You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Mac Studio vs 2013 Mac Pro

I am considering upgrading to a new machine that will keep me current for a while. I am running a 2013 Mac Pro 8 core, with 64 GB of RAM, a 2 TB SSD, with the dual D500 video cards. How will a Mac Studio with the M2 Max processor compare? Would I still be okay if I was to find a Mac Studio with the M1 Ultra processor?


I am still kind of hesitant to spend the money, as we never know when Apple will obsolete these machines. I have only purchased one new Mac in my lifetime, and that was a Power Mac G5 (I got the last store display, so it was pretty heavily discounted). The upgrade will also require investment in a Thunderbolt dock, to feed all of my existing USB-A & Thunderbolt 2 devices.


If anyone can offer me some guidance, your input will be greatly appreciated. My needs don't necessarily require this kind of computer, but I just prefer to have the extra power/speed available if I do need it. Thanks in advance.

Mac Pro, macOS 12.7

Posted on Feb 14, 2024 3:51 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Feb 14, 2024 4:10 PM

Performance benchmarks: https://browser.geekbench.com/mac-benchmarks


https://browser.geekbench.com/macs/mac-studio-apple-m1-ultra


https://browser.geekbench.com/macs/mac-pro-late-2013-intel-xeon-e5-1680-v2-3-0-ghz-8-cores


Mac Studio M1 performance is substantially faster than the Mac Pro 2013; roughly three or four times faster.


New I/O and new storage is massively faster, too.


Less power and less heat, too.


internal memory and storage cannot be upgraded.


I’d stay with at least 64 GB of memory, if you’re making use of that now.


M3 is not available in Studio. We’re not in a position to speculate when or if that might change.


Everything in computing that you can buy now is either already obsolete, or eventually doomed. Always has been.


If you’re doing app development for the app stores, you’ll either need the newest macOS, or (for part of the year) the penultimate macOS. Otherwise, whatever works for you, works for you.

Similar questions

3 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Feb 14, 2024 4:10 PM in response to Wakko Warner

Performance benchmarks: https://browser.geekbench.com/mac-benchmarks


https://browser.geekbench.com/macs/mac-studio-apple-m1-ultra


https://browser.geekbench.com/macs/mac-pro-late-2013-intel-xeon-e5-1680-v2-3-0-ghz-8-cores


Mac Studio M1 performance is substantially faster than the Mac Pro 2013; roughly three or four times faster.


New I/O and new storage is massively faster, too.


Less power and less heat, too.


internal memory and storage cannot be upgraded.


I’d stay with at least 64 GB of memory, if you’re making use of that now.


M3 is not available in Studio. We’re not in a position to speculate when or if that might change.


Everything in computing that you can buy now is either already obsolete, or eventually doomed. Always has been.


If you’re doing app development for the app stores, you’ll either need the newest macOS, or (for part of the year) the penultimate macOS. Otherwise, whatever works for you, works for you.

Feb 14, 2024 4:02 PM in response to Wakko Warner

We have a 2013 MacBook Pro. It can only run up to macOS11, so it kind of dropped off Apple's upgrade list a few years ago. Nominally if Apple continues to make a new macOS every year you can figure upon being able to run the newest macOS for 8 years or so. Of course then the question is, do you feel you always have to run the newest OS and have to run out and buy a new computer the day yours drops off the list? It really depends upon how you use computers and that is very individual. Apple will say you should always run the newest macOS, but will keep issuing various kinds of updates for the last 2 versions or so. I use mainly third party software so on my computer I don't care if Safari is 5 years out of date. THe browsers I use are still being supported (for a little while at least). Anyway, I could go on, but when you ask this kind of question here you will get dozens of personal takes on this and it is best if you outline your usage as closely as possible if you don't want dozens of rambling replies like mine. ;-)

Mac Studio vs 2013 Mac Pro

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.