Overview
- Apple enabled the 512GB unified‑memory configurator for the Mac Studio M5 Ultra on October 28, making a factory‑built 512GB option available for pre‑order in the U.S.
- The minimum 512GB M5 Ultra configuration starts at $22,299 in the U.S., the memory upgrade costs $11,500 over the 256GB tier, and a fully maxed unit with 16TB SSD tops out at $29,799.
- Apple restricts 512GB to the higher‑end M5 Ultra with the 36‑core CPU and 80‑core GPU while the M5 Max remains capped at 128GB, and unified memory is factory‑only so it cannot be added later.
- Reporters note many buyers who need 512GB of total memory may find it cheaper to buy two M5 Ultra machines with 256GB each or to cluster Macs with fast links like Thunderbolt 5 for large local AI or ML workloads.
- International pricing magnifies the sticker shock, with Canadian totals for a maxed Mac Studio roughly in the mid‑$40,000s, and reviewers say the option is aimed squarely at local AI, large video and 3D workflows that need extreme shared memory.