Mac studio max ugrade options

[bodhisattva1123]

Hey Guys,

So I'm finally replacing my 2012 imac with 2 thunderbolt displays with my new 3 display setup with 3 studio displays. I'm torn between the max and ultra. I definitely don't "need" the ultra but you know how that goes.

What do you guys think would be a couple of upgrade options on the max?

I'm thinking the 32 core upgrade, along with 64 gb ram upgrade and 1tb ssd. That brings the total to about 2800. Still saving 1200 from the ultra. What do you guys think? Waste of money? Or good middle ground choice?

 

[spiderpumpkin]

You'll be using up 3 of the Thunderbolt ports on the back with the Studio Displays. Do you need more than 1 additional Thunderbolt port open for future use? Going with Ultra would give you two more Thunderbolt ports on the front.

 

[PianoPro]

Hey Guys,

So I'm finally replacing my 2012 imac with 2 thunderbolt displays with my new 3 display setup with 3 studio displays. I'm torn between the max and ultra. I definitely don't "need" the ultra but you know how that goes.

What do you guys think would be a couple of upgrade options on the max?

I'm thinking the 32 core upgrade, along with 64 gb ram upgrade and 1tb ssd. That brings the total to about 2800. Still saving 1200 from the ultra. What do you guys think? Waste of money? Or good middle ground choice?

That was the M1 Max configuration I would have bought, but then I would have turned down my only chance to double the CPU cores, plus get 50% more GPU cores, plus 2 more TB ports for only $1200. If I was spending $4800 for 3 27" monitors I wouldn't sweat the extra $1200. But really, I'd spend the $1200 and look at some other monitors regardless.

 

[Chancha]

That was the M1 Max configuration I would have bought, but then I would have turned down my only chance to double the CPU cores, plus get 50% more GPU cores, plus 2 more TB ports for only $1200. If I was spending $4800 for 3 27" monitors I wouldn't sweat the extra $1200. But really, I'd spend the $1200 and look at some other monitors regardless.

If OP doesn't say he already bought the 3 Studio Displays, I would suggest for the same money to go with the M1 Ultra then get at most one Studio Display, where the wingers can be lesser options or just older monitors ling around. But he was used to having those 2 also Apple branded be it for the looks or connectivity.

But realistically I'd say coming from an old Intel iMac he has no place needing an M1 Ultra unless the computing needs drastically change.

 

[4sallypat]

If OP doesn't say he already bought the 3 Studio Displays, I would suggest for the same money to go with the M1 Ultra then get at most one Studio Display, where the wingers can be lesser options or just older monitors ling around. But he was used to having those 2 also Apple branded be it for the looks or connectivity.

But realistically I'd say coming from an old Intel iMac he has no place needing an M1 Ultra unless the computing needs drastically change.

Agree - save the money on the displays, re-use the 2 TB displays w/ TB3-TB2 adapters and buy 1 Studio Display w/ Ultra.

Ultra Mac will be more future proof and displays can be upgraded later.

I have re-used the 2011 27" Thunderbolt display from my past decade of use alongside the new Studio display and love it with my lowly base Studio Max...

Much prefer the sharp text, clear fonts, and glossy front screens of both display that match alongside.

 

[now i see it]

Ultra = guaranteed smiles
Max = maybe not so much

 

[Phil77354]

Hey Guys,

So I'm finally replacing my 2012 imac with 2 thunderbolt displays with my new 3 display setup with 3 studio displays. I'm torn between the max and ultra. I definitely don't "need" the ultra but you know how that goes.

What do you guys think would be a couple of upgrade options on the max?

I'm thinking the 32 core upgrade, along with 64 gb ram upgrade and 1tb ssd. That brings the total to about 2800. Still saving 1200 from the ultra. What do you guys think? Waste of money? Or good middle ground choice?

You haven't said anything about what you use your computer for, what applications do you generally use, and so forth. Also how is your 2012 iMac configured, how much RAM and storage, how sufficient has it been for what you are doing?

Without knowing that, it's impossible to provide an informed recommendation, but given the fact that you have been able to continue to use a 2012 iMac for this long (10 years!) then ANY Mac Studio configuration is going to be a GIGANTIC step forward for you, that is for sure!

You also seem to be fairly insensitive to how much you'll be spending . . .

With that said, I can't imagine that you would ever need the capability of the M1 Ultra chip. My goodness, the M1 Max BASE CONFIGURATION is already about a dozen generations beyond what you've been (successfully / happily) using until now! Why do you think that you need anything more than the base 10/24/16 processor (even if it is only $180 more)??

Lacking some real basis for needing more power, what I would do in your place is buy the base Mac Studio, no extra RAM needed, but buy as much onboard SSD storage as you think you will make use of.

 

[bodhisattva1123]

You'll be using up 3 of the Thunderbolt ports on the back with the Studio Displays. Do you need more than 1 additional Thunderbolt port open for future use? Going with Ultra would give you two more Thunderbolt ports on the front.

great point, I didn't even consider this.

 

[bodhisattva1123]

That was the M1 Max configuration I would have bought, but then I would have turned down my only chance to double the CPU cores, plus get 50% more GPU cores, plus 2 more TB ports for only $1200. If I was spending $4800 for 3 27" monitors I wouldn't sweat the extra $1200. But really, I'd spend the $1200 and look at some other monitors regardless.

yea I've been thinking of going with 3 32 inch lg ultrafines. I just haven't been able to find out the compatability with the studios. I was going to post about this also.

 

[bodhisattva1123]

If OP doesn't say he already bought the 3 Studio Displays, I would suggest for the same money to go with the M1 Ultra then get at most one Studio Display, where the wingers can be lesser options or just older monitors ling around. But he was used to having those 2 also Apple branded be it for the looks or connectivity.

But realistically I'd say coming from an old Intel iMac he has no place needing an M1 Ultra unless the computing needs drastically change.

right, yea I don't "need" the ultra. Once you use 3 displays it's really hard to go back to using one. I haven't bought them yet no, been trying to find alternative options, possibly even 3 32 inch monitors. Still would be cheaper than 3 studio displays.

 

[bodhisattva1123]

Agree - save the money on the displays, re-use the 2 TB displays w/ TB3-TB2 adapters and buy 1 Studio Display w/ Ultra.

Ultra Mac will be more future proof and displays can be upgraded later.

I have re-used the 2011 27" Thunderbolt display from my past decade of use alongside the new Studio display and love it with my lowly base Studio Max...

Much prefer the sharp text, clear fonts, and glossy front screens of both display that match alongside.

good points man. Yea I loved my thunderbolt displays. I just know It'll bother me seeing two "lesser quality" displays next to a new 5k studio. But cost efficiency wise you're 100% right.

Agree - save the money on the displays, re-use the 2 TB displays w/ TB3-TB2 adapters and buy 1 Studio Display w/ Ultra.

Ultra Mac will be more future proof and displays can be upgraded later.

I have re-used the 2011 27" Thunderbolt display from my past decade of use alongside the new Studio display and love it with my lowly base Studio Max...

Much prefer the sharp text, clear fonts, and glossy front screens of both display that match alongside.

 

[bodhisattva1123]

Ultra = guaranteed smiles
Max = maybe not so much

lol, you're suppose to be helping me save money not spend more. Jk, I'm with you.

 

[bodhisattva1123]

You haven't said anything about what you use your computer for, what applications do you generally use, and so forth. Also how is your 2012 iMac configured, how much RAM and storage, how sufficient has it been for what you are doing?

Without knowing that, it's impossible to provide an informed recommendation, but given the fact that you have been able to continue to use a 2012 iMac for this long (10 years!) then ANY Mac Studio configuration is going to be a GIGANTIC step forward for you, that is for sure!

You also seem to be fairly insensitive to how much you'll be spending . . .

With that said, I can't imagine that you would ever need the capability of the M1 Ultra chip. My goodness, the M1 Max BASE CONFIGURATION is already about a dozen generations beyond what you've been (successfully / happily) using until now! Why do you think that you need anything more than the base 10/24/16 processor (even if it is only $180 more)??

Lacking some real basis for needing more power, what I would do in your place is buy the base Mac Studio, no extra RAM needed, but buy as much onboard SSD storage as you think you will make use of.

yea so I have the "maxed out" late 2012 i7 765 ssd 32gb ram I upgraded myself when you could still do that. I do the usual, final cut, videos etc. But no I don't "need" an ultra from everything I've heard. It's more about future proofing kind of like when I bought my imac and tb displays I knew it would last me a long time and it has done well by me. But now it's showing its age unfortunately.