The computer is getting smaller, more powerful and the monitors bigger and better.
Apple unveiled its new Mac Studio, a small compact, quiet computer with multiple ports and connectivity. Gone are the days of those giant CPUs that took a weightlifter to move and overpowered office space. The Mac Studio desktop computer has a footprint of 7.7 inches square and is 3.7 inches tall. The air-cooled system fits under a monitor or easily even in the smallest office space.
The Max Studio has four Thunderbolt 4 ports to connect devices and displays. It has an ethernet port, two USB-A ports, an HDMI port and an audio jack. Wi-Fi is built in as is Bluetooth. The small Mac computer includes front-facing ports as well, with two USB-C ports, or Thunderbolt 4 ports, depending on the model. It also has an SD card slot to bring in photos or video.
Max Studio can connect four pro displays plus a 4K TV, driving nearly 90 million pixels, the company reports.
“The Mac Studio isn’t for mainstream users, but if you’re a professional looking for a powerful PC, then it certainly has its charms,” TechRadar wrote in a recent review.
“Chief among those is the design. The Mac Studio is an impressively compact machine, around the size of one and a half Mac minis stacked on top of each other. This makes it easy to place on a desk or behind a monitor, making it look good in home offices and studios. It’s also easily portable if you want to take it between locations. The combination of compact design and powerful performance goes a long way to justifying the high price tag, and the fact that Apple has made such a powerful and small PC really is impressive. …”
“In our tests, the Mac Studio performs beautifully, handling 8K video editing extremely well and utilizing advanced AI-powered photo editing tools in Adobe Photoshop. Even more impressive, it does all this quietly — a testament to the power efficiency of Apple’s M1 chips, as well as the thermal design of the Mac Studio.”
In reading a host of reviews out in the last few days, the announcement of the new Mac caught a number of tech reviewers by surprise. Mac Studio starts at $1,999 with the Studio Display starting at $1,599. Pick the Mac Studio with the M1 Ultra chip and the price goes up to $3,999. Orders will be delivered in April or May, depending on the model.
The new Mac Studio, Apple Insider reports, should be exciting not just for the high-end users it is geared for but for all Mac users because of what it “portends for the very near future. … The Mac Studio is a glimpse at the future. Its power will filter down — eventually — to lower-end gear. But that day is not today, and if you have a Mac Studio, enjoy the preview of tomorrow's power.”
In its first event of 2022 earlier this month, Apple CEO Tim Cook presided over an update of new products and highlights or upgrades of existing ones. While the Mac Studio may be out of reach for many, other Apple products are right at the fingertips.
AppleTV+, the tech company’s streaming service, started small with its early original content, but has grown by leaps and bounds since then. AppleTV+ has the popular “Ted Lasso” series among a host of original series, original movies starring the likes of Tom Hanks, and it has Oscar-nominated movies and performances like Denzel Washington’s nomination for best actor in “The Tragedy of Macbeth.” Another big win for Apple is the film “CODA” nominated for best picture and with a best supporting actor nomination for Troy Kotsur in the movie. Apple received six Oscar nominations for the 94th annual Academy Awards, which will air this weekend.
“Apple Original Films’ ‘CODA’ becomes the first motion picture starring a predominantly Deaf cast in leading roles to receive a Best Picture nomination, and Troy Kotsur becomes the first Deaf male actor to receive a nomination in the Best Supporting Actor category for his powerful performance,” Apple reported in a news release last month. The movie’s title stands for child of deaf adults and tells the story of the 17-year-old daughter, the sole hearing member of her family, who is torn between pursuing her singing abilities and being there as the hearing member to help her family and their business.
“CODA is a powerful and inspiring story which broke barriers with its predominantly deaf cast,” Cook said.
Apple is introducing Friday night baseball with two games that will only be seen on AppleTV+.
“This is going to be the best way to watch baseball on your iPhone, iPad, Mac and anywhere that AppleTV+ is available,” Cook said.
AppleTV can be confusing to people. It’s the size of a hockey puck and, like a Roku or Amazon Firestick or FireTV, is a streaming device. But AppleTV+, the streaming service, is also available as an app on a host of streaming devices.
Renee Richardson, managing editor, may be reached at 218-855-5852 or renee.richardson@brainerddispatch.com . Follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/DispatchBizBuzz .