary app doesn't run well. It takes 15 times longer to generate previews (than LR), does not support High Res displays (absolutely sucks on the Pro Display XDR). Their lamest excuse is that High res monitors run slow because of too many pixels. Lightroom on the other hand flies on the Pro Display.

Their color grading is one of the best but sadly the company does realize what they have. They just wanna keep milking their customers with old and outdated tech.

 

[m1maverick]

"we already saw this in the 14/16 MacBook Pro"

What's the relevance of this? The 14" and 16" MacBook Pro were released all of three/four months before the Mac Studio. Configured equivalently to my Mac Studio, they add US$900 and $1100 to the cost respectively, for a display that I don't need and don't want. The 14" is also subject to throttling under load.

"Capture One Pro 22 ... rarely used the full CPU/GPU cores during my testing"

Whose problem is that? I've been using Capture One Pro for the last two years, currently v. 22. It's clear that Capture One doesn't have, or won't spend, the resources on programming that it should. It was slow on support for Apple Silicon and it's consistently behind Adobe on features. In June, it finally released Capture One for iPad, eight years after Adobe released Lightroom for iPad. To put it mildly, Capture One for iPad is underwhelming. The company's public excuse is that it's "just the first version and will improve". Meanwhile, it expects Capture One users to pay an additional subscription fee for this half-baked product.

Blackmagic is quite a different story. It's been on top of Apple Silicon from Day 1, and is actively implementing app improvements to take advantage of the M1 chip. Maybe Grant Petty will buy Capture One, move it to Australia and fix its lacklustre development, including its Apple Silicon performance.

"I could have saved a lot of money and stayed with my 2019 i9 iMac 27"

Yeah, and I could have stayed with my fully loaded 2018 Mac mini. All I'd have to do is buy into your apparent position that a 20%-30% increase in performance (according to your tests) is trivial, and write off the saving on my electrical bill as irrelevant. Besides, I really miss the fact that I could heat my house with the mini, and the fan was music to my ears.

Way to piss on someone who was trying to be helpful.

 

[F-Train]

Way to piss on someone who was trying to be helpful.

Read the title of this thread. This isn't just some guy trying to be helpful. This is someone who says specifically that what follows is a "Review". He made a deliberate decision to say that he's playing critic, and I've expressed a view of his critique, or do you think that self-avowed critics are beyond criticism.

 

[fcracer]

Read the title of this thread. This isn't just some guy trying to be helpful. This is someone who says specifically that what follows is a "Review". He made a deliberate decision to say that he's playing critic, and I've expressed a view of his critique, or do you think that self-avowed critics are beyond criticism.

Your tone comes across a bit aggressive (probably just an online thing), but all critiques and viewpoints are welcome. I've provided my experience for a workflow that my blog's readers utilize, and I appreciate other viewpoints.

It's also why I linked to ArtIsRight's excellent video at the start of the article. It's for this very purpose, to provide a more fulsome view so that readers could make their own judgement based on the workflow that's relevant to them.

Thanks for taking the time to engage in the discussion. The Studio Max is my personal machine that I paid for, so I'm a fan. I'd be an even bigger fan if it had a similar increase in performance that I got from the Intel to M1 upgrade in the MacBooks.

 

[fcracer]

Being a photographer myself, I completely agree with your observations. I do think, that my workflow in Adobe has improved more. I came from a 2013 Mac Pro and to some extent a 2019 Mac Pro, but for my photography workflow it was mostly my 2013 Mac Pro.

Even in normal operations, my Mac Studio is for sure much faster and more quiet. Stictching and HDRing multiple RAW files is much faster, and exporting is significantly faster as well. I see the Performance cores in use, and I think Adobe is further ahead in utilizing the capabilities of the M1 Max CPU.

Thanks for the input. I think I should emphasize again the value that the silence of this machine brings. My 2019 iMac, as powerful as it was, it would turn into a hair dryer under heavy loads. The Studio Max on the other hand never breaks a sweat and stays quiet enough that I can't hear it above my room's noise floor.

I hope Capture One and Affinity can improve their software to truly leverage the extra CPU and GPU cores. I moved away from Adobe because they were lagging behind in performance, but now it seems the tables have turned... It might be time to consider going back to Adobe, which is quite a bargain at $9.99/month.

 

[fcracer]

I have been watching prices and availability of the 2020 iMac ever since the Studio came out. That sort of configuration of 2020 iMac is becoming difficult to find at a reasonable price. For example, the cheapest i9 2020 iMac on Apple's refurb store is $3759, which is more than a base Studio plus Studio display. Three months ago it was a totally different story.

Thanks for the review based on actual usage, always good to get a another perspective

Very interesting feedback. In that situation, it would definitely be better to go with the Studio, especially if you can leverage the Media Engine. On Ebay, I see quite a few at a much more reasonable price, but then you have to take into consideration the condition and risk of any issues.

I was checking in on the new owner of my iMac (I believe in karma so I always check immediately after the sale and again at 90 days), and he loves the machine. The irony is that I found out he's the lead graphics designer for a booming cosmetics company. He's using my iMac in a pro workflow, while I'm using the Studio Max in a hobby home environment... 🙂

 

[Killerbob]

I started my photography journey using Aperture, and felt the closest thing after that was LightRoom. Now my wife is a student and we get the entire Adobe Creative Suite at C$20/month, so I am sticking with it. That it works very well with Apple Silicon only makes me happier.

 

[bigfatipod]

We’re still on old Macs using Aperture. We were planning to upgrade both our machines with the next releases and go with Capture One, but the comments I am seeing here are not all that impressive for C1. We obviously hold onto our machines and software for a long time, so the monthly subscription isn’t what we’d ideally prefer.

 

[Killerbob]

We’re still on old Macs using Aperture. We were planning to upgrade both our machines with the next releases and go with Capture One, but the comments I am seeing here are not all that impressive for C1. We obviously hold onto our machines and software for a long time, so the monthly subscription isn’t what we’d ideally prefer.

I hear you.

The Adobe tax is annoying, but if you only get the photographer's package, it's palatable - it is CAD13/month, and it gives you Photoshop, Lightroom (and LR Classic), and Express, for both desktops and smart devices. You can log in to the suite from two computers concurrently.

As a student, my wife gets the entire Creative Suite at CAD20/month... Definitely worth it.

 

[F-Train]

We’re still on old Macs using Aperture. We were planning to upgrade both our machines with the next releases and go with Capture One, but the comments I am seeing here are not all that impressive for C1. We obviously hold onto our machines and software for a long time, so the monthly subscription isn’t what we’d ideally prefer.

Capture One is a good raw converter. It's excellent for tethered capture, which I suspect is the principal reason why a lot of professionals use it. The company is a minnow compared to Adobe, which may be why development of the app is slow, although that doesn't explain why Blackmagic was on top of Apple Silicon from Day 1 and Capture One was way behind. I think that they either don't have the resources, or won't spend the money, to keep up. The company was very slow on Apple Silicon, and its initial attempt was half-baked. I expect that it will also be slow to approve the new Mac operating system.

I've used Capture One for two years. I like the workflow, but I'm having increasing trouble justifying what Capture One charges for its subscription. It costs a lot more than Adobe's $10/month for Photoshop and Lightroom.

 

[Apple Knowledge Navigator]

I would second the Adobe suite recommendation; though like the original post I too get the educational discount. The apps run very well now on both Intel and AS surprisingly.

Affinity Photo should also be on your radar. It does about 95% of what most will use Photoshop for, but with a one-off fee. It performs beautifully!

 

[Feek]

The Adobe tax is annoying, but if you only get the photographer's package, it's palatable - it is CAD13/month, and it gives you Photoshop, Lightroom (and LR Classic), and Express, for both desktops and smart devices. You can log in to the suite from two computers concurrently.

This is the package I use now after having had an old version of Photoshop for years. I've been buying it from Amazon when it's on a deal for £75/year (as opposed to £120/year) and have about three years stacked up.

I barely touch the surface of Photoshop and have no interest in Lightroom, Express or the mobile versions but it's worth it for the odd time I use it. It also works really well on the Studio.

 

[DMG35]

Excellent review!

 

[bladerunner88]

We’re still on old Macs using Aperture. We were planning to upgrade both our machines with the next releases and go with Capture One, but the comments I am seeing here are not all that impressive for C1. We obviously hold onto our machines and software for a long time, so the monthly subscription isn’t what we’d ideally prefer.

Same hanging on to my Trashcan like grim Death for Aperture, I also have C1 but just hate the UI and all the hidden menu options. Everything just works on Aperture, still blows my mind that  just woke up one day and decided not to support it.After promoting it fors long to Pro's. How hard would it be to just keep updating the RAW Profiles? And right around the time the first iPad Pro was announced Adobe came out with a mobile Vs. of P-Shop REALLY Apple why not a mobile Vs. of Apertue for crying Out Loud? You essentially suceeded all that iPad real Estate to Adobe!!!????

I once had the Producer of Lost and the Writer of Braveheart staring at my Mac Set-Up for 12 Hrs on a Hair/Makeup and Wardrobe Test for a New Show, I was Shooting tethered to my MBP, outputting to a Cinema Display and the whole show was being run by Aperture, you cant buy that kind of Advertising Apple!

Ahg yes am Ranting...

 

[temende]

"we already saw this in the 14/16 MacBook Pro"

What's the relevance of this? The 14" and 16" MacBook Pro were released all of three/four months before the Mac Studio. Configured equivalently to my Mac Studio, they add US$900 and $1100 to the cost respectively, for a display that I don't need and don't want. The 14" is also subject to throttling under load.

"Capture One Pro 22 ... rarely used the full CPU/GPU cores during my testing"

Whose problem is that? I've been using Capture One Pro for the last two years, currently v. 22. It's clear that Capture One doesn't have, or won't spend, the resources on programming that it should. It was slow on support for Apple Silicon and it's consistently behind Adobe on features. In June, it finally released Capture One for iPad, eight years after Adobe released Lightroom for iPad. To put it mildly, Capture One for iPad is underwhelming. The company's public excuse is that it's "just the first version and will improve". Meanwhile, it expects Capture One users to pay an additional subscription fee for this half-baked product.

Blackmagic is quite a different story. It's been on top of Apple Silicon from Day 1, and is actively implementing app improvements to take advantage of the M1 chip. Maybe Grant Petty will buy Capture One, move it to Australia and fix its lacklustre development, including its Apple Silicon performance.

"I could have saved a lot of money and stayed with my 2019 i9 iMac 27"

Yeah, and I could have stayed with my fully loaded 2018 Mac mini. All I'd have to do is buy into your apparent position that a 20%-30% increase in performance (according to your tests) is trivial, and write off the saving on my electrical bill as irrelevant. Besides, I really miss the fact that I could heat my house with the mini, and the fan was music to my ears.

Lol. You took a review of a computer a bit too personally it sounds like.

 

[fcracer]

Unfortunately, after several months of use, my Studio Max, which was used in the above review, has developed the high pitch noise that so many on the forum have experienced.

 

[Matt Leaf]

Unfortunately, after several months of use, my Studio Max, which was used in the above review, has developed the high pitch noise that so many on the forum have experienced.

Did you hear about the idea that it's actually whistling coming through the holes at the back of the chassis, not some kind of mechanical issue? Try covering some of the holes and see if anything changes.

Your comparison with the 2020 iMac is interesting. I'm really in the market at the moment for a solid upgrade from a 2017 MBP, and the 2020 iMac seems like a solid option. I was locked on the Mac Studio and Studio Display, but maybe the 2020 can give me what I want and save me a boat load of cash.

I had no idea the RAM on the 2020 iMac was user serviceable, that's a game changer. Definitely some food for thought and cheers for the review.

 

[fpenta]

Thanks for your review. I am also using a 2019 iMac i9, Vega 48 and 64GB RAM and I was thinking to upgrade but according to your tests doesn't seem to be worth it for image processing.

 

[fcracer]

Thanks for your review. I am also using a 2019 iMac i9, Vega 48 and 64GB RAM and I was thinking to upgrade but according to your tests doesn't seem to be worth it for image processing.

That’s correct. Thus far, I’m seeing a ~30% improvement on what is already a fast machine, so it’s at the point of diminishing returns. However, I’m hopeful the software will eventually take full advantage of the CPU/GPU and we’ll see bigger gains.

 

[fcracer]

For the record, my second Mac Studio, located in a totally different city, is now also making the high pitch noise. Both Studio Max were bought around the same time, but shipped to different cities.

I theorize the second one's noise has only become apparent now because summer is over and the AC is off. Therefore, the ambient room noise now sometimes drops to ~30-40db and the noise can be heard when the room is quiet enough.

That's 2/2 for me I think I'll make a backup of both machines and file a warranty claim as we get close to the end of the 12 month warranty and see what Apple does. At worst, they have it on file in case of a future recall.