Don't Overlook These Features! | Mac Studio (2023) First Impressions

My first look at the 2023 Mac Studio with the M2 Max base configuration.
ALL MY SETUP GEAR IS LISTED BELOW 👇
I've been using the M2 Pro Mac Mini for about 6 months, and after picking up the M2 Max Mac Studio, I can definitely see some advantages the Studio has over that machine and the M1 Max-based 2022 Mac Studio. In this video I'll go over some lesser talked about specs and why their important, and just give my first thoughts on this machine.
Stay tuned for more M2 Max Mac Studio videos, as well as the all-new 15-inch MacBook Air content!
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MY DESK SETUP GEAR:
LG 27UQ850-W Ultrafine 4K Monitor | amzn.to/3o1Beoh
Vivo Monitor Arm | amzn.to/3CtYkWE
Logitech MX Master 3S Mouse | amzn.to/3mkvEfS
Logitech MX Keys Mini | amzn.to/3PrfUQE
Flexispot Standing Desk | bit.ly/3xUYJ40
Monoprice Cable Tray | amzn.to/3A5nb3t
Orbitkey Desk Mat & Keyholder | bit.ly/41jSoMg
Fluance Ai41 Speakers | amzn.to/3oi6wah
Kanto S4 Speaker Stands | amzn.to/3A6cWvw
CalDigit TS4 USB Hub | amzn.to/3Fc80Ji
Acasis USB4 SSD Enclosure | amzn.to/3L07z5V
Western Digital SN770 SD | amzn.to/3A6aZPI
Grid Studio iPhone Classic Kit | shrsl.com/3nsgi
BenQ ScreenBar Monitor Light | amzn.to/3w7DQBH
Gove RGBIC Strip Lights | amzn.to/3CvITx3
Mandalorian Lego Figures | amzn.to/3Et0oyB
Nomad Base One Max | www.dpbolvw.net/click-1004155...
Autonomous ErgoChair Pro | www.autonomous.ai/office-chai...
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[@MusicMakingEnglishMan]

Last computer I bought was a MBP from 2015 and it lasted until this year.. it was amazing. I’m hoping this Mac Studio follows in its footsteps. Before anyone says, yes I decided to treat myself, I fucking deserve it 😂 I bought the M2 Max with the upgraded chip, 64gb Ram and 2tb SSD.

[@Marventrepreneur]

I just did too! Shipping aug. 25th! Can’t wait to get it!

[@MusicMakingEnglishMan]

@@Marventrepreneur I was not disappointed with my purchase, 3 months after I’m still very happy, it’s been great.

[@kevinkrause5798]

I got that too, except with 96 gb of ram. It flies through everything. And it’s just nice knowing you have plenty of power and headroom to do all sorts of programs at once.

[@MusicMakingEnglishMan]

@@kevinkrause5798 I don’t think I’ve once maxed out the CPU in either Cubase or Bitwig. We’re talking 40 tracks on average, multiple lanes of automation, Arturia Analog Labs and sends/returns x4 oversampling on some plugins. All at 256 samples. Literally flying through 😆😎.

[@adamusparadus7830]

Let's bear in mind that, normally, these Mac Studio are not primarily intended for personal usage but for professionals and enterprises Studios (photography and videos editing) that have enough money to spend in order to get all the performances set in these types of computers in order to easily achieve what they want to realize in their daily tasks.

[@Igneous773]

Do you think its beneficial for writers and product designers?

[@seanmolincreative]

I can answer this. A writer would be completely wasting money if they are simply working on documents and doing standard media consumption. Any M1 computer would be more than adequate. Product Design is a bit more varied. If you're doing 3D modeling/rendering, then the Studio is looking like a reasonable proposition. At the end of the day, almost anyone can get by with anything, it comes down to time. Are you someone where you need rendering or exports to be 5-10 minutes instead of 30-40? Time in money for some, and that's where the value comes from.@@Igneous773

[@erique_k]

@@Igneous773writers - no. Get a MacBook Air. Product designers - yes.

[@dadvswildpodcast]

Great review! Just ordered.

[@Dulcilady]

A Question. I’m looking for future proofing since this is the last computer I’ll be buying & my first Apple computer. I use my IPad all the time when I travel & an IPhone 12 Pro Max which will be due for an upgrade in the next year or so. The only camera I use is on my phone & lately, set to 4k video & as high as resolution for photos (not hi res though). With the iPhone 15 pros camera at 48 pixels vs the IP 12 pro at 12 pixels, won’t that make a difference in processing, rendering & storage? I’m thinking that would lean towards the studio (again thinking future proof). Either one would have to be at least 1TB for the storage in my thinking.

[@markstyles5103]

How does this info affect those who use their mac for Logic Pro X?

[@alma175w]

I’d really be curious to see batch editing, say 720 images for a timelapse and then an export time. Looking at the Mac Studio M2 Max. The Ultra is out of my budget, as I need a monitor too, so I’m most interested in the M2 Max, with the unbined CPU/GPU.

[@gerryb3179]

Hi Kyle, You're truly amazind and knowledgeable about Apple products and more. I have an 11 year old IMac 27 and I am a professional photographer. Now by the end of December my present to myself will be MAC Studio M2 Max. I have purchased some of your suggestions and I want to make sure I'am OK. Acasis-Tool-Free, Samsung 980 Pro 2TB and a Wavlink 4k docking station. How am I doing so far? Any other advice and how will I handle the transition? Awaiting your response.... Gerry

[@michaelbyrd4004]

Thanks dude!

[@anderbeau]

after hearing about the CalDigit over and over and over I finally bought one to pair with my M2 Ultra Mac Studio... I'm obsessed 🤩

[@PolluxChung]

My M1 Max Studio still serves me fine. No need to upgrade any time soon.

[@man-bagdammit2297]

Just go to the hardware store and buy some rubber feet for under your current riser and that should raise it up enough for your Studio.

[@u4tmradio]

I’m waiting till next year for the M4 chip

[@MaestroWenarto]

it would be $6000 for the Ultra M4

[@bryans8656]

I purchased the M1 Studio Max when it released last year (base model) and couldn't be happier with it. I can't justify the expense of upgrading to the M2 for the spec bump or other features, especially since I'm hard wired to the internet. If I didn't have the M1, however, it would be a tough choice.

[@alexblankenship7385]

I still have a 2010 Mac Mini for my desktop. I finally will upgrade and get the new Studio, which will be a huge upgrade.

[@bryans8656]

@@alexblankenship7385 Whichever M chip you get I think you'll be very happy with it.

[@crazycomments8038]

You have to experience with both machines then make that decision. Just my opinion.

[@bryans8656]

@@crazycomments8038 That would be the ideal situation, but I think it also depends on how you're using it.

[@willm5032]

Ya know on reflection I probably should have waited a couple months and spent £200 more nd got a base level M2 studio instead of my M2 Pro mini (with xxxtra ram) but even that small boi is overpowered for my needs. Such a capable machine. Its nice to see videos on this without huge leaning on benchmarks and that. Benchmarks are fun but ultimately use case is the biggest factor

[@hugonot2008]

which confiiguration of mini do you have?

[@willm5032]

​@@hugonot2008 I've got the M2 Pro mac mini with the base pro chip, 500gb ssd but upgraded to 32gb ram. I've extended the storage with a dock thing with an internal 2tb HDD and also an external drive adapter with a 2tb and 1tb drives I took out of my old mac pro. Amazing setup for the price. Honestly more power than I really need but I'm a beliver in buying the best you can afford and looking after it

[@hugonot2008]

@@willm5032 A dock thing with an internal 2tb HDD sounds very good - I have never seen this dedicated for Mac, great idea. I use only Sandisk SDD drives attached to my IMac. Which docaking station do you have? Is it possible to change SDD/HDD inside it? I was considering 32 GB + 1 TB Mac Mini Pro or Studio. Yours solution sounds much better.

[@willm5032]

@@hugonot2008 so the dock is one on like Amazon, it is basically powered by thunderbolt and has a 2.5" Sata bay that you can connect any drive/ssd. it actually sits under the mini and adds some ports too. The dock I use is like, sabrent? But it's just a 3.5" drive adapter, that uses mains power and usb3 for data. theres loads online! I'd still say get a base level m2 studio honestly, for the little bit extra on a M2 pro mini you'll get a load more performance

[@willm5032]

@@hugonot2008 that said, my use case, a mini pro is perfect. I'm a graphic designer with a dedicated office set up. The mini is my home machine for the odd bit of remote work, side projects, video editing (reels and band video stuff nothing too demanding) and photo editing. If that's similar to your use case you'd be fine with the setup I have, it's been amazing so far

[@coffeeandchocolategames]

WiFi6E? C'mon, man, if you need speed and reliability, the cognoscenti is plugging their Cat6 cable into that juicy 10Gbs ethernet port on the back. Wires always work!

[@ekphotography]

I am wondering if you know if it is possible to run FCPX and all it's plugins off an external Hard drive? Just wondering in case I want to get the base model bc I have 140 gigs of plugins in FCPX and about 130 gigs of Apps currently on my system, so 512 would be just too little in my case. Does anybody know if that is possible? Not an external hard drive with OS Boot drive, I mean just a normal SSD drive? Thanks!

[@deborahgallegos5334]

Very curious because I’m in the same boat

[@ekphotography]

@@deborahgallegos5334 I ended up getting the M2 32 gigs ram and 1tb SSD..

[@jordandonnellymusic]

Also hoping this question gets answered!

[@roblloyd_]

Great video! Do you think the M2 Max chip would be overkill for someone only doing photo editing in LR/PS, no video at all?

[@ekphotography]

for sure, No way you need a studio.

[@bryans8656]

It sure would be fun overkill 🙂. You might want to consider the M1. Less overkill and less money.

[@55beethoven]

I was in the same boat and decided to spend the extra to get the M2 Max. Having used it for a week or so now, I’m glad I did. Worth the extra money to me given the other upgrades to the ports and such from the M1 Max. I also upgraded to the 1tb drive.

[@ssaini5028]

Yup overkill

[@seanmolincreative]

I will add an asterisk to this that others aren't. The Max could make a difference if you're working with a ton of layers or you're doing high-volume exports and time is money. You will absolutely see the difference in saving and exporting. If you're shooting events and weddings on a weekly basis and regularly doing 1000+ image exports, you're also hopefully making enough money to spend the extra to go to a Studio over a Mini, and you'll really love that extra overhead.

[@jacobmounts8975]

Waiting to see the lineup of products when the M3 comes out in 6-8 months.

[@ssaini5028]

M3 Mac will come out in 2024 June

[@dsl3994]

And then you’ll wait for the M4 studio🤣

[@bigprimo79]

then when M3 comes out you will wait for the M4 to come out

[@Applecompuser]

Seems like thermals would be better over the same Mac Mini config. Anyone run tests on same?

[@samuelrave]

My Mac Studio M1 Max with 512GB storage does get almost 6000MB's read and write!

[@wedomusic.]

nice

[@adrianjackson3361]

Really can’t decide between the MacStudio or a MacBook Pro. I’m a wedding photographer and moving from Windows to Mac, with the exception of the obvious portability of a laptop are there any suggestions on which to go for. I have a BenQ monitor at present.

[@martyptx]

I’m looking at choosing between the new Mac Studio 32GB/1TB and the Mac Mini M2Pro 32GB/1TB, as well. I’m an advanced hobbyist in both photography and videography, who has just retired. I recently retired, and I think that both systems are probably overkill for me, but I expect to get a lot out of the system for several years. I’m leaning towards the new Mac Studio, primarily for the extra ports and of course the CPU with more cores. If I was a professional, using the Mac to make money, I would have already ordered the new Studio. Good Luck!

[@hugonot2008]

@@martyptx I am considering the same options, have you already made a decision?

[@martyptx]

I have found the comparison videos in the “Max Tech” very helpful and informative. Since my focus is photo editing and video editing, the M2Max Studio seems like the better choice. I’m also concerned about heat. And the Studio extra ports in front is a big plus. Since the price difference on the configurations that I would order is not that much, I have decided to order the Studio either tonight or tomorrow morning. Good luck! I think either option is a great choice. Since I can afford it I went with the slightly more expensive option. Plus I love idea of getting a new computer about a month after it was announced! 😎

[@martyptx]

@@hugonot2008 yes, I. Plan to order the M2Max Studio with 1TB SSD. See my other longer reply with the details 😎

[@hugonot2008]

@@martyptx thanks a lot, I am very interested in your opinion when you will get in. Will you use it with Appie Display Studio? I need to purchase display and hestitate which version will be better nano or standard - it is not easy choice.

[@frazerweb]

I'm starting to see the M1 mac studio base model drop in price as low as £1300, and Im sure it will drop to £1000 price point by end of year. Inless you want to pay the new tax, lately I always get this tech second hand, as long as its in good condition. M3 mac studio will soon be replacing this one but Id be happy with M1 version, as its still very fast, and I know how to work efficiently on apple computers.

[@wackyp]

I bought M1 MAX studio base and M1 Air 16/256 for lots of the top second hand yet almost new.

[@LeicaM11]

HDMI might be improved, but is not a suitable connection for PCs, but TVs. Displayport is the option to go and have, as it more advanced and does not ruin on of Thunderbolt ports. Yes, always use the good old Geekbench 5, even in the year 2055!😂

[@KyleErickson]

why isn't it suitable?

[@litesoutproduction]

I have the M2 Max with a 38 core GPU and while doing very basic fusion compositions I saw that little wheel spinning a few times. A color one and a black and white one as well. I’m new to Mac 🖥️ but did not think that was a good sign

[@hugonot2008]

how much RAM do you have?

[@crazycomments8038]

It is obvious it must be 32GB or more.@@hugonot2008

[@se7enity648]

Not having the SD card not push click into the slot and push clicking the card to remove it is very bad on Apples part. It makes the card reader feel cheap. Some of my card will crash the Mac Studio while others work ok. I find this SD card reader unreliable.

[@ekphotography]

Dang it, just when I was about to get the M1 Max for a great price!! Now I have to really think about getting the new one. Thanks for nothing! Lol

[@MareeJaeger]

😂that comment cracked me up lol

[@ekphotography]

Got the M2 Max on the way 😎

[@se7enity648]

While I am at it, why put the power button on the back any why make it flush with the body. I have to move it every time I want to switch the Mac Studio on. I know you are supposed to leave it switched on, but I like turning it off when I’m not using it, cost of electricity and saving the planet is more important.