What custom processor options are available for the Mac Studio? Is it possible to upgrade the processor after purchase?

As confirmed by site sponsor OWC in its customary teardown, the initial "M1 2022" Mac Studio models do not have a processor (SoC) that is designed to be upgraded after purchase. The subsequent, current, "M2 2023" Mac Studio models are the same general design and likewise do not have upgradable processors.

Photo Credit: Other World Computing (Mac Studio Processor)

However, at the time of initial system purchase, the processor can, or could, be upgraded as a configure-to-order option.

For the now discontinued "2022 M1" models, the entry-level Mac Studio "M1 Max" 10 CPU/24 GPU could be upgraded to a M1 Max 10 CPU/32 GPU, M1 Ultra 20 CPU/48 GPU, or M1 Ultra 20 CPU/64 GPU processor whereas the higher-end Mac Studio "M1 Ultra" 20 CPU/48 GPU could be upgraded to a M1 Ultra 20 CPU/64 GPU processor.

For the current "2023 M2" models, the entry-level Mac Studio "M2 Max" 12 CPU/30 GPU can be upgraded to an M2 Max 12 CPU/38 GPU, M2 Ultra 24 CPU/60 GPU, or M2 Ultra 24 CPU/76 GPU processor whereas the higher-end Mac Studio "M2 Ultra" 24 CPU/60 GPU can be upgraded to an M2 Ultra 24 CPU/76 GPU processor.

What type of RAM does the Mac Studio use? Can it be upgraded?

The Mac Studio models all have "unified" RAM onboard that is integrated with the processor (SoC). It cannot be upgraded after the initial system purchase, but all models can, or could, be equipped at the time of initial system purchase with more RAM than its default configuration, though.

For the now discontinued "2022 M1" models, the entry-level Mac Studio "M1 Max" 10 CPU/24 GPU was equipped by default with 32 GB of RAM and could be upgraded to 64 GB as a custom configuration option. The high-end Mac Studio "M1 Ultra" 20 CPU/48 GPU, on the other hand, was equipped by default with 64 GB of RAM with 128 GB as a custom configuration option.

For the current "2023 M2" models, the entry-level Mac Studio "M2 Max" 12 CPU/30 GPU can be upgraded from its default 32 of RAM to 64 GB or 96 GB of RAM at the time of system purchase (96 GB of RAM also requires an upgrade to the 38-Core GPU option) and the higher-end Mac Studio "M2 Ultra" 24 CPU/60 GPU can be upgraded from its default 64 GB of RAM to 128 GB or 192 GB of RAM at the time of system purchase.

To reiterate, no Mac Studio models have RAM that can be upgraded after the initial purchase of the system.

Does the Mac Studio provide PCIe slots? What external expansion is available?

No Mac Studio models provide PCIe slots. The highest performance external expansion option is provided by Thunderbolt 4 ports (USB-C shaped connector).

Models equipped with an M1 Max or M2 Max processor have four Thunderbolt 4 ports and models equipped with an M1 Ultra or M2 Ultra processor have six Thunderbolt 4 ports.