Mac Studio: M1 Max vs. M1 Ultra?

[pdxindy]

Here's a slightly different take on this. Given that the single core performance of the M1 series is similar (identical?) across the line, and, given that the M1 based Macs have been out for more than a year, I would choose the Max over the Ultra. It seems that the kinds of multi-core workloads that would stress a Max aren't going to be all that common, but that single core performance demands are likely to continue to increase over time.

Plus I guess that the Max will be cooler and quieter than the Ultra... important in my studio anyway.'

With my new 16" MBP, I went for the M1-Pro rather than Max cause I figured it would also be cooler and quieter. So far I have not heard a peep of fan noise from my M1-Pro MBP and it is never more than warm. Most of the time I cannot tell a difference from ambient temp when touching it. It's freakin awesome in that regard!

[elxsound]

Here's a slightly different take on this. Given that the single core performance of the M1 series is similar (identical?) across the line, and, given that the M1 based Macs have been out for more than a year, I would choose the Max over the Ultra. It seems that the kinds of multi-core workloads that would stress a Max aren't going to be all that common, but that single core performance demands are likely to continue to increase over time.

Plus I guess that the Max will be cooler and quieter than the Ultra... important in my studio anyway.'

With my new 16" MBP, I went for the M1-Pro rather than Max cause I figured it would also be cooler and quieter. So far I have not heard a peep of fan noise from my M1-Pro MBP and it is never more than warm. Most of the time I cannot tell a difference from ambient temp when touching it. It's freakin awesome in that regard!

Has anyone seen any info on how quiet/loud the fans are? I’m guessing it’s still too soon.

Its not the biggest issue for me (and only the Max is my budget) but I’m just curious because that box is basically all fan.

[dellboy]

Has anyone seen any info on how quiet/loud the fans are? I’m guessing it’s still too soon.

Its not the biggest issue for me (and only the Max is my budget) but I’m just curious because that box is basically all fan.

The email they sent me says its whisper quiet, so I think you can trust them that it will be be whisper quiet.


"Plays it cool.

Within the 19.7-centimetre-square Mac Studio enclosure lies a groundbreaking thermal system designed to let M1 Max or M1 Ultra fly through heavy workloads at screaming-fast speeds — and stay whisper quiet."

https://www.apple.com/uk/mac-studio/

[Synth Master Jedi]

Has anyone seen any info on how quiet/loud the fans are? I’m guessing it’s still too soon.

Its not the biggest issue for me (and only the Max is my budget) but I’m just curious because that box is basically all fan.

The Ultra weighs considerably more than the Max, so there must also be some sort of hefty heatsink inside of there also for each Max chip and it seems like the Ultra has twice the heatsink of the Max, based on the extra weight. I have not seen any tear downs, this is me just assuming.

As for quiet, Apple did point out that they were pretty quiet, so I guess that they aren't lying.

[PAK]

Yep, I don't think the giant heatsink is there because an M1 Ultra is difficult to cool. I think it's there precisely because Apple want to keep the fan speeds low, so they've chosen a giant heatsink which helps stop the fan speeds ramping up..

[pdxindy]

Macrumors mentions that the regular Mac Mini will still be updated and that there will be one later this year with an M2-Pro. The rumor is that it could be 12 cores and it is also expected that the M2 cpus will have faster single core speeds than the M1.

That would be the machine for audio for me. I don't need all the fast graphics processing as I'm no longer editing video.

[pdxindy]

I'm disappointed in the new Apple display. I would like an Apple display that has a high quality screen to go in my studio. however, I do not need the camera, Siri, an A13 cpu, a sound system and all that. Just a screen.

[ghettosynth]

Macrumors mentions that the regular Mac Mini will still be updated and that there will be one later this year with an M2-Pro. The rumor is that it could be 12 cores and it is also expected that the M2 cpus will have faster single core speeds than the M1.

That would be the machine for audio for me. I don't need all the fast graphics processing as I'm no longer editing video.

Indeed. I suppose I could have just liked your post, but I wanted to hear the sound of my own voice.

[Synth Master Jedi]

I'm disappointed in the new Apple display. I would like an Apple display that has a high quality screen to go in my studio. however, I do not need the camera, Siri, an A13 cpu, a sound system and all that. Just a screen.

I would assume that most of the people buying the display are buying it because it's Apple and because it also has all of those features that you do not need. The Facetime stuff where the camera tracks and follows your movements seems pretty cool.

I'd estimate that there are approximately 1,076 other displays available on the market that will suit your needs perfectly.

[ghettosynth]

I'm disappointed in the new Apple display. I would like an Apple display that has a high quality screen to go in my studio. however, I do not need the camera, Siri, an A13 cpu, a sound system and all that. Just a screen.

I would assume that most of the people buying the display are buying it because it's Apple and because it also has all of those features that you do not need. The Facetime stuff where the camera tracks and follows your movements seems pretty cool.

I'd estimate that there are approximately 1,076 other displays available on the market that will suit your needs perfectly.

I take his point here though. I imagine there are plenty of people who want a display with excellent color that is also Mac branded but have no need for a camera or sound system. For example, probably every single person who's primarily using it for video/photo/audio work. A camera seems like something of a consumer attachment and, while having speakers in monitors can be useful, they're probably less so for people doing audio/video work.

[Synth Master Jedi]

I take his point here though. I imagine there are plenty of people who want a display with excellent color that is also Mac branded but have no need for a camera or sound system. For example, probably every single person who's primarily using it for video/photo/audio work. A camera seems like something of a consumer attachment and, while having speakers in monitors can be useful, they're probably less so for people doing audio/video work.

I think that the Apple display seems targeted at people who are looking for something that might be a replacement for a 27" iMac display.

Apple does have its XDR display of course which is targeted at pros, but I just read a rumor yesterday that there is another Apple display possibly coming soon and they'll probably release it along with the new Mac Pro this summer, if we are to believe those rumors.

It will be a step up from this current released display and will also cost more of course. I'm not sure if it'll be a replacement for the XDR display, or if it will fall somewhere in between the XDR display and the Apple Studio display, both in specs and price.

[chromefile]

EDIT: Ciao, tipo enojado.
_____________________

I was speccing a Max last night and the trade-in offer for my 5 year old 27 iMac was about $350. Is that good? Crap? I have no idea on this sort of resale value.

In other news, where TF are the M1 iMac 27s?

[elxsound]

Damn shame the main Mac Studio thread just been locked by OP. Totally huge innovation in Apple-centric music production and thread has to get locked, pity. GRRRRR.

I was speccing a Max last night and the trade-in offer for my 5 year old 27 iMac was about $350. Is that good? Crap? I have no idea on this sort of resale value.

In other news, where TF are the M1 iMac 27s?

Not sure about what the 2nd hand market goes for. My trade-in offer is $440. I bought mine new in March of 2018. Most likely the missus will take this one instead of me trading it in. She doesn't need power features, just needs enough to do occasional basic processing and her using this one is cheaper than buying anything else.

[chromefile]

EDIT

I was speccing a Max last night and the trade-in offer for my 5 year old 27 iMac was about $350. Is that good? Crap? I have no idea on this sort of resale value.

In other news, where TF are the M1 iMac 27s?

Not sure about what the 2nd hand market goes for. My trade-in offer is $440. I bought mine new in March of 2018. Most likely the missus will take this one instead of me trading it in. She doesn't need power features, just needs enough to do occasional basic processing and her using this one is cheaper than buying anything else.

totally on the fence at the moment as I really did want an iMac but these look so cool.

You're right, the trade-in amount wouldn't cover much of a Mac on the 2nd hand market.

Hmmmm.

[blue monk]

Has anyone seen any info on how quiet/loud the fans are? I’m guessing it’s still too soon.

Yes. The German C'T Magazine has a youtube video.
According to them, the maximum loudness that they have measured for their Mac Studio with M1 Max was 0.2 SONE (typical gaming PC when used easily 1.5 sone).
That is probably just over 20 decibels if I interpret the table on this page correctly: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sone

Google search for info about the sone loudness unit/scale (not that you couldn't google that yourself, it's my way of saying 'don't ask me')
https://www.google.com/search?q=sone+lo ... nt=gws-wiz

Topic fan noise at 11 minutes 27 seconds (German):
'almost always inaudible. The maximum we measured was 0.2 sone'