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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
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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?

Visit Micro Center

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.

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  • 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 8:14 PM
68 Comments
Joined Oct 2017
siddavisSep 23, 2026 8:14 PM
68 Comments
Just got BB to price match, but I live 10 miles from Micro Center that shows 1 in stock.
Sep 23, 2026 8:15 PM
552 Comments
Joined Jun 2009
drgka55Sep 23, 2026 8:15 PM
552 Comments

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

Quote from maverickSD View quoted comment :
Good deal but will always be bummed about the ram amount.
Maybe you need more than 36gb ram for some reason. But a powerful productive desktop such as this certainly does not need more to be a capable computer. 36gb ram is plenty for almost everyone except for the AI crowd for which infinite amount of ram is not enough. Good price for a powerful machine. The SSD is undersized probably for most productive use so an external can solve that. But 36gb ram is great.
Last edited by drgka55 September 23, 2026 at 06:29 PM.
2
1
Sep 23, 2026 8:21 PM
54 Comments
Joined May 2018
gservant2000Sep 23, 2026 8:21 PM
54 Comments
Looking at Apple's site, this looks like it retails for 2,299.99?

Still a good deal, but that is 300 off not 500?

Unless Apple dropped their price? Or I am on the wrong page? (Quite possible from my phone)
Sep 23, 2026 8:33 PM
333 Comments
Joined Aug 2011
g02139Sep 23, 2026 8:33 PM
333 Comments

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

Quote from gservant2000 View quoted comment :
Looking at Apple's site, this looks like it retails for 2,299.99?Still a good deal, but that is 300 off not 500? Unless Apple dropped their price? Or I am on the wrong page? (Quite possible from my phone)
I only see it at 2500. Only apple place it is 2300 is the ed store.
2
Sep 23, 2026 8:35 PM
118 Comments
Joined Oct 2008
ItsABingoSep 23, 2026 8:35 PM
118 Comments
Great deal. I wonder if it's a pricing mistake. I wish there were a similar deal, even at a higher price, for a model with 48GB or 64GB of ram.
2
Sep 23, 2026 8:44 PM
69 Comments
Joined Aug 2015
KrisK1984Sep 23, 2026 8:44 PM
69 Comments
Thanks OP!!! I looked yesterday for a deal and didn't see any. Managed to get Best Buy to price match today. Saved me time and money for not having to drive downtown Charlotte.
Pro
Sep 23, 2026 8:54 PM
4.5K Comments
Joined Nov 2015
dshoppr
Pro
Sep 23, 2026 8:54 PM
4.5K Comments
Quote from ItsABingo View quoted comment :
Great deal. I wonder if it's a pricing mistake. I wish there were a similar deal, even at a higher price, for a model with 48GB or 64GB of ram.
Not a mistake - it is at that price for last 2 days. I think the deal is till 29th
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Sep 23, 2026 9:10 PM
1.6K Comments
Joined Sep 2017

This comment has been rated as unhelpful by Slickdeals users.

Sep 23, 2026 9:21 PM
387 Comments
Joined Nov 2017
sd_KingSep 23, 2026 9:21 PM
387 Comments
Crying from one of those states without Microcenter 😭
1
Sep 23, 2026 10:07 PM
265 Comments
Joined Jul 2007
sevdaliSep 23, 2026 10:07 PM
265 Comments
Quote from sd_King View quoted comment :
Crying from one of those states without Microcenter 😭
Just price match to best buy.
Sep 23, 2026 10:50 PM
387 Comments
Joined Nov 2017
sd_KingSep 23, 2026 10:50 PM
387 Comments
Quote from sevdali View quoted comment :
Just price match to best buy.
Would it work if there is no Microcenter in 850 miles?
Sep 23, 2026 11:01 PM
1.7K Comments
Joined Jan 2006
jmandawgSep 23, 2026 11:01 PM
1.7K Comments

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

$2000 and you only get 512GB SSD, just sad.
2
1
Sep 23, 2026 11:10 PM
512 Comments
Joined Jul 2022
PineconeheadSep 23, 2026 11:10 PM
512 Comments
Apple probably made more of these than there is demand considering everyone and their grandma wants either 128gb m5 max or ultras for local models. Good deal if you can spare $2000 to scroll instagram smoothly.
6
Sep 23, 2026 11:23 PM
199 Comments
Joined Sep 2013
tzanSep 23, 2026 11:23 PM
199 Comments
If you're just running an agent locally, this is a bit pricey, I'd rather get 2nd hand. If you're running an LLM model, this is not even remotely enough. Also the lack of on board disk space will be a PIA during upgrades.
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Sep 23, 2026 11:24 PM
88 Comments
Joined Oct 2013
EdD3229Sep 23, 2026 11:24 PM
88 Comments
At this point only available in Indiana and Ohio.

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