GoKawiilApple's Mac Studio M5 Ultra delivers 20-30% speed gains but at steep cost
Engadget's review found the Mac Studio M5 Ultra posts some of the highest CPU and GPU benchmark scores among desktop computers, with multi-core performance rivaling AMD's 64-core Threadripper Pro chips and disk speeds nearly double the previous M3 Ultra model. Real-world video editing tests showed dramatic gains too, cutting a 4K export task from over eight minutes to just over one minute compared to a MacBook M3 Pro.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
For video editors, 3D artists and AI developers who need maximum local compute power, this signals Apple's high-end desktop can now match or beat top workstation PCs, potentially shifting professional buying decisions away from Windows-based workstations. But the review's framing around a 'huge premium' underscores that this performance leap remains priced well beyond mainstream reach, keeping the M5 Ultra a niche tool for studios and specialists rather than everyday creators.
- Multi-core CPU performance jumped roughly 33% over the M3 Ultra, rivaling AMD's 64-core Threadripper Pro
- Sustained disk speeds nearly doubled to 14GB/s write and 11GB/s read
- Video export tasks that took over eight minutes on a MacBook M3 Pro finished in about 73 seconds on the new Mac Studio
Apple Mac Studio (M5 Ultra) — This is the exact machine reviewed here, delivering huge multi-core CPU and GPU gains over the previous M3 Ultra model along with dramatically faster storage speeds. If you need top-tier desktop performance for AI, video, or graphics work on macOS, this is Apple's current flagship.
See Apple Mac Studio (M5 Ultra) 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: engadget.com — Steve Dent, 2026-09-21
Published there as: “Apple Mac Studio (M5 Ultra) review: Huge AI and graphics power at a huge premium”
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