Mac Studio (2025, M4 Max) vs Mac Studio (M5 Max)
Only the differences are shown. 20 specs stay the same.
+3you gain
−0you give up
Mac Studio (2025, M4 Max) came out in March 2025. Mac Studio (M5 Max) came out in September 2026, almost 2 years later. Both run macOS 27 with Apple Intelligence.
Chip & memory
Apple M4 Max → Apple M5 Max
18 CPU cores
Ports & charging
Wi-Fi 6E → Wi-Fi 7
Bluetooth 6
Price check
Mac Studio (M5 Max) launched at $2,499
Not currently sold refurbished by Back Market or Apple.
All 6 differences
Price1 change
Price check
Mac Studio (M5 Max) — launched at $2,499
- Used on eBay
- Back Market does not currently list this model
- Apple does not currently sell this model refurbished
What your Mac Studio (2025, M4 Max) sells for
- Apple Trade In estimate
- Sold listings on eBay
eBay may ask you to sign in to see sold prices.
Links open in a new tab. Prices are set by each seller and change daily.
Launch price (US)
$1,999›$2,499+$500
What does this mean?
The price Apple charged in the US on launch day for the lowest configuration, before tax.
This is not what the Mac costs today. More memory, storage or a faster chip cost extra. Older models drop in price over time, so check the used and refurbished links for current prices.
Chip & memory1 gain · 1 change
Chip options: Mac Studio (2025, M4 Max)
- M4 Max 14-core CPU / 32-core GPU
- M4 Max 16-core CPU / 40-core GPU
Chip options: Mac Studio (M5 Max)
- M5 Max 18-core CPU / 32-core GPU
- M5 Max 18-core CPU / 40-core GPU
Chip
Apple M4 Max›Apple M5 Max
What does this mean?
The chip is the Mac's brain. Since late 2020 Apple uses its own chips (Apple silicon: M1, M2 and later). Before that, MacBooks used Intel processors.
Apple silicon Macs run cooler and much longer on battery than Intel MacBooks, and can run many iPhone and iPad apps. Intel Macs can run Windows directly with Boot Camp; Apple silicon Macs cannot.
Matters most if: You need Windows, or you want the longest battery life.
CPU cores
14›18
What does this mean?
The CPU is the part of the chip that runs your apps. More cores means it can work on more things at the same time.
More cores help most when exporting video, compiling code or running many apps at once. For browsing and email, the difference is small. Cores are only comparable within the same family: one Apple silicon core and one Intel core do not do the same amount of work.
GPU cores
32 (same on both)
What does this mean?
The GPU handles graphics: what you see on screen, games, and video and photo effects. Apple lists GPU cores for its own chips.
More GPU cores make games, 3D work and video editing smoother. "Not published by Apple" means the Mac uses Intel or AMD graphics, which Apple does not describe in cores.
Neural Engine cores
16 (same on both)
What does this mean?
The Neural Engine is a part of Apple silicon built for machine learning tasks, such as recognizing faces and text in photos.
It speeds up features like Live Text, photo search, voice dictation and Apple Intelligence, while using little battery. Intel Macs do not have one.
Memory type
Unified memory (same on both)
What does this mean?
Memory (RAM) is the working space for open apps and files. Apple silicon uses unified memory: one pool shared by the CPU, GPU and Neural Engine. Intel Macs list a memory type such as DDR4.
Unified memory is part of the chip, so it cannot be added later. Apple's spec pages list user-accessible memory slots only for the 27-inch Intel iMac and the 2019 Mac Pro.
Memory (base)
36 GB (same on both)
What does this mean?
How much memory (RAM) the cheapest configuration comes with, in gigabytes (GB).
More memory lets you keep more apps and browser tabs open without slowing down. 8 GB is enough for browsing and documents; 16 GB or more helps with photo editing, video and many apps at once. On Apple silicon Macs memory cannot be added later.
Matters most if: You keep many apps or tabs open, or edit photos and video.
Memory (most you can order)
128 GB (same on both)
What does this mean?
The most memory you could order from Apple for this model.
Only matters if you plan to buy a high-end configuration, for example for large video projects or software development.
Storage (base)
512 GB (same on both)
What does this mean?
Storage is where your files, photos and apps are kept. This is the amount in the cheapest configuration. 1 TB (terabyte) is 1,024 GB. Some older iMacs came with a hard drive or Fusion Drive instead of an SSD; the notes say when.
A desktop Mac can keep an external drive plugged in all the time, which makes a smaller internal drive easier to live with. Photo libraries and video fill storage fastest.
Storage (most you can order)
8 TB (same on both)
What does this mean?
The most storage you could order from Apple for this model.
Only matters if you need to keep very large files on the Mac itself rather than on an external drive.
Ports & charging2 gains
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi 6E›Wi-Fi 7
What does this mean?
Wi-Fi generations. Each new one handles more devices at once and higher speeds: Wi-Fi 5 (2014), Wi-Fi 6 (2019), Wi-Fi 6E adds a new, less crowded radio band, Wi-Fi 7 is the newest.
You only get the extra speed if your router supports the same generation. With an older router, the difference is small.
Bluetooth
Bluetooth 5.3›Bluetooth 6
What does this mean?
Bluetooth connects wireless headphones, mice, keyboards and game controllers. Newer versions have more range and use less power.
Most accessories work with any of these versions. Newer versions mainly help with range and connection stability.
Ports
4x Thunderbolt 5 (USB-C), 2x USB-C (up to 10Gb/s), 2x USB-A (up to 5Gb/s), HDMI, SDXC card slot, 3.5 mm headphone jack (same on both)
What does this mean?
The sockets on the Mac, front and back together. Each row shows one port gained or lost. Ethernet has its own row.
Built-in HDMI and an SD card slot mean fewer adapters when you connect a TV or projector or copy photos from a camera. With fewer ports you rely more on USB-C hubs and adapters.
Matters most if: You connect displays, cameras or many accessories.
Front ports
2x USB-C (up to 10Gb/s), SDXC card slot (same on both)
What does this mean?
The ports on the front of the Mac, which you can reach without turning it around. They are also counted in Ports.
Handy for things you plug in and out often, such as headphones, a USB stick or an SD card from a camera. "Not listed separately by Apple" means Apple's spec page lists the ports without saying which are on the front.
Thunderbolt version
Thunderbolt 5 (same on both)
What does this mean?
Thunderbolt is a fast connection that uses the USB-C plug (Thunderbolt 2 used an older, smaller plug). Gb/s is gigabits per second. Thunderbolt 2 goes up to 20 Gb/s, Thunderbolt 3 and 4 up to 40 Gb/s, and Thunderbolt 5 up to 120 Gb/s.
Faster Thunderbolt matters for external SSDs, docks and high-resolution displays. For charging, keyboards and mice, every version works the same.
Ethernet
10Gb Ethernet (same on both)
What does this mean?
Ethernet is a wired network connection: a cable from the Mac to your router. Gigabit Ethernet carries up to 1 Gb/s (gigabit per second), 2.5Gb Ethernet up to 2.5 Gb/s and 10Gb Ethernet up to 10 Gb/s. "10Gb option" means Apple sold a 10Gb port as an option when you ordered; "optional" means Ethernet itself was an option.
A cable is steadier than Wi-Fi for video calls and large downloads. The faster speeds only help if your router, switch or network drive is just as fast.
Matters most if: You copy large files to and from a network drive or other computers.
External displays (most)
5 external displays (same on both)
What does this mean?
The most separate displays you can connect at the same time, as Apple's spec page lists it. On an iMac this is on top of its own screen.
Very high resolutions or refresh rates can lower the number; Apple's spec page lists the exact combinations. More display support helps when you spread your work across several screens.
Matters most if: You want two or more monitors on your desk.
Maximum continuous power
480 W (same on both)
Design1 change
Weight
2.74 kg›2.7 kg
What does this mean?
Weight in kilograms. 1 kg is about 2.2 pounds.
For a desktop Mac, weight matters when you move it or take it between places.
Height
9.5 cm (same on both)
Width
19.7 cm (same on both)
Depth
19.7 cm (same on both)
Speakers
Built-in speaker (same on both)
What does this mean?
How Apple describes the Mac's speakers on its spec page. Apple's wording varies between models. We show it exactly as Apple lists it.
Apple lists a single built-in speaker for Mac mini, Mac Studio and Mac Pro, so for music and films you will want speakers or headphones. Systems with force-cancelling woofers give fuller sound with more bass.