DIY Macintosh Studio is an ingenious dock for the iPad mini and Mac Studio

They say necessity is the mother of invention, so it’s probably not surprising that some of the best and sometimes even outrageous designs were born out of someone’s itch, as they call it. Take for example this rather interesting DIY project that gives a home for an iPad mini and hides the Mac Studio in plain sight. While there’s no shortage of products that address those needs separately, this creative solution manages to combine both in an inspired way, paying homage to the product that catapulted Apple to fame 40 years ago: the venerable original Macintosh. Of course, it isn’t just a superficial nostalgia trip, but one that also harnesses some of the best features of Apple’s product design today.

Designer: Scott Yu-Jan

Although it’s patterned after the Mac mini, the powerful Mac Studio is exponentially taller, and its presence can’t be ignored when you place it under a monitor. On the other side of the fence sits the lightweight and compact iPad mini, which has gained a lot of features that almost make it suitable as a desktop device. These two products come from very different lines but share the same family spirit. Putting them together might sound superficial, but this 3D-printed modular case manages to pull it off so tastefully.

Dubbed the Macintosh Studio, the enclosure sits on top of and snugly hugs most of the Mac Studio, leaving only the ports near the bottom unrestricted. The front of the contraption has a slot for the iPad mini to slide in securely and connect to the Mac Mini via a single USB-C cable. This way, the iPad mini is always charged and ready to go when you need it, while also serving as a second screen for the Mac Studio thanks to Apple Sidecar. This gives both devices a customized home without removing anything from their functionality. You can even draw on the iPad quickly, though the position and angle of the screen won’t be ideal for working on art and designs.

The Macintosh Studio design doesn’t just copy the original Macintosh’s form but manages to insert a few modern conveniences to take advantage of all the unused space at the back. There’s a retractable headphone hook at the top, for example, as well as interchangeable drawers for a single portable hard drive or a stack of SSDs. There are other possible designs, but these two, in particular, add value to the experience while still staying within reasonable limits.

Given that it’s simply a 3D-printed enclosure, there’s plenty of flexibility when it comes to the color of the Macintosh Studio. A variety of hues could make it look like a hybrid of the Macintosh and the colorful iMacs, adding a bit of life to what is normally a plain and drab silver aesthetic. All in all, the design is quite ingenious in how it manages to solve two rather different problems while still preserving the individual values of each product.

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Apple Mac Studio: Reasons to upgrade to this powerhouse

Apple has announced an unexpected new member of its Mac family, and while the initial response has been mostly positive, it still raises one critical question: is it worth the upgrade or not?

Apple was expected to announce a refresh to its Mac lineup, but few probably expected it would be making such a big change. The Mac Studio isn’t just its most powerful Mac, threatening even the latest Mac Pro; it also shakes the lineup in a very fundamental way. In effect, Apple seems to be favoring a discrete computer that still needs its own display, slowly moving away from the all-in-one iMac. More importantly, the Mac Studio adds another option for buyers to consider, making it harder to make a decision on whether to opt for this rather pricey desktop computer or stick with your iMac or Mac Pro. We take a closer look at some of the Mac Studio’s most important factors to hopefully help you reach that decision, in case you need to make one really soon.

Designer: Apple

The Competition

In one fell swoop, Apple almost put three of its existing product lines on notice, though one actually dodged the bullet. Although parallels will be drawn due to their relatively more diminutive sizes, the Mac Mini, even the one powered by an Apple M1 chip, serves a completely different purpose and audience. Though definitely powerful enough for basic image and video editing, the Mac Mini is geared towards more casual computing uses and entertainment applications, sometimes even serving as a home media center.

The gigantic Mac Pro is, of course, the easiest target. It’s almost like a David and Goliath scenario where you expect the smaller underdog to emerge victorious. After all, Apple is trying to wean itself off its dependence on Intel CPUs, so proving that bigger isn’t always better might be its ulterior motive. In most cases, the Mac Studio could definitely stand taller than the larger Mac Pro, unless you really need an Intel-based processor for compatibility and discrete graphics cards, in which case the Mac Pro still has no competition on Apple’s desktop lineup.

Instead, the Mac Studio might actually be gunning for the iMac, especially considering that the 27-inch iMac disappeared on the same day that the Mac Studio and Studio Display debuted. The 24-inch M1 iMac is still around, of course, but that might not last long as the overlap between its “Mini Macs” and its all-in-one iMacs narrow even further. All-in-one PCs seem to also be on the decline in general, so it might only be a matter of time before the venerable iMac brand either gets retired or hopefully reused somewhere else.

Performance

Along with the Mac Studio and Studio Display, the new M1 Ultra chip is undoubtedly the star of Apple’s March event. It makes bold claims about performance that threatens whatever is left of Intel’s hold in the Mac world. Its real-world performance does still need to be tested, but if Apple’s track record is any indication, interested buyers need not worry.

To say that the Mac Studio and the M1 Ultra go perfectly together would be an understatement. Admittedly, it has a higher starting price than the M1 Max configuration, but you will be getting the top specs from the get-go. For example, the two ports in front will be Thunderbolt 4 instead of USB-C, offering compatibility with even more devices and opening up more uses beyond just data transfer.

Except for the Mac Pro, none of Apple’s other computers can compete with the plethora of ports available on the Mac Studio. If the name weren’t already suggestive enough, this Apple mini desktop computer is a digital creative’s dream when it comes to connecting with other devices and equipment. Photographers and cinematographers might even be tickled pink by how the SD card slot sits right in the front for easy access, a clear indication that it was a priority rather than an afterthought.

If the Mac Studio could stand toe-to-toe with the Mac Pro in most ways, the one area where some buyers might worry about will be in the graphics arena. Some still need and swear by discrete graphics that are available only on the Intel-powered Mac Pro. Apple is definitely closing in on whatever advantages those might still have, and the Apple M1 Silicon’s graphics performance has been nothing but extraordinary since day one anyway. Even more so if Apple’s promises about the M1 Ultra’s prowess closely match reality.

These will be important metrics for what has been Apple’s most faithful audience from the very beginning: designers, artists, and creatives. Raw CPU power is no longer enough, and image and video processing, not to mention 3D rendering, need heavy-duty graphics silicon, too. With all that power, however, also comes the need for more advanced cooling systems, and Apple promises that the Mac Studio also delivers more with less, as we’ll get to later.

Design

Despite the novel name, the Mac Studio isn’t exactly ground-breaking in its aesthetic. It looks like a very tall Mac Mini with some of the Mac Pro’s grilles on the back and the base. The new mini computer’s design innovation, however, comes from the things you don’t see, especially when you don’t see the Mac Studio itself.

Freedom

Unlike the Mac Mini, the Mac Studio is too big to hide in small spaces, but it still has more flexibility in where you keep it compared to the bigger Mac Pro. You can hide the Mac Studio away from its monitor if you want to, though that means losing easy access to those ports. You at least have the freedom to place it where you want or even move it around places, something that’s not easily done with a traditional tower.

You also have the freedom to choose the monitor you prefer, though Apple will definitely prefer that you opt for the 27-inch Studio Display. These are almost made for each other, if their launch didn’t already make that obvious, with their designs and features complementing each other perfectly. You can, of course, choose differently and upgrade either separately. The same can’t be said for an all-in-one iMac solution where you really get what you pay for and nothing more.

The Mac Studio combines the power of the Mac Pro with the versatility of the Mac Mini without completely erasing the other two’s existence. It does almost make the iMac redundant and seemingly replaces the 27-inch iMac on Apple’s store. It gives people more freedom not only to choose which displays to go with it but also in how to design their workspaces without worrying about how it will take up space.

Sustainability

Apple also gives the new Mac Studio a stronger sustainability narrative than its older peers, one that could help appeal to more environment-conscious buyers. For some parts like magnets and soldering on the mainboard, it uses “100% recycled rare earth elements.” It also used recycled aluminum and plastic in other components. The chassis is built from a single aluminum extrusion that not only adds durability but also reduces the number of materials to keep the parts together.

The Mac Studio also boasts of a thermal management system that keeps the fans from running unless absolutely necessary. Not only does this reduce the noise coming from the Mac, but it also keeps its overall power consumption down. In fact, Apple says that the Mac Studio uses up to 1,000 kWh less energy than an equivalent high-end desktop PC, which is no small claim as far as energy efficiency goes.

Consumer electronics use a lot of non-sustainable materials, and high-end computers consume a lot more power than typical appliances, especially when running for hours with heavy workloads. Reducing their negative impact on the environment one Mac Studio at a time is a small but important step in changing the landscape for the better, something that Apple is strongly committed to doing in the next eight years.

Price

The Mac Studio definitely has a lot going for it, whether you aim for the M1 Max or the top-of-the-line M1 Ultra. As with most Apple products, however, many consumers will balk at Apple’s asking price. While it might sound pricey, it’s actually well within what you’d expect from a premium Apple product. In fact, it might actually be a sweeter deal, depending on how you look at it.

Considering the Mac Pro starts at $5,999, the fact that the Mac Studio starts at $1,999 is almost shocking. That’s for the lowest M1 Max configuration, though, and the M1 Ultra variant actually starts at $3,999. That’s still significantly lower for something that matches the power but surpasses the size of a Mac Pro.

The now-defunct 27-inch iMac started at $1,799, but it’s an apples-to-oranges comparison at this point, no pun intended. Admittedly, the Mac Studio doesn’t come with its own screen, and the Studio Display that Apple probably wants you to buy with it costs $1,599. If you already have a favorite and trusted monitor, though, that’s already one less worry off your back, but suffice it to say, the TCO of a Mac Studio is no laughing matter.

Verdict

So we finally come to the most important of this long piece, to find out whether the Mac Studio is truly worth it, especially for product designers and digital creatives that need a trustworthy partner in their quest for the ultimate render. Presuming you’re aiming for the better M1 Ultra model, here are some considerations to help you reach that answer.

If you’re actually just buying your first Mac in a few years, the answer is already a resounding yes. Short of budget constraints, there’s almost little reason to get a Mac Pro (more on it later) or even an M1 iMac if you’re really investing in a powerhouse. Sure, the iMac does let you keep your desk clean, but it makes sacrifices in power and flexibility, especially when it comes to ports.

If you’re upgrading from an M1 Mac Mini, the answer is also a yes. By now, you have probably been used to whatever limitations there might be in software compatibility, which isn’t that many by now. The most important tools of the trade are already compatible with Apple Silicon, so there’s not much reason to hold back at this point.

Perhaps the only reason to avoid the Mac Studio, other than the price, is if you really need a dedicated GPU like on the Mac Pro. At that point, however, you’ll need to save up even more, which sort of makes the price concern moot. The M1 iMac still does have a place if you’re willing to make compromises on performance for the sake of a neater work area. And there will always be room for a Mac Mini, even a whole rack of them, for certain applications that would be overkill, even for a $1,999 M1 Max Mac Studio.

These all presume that the M1 Ultra is all that it’s cut out to be, which we’ll really know after a few months only. Needless to say, the Apple Mac Studio is kicking up a storm on the Internet and is positioning itself to be Apple’s best desktop to date.

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Apple’s new M1 Ultra Chip has almost 25% of the processing power of the IBM Watson Supercomputer

Proving that desktop computing has indeed come a long way in just 2 decades, the M1 Ultra chip from Apple has 21 TFLOPs of processing power, just over a quarter of the 80 TFLOP processing capacity of the IBM Watson supercomputer that was developed in 2004. Sure, that’s arguably a reductionist way of looking at computing, but to Apple’s own credit, they’ve easily built the most powerful and energy-efficient consumer-grade piece of silicon available on the market today.

Unveiled just today, at Apple’s March 8 ‘Peek Performance’ event, the M1 Ultra is the latest and allegedly the final chip in the M1 family. If last year’s M1 Pro and M1 Max blew the competition out of the water, the M1 Ultra was designed to be even more powerful – with a 20-core CPU, a 64-core GPU, a 32-core Neural Engine, and a Media engine that lets you practically run 18 streams of 8K ProRes 422 video at the same time without the computer breaking a sweat. You hear that sound? That’s the sound of Marques Brownlee’s heavy breathing.

Designer: Apple

As of now, the M1 chip only finds itself in one Apple product – the new Mac Studio, a powerful elder sibling to the Mac Mini, designed to be a multimedia powerhouse designed for the most heavy-duty users. The Mac Studio comes with a choice between the M1 Max chip, and the M1 Ultra chip that’s 80% faster than the fastest Mac Pro Apple has to offer. Measuring just 7.7 inches in width and depth, and 3.7 inches in height, the Mac Studio is slightly larger than, ironically, a Big Mac, and looks about as deliciously beautiful as one too. The entire body is Apple’s signature machined aluminum, with a circular vent on the bottom, Apple’s logo on top, and ports on the front and back.

Within its 3.7-inch tall design, roughly 2 inches of it is just the Mac Studio’s thermal management system – a set of impeller fans that pull air through the vents at the bottom of the device. Between the vents and the thermal management lies the Mac Studio’s ‘meat’ – with two Thunderbolt 4 ports and an SD card slot on the front, and 4 Thunderbolt ports, a 10Gb Ethernet port, 2 USB-A ports, an HDMI port, and a pro audio jack for high-impedance headphones or a professional studio monitor system. The Mac Studio comes with its proprietary power input, although Apple was quick to point out that the Mac Studio’s energy-efficient design saves up to 1000 kWh of energy per year.

Although the Mac Studio is a beast of a device just on its own, every Lone Ranger deserves its Tonto. The Mac Studio gets its sidekick in the form of the Studio Display, a 27-inch 5K Retina monitor that perfectly complements the Mac Studio, and comes with its own internal A13 chip to match up to the Studio’s incredible performance. With a black bezel (a refreshing change from the white bezel of last year’s iMac), the Studio Display also has its own built-in wide-angle camera with Center Stage, and a studio mic array for better audio input during video calls. The screen itself has 600 nits of brightness, and comes with an optional nano-texture glass coating that helps reduce glare.

After that long laundry list of features, don’t expect any of the aforementioned hardware to come cheap. The Mac Studio starts at $1999 with the M1 Max chip, and $3999 with the M1 Ultra chip. The Studio Display, on the other hand, will set you back an additional $1599 for the base model, and add an extra grand for the nano-texture glass coating, or for that tilt and height adjusting stand. This time a kidney won’t cut it. What you’re getting for that price is practically 1/4th as powerful as a supercomputer from 18 years ago.

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