What version of macOS is pre-installed on the Mac Studio?

The initial "2022 M1" Mac Studio models -- the Mac Studio "M1 Max" 10 CPU/24 GPU and Mac Studio "M1 Ultra" 20 CPU/48 GPU -- first shipped with macOS Monterey (macOS 12), specifically macOS 12.3 (21E230).

The current "2023 M2" Mac Studio models -- the the Mac Studio "M2 Max" 12 CPU/30 GPU and "M2 Ultra" 24 CPU/60 GPU -- first shipped with macOS Ventura (macOS 13), specifically macOS 13.4 (22F2073).

Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (Mac Studio)

The Mac Studio models are fully compatible with the current version of the macOS.

How do you transfer data from an older Mac to a Mac Studio? Are adapters required?

Just like Apple states for other recent Macs, the company explains that you can transfer data from your older Mac to a new Mac Studio using the "Migration Assistant" app:

• Connect the older Mac and the Mac Studio to the same Wi-Fi network, which is most straightforward, but could take a long time depending on the amount of data to transfer and the speed of the network connection.
  
  
• Connect a Time Machine backup of your older Mac stored on an external USB hard drive to your new Mac Studio. If your older Mac does not have a USB-C shaped port and you are not using a storage drive equipped with a USB-C port, you will need to use an Apple USB-C to USB adapter (MJ1M2AM/A), Apple USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter (MJ1K2AM/A), or Apple USB-C VGA Multiport Adapter (MJ1L2AM/A) to connect the older hard drive to the new Mac Studio.

Apple's support site offers specific instructions that should be reviewed before attempting to transfer data. As a precaution, EveryMac.com also would strongly suggest that you create an extra backup of your older Mac before attempting to transfer any data between systems.

Site sponsor Adorama sells these adapters as well as the Mac Studio with free shipping.

How do you restore the operating system on the Mac Studio?

Apple does not include a physical restoration method for the Mac Studio or other Apple Silicon-powered Macs. Instead, the macOS on the Mac Studio is equipped with built-in "macOS Recovery" capability.

To access macOS Recovery, simply boot the Mac Studio and continue to press and hold the power button. Momentarily, a window with startup options will appear. Click the "Gear Icon" listed as "Options" then select Continue to start the recovery process.

More details about "macOS Recovery" specific to Apple Silicon processor-equipped Macs are provided on the Apple Support Site.

Can the Mac Studio run older macOS apps?

Yes, for the most part. The majority of macOS apps that will run on recent Intel-based Macs also will run on the Mac Studio, and other Apple Silicon-powered Macs, using Apple's integrated "Rosetta 2" software environment.

Can the Mac Studio run Windows?

Unlike Intel-based Macs, the Mac Studio is not able to boot into Windows directly. However, it is capable of running Windows using versions of Parallels Desktop and VMWare Fusion created specifically for Apple Silicon processors.