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Mac Studio Q&A
Published April 17, 2025
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What are all the differences between the Mac Studio "M3/M4" (2025) and their predecessors, the Mac Studio "M2" (2023)?
As organized by EveryMac.com, there are two stock "M2" 2023 Mac Studio models -- the Mac Studio "M2 Max" 12 CPU/30 GPU and "M2 Ultra" 24 CPU/60 GPU -- which were replaced by two stock "M3/M4" 2025 Mac Studio models -- the Mac Studio "M3 Ultra" 28 CPU/60 GPU and "M4 Max" 14 CPU/32 GPU.
The 2025 Mac Studio models are quite similar to their predecessors, but have newer and more capable processors and graphics processors as well as more advanced connectivity. They have different identifiers, as well.
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (Mac Studio - Front)
The Mac Studio M2 2023 and Mac Studio M3/M4 2025 models look the same, also. However, the specific differences -- in addition to the similarities -- still are worthwhile to understand.
External Differences
The Mac Studio M2 2023 and Mac Studio M3/M4 2025 models use an identical cuboid case -- 3.7 inches tall and 7.7 inches wide and 7.7 deep. However, the M2 Ultra and M3 Ultra models are around two pounds heavier than the M2 Max and M4 Max models because the higher performance and higher heat Ultra processors use a heavier copper heatsink for cooling whereas the entry-level M2 Max and M4 Max processors from each line use a much lighter aluminum one.
Connectivity Differences
Although ports on all of these models look the same, connectivity differs not only between the Mac Studio M2 2023 and Mac Studio M3/M4 2025 models but also between the entry-level Max and higher-end Ultra models in each line.
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (Mac Studio - Rear Ports)
All of these models have the same two USB-A ports, HDMI port, 10-Gigabit Ethernet port, and 3.5 mm headphone jack on the back. All also have the same SDXC (UHS-II) card slot on the front and support Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3.
All of these models also have four USB-C shaped connectors on the back and two on the front, but the capabilities are different. Specifically, the Mac Studio M2 2023 models have four Thunderbolt 4 ports (up to 40 Gb/s) on the back whereas the Mac Studio M3/M4 2025 have four much faster Thunderbolt 5 ports (up to 120 Gb/s).
However, the two unlabeled ports on the front are different between different models and years. The entry-level Mac Studio M2 Max (2023) and Mac Studio M4 Max (2025) have two USB-C ports (up to 10 Gb/s) whereas the higher-end Mac Studio M2 Ultra (2023) has two Thunderbolt 4 ports (up to 40 Gb/s) and the higher-end Mac Studio M3 Ultra (2025) has two Thunderbolt 5 ports (up to 120 Gb/s).
Display support is quite different between models, too:
| Mac Studio | Maximum Displays | 8K Support |
| M2 Max | 5 | 1 |
| M2 Ultra | 8 | 3 |
| M3 Ultra | 8 | 4 |
| M4 Max | 5 | 1 |
Identification Differences
As diligently hand documented by EveryMac.com from the hardware itself, the Mac Studio M2 2023 and Mac Studio M3/M4 2025 models have different Model Numbers and EMC Numbers on the hardware as well as different Model Identifiers in software:
| Mac Studio | Model No. | EMC No. | Model ID |
| M2 Max | A2901 | 8292 | Mac14,13 |
| M2 Ultra | A2901 | 8292 | Mac14,14 |
| M3 Ultra | A3389 | 8859 | Mac15,14 |
| M4 Max | A3143 | 8549 | Mac16,9 |
EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Lookup feature can identify these models by other identifiers, as well.
More information about specific identifiers is provided in EveryMac.com's extensive Mac Identification section.
Internal Differences
Internally, the most significant differences are between the entry-level and higher-end Mac Studio models from both years. All of these models use similar internal designs, but there are a number of different components.
These differences -- processors, graphics processors, configurations, connectivity, identifiers, and prices -- for the standard Mac Studio models from each year are enumerated below.
Mac Studio M2 Max 2023/M4 Max 2025 Comparison Chart
 Mac Studio M2 Max |
Mac Studio M4 Max |
|
|---|---|---|
| Std. Processors: | 3.68 GHz M2 Max | 4.5 GHz M4 Max |
| CPU Cores: | 12-Cores | 14-Cores |
| GPU Cores: | 30-Cores | 32-Cores |
| Neural Engine: | 16-Core | 16-Core |
| Memory Bandwidth: | 400 GB/s | 410 GB/s |
| Heatsink: | Aluminum | Aluminum |
| Std. RAM: | 32 GB | 36 GB |
| Max. RAM: | 64 GB† | 128 GB† |
| Std. Storage: | 512 GB | 512 GB |
| Wi-Fi: | 802.11ax (6E) | 802.11ax (6E) |
| Bluetooth: | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Thunderbolt: | 4 (4 Ports) | 5 (4 Ports) |
| 10-Gigabit Ethernet: | Yes | Yes |
| Display Support: | 5 | 5 |
| 8K Displays: | 1 | 1 |
| Order Number: | MQH73LL/A | MU963LL/A |
| EMC Number: | 8292 | 8549 |
| Model Identifier: | Mac14,13 | Mac16,9 |
| Weight: | 5.9 lbs. (2.7 kg) | 6.1 lbs. (2.74 kg) |
| Intro Price (US): | US$1999 | US$1999 |
| Intro Price (CA): | C$2699 | C$2699 |
| Intro Price (UK): | £2099 | £2099 |
| Intro Price (FR): | €2399 | €2499 |
| Intro Price (AU): | A$3299 | A$3499 |
† The RAM in the Mac Studio M2 Max and Mac Studio M4 Max can, or could, be upgraded to higher capacity at the time of purchase via custom configuration. The RAM cannot be upgraded after the initial purchase of the computer at all in any Mac Studio models.
Mac Studio M2 Ultra 2023/M3 Ultra 2025 Comparison Chart
Mac Studio M2 Ultra |
Mac Studio M3 Ultra |
|
|---|---|---|
| Std. Processors: | 3.68 GHz M2 Ultra | 4.0 GHz M3 Ultra |
| CPU Cores: | 24-Cores | 28-Cores |
| GPU Cores: | 60-Cores | 60-Cores |
| Neural Engine: | 32-Core | 32-Core |
| Memory Bandwidth: | 800 GB/s | 819 GB/s |
| Heatsink: | Copper | Copper |
| Std. RAM: | 64 GB | 96 GB |
| Max. RAM: | 192 GB† | 512 GB† |
| Std. Storage: | 1 TB | 1 TB |
| Wi-Fi: | 802.11ax (6E) | 802.11ax (6E) |
| Bluetooth: | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Thunderbolt: | 4 (6 Ports) | 5 (6 Ports) |
| 10-Gigabit Ethernet: | Yes | Yes |
| Display Support: | 8 | 8 |
| 8K Displays: | 3 | 4 |
| Order Number: | MQH63LL/A | MU973LL/A |
| EMC Number: | 8292 | 8859 |
| Model Identifier: | Mac14,14 | Mac15,14 |
| Weight: | 7.9 lbs. (3.6 kg) | 8.0 lbs. (3.64 kg) |
| Intro Price (US): | US$3999 | US$3999 |
| Intro Price (CA): | C$5499 | C$5499 |
| Intro Price (UK): | £4199 | £4199 |
| Intro Price (FR): | €4799 | €4999 |
| Intro Price (AU): | A$6599 | A$6999 |
† The RAM in the Mac Studio M2 Ultra and Mac Studio M3 Ultra can, or could, be upgraded to higher capacity at the time of purchase via custom configuration. The RAM cannot be upgraded after the initial purchase of the computer at all in any Mac Studio models.
For pricing information in dozens of other countries, refer to EveryMac.com's Global Original Prices section.
Comparison Summary
Compared to the "2023 M2 Max/M2 Ultra" models replaced, the "2025 M3 Ultra/M4 Max" models are a fairly modest "speed bump" upgrade, but offer (1) significantly more RAM as an optional configuration at the time of initial purchase, (2) higher performance, (3) better external display support, and (4) faster Thunderbolt ports.
New & Used Mac Studio Purchase Options
There are many places to buy a new or used Mac Studio. However, purchasing from a well respected business with a solid track record in the Mac market will provide the ideal experience and save you money and time, too.
In the US, site sponsor Adorama sells new Mac Studio models with free shipping. Other World Computing sells used and refurb Macs at bargain prices with free shipping, as well. Finally, if you need to sell a Mac Studio or just about any other recent Mac, A+ BBB-rated Cash for Your Mac will buy your older Mac with an instant quote and prompt payment.
In the UK, site sponsor Hoxton Macs sells used Mac Studio with a one-year warranty and free next working day delivery throughout the UK.
Please also refer to EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Comparison feature to dynamically compare any Mac Studio to any other Mac.
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