What to Expect from Apple's M4 Mac Studio: Blazing Speed, Enhanced Connectivity, and Next-Gen Chip Power

Back in late October, Apple made waves by debuting its first M4 chip-powered Macs: the MacBook Pro, iMac, and Mac mini. This launch covers nearly half of Apple’s Mac lineup, leaving high anticipation around the future of the MacBook Air, Mac Pro, and especially the popular Mac Studio. While still equipped with the powerful M2 Max and M2 Ultra, the current Mac Studio is due for a substantial update.

Here’s what we can expect from Apple’s next high-end desktop.

Next-Level Connectivity with Thunderbolt 5

One of the most exciting advancements could be Thunderbolt 5. Debuting on the M4 Pro Mac mini and high-end MacBook Pros, Thunderbolt 5 more than triples the theoretical data transfer maximum of Thunderbolt 4, delivering speeds up to 120 Gb/s.

This breakthrough will empower users to connect faster, handle larger files in real-time, and use expanded setups with just one cable. For creative professionals and power users, this could be game-changing, enabling seamless connectivity with external storage, hubs, and complete studio setups—all powered by a single connection.

Wi-Fi 7: Faster, Smarter Wireless Potential

Apple’s recent adoption of Wi-Fi 7 in the iPhone 16 series brings speculation that this high-speed standard may come to the next Mac Studio. Wi-Fi 7’s performance is staggering, supporting speeds up to 46 Gbps—five times faster than Wi-Fi 6E—and operating on the 6 GHz band for drastically reduced interference.

While this feature wasn’t introduced on the initial M4 Macs, Apple could surprise us by equipping the new Mac Studio with this ultra-fast wireless option, making it ideal for creative environments that require rapid file transfers and stable connectivity.

M4 Max and M4 Ultra: Unrivaled Power

The M4 Max chip has already proven its power in the new MacBook Pro, boasting a 16-core CPU and a 40-core GPU. Apple’s UltraFusion technology could enable an even more powerful M4 Ultra, potentially doubling these specifications to a 32-core CPU and an 80-core GPU.

This powerhouse configuration would position the Mac Studio as Apple’s fastest desktop Mac, likely reclaiming the performance crown from the compact M4 Pro Mac mini. Expect the new Mac Studio to be a go-to choice for professionals needing maximum processing power for rendering, 3D modeling, and intensive production workflows.

Release Expectations: Mid-2025 Reveal Likely

According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the next-gen Mac Studio could hit the shelves by mid-2025, likely with an unveiling at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC25). This aligns with Apple’s pattern of introducing groundbreaking hardware at WWDC, making it the perfect stage for what promises to be one of Apple’s most powerful desktops yet.

With the expected enhancements, the new Mac Studio is shaping up to be a formidable choice for creatives, developers, and anyone requiring unparalleled power and connectivity. Keep an eye out for WWDC25—it could be Apple’s most exciting hardware launch yet.

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Eric Sandler

Chief Writer at WiFi Planet

Eric Sandler is a veteran US tech writer with over 25 years of experience covering the latest advancements in the world of technology. From groundbreaking innovations to in-depth reviews, Eric has built a reputation for delivering insightful, reliable content. His work spans across a variety of tech topics, including smartphones, gadgets, AI, and more, making him a trusted voice in the industry.