Apple’s Mac Studio Now Packs the M2 Ultra Chip, Offering a Familiar Design With Even More Power
This article discusses Apple’s transition to first-party silicon and its impact on the company’s hardware offerings. The author highlights several key points:
- First-party silicon: Apple has shifted from using Intel processors in its Macs to designing its own chips, known as M-series chips.
- Performance gains: The new M-series chips have led to impressive performance gains across various Mac models, including the MacBook Air and 15-inch MacBook Air.
- Gaming limitations: Despite the hardware advancements, Apple still has a way to go in terms of gaming capabilities on its devices. This is largely due to content availability rather than hardware limitations.
- Mac Studio and Mac Pro: These high-end machines are powered by the M2 Ultra chip, which is essentially two M2 Max chips fused together. They offer impressive performance numbers but come with a higher price tag.
- Modular desktop: The Mac Pro’s return to a modular design acknowledges that users may need specific components or expansions, such as PCIe slots or additional ports.
The article also touches on customization and user experience:
- ‘It just works’ philosophy: Apple’s approach aims to minimize user friction by removing the need for customization.
- Customization limitations: While Apple offers some degree of customization with its Mac Pro model, many users may find it restrictive compared to building their own PC or modifying existing hardware.
The article concludes that while Apple has made significant strides in performance and graphics capabilities, there is still work to be done on the gaming front, particularly regarding content availability.
