Today, Apple held a product launch conference, announcing the M1 Ultra, the most powerful M1 series processor in their Apple Siliicon, a new computer Mac Studio using this processor, and a new computer display, the Studio Display. Among them, the M1 Ultra processor is known as the world’s most powerful personal computer crystal, and the Mac Studio is a newly designed personal computer by Apple. It has a new design and can be equipped with up to the M1 Ultra processor. The more affordable M1 Max model is available from HK$15,999.
3 key takeaways from the latest M1 Ultra processor
1) New UltraFusion architecture processor
Apple said that traditional PCs connect two chips through a motherboard, which increases data processing latency, reduces data bandwidth, and consumes more power. The new M1 Ultra adopts a new design, combining two chips into one with a special package structure, using a silicon interposer to connect chips with more than 10,000 signals, providing 2.5TB/s low-latency inter-processor bandwidth, more than other multi-chip interconnects. More than 4 times the bandwidth of the link technology.
2) The highest efficiency under the same energy consumption rate
Apple said that the M1 Ultra processor has a built-in 20-core processor, 64-core GPU and 32-core neural network engine. Under the same energy consumption rate, it is 90% faster than the same type of 16-core PC computer; when it reaches a similar GPU processing speed, The M1 Ultra uses 200W less power than current high-end GPUs. Apple notes that Mac Studio still uses up to 1,000 kilowatt-hours less energy in a year than a high-end PC desktop computer.
3) Unified memory bandwidth increased to 800GB/s
The M1 Ultra expands the unified memory architecture, and the memory bandwidth is increased to 800GB/s, which is more than 10 times that of the latest desktop PCs. stronger.
In terms of media processing capability, the M1 Ultra is twice as powerful as the M1 Max, providing stronger ProRes video encoding and decoding capabilities. Mac Studio computers equipped with the M1 Ultra can stream up to 18 8K ProRes 422 video simultaneously.
4 takeaways from Mac Studio’s latest PC
1) Newly designed Apple personal computer
Apple’s newly designed Mac Studio personal computer features a newly designed aluminum body that is 7.7 inches long and 3.7 inches high, taking up very little space.
And the interior has been equipped with a dual centrifugal fan system, which guides air through the internal components through more than 4,000 air holes on the back and bottom, providing higher cooling and heat dissipation efficiency, and maintaining quiet operation.
2) Optional M1 Ultra or M1 Max processor
Mac Studio PCs can be paired with the new M1 Ultra or M1 Max chips with up to 20-core CPUs and 64-core GPUs.
Speed comparison with older computers when using the M1 Max chip:
・Up to 2.5 times faster CPU than the fastest 27-inch iMac;
・Up to 50% faster CPU than the 16-core Xeon processor Mac Pro;
・Up to 3.4x faster image processing compared to 27″ iMac and up to 3x faster image processing compared to Mac Pro with the most common graphics card.
・Compared to 27″ iMac, convert video code up to 7.5 times faster, compared to 16 core Mac Pro, convert video code up to 3.7 times faster.
Speed comparison with older computers when using the M1 Ultra chip:
・Up to 3.8 times faster CPU than the fastest 27-inch iMac with a 10-core processor;
・Up to 90% faster CPU than the 16-core Xeon processor Mac Pro;
・Up to 60% faster CPU than Mac Pro with 28 cores;
・Up to 4.5 times faster image processing than the 27-inch iMac, and up to 80% faster image processing than the fastest Mac graphics cards available.
・Up to 12x faster transcoding video compared to 27″ iMac and up to 5.6x faster transcoding compared to 16-core Mac Pro.
3) Up to 128GB of memory can be installed, and the speed of SSD can be further improved
Mac Studios with M1 Ultra models can have up to 128GB of unified memory with up to 800GB/s of memory bandwidth, while systems with M1 Max can have up to 64GB of unified memory. In contrast, the graphics cards used in today’s most powerful workstations can only carry up to 48GB of video memory.
Mac Studio’s SSD data read speed can reach 7.4GB/s, and storage space can be up to 8TB.
4) Stronger connectivity
The surface of the Mac Studio is already equipped with 2 USB-C ports and an SDXC memory card slot. On the rear, there are 4 Thunderbolt 4 ports, 1 10Gb Ethernet port, 1 HDMI port, and 1 professional audio jack for high-impedance headphones. The host has Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity.
The two USB-C sockets on the front of the fuselage provide different speeds depending on the model.
M1 Max model: supports 10Gb/s USB 3
M1 Ultra model: supports 40Gb/s Thunderbolt 4
Price and Availability
M1 Max model: from HK$15,999 (available to order today, on sale March 18)
M1 Max 10-core CPU, 24-core GPU, 16-core neural network engine, 512GB SSD storage, 32GB unified memory
Optional M1 Max 20-core CPU, 32-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine + $1,500
(Also upgradeable to M1 Ultra processor)
Optional 64GB unified memory + $3,000
(Up to 128GB unified memory is optional if upgraded to M1 Ultra processor)
Optional up to 8TB SSD storage + $18,000 / 4TB SSD storage + $9,000 / 2TB SSD storage + $4,500 / 1TB SSD storage + $1,500
Select all the top options of the M1 Max above, the price is HK$38,499
M1 Ultra model: From HK$30,999 (available to order today, on sale March 18)
M1 Ultra 20-core CPU, 48-core GPU, 32-core Neural Engine, 1TB SSD storage, 64GB unified memory
Optional M1 Ultra 20-core CPU, 64-core GPU, 32-core Neural Engine + $7,500
Optional 128GB unified memory + $6000
Optional up to 8TB SSD storage + $16,500 / 4TB SSD storage + $7,500 / 2TB SSD storage + $3,000
Choose all the top-level configurations above, and the price is HK$60,999
3 key takeaways from Studio Display’s latest computer screen
1) 27-inch, 5K Retina Display
Apple’s latest Studio Display is a 27-inch computer screen. It can be connected to Mac Studio, MacBook series laptops, Mac mini and other computers. The screen pixel is 14.7 million pixels. The maximum brightness can reach 600nits, support P3 color gamut, support 1 billion colors, and support True Tone. Studio Display comes with an anti-reflective coating for better viewing comfort and clarity. For work environments with strong light sources such as sunlight, Studio Display also offers nano-texture glass as an option.
2) Built-in 96W power output
The Studio Display has 4 built-in USB-C ports, including a Thunderbolt 4-compatible port that provides 96W of power output, enough to charge even the most powerful MacBook Pro laptops.
3) Built-in 6 Speaker system, 12-megapixel camera lens
The Studio Display has a built-in 6-speaker sound system that supports Spatial Audio. With Dolby Atmos videos or corresponding music, you can feel the sound coming from all directions.
In addition, the Studio Display is also equipped with a 12-megapixel camera lens and supports the Center Stage “personal centering” function, allowing users and their companions to stay in the frame of the scene, providing a more natural video call. To complement the Studio Display design, the Smart Keyboard, Smart Trackpad and Smart Mouse with Touch ID will be available in a new silver and black version, available as a standalone purchase.
Price and Availability
Studio Display is priced from HK$12,299 (available to order today, on sale on March 18);
The Subtle Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad is priced at HK$1,359, the Subtle Trackpad is priced at HK$1,039, and the Subtle Mouse is priced at HK$729, available in new silver and black