Apple discontinues the 512GB memory option for the Mac Studio M3 Ultra, capping RAM at 256GB and raising upgrade costs. Learn about the changes and future M5 Ultra hints.
© Apple
Apple has updated the configurations for the Mac Studio based on the M3 Ultra, discontinuing the version with 512GB of unified memory. The maximum RAM for this model is now capped at 256GB. At the same time, the company has increased the upgrade cost to 256GB from $1,600 to $2,000.
Previously, the 512GB version set the M3 Ultra Mac Studio apart from other consumer systems, enabling users to run large language models locally without needing expensive professional graphics cards. Even the current maximum of 256GB remains impressive by market standards, but the configuration reduction might be linked to ongoing price increases for DRAM.
These changes only affect the Mac Studio—no price adjustments for memory have been noted in other Mac models yet. The upgrade cost hike stands out particularly because Apple has historically imposed significant markups on memory and storage expansions.
Meanwhile, references to an M5 Ultra chip have been spotted in the macOS beta, hinting at a refreshed Mac Studio in the works. Whether the future model will include a 512GB memory option remains unclear.