Mac Studio M5 Ultra Reaches 768GB Memory, Price Reflects Shortage

Apple’s most powerful desktop is getting its biggest memory upgrade yet, and the timing is awkward. Bloomberg reports that a new Mac Studio built around the M5 Ultra is coming later this year, with configurations tested at up to 768GB of unified memory. That number sits well above anything Apple has shipped in a consumer-facing desktop before.

The M5 Ultra is expected to arrive with around 36 CPU cores and 80 GPU cores, a meaningful step up in raw compute. But the memory ceiling is what changes the machine’s character. At 768GB, the Mac Studio would become a credible local inference box for AI researchers, not just a fast workstation for video editors and 3D artists.

There is a catch. A global memory shortage has pushed component costs up across the industry, and a maxed-out Mac Studio with nearly three-quarters of a terabyte of unified memory will carry a price that reflects that. Buyers who need the top configuration should not expect a gentle number.

A Compressed Timeline for Pro Hardware

Apple’s chip roadmap adds context to why this machine matters beyond its specs. The company is skipping M6 Pro and Max variants and moving directly toward an M7 generation, which means the M5 Ultra will hold the top position in Apple’s lineup for longer than a typical chip cycle would suggest. Professionals buying into this machine are not just purchasing this year’s hardware, they are likely purchasing the high-end standard for two or more years.

The memory shortage is already reshaping pricing elsewhere in Apple’s lineup. iPhone 18 Pro models are expected to open at higher price points partly because of the same supply pressure hitting memory chips. A fully loaded Mac Studio will feel that same pressure, just at a scale that makes iPhone price increases look modest by comparison.