The M1 Extremely Mac Studio is three years previous, and for the “time is cash” crowd, it is perhaps time to replace. This is how the M1 Extremely Mac Studio compares to the M4 Max Mac Studio in 2025.
It is concerning the time of 12 months when back-to-school gross sales assist college students get their {hardware} in line for the tutorial 12 months forward. For Mac customers who’re in lessons the place there’s a variety of information processing, it is a possibility to get new {hardware}.
This improve season is not simply restricted to college students, because it’s a possibility for corporations too. Group leads with a little bit of a surplus to their finances have an incentive to make use of all of it up, in order that the subsequent 12 months’s finances is not trimmed down.
With a finances of round $2,000, the Mac Studio is an honest buy for each scholar and enterprise wants.
In each circumstances, a Mac Professional would’ve been the reply 15 years in the past, particularly when quantity crunching is so necessary right here. Nevertheless, within the period of Apple Silicon, the Mac Studio is the higher play.
Sure, you may get the newest M4 Max model, however for a similar cash, you may get an M1 Extremely mannequin as an alternative. The sky-high core counts are tempting, however not essentially the perfect concept.
What follows is a comparability of the M4 Max and 2022 M1 Extremely variations of the Mac Studio. We’re contemplating the core variations of every, sans doubtlessly costly upgrades.
M4 Max Mac Studio vs M1 Extremely Mac Studio – Specs
| Specs | M4 Max Mac Studio | M1 Extremely Mac Studio (2022) |
|---|---|---|
| Value | $1,999 Finest Mac Studio costs |
$1,800-$2,200 Store M1 Extremely gross sales |
| Dimensions (inches) | 7.7 x 7.7 x 3.7 | 7.7 x 7.7 x 3.7 |
| Weight (kilos) | 6.1 | 7.9 |
| Processor | Apple M4 Max 14-core CPU, Apple M4 Max 16-core CPU, |
Apple M1 Extremely 20-core CPU |
| Graphics | 32-core GPU (14-core CPU), 40-core GPU (16-core CPU) |
48-core GPU, 64-core GPU |
| RAM | 36GB (14-core), 48GB (16-core), 64GB (16-core), 128GB (16-core) |
64GB, 128GB |
| Networking | 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6E wi-fi networking IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac suitable, Bluetooth 5.3, 10Gig Ethernet |
802.11ax Wi-Fi 6 wi-fi networking IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac suitable, Bluetooth 5.0, 10Gb Ethernet |
| Storage | 512GB, 1TB, 2TB, 4TB, 8TB |
512GB, 1TB, 2TB, 4TB, 8TB |
| Show Help | Most of 8: Eight 4K shows, Eight 6K shows, 4 8K shows |
Most of 5: 4 Professional Show XDRs and one 4K |
| Ports | HDMI, 4 Thunderbolt 5, Two USB-A, Two USB 3 Sort-C (entrance) 10Gig Ethernet, SDXC (entrance) 3.5mm headphone |
HDMI, 4 Thunderbolt 4, Two USB-A, Two USB 3 Sort-C (entrance) 10Gig Ethernet SDXC (entrance) 3.5mm headphone |
M4 Max Mac Studio vs M1 Extremely Mac Studio – Design, weight, measurement
Apple habitually likes to maintain to the identical kind of design throughout a number of generations of {hardware}. After 4 chip generations, it is nonetheless the case for the Mac Studio.
Initially surfacing as a Mac mini that had taken too many steroids, the Mac Studio was, and nonetheless is, a chunky block of computing. Its 7.7-inch by 7.7-inch foot has remained the identical, echoing the earlier design of the Mac mini.
The peak of the aluminum enclosure can also be unchanged at 3.7 inches apiece.
M4 Max Mac Studio vs M1 Extremely Mac Studio: The entrance ports range by chip tier
Weight-wise, they’re each fairly heavy, however one is heavier than the opposite. The M4 Max variant is 6.1 kilos in weight, which is sort of a bit contemplating it is a big block of aluminum on your desk.
Nevertheless, the M1 Extremely from 2022 ideas the scales at 7.9 kilos. That enhance isn’t from having a bodily bigger chip, however extra from the necessity for significantly extra thermal administration, with heatsinks and different elements including weight.
The styling, too, hasn’t actually modified at all around the years, with the venting and ports all in the identical positions. Across the entrance is a reminiscence card slot and two USB Sort-C connections, with the rest across the rear with additional venting for air circulation.
M4 Max Mac Studio vs M1 Extremely Mac Studio: The rear has a big vent, and virtually an identical ports
Visually, the 2 are an identical. They weigh in another way, and a few of these ports have undergone adjustments, however there’s little exterior distinction to be involved about right here.
At this level, when you have been pointing issues out to somebody, you’d care extra about it being a Mac Studio than brazenly stating its classic.
M4 Max Mac Studio vs M1 Extremely Mac Studio – Processing
Whereas the skin will not offer you any actual clues that there are variations between the fashions, you will note a distinction in what they will really do.
The M4 Max is a SoC with a 14-core CPU, with a 16-core variant additionally accessible. The 14-core is made up of ten efficiency cores and 4 effectivity cores, accompanied by a 16-core Neural Engine.
M4 Max Mac Studio vs M1 Extremely Mac Studio: A Mac Studio on a desktop.
The M1 Extremely is actually a pair of M1 Max chips speaking with one another utilizing an interconnect. Meaning there are double the sources than the M1 Max, and sometimes increased counts for specs versus the M4 Max.
For the CPU, it is a 20-core model within the M1 Extremely, utilizing 16 efficiency cores and 4 effectivity cores. There are additionally double the Neural Engine cores at 32 in complete.
Reminiscence bandwidth ranges from 412GB/s on the 14-core CPU mannequin of M4 Max to 546GB/s on the 16-core. Over on the M1 Extremely, it is a phenomenal 800GB/s.
The reminiscence you may configure additionally varies between the 2 M4 Max variations, beginning at 32GB alone for the 14-core choice, whereas the 16-core has 48GB, 64GB, and 128GB capacities.
On the M1 Max, you may select between 64GB and 128GB.
On the GPU aspect, the M4 Max has a 32-core model within the 14-core CPU mannequin, rising to 40 within the 16-core mannequin. On the M1 Extremely, it is both 48 cores or 64 cores, however you do not get the hardware-accelerated ray tracing discovered within the newer GPUs.
Every additionally has the Media Engine, Apple’s hardware-accelerated video encoding system. On the M4 Max, there is a video decode engine, two encode engines, two separate ProRes encode and decode engines, and AV1 decoding.
The M1 Extremely, having double every part, additionally goes large with the Media Engine. Meaning there are two video decode engines, 4 encode engines, and 4 ProRes encode and decode engines, although no AV1 decode.
For video, the M1 Extremely may deal with as much as 5 shows, together with 4 Professional Show XDR displays and one 4K display screen. The M4 Max can deal with as much as eight 6K screens or 4 8K shows.
With the ability to join so many shows has its makes use of, corresponding to in constructing phases for productions with numerous video screens. It is much less helpful from a desk-work viewpoint, nevertheless it’s good to know the growth choices can be found.
M4 Max Mac Studio vs M1 Extremely Mac Studio – Benchmarks
With such excessive core counts on show, you may count on both mannequin to do effectively in terms of precise quantity crunching. Nevertheless, there’s a distinction in terms of how every mannequin really lays down that efficiency.
The M1 Extremely might have extra cores basically, in addition to increased reminiscence bandwidth, however the M4 has its advantages. Its cores have improved over time, so every core does much more work than its predecessors.
With a three-generation hole, these enhancements can shortly add up.
M4 Max Mac Studio vs M1 Extremely Mac Studio: Geekbench Single-Core scores
Geekbench scores for single-core efficiency illustrate this handily, with the M1 Extremely managing a results of 2,396. By comparability, the M4 Max will get round 3,900 for a similar check.
In the case of the multi-core benchmark, it is secure to say that the core enhancements have countered the sheer core counts of the Extremely. At 18,392, the M1 Extremely does effectively with its 20 cores, however the 14-core M4 Max beats it at 23,001.
The 16-core M4 Max does even higher at 25,604.
M4 Max Mac Studio vs M1 Extremely Mac Studio: Geekbench Multi-Core scores
In the case of graphics, it’s kind of extra balanced. Geekbench listings for the M1 Extremely Mac Studio put its Steel benchmark rating within the vary of 162,000.
The M4 Max’s 14-core CPU variant is shut at 158,710, whereas the upper-tier chip does higher at 187,300.
M4 Max Mac Studio vs M1 Extremely Mac Studio: Geekbench Steel scores
Once more, it’s a case of core depend advantages in older fashions being outpaced by core enhancements.
This all stated, the efficiency on supply for the M1 Extremely is not to be sniffed at. It could be getting on a bit, nevertheless it nonetheless does a variety of processing and holds its personal in opposition to extra trendy releases.
M4 Max Mac Studio vs M1 Extremely Mac Studio – Storage, connectivity, audio
Whereas the 2 fashions look fairly related, the change in processor additionally implies that there are refined variations in terms of hooking it as much as stuff.
On the entrance, the Max mannequin has a pair of USB-C ports, whereas the Extremely packs two Thunderbolt 4 ports as an alternative. Apple has all the time made the entrance ports USB-C on the non-Extremely Mac Studio mannequin, so that is much less of a generational change and extra a continuation of Apple’s specification insurance policies.
Accompanying these entrance ports is an SDXC card slot rated to UHS-II. If you happen to’re a content material creator offloading video from a reminiscence card, you are going to have the identical expertise throughout the board.
Across the again, the M1 Extremely Mac Studio’s port choice contains 4 Thunderbolt 4 ports, 10-gig Ethernet, HDMI, a pair of USB 3 Sort-A ports, and a 3.5mm headphone jack.
M4 Max Mac Studio vs M1 Extremely Mac Studio: Two Mac Studios, stacked
The M4 Max adjustments issues slightly bit, with the 4 Thunderbolt 4 ports switched for Thunderbolt 5 variations.
To finish customers, this implies a substantial enhance of bandwidth from 40Gbps to 80Gbps, and as much as 120Gbps in some conditions. After all, you want the {hardware} that may join at these speeds to actually profit from it.
In the case of storage, there isn’t any actual distinction between the fashions in any respect. In each circumstances, you get 512GB SSDs at a base degree, with upgrades accessible from 1TB to 2TB, 4TB, and even 8TB.
That’s, when you’re keen to abdomen Apple’s traditionally excessive improve expenses.
For audio, there’s a built-in speaker, and you should utilize that 3.5mm headphone jack across the rear, however different choices can be found. For instance, utilizing HDMI to pipe audio by a monitor, utilizing AirPlay with a pair of HomePods, and even some AirPods will probably be higher than the interior speaker.
M4 Max Mac Studio vs M1 Extremely Mac Studio – Pricing
The entry-level M4 Max Mac Studio begins at $1,999 with the 14-core CPU, 36GB of reminiscence, and 512GB of storage.
Getting the M4 Max with the 16-core CPU is “$300” extra, nevertheless it additionally upgrades the reminiscence to 48GB on the similar time. Apple considers this ram improve to be a $200 additional, so going to the 16-core is basically $500 extra, reminiscence included.
Going to 64GB is $200 extra, whereas 128GB is a $1,000 improve.
The storage upgrades from 512GB to 1TB is $200, with 2TB one other $400 on high, 4TB one other $600 once more, and 8TB an additional $1,200 on high of that.
Apple would not promote the M1 Extremely Mac Studio model new and straight, so your greatest transfer is to look into refurbished fashions. Apple’s licensed refurbished retailer can listing the M1 Extremely mannequin once in a while, with the bottom model bought for $2,879.
This can be a lot, however it’s an Apple-refurbished unit. A search on eBay comes up with higher, however not by that a lot. Working M1 Extremely fashions are ceaselessly listed with increased storage capacities than the bottom mannequin, and price round $2,000.
Do keep in mind that the M1 Extremely Mac Studio began at $3,999. Like different Apple {hardware}, it nonetheless holds its worth over time fairly effectively.
M4 Max Mac Studio vs M1 Extremely Mac Studio – Simply get the brand new mannequin
The purpose of the Extremely fashions of Mac has all the time been efficiency by way of extreme specs. In lieu of main updates to the Mac Professional, the mantle for high-specification hijinks was shifted over to the Mac Studio, with its Extremely editions handily taking to the position.
Nevertheless, the march of expertise enchancment means happening the route of extra is not useful in the long term.
M4 Max Mac Studio vs M1 Extremely Mac Studio: The surface hasn’t modified, however the processing issues
The M1 Extremely does maintain its personal in opposition to some trendy chips, actually, because of its core counts and usually increased portions of every part. But it surely’s not sufficient to counter a three-generation leap in efficiency enhancements.
Add within the worth premium for the Extremely fashions, even when second-hand {hardware}, and it is onerous to advocate going for the M1 Extremely Mac Studio when the M4 Max does so effectively.
Positive, you possibly can get an M1 Extremely Mac Studio for bragging rights, however the sensible cash is to disregard the attract of the Extremely and simply get the M4 Max.
If efficiency is necessary, the newer releases are your greatest guess, even on a finances.
The place to purchase the M4 Max Mac Studio vs M1 Extremely Mac Studio
The usual M4 Max Mac Studio is accessible for $1,859.07 because of an unique low cost at Apple Premier Associate Expercom (search for the particular AppleInsider worth above the add to cart button). It’s also possible to save on upgraded fashions, together with the M3 Extremely Mac Studio, in our Mac Studio Value Information.
Clearance offers, in the meantime, can be found on M2 Max fashions, with costs as little as $1,394.07.
And when you desire the M1 Extremely Mac Studio talked about on this in-depth comparability, fashions in new situation can be found on eBay, with costs at press time accessible from $2,299.