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AtlanticFox 143K Views
Sep 23, 2026 2:46 PM

Select Stores: Apple Mac Studio Desktop (2026): M5 Max, 36GB RAM, 512GB SSD

$2,000

$2,500

20% off
(In-Store Only, Limited Stock)at Micro Center
Visit Micro Center

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Deal Details
Select Micro Center Stores have Apple Mac Studio M5 Max Desktop Computer (2026, MHL64LL/A) for $1999.99 (In-Store Only).

Thanks to Community Member AtlanticFox for finding this deal.

Note: Select stores may be available for pickup. Availability may vary by location and is very limited.

Specs:
  • Apple M5 Max 18-Core CPU
  • 36GB Unified RAM
  • 512GB SSD
  • Apple M5 Max Chip 32-Core GPU
  • WiFi 7 (802.11be) + Bluetooth 6.0
  • 480 Watt Power Supply
  • SDXC Card Reader
  • macOS
  • Ports:
    • Front/Top Panel
      • 2x USB 3.2 (Gen 2 Type-C)
    • Back Panel
      • 2x USB 3.2 (Gen 1 Type-A)
      • 4x Thunderbolt 5
      • 1x HDMI 2.1
      • 1x LAN RJ45 (10 GbE)
      • 1x 3.5mm Headphone

Editor's Notes

Written by SubZero5 | Staff
  • About this deal:
    • Our research indicates that this deal is $449.01 less (18% savings) than the next best available price from a reputable merchant with prices starting from $2,449 at the time of this post.
  • About this store:
    • Details of Micro Center's return policy (here)

Original Post

Written by AtlanticFox
Community Notes
About the Poster
Deal Details
Community Notes
About the Poster
Select Micro Center Stores have Apple Mac Studio M5 Max Desktop Computer (2026, MHL64LL/A) for $1999.99 (In-Store Only).

Thanks to Community Member AtlanticFox for finding this deal.

Note: Select stores may be available for pickup. Availability may vary by location and is very limited.

Specs:
  • Apple M5 Max 18-Core CPU
  • 36GB Unified RAM
  • 512GB SSD
  • Apple M5 Max Chip 32-Core GPU
  • WiFi 7 (802.11be) + Bluetooth 6.0
  • 480 Watt Power Supply
  • SDXC Card Reader
  • macOS
  • Ports:
    • Front/Top Panel
      • 2x USB 3.2 (Gen 2 Type-C)
    • Back Panel
      • 2x USB 3.2 (Gen 1 Type-A)
      • 4x Thunderbolt 5
      • 1x HDMI 2.1
      • 1x LAN RJ45 (10 GbE)
      • 1x 3.5mm Headphone

Editor's Notes

Written by SubZero5 | Staff
  • About this deal:
    • Our research indicates that this deal is $449.01 less (18% savings) than the next best available price from a reputable merchant with prices starting from $2,449 at the time of this post.
  • About this store:
    • Details of Micro Center's return policy (here)

Original Post

Written by AtlanticFox

Community Voting

Deal Score
+309
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Why are you downvoting this deal?

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Top Comments

Caleo
6.8KComments
1.2KReputation
This is oddly reasonable. 36GB isn't super amazing but it's enough to run the decent MoE models that are targeted for 24GB VRAM (like gemma4:26b-a4b, qwen3.6:36b-a3b).. if local LLM is what you're looking to do with this.
Go to Comment
AtlanticFox
33Comments
26Reputation
It's $300 more than the Mac Mini M5 Pro. You get vastly better graphics performance, 12 GB extra RAM, better Ethernet. For $300 extra, it's a good deal for a lot of people. If it was the original price of $2.5k, I see your point more.
Go to Comment
ChaoticThrifty
35Comments
18Reputation
Get it while you can. I'm still kicking myself for not jumping on the Mac Mini and Mac Studio deals of winter 2025.
Go to Comment

Community Reviews

This Mac Studio stands out as a compact but powerful desktop for local AI, video work, and heavy productivity, with the M5 Max, 36GB unified memory, and lots of ports drawing the most praise. The 10Gb Ethernet, strong graphics, and lower throttling make it feel like a bigger step up than a Mac mini, and the price matchable $1,999 to $2,000 range looks unusually low for a fresh release. The main knocks are the fixed 36GB memory ceiling and 512GB SSD, which feel tight for larger LLMs and storage-heavy workflows. Availability and price matching have also been inconsistent, so timing and store stock matter.

Common Questions (5)

  • Stock has been very volatile, with restocks and sellouts happening quickly by location. Several comments say the walk-in deal ends around 9/28-9/30, and the price later rose to $2,299 after the sale window closed.

    knockout0127CraftyThundercjbell82BigDickJohnson

  • Yes, but it is most reliable in-store with a manager override and nearby Micro Center stock. Online or phone agents often approve it and then later revoke it, while in-store matches have been completed at $1,999.99 or with an adjusted checkout link.

    kashhhmoneyyyUSEagledshopprJJSparks

  • It can run smaller and mid-sized local models, including MoE models aimed at 24GB VRAM, and can even handle multiple smaller models at once. It is still a limit for heavier LLM workloads, where 64GB or more would be preferable.

    Caleodrgka55drgka55cromo

  • For many productive uses it is undersized, especially if you keep large media or model files locally, but an external Thunderbolt NVMe drive can work as a near-native extension. The SSD is also described as not soldered on this Mac Studio, though replacement kits may take time to appear.

    drgka55jmandawgAtlanticFoxThirstyCruz

  • The Mac Studio gives you a much stronger GPU, more RAM, better Ethernet, more ports, and less throttling, so it can be worth the extra $300 for many buyers. The Mac mini is the better value if you want lower cost and can live with less performance and connectivity.

    privaterAtlanticFoxcockadoodlecockadoodle

AI-generated summary based on comments from the community. Updated ago

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225 Comments

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Sep 23, 2026 6:07 PM
127 Comments
Joined Oct 2025
StrongCrib710Sep 23, 2026 6:07 PM
127 Comments
Argh dead in Dallas. Saw it too late.
Sep 23, 2026 6:07 PM
12.4K Comments
Joined Oct 2009

This comment has been rated as unhelpful by Slickdeals users.

Sep 23, 2026 6:15 PM
13 Comments
Joined Feb 2019
tejavictorySep 23, 2026 6:15 PM
13 Comments
Best buy price matched, can't handle microcenter taxes in store. Thanks
1
Pro
Sep 23, 2026 6:35 PM
4.5K Comments
Joined Nov 2015
dshoppr
Pro
Sep 23, 2026 6:35 PM
4.5K Comments
I have Macbook pro m5 base model - 16GB/1TB. Should I sell that and get this to try out local AI? or is it better to get mac mini m5 pro?
1
Sep 23, 2026 6:35 PM
4 Comments
Joined Sep 2017
knockout0127Sep 23, 2026 6:35 PM
4 Comments
Was hesitant for a sec because of the 36GB RAM, but eventually got one ready for pick up. Just think it as a superior Mini setup like others mentioned and it looks pretty good to me
Sep 23, 2026 6:36 PM
3.5K Comments
Joined Jul 2017
fintlewoodlewixSep 23, 2026 6:36 PM
3.5K Comments
Max and 36gb is silly for almost everyone.
8
Sep 23, 2026 6:37 PM
436 Comments
Joined Oct 2008
j4jSep 23, 2026 6:37 PM
436 Comments
if anyone in here do video editing and able to tell me if this worth it over m4 based?

I'm upgrading to 4k prores and braw and my m4 struggling sometimes.

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Sep 23, 2026 6:47 PM
673 Comments
Joined Jun 2013
jontalkSep 23, 2026 6:47 PM
673 Comments
If you're thinking about upgrading I suggest you read the Mac Rumors story about the changes in storage
3
Sep 23, 2026 7:01 PM
97 Comments
Joined Mar 2018

This comment has been rated as unhelpful by Slickdeals users.

Sep 23, 2026 7:02 PM
97 Comments
Joined Mar 2018
SolkreSep 23, 2026 7:02 PM
97 Comments
Quote from j4j View quoted comment :
if anyone in here do video editing and able to tell me if this worth it over m4 based?

I'm upgrading to 4k prores and braw and my m4 struggling sometimes.
The m4 studio is struggling?
Sep 23, 2026 7:29 PM
785 Comments
Joined Aug 2019
MrShrugglesSep 23, 2026 7:29 PM
785 Comments
Bestbuy chat wouldn't budge, said micro center is out of stock and their website hasn't updated. ok.jan
Sep 23, 2026 7:29 PM
909 Comments
Joined Jan 2010
maverickSDSep 23, 2026 7:29 PM
909 Comments
Good deal but will always be bummed about the ram amount.
6
Sep 23, 2026 7:41 PM
41 Comments
Joined Dec 2018
FunkyFunkSep 23, 2026 7:41 PM
41 Comments
Would any store (bestbuy, apple edu) match if I don't live near any Micro Center?
Sep 23, 2026 7:44 PM
136 Comments
Joined Dec 2021
USEagleSep 23, 2026 7:44 PM
136 Comments

Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank

Quote from FunkyFunk View quoted comment :
Would any store (bestbuy, apple edu) match if I don't live near any Micro Center?
I live three hours away from my nearest Micro Center, and Best Buy matched the price in-store without any questions.
2

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Sep 23, 2026 8:04 PM
1.3K Comments
Joined Apr 2009

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