Mac Studio (M5 Max)
thecontinuitylayer.com/tools/local-hardware/apple-mac-studio-m5-maxPeople who want the fastest, quietest 128GB box for local models
Desktop · Apple
The Mac Studio with M5 Max went on sale in September 2026. It supports up to 128GB of unified memory with up to 614 GB/s of bandwidth on the 40-core GPU version, more than double the DGX Spark.
That bandwidth makes it the fastest of the 128GB machines at generating text, and it is near silent. It costs more than Strix Halo mini PCs at the same memory size, and memory is fixed at purchase.
Specs
| Price | From $2,499; 128GB configurations cost more |
|---|---|
| Runs | With 128GB: gpt-oss-120b and 70B models at 4-bit |
| Chip | Apple M5 Max |
| Memory | Up to 128GB unified |
| Memory bandwidth | Up to 614 GB/s (460 GB/s on 32-core GPU) |
| Released | September 2026 |
| Software | MLX, LM Studio, Ollama, llama.cpp |
Good for
- Fast 70B–120B models
- Quiet always-on desk machine
- Mac software users
Not for
- Lowest cost per GB
- CUDA-only tools
See also
- Mac Studio (M5 Ultra) · Professionals who want the largest open models on one desk machine
- Framework Desktop · Tinkerers who want a 128GB Strix Halo machine from a repair-friendly maker
- GMKtec EVO-X2 · Buyers who want a ready-made 128GB Strix Halo box with Windows installed
We last reviewed Mac Studio (M5 Max) on 31 October 2026. Prices and specs change; check apple.com before you buy or sign up. Figures we could not confirm on the vendor's own page read “not published” or “varies”.
Vendor source: https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2026/08/apple-introduces-new-mac-studio-with-m5-max-and-m5-ultra/