M5 Ultra-equipped Studio most powerful Mac to date
Apple have just announced a design refresh which they say makes the Mac mini fiercer and more versatile than ever , and awards the Mac Studio with the title of the most powerful Mac to date.
Mac mini Apple's ever-popular compact desktop machine can now be specified with either an M6 or M5 Pro processor. Opting for the M6 allows for up to 32GB of RAM and 2TB of storage, while the M5 Pro pushes the RAM limit up to 64GB and the maximum storage to 8TB; both can be specified with either 2.5 or 10 Gb Ethernet.
Choosing an M5 Pro does increase the cost significantly - selecting the 18-core CPU/20-core GPU option more than doubles the price of the base model - although while the performance improvements will be welcomed by those working with video or doing lots of AI-based processing, the M6 model will pack more than enough of a punch for most studio users.
Mac Studio
Apples 2026 Mac Studio.
The Mac Studio has also been treated to an upgrade, and can now be ordered with either an M5 Max or M5 Ultra chip.
The M5 Max is available in two versions: an 18-core CPU/32-core GPU and an 18-core CPU/40-core GPU. The M5 Ultra, meanwhile, comes in 30-core CPU/64-core GPU and 36-core CPU/80-core GPU versions. Storage and RAM specs differ depending on which version of chip is selected, but a Mac Studio equipped with the flagship M5 Ultra can be specified with a whopping 16TB of storage and 256GB of RAM! Doing so brings the price into eye-watering territory but, again, there are unlikely to be many audio users that require quite such a system. And high though the price may be, it's still significantly lower than the price commanded by a fully spec'ed Mac Pro for what Apple say is their most powerful machine so far.
Pricing & Availability The new Mac mini and Mac Studio are available to pre-order now, with prices starting at £899 and £2499 respectively. They will be shipping from 22 September 2026.
www.apple.com
More from SOS
06/10/2026
Three new compact pedals announced
Warm Audio have just introduced a new guitar pedal line-up that offers compact, pedalboard-friendly versions of some of t...
06/10/2026
Drum-replacement tool gets major overhaul
WaveMachine Labs have announced that the latest version of their drum-replacement software is now available, and i...
06/10/2026
Firmware update implements user-requested features
Arturia's stage-going keyboard series has just received a significant update that addresses some of t...
05/10/2026
New multi-pattern LDC revealed
Austrian Audio have announced the upcoming launch of a new multi-pattern large-diaphragm capacitor mic that occupies the midd...
05/10/2026
Software gains Tonex Board rig support
When IK Multimedia launched the Tonex Board, they mentioned that it would soon be followed by a significant update to...
05/10/2026
Offers a modern take on classic chorus effects
fedDSP's latest creation has been designed to offer a modern take on the classic chorus effect, combining...
04/10/2026
Dedicated streaming mic gets an overhaul
Following on from the success of their dedicated streaming microphone, the MV6, Shure have announced the launch of ...
02/10/2026
v1.9.3 introduces AUv3 support
Roland have just released an update that kits their free iPad-based software synth out with AUv3 support, meaning it can now ...
02/10/2026
Dolby Atmos support, AI-powered stem separation & more
The latest version of MOTU's DAW software is now available, and marks a major step forward with t...
02/10/2026
Portable DAC created in collaboration with Steve Levine
British hi-fi experts iFi audio have unveiled a new Master Tuned variant of their praised iDSD GR2 p...
01/10/2026
Third collaboration with celebrated composer
Spitfire Audio have once again teamed up with Grammy-nominated composer, producer and technologist BT, creating...
01/10/2026
FL Studio gets dedicated grid controller
Novation have teamed up with FL Studio developers Image-Line to create another dedicated controller for the popular...
01/10/2026
Six new USB interfaces introduced
Universal Audio's USB audio interface line-up has just been refreshed, gaining six new models aimed at musicians, prod...
30/09/2026
Add an envelope generator to any plug-in
Sync Audio's latest creation is a handy utility plug-in that can be used to combine and modulate other effects ...
30/09/2026
All-analogue tape-style drive joins Series A
Strymon's reputation was built on their digital knowhow, so many were surprised (and intrigued) when they a...
30/09/2026
Two new expansion packs released
Sonuscore have just introduced two new expansion packs for The Pulse, its production engine instrument for modern cinematic...
29/09/2026
Two new plug-ins launch alongside updated bundles
Zynaptiq have just announced the launch of two new plug-ins, alongside new and improved versions of two of...
29/09/2026
All-in-one bus processor revealed
Wes Audio's ng product range has come a long way since it was first introduced, and now includes a tasty selection of ...
28/09/2026
EQ plug-in can now be played via MIDI
Scaler Music have recently released a new and improved version of their patented musical EQ plug-in, kitting it out wi...
28/09/2026
New synth developed in collaboration with philterSoup
Boutique effects pedal and Eurorack manufacturer Animal Factory Amps have announced that the new compa...
27/09/2026
New compact pedal packs in 120 effects
The latest multi-effects pedal from Boss is a compact unit that promises to give any pedalboard a massive boost in s...
26/09/2026
Launched alongside three new expansion packs
In celebration of their 30th anniversary, Native Instruments have released a major update for their Maschine 3 ...
25/09/2026
Algorithm update & new DVA vibrato-detection engine
A new flagship version of Antares' iconic pitch-correction software has arrived, and along with a co...
25/09/2026
New flagship unit to arrive in early 2027
Two notes Audio Engineering have revealed that a new and improved version of their hugely popular reactive load bo...
25/09/2026
AI-free mixing tool gets an upgrade
Launched in October 2025, Tim Exiles Finalist is an algorithmic mixing tool that's been designed for those who don&#...
24/09/2026
The next generation of multitrack recording for live sound
The latest version of Waves' dedicated live multitrack recording software delivers an array ...
24/09/2026
An idea machine for musicians
Described as an idea machine for musicians , the latest addition to Polyend's growing collection of guitar pedals combin...
24/09/2026
Alignment tool gains multitrack layout
Synchro Arts have just launched the latest version of their renowned time-alignment plug-in, and it's said to be ...
24/09/2026
Synth gains DAW Control & Ctrl-e integration
Expressive E have just released a major firmware update that brings some interesting new features to the Osmose...
23/09/2026
Includes natural and processed patches
The Crow Hill Company's latest sample library captures a children's choir comprising a troupe of boys perform...
23/09/2026
Plug-in offers six bands of saturation
Kreuzberg Audio's product range includes a selection of plug-ins and virtual instruments aimed primarily at hard-...
23/09/2026
Latest DAW update now live
SoundBridge have announced that the latest update for the remote-collaboration-focused DAW is now available. The release of Sound...
22/09/2026
Second high-gain tone plug-in released
Following on from their debut release, Chainsaw Suite, Avalanche Tones have announced the launch of their second plug...
22/09/2026
Uncompressed audio with below 6ms of latency
Lewitt's have just introduced their first pair of headphones which, despite being aimed primarily at studio...
22/09/2026
Two new capsule heads for Sennheiser wireless systems
Neumann have announced the upcoming launch of the KK 104 A and KK 105 A, a pair of new premium condens...
21/09/2026
Drum-tuning app now available on Android
RT60 describe their iDrumTune app as the world's most advanced, accurate and intelligent system for assisting ...
21/09/2026
Innovative multiband auto-panner introduced
SoundGhost's latest plug-in takes an innovative approach to auto-panning, and divides incoming signals into ...
21/09/2026
We check out the M5 Max-equipped model The same, but different. The new Mac Studio models feature M5 Max and M5 Ultra silicon, dramatically improving the perf...
20/09/2026
Piano-playing singer-songwriter competition returns for fourth year
Casio have officially revealed the list of 16 finalists who have earned their place in t...
19/09/2026
Three new rackmount power conditioners introduced
Yorkville Sound have announce the upcoming launch of three new RPC rackmount power conditioners from ART P...
18/09/2026
10 new voice models join line-up
The latest expansion for IK Multimedia's AI-powered vocal-modelling software has arrived, delivering a set of 10 new vo...
18/09/2026
A day of hands-on synthesis, sound design & performance
On Saturday 26 September 2026, The Museum of Synthesisers will be hosting a full day of hands-on syn...
17/09/2026
Popular DAW gains free pitch-correction tool
Image-Line have teamed up with Antares to kit their popular DAW software out with a built-in pitch-correction p...
17/09/2026
Promises unprecedented realism, dynamic nuance and clarity
Gibson have teamed up with acoustic pickup experts Baggs, creating a next-generation' pickup...
17/09/2026
Two new libraries join percussion line-up
VSL (Vienna Symphonic Library) have just launched two new libraries that bring some intriguing new instruments int...
17/09/2026
Hardware & plug-in versions gain new features
Arturia have just released a free update that brings some significant new features to their MiniFreak synthesi...
16/09/2026
Powerful soft synth receives free update
Wavea have just launched a new and improved version of their feature-packed soft synth, kitting it out with over 20...
16/09/2026
Physical-modelling experts launch pipe-based instrument
Modartt are well known for their impressive Pianoteq and Organteq offerings, and now, they've pu...
16/09/2026
Popular DAW gains free pitch-correction tool
Image-Line have teamed up with Antares to kit their popular DAW software out with a built-in pitch-correction p...
15/09/2026
New Thunderbolt audio interfaces aimed at pro studios
Audient's latest announcement sees the company introduce three new high-end audio interfaces desig...
M5 Ultra-equipped Studio most powerful Mac to date 
