Waited a long time for the Mac Pro to be upgraded from the M2 chip. Now it's discontinued. I need a computer that accepts acceleration cards for audio/video production. The "successor" Mac Studio can't do that. Am I going to have to switch to the Windows platform to get this capability?
If your workflow requires PCIe expansion cards (such as DSP audio cards, video capture cards, or specialized accelerator cards), then the current Apple Silicon Mac lineup has important limitations.
Step 1: Understand the current hardware situation
The Mac Studio does not include internal PCIe expansion slots. While it offers Thunderbolt connectivity for external devices, it cannot accommodate internal PCIe cards.
The Mac Pro is currently Apple's only desktop designed with internal PCIe expansion. However, if Apple has discontinued or stopped offering the model you're looking for, there is no direct replacement that provides the same internal expansion capabilities.
Step 2: Determine whether Thunderbolt expansion is sufficient
Many professional PCIe devices can be used externally by installing them in a Thunderbolt PCIe expansion chassis.
This solution works well for:
However, not every PCIe card is supported over Thunderbolt. Before purchasing an expansion chassis, verify with the card manufacturer's compatibility documentation.
Step 3: Check your specific hardware requirements
Ask yourself:
Some legacy PCIe hardware may not be supported regardless of the Mac model.
Step 4: Consider your long-term platform needs
If your workflow depends on multiple internal PCIe cards, and those cards cannot operate through a Thunderbolt expansion chassis, then a Windows workstation may currently provide the flexibility you need.
If, however, your hardware is compatible with Thunderbolt PCIe expansion, a Mac Studio paired with a certified expansion chassis can deliver excellent performance while allowing you to remain on macOS.
If you're deciding whether to switch
Before moving to Windows, verify the compatibility of your specific expansion cards. Many professional audio and video users successfully run PCIe hardware externally over Thunderbolt, while others with specialized accelerator cards still require a workstation with native PCIe slots.
If you let me know which PCIe cards you need to use (for example, Avid HDX, RED ROCKET, Blackmagic DeckLink, RME, UAD, or another model), I can tell you whether they'll work with a Mac Studio via Thunderbolt or whether a Windows workstation would be the more practical solution.
If your workflow requires PCIe expansion cards (such as DSP audio cards, video capture cards, or specialized accelerator cards), then the current Apple Silicon Mac lineup has important limitations.
Step 1: Understand the current hardware situation
The Mac Studio does not include internal PCIe expansion slots. While it offers Thunderbolt connectivity for external devices, it cannot accommodate internal PCIe cards.
The Mac Pro is currently Apple's only desktop designed with internal PCIe expansion. However, if Apple has discontinued or stopped offering the model you're looking for, there is no direct replacement that provides the same internal expansion capabilities.
Step 2: Determine whether Thunderbolt expansion is sufficient
Many professional PCIe devices can be used externally by installing them in a Thunderbolt PCIe expansion chassis.
This solution works well for:
However, not every PCIe card is supported over Thunderbolt. Before purchasing an expansion chassis, verify with the card manufacturer's compatibility documentation.
Step 3: Check your specific hardware requirements
Ask yourself:
Some legacy PCIe hardware may not be supported regardless of the Mac model.
Step 4: Consider your long-term platform needs
If your workflow depends on multiple internal PCIe cards, and those cards cannot operate through a Thunderbolt expansion chassis, then a Windows workstation may currently provide the flexibility you need.
If, however, your hardware is compatible with Thunderbolt PCIe expansion, a Mac Studio paired with a certified expansion chassis can deliver excellent performance while allowing you to remain on macOS.
If you're deciding whether to switch
Before moving to Windows, verify the compatibility of your specific expansion cards. Many professional audio and video users successfully run PCIe hardware externally over Thunderbolt, while others with specialized accelerator cards still require a workstation with native PCIe slots.
If you let me know which PCIe cards you need to use (for example, Avid HDX, RED ROCKET, Blackmagic DeckLink, RME, UAD, or another model), I can tell you whether they'll work with a Mac Studio via Thunderbolt or whether a Windows workstation would be the more practical solution.
Could you put your existing cards in a Thunderbolt enclosure?
https://www.sonnettech.com/product/thunderbolt/pcie-card-expansion-systems.html
Could you use the Thunderbolt satellite version?
Wow. I hadn't thought of that. There's even a 3U Mac Studio enclosure that supports 3 PCIe cards. That might work perfectly.
aayushmaurya wrote:
Please refrain from simply posting an AI response without reading the information that has been provided. Review the Terms of Use for this site to prevent your account here from being locked for further posting.
Apple Support Communities Use Agreement - Apple Community
If you had read the posts here, you would have been able to realize a solution has been provided to place the PCIe cards in a Thunderbolt enclosure. You can do better, it will just take additional work on your part in order to understand the posts that have been provided and be able to communicate with those users. Something that AI is very poor at.
<< acceleration cards for audio/video production >>
what card would you like to install?
exactly what capabilities are you seeking?
are you quite certain the Mac Studio does not already have these capabilities built in?
That is an option. I got a good deal on the PCIe cards when I purchased the UAD4 Complete Plug-in bundle. Both were in anticipation of an upgraded Mac Pro. Seemed like a good idea at the time. I'd have to offload the cards on eBay to make it work.
ddotyjr1 wrote:
My response wasn't AI. I read everything that Grant wrote and was thanking him for the solution he suggested. Get over it.
Pay particular attention to the "response to" label above the post where on mine you can see: "Jun 26, 2026 11:55 AM in response to aayushmaurya". I also included the Quote box showing "aayushmaurya wrote:" to make that very clear. My post was not directed to you at all and Grant Bennet-Alder is a very respected user here who provided insightful and well thought out answers to actually help others users. That is in stark contrast to the post I had addressed which is nothing more than an AI response and usually those types of users will not come back to provide any further information or answer any questions you may have. They simply do the Post and Run approach as a way to hopefully get points to game the system here.
Sorry if you thought that post was directed at you, I tried to make it clear it was not.
The most critical is the Universal Audio UAD-2 Octo Core PCIe DSP. I have three. They're unparalleled for running simultaneous plug-ins in Luna and Pro Tools.
I should add that a great feature of the Mac Pro was the rackmount option. Desk space is always at a premium and the ability to rack it was a big plus.
My response wasn't AI. I read everything that Grant wrote and was thanking him for the solution he suggested. Get over it.
Everything this user posts is AI generated slop.
Thank you for clearing that up.
ddotyjr1 wrote:
Thank you for clearing that up.
No problem, have a great weekend!
Need a Mac with extension card capabilities. Mac Studio can't.
