GoKawiilApple's M5 Max Mac Studio GPU upgrade quietly forces a $300 memory jump
Apple kept the M5 Max Mac Studio's starting price at $2,499, but choosing the 40-core GPU option—listed as a $300 upgrade—automatically bumps memory from 32GB to 48GB, adding another $300. That makes the real cost of the GPU upgrade $600, not the $300 shown next to it. John Gruber flagged the discrepancy while tallying configuration prices for the new lineup.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
Bundling an unrelated $300 memory increase into a GPU upgrade obscures the true price for buyers comparing configurations, especially since Apple's confirmation message about the change is vague. This kind of pricing ambiguity can erode trust in an otherwise straightforward price-hold announcement for the Mac Studio line.
- Base M5 Max Mac Studio price stays at $2,499, same as the M4 Max model.
- Upgrading to the 40-core GPU forces a mandatory jump from 32GB to 48GB memory.
- The true cost of that GPU upgrade is $600, not the $300 shown on Apple's site.
Apple Magic Keyboard with Touch ID — If you're speccing out a new Mac Studio, it doesn't ship with a keyboard — and the Magic Keyboard with Touch ID is the natural companion. Touch ID login and Apple Pay authentication work seamlessly with desktop Macs, and the low-profile scissor keys feel great for all-day work.
See Apple Magic Keyboard with Touch ID on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: 9to5mac.com — Ben Lovejoy, 2026-08-26
Published there as: “There’s a $300 gotcha in an M5 Max Mac Studio upgrade”
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