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AtlanticFox 152K 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

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Top Comments

Caleo
6.9KComments
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
35Comments
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 deal stands out as a rare early discount on the new M5 Max model, with strong performance, 36GB unified memory, 10Gb Ethernet, and plenty of ports for productivity, video work, and local AI. The price lands close to some Mac mini M5 Pro custom builds while offering more GPU power and less throttling. The main drawbacks are the fixed 36GB memory ceiling and the 512GB SSD, which feels tight for a $2000 machine. Availability and price matching have also been messy, with stock moving fast and Best Buy approvals often depending on in store manager help.

Common Questions (5)

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

    kashhhmoneyyyUSEagledshopprSlickindeals818

  • 36GB is enough for many smaller and mid-sized local models, including MoE models aimed at 24GB VRAM, and can even run multiple smaller models at once. It is still a limit for heavier LLM workloads, where more RAM would be preferable.

    Caleodrgka55drgka55cromo

  • For general productivity it can be workable, but many buyers see 512GB as tight for pro workflows and upgrades. An external Thunderbolt or Gen4 NVMe drive can extend storage, and some users suggest keeping the main user directory on the external drive for a near-native setup.

    jmandawgAtlanticFoxThirstyCruzdrgka55

  • The deal appears to have been temporary and later moved to $2,299 after store closing. Several comments say the walk-in deal was ending around 9/28-9/30, so the $1,999 price may not last.

    dshopprmilkmandanmilkmandanOlivePencil5156

  • The Mac Studio M5 Max is described as having a non-soldered SSD, unlike the Mac mini. A replacement or upgrade may still require a compatible kit because the pin layout is different from the M4 Max.

    1gokartjwong1gokartjargoone

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

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227 Comments

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Sep 28, 2026 3:46 AM
428 Comments
Joined Apr 2023
shinseiRomeoSep 28, 2026 3:46 AM
428 Comments
Quote from MacB00kemDanno View quoted comment :
3 in stock at my store (Charlotte, NC). The new Mac mini is $100 off too..

https://www.microcenter.com/produ...p-computer
So back to normal $499 prices? $900 is a joke.
1
Sep 28, 2026 3:47 AM
428 Comments
Joined Apr 2023
shinseiRomeoSep 28, 2026 3:47 AM
428 Comments
Quote from ChaoticThrifty View quoted comment :
Get it while you can. I'm still kicking myself for not jumping on the Mac Mini and Mac Studio deals of winter 2025.
I did a custom build to order a year ago. Only thing I really changed was the internal nvme to 1TB. Almost got the 64gb and higher core combo though for the $700 extra at the time, it wouldn't have done much for me.
Sep 28, 2026 4:33 AM
208 Comments
Joined Nov 2005
milkmandanSep 28, 2026 4:33 AM
208 Comments
Quote from Slickindeals818 View quoted comment :
i went to bb store in person on friday and showed them there were local ones in stock at a nearby micro center, manager then came reviewed on the spot and approved
damn I feel this is what I should've done
Pro
Sep 28, 2026 10:33 AM
1.2K Comments
Joined Dec 2014
1gokart
Pro
Sep 28, 2026 10:33 AM
1.2K Comments
Quote from igoogle View quoted comment :
Expect the price to come down further in thanksgiving
I seriously doubt it. Based on past history, Apple products don't go below their retail price that much unless a new product is coming out.

This is probably the lowest you'll get for a Mac Studio since Apple raised the retail price to $2499. The previous gen M4 Max, when the retail price was $1999, the lowest ever for new was $1699 by MC. You never saw that price again. This will be the same. $1999 will be lowest you're ever see this Mac Studio M5 Max will go for until the M6 Max come out.
Pro
Sep 28, 2026 10:39 AM
1.2K Comments
Joined Dec 2014
1gokart
Pro
Sep 28, 2026 10:39 AM
1.2K Comments
Quote from shinseiRomeo View quoted comment :
So back to normal $499 prices? $900 is a joke.
FYI $499 wasn't normal price for the M4 Mac Mini. It was $599 at launch for the M4 Mac Mini. At $899 for the launch of the M5 Mac Mini is crazy for only processor upgrade and technically its a downgrade as the SSD is now solder. You cannot upgrade the SSD like on the M4/M4Pro version.
1
Sep 28, 2026 3:17 PM
192 Comments
Joined May 2016
arcane30Sep 28, 2026 3:17 PM
192 Comments
This with 512 or m4 max with 1TB ..same 36GB RAM.
Sep 28, 2026 3:27 PM
1.9K Comments
Joined Aug 2011
DJRobNMSep 28, 2026 3:27 PM
1.9K Comments
This would go nicely next to my Mac mini m4 that I never use. I was considering upgrading to the Mac mini M6 with 32 GB of unified for $1379 but I'm wondering if I should spend the extra $600. Would like to get into local llm. with tb5 couldn't you daisy chain these together? 108gb for $6k.
Last edited by DJRobNM September 28, 2026 at 09:30 AM.

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Sep 28, 2026 4:02 PM
2 Comments
Joined Mar 2026
MagentaCrowd979Sep 28, 2026 4:02 PM
2 Comments
Quote from dotCOMdiscount View quoted comment :

microcenter regularly sells apple computers at a discount, close to or even better than the education discounts sometimes. not sure how apple allows them to do it, but they do
I got a m5 mbp 16" at a discount from the EDU price from microcenter in the SAME month as the release date. They have done this before: https://slickdeals.net/f/19354194-apple-macbook-pro-laptop-early-2026-16-2-m5-pro-48gb-1tb-ssd-2600-free-pickup
Pro
Sep 28, 2026 4:07 PM
1.2K Comments
Joined Dec 2014
1gokart
Pro
Sep 28, 2026 4:07 PM
1.2K Comments
Quote from arcane30 View quoted comment :
This with 512 or m4 max with 1TB ..same 36GB RAM.
This M5 Max even with 512gb SSD. This M5 Max upgrades are the processor, WiFi 7, and Bluetooth 6.0, along with other technical upgrades. You can always upgrade the SSD as this and M4 Max are not soldered.
Sep 28, 2026 4:34 PM
428 Comments
Joined Apr 2023
shinseiRomeoSep 28, 2026 4:34 PM
428 Comments
Quote from 1gokart View quoted comment :

FYI $499 wasn't normal price for the M4 Mac Mini. It was $599 at launch for the M4 Mac Mini. At $899 for the launch of the M5 Mac Mini is crazy for only processor upgrade and technically its a downgrade as the SSD is now solder. You cannot upgrade the SSD like on the M4/M4Pro version.
True, though 'normal' for me was the .edu price and the microcenter price. the m4 mini was always $499. At the pricing today, really of any apple computer, they're all a joke. ESPECIALLY The Apple tv 4k now.
Expert
This user is an Expert in Home & Home Improvement
Sep 28, 2026 4:47 PM
5.5K Comments
Joined Oct 2013
wherestheanykey
Expert
This user is an Expert in Home & Home Improvement
Sep 28, 2026 4:47 PM
5.5K Comments
Quote from OrangeChannel8353 View quoted comment :
can you share what hardware you use for this? how fast or slow is it? what I mean is do you have to plan for longer running things, like overnite?
Currently only 1 5070 Ti and 1 5060 Ti 16GB for this model.

With very little tuning I'm at 200K context, 1100 prefill, and 40-70tgs depending on the task.

How long things take depends on the complexity.

The Linux build took 8 hours from scratch, but that was with a very loose prompt. I only told it what OS I wanted, what my hardware was, and what customizations to include.

If I'm having it code small tools, I can have a fully working prototype in as little as 10 minutes.
1
Sep 28, 2026 4:51 PM
329 Comments
Joined Sep 2003
jargooneSep 28, 2026 4:51 PM
329 Comments
Quote from 1gokart View quoted comment :
This M5 Max even with 512gb SSD. This M5 Max upgrades are the processor, WiFi 7, and Bluetooth 6.0, along with other technical upgrades. You can always upgrade the SSD as this and M4 Max are not soldered.
Unfortunately not true: https://expandmacmini.com/blogs/n...ed-storage
Sep 28, 2026 4:57 PM
704 Comments
Joined Jul 2006
jwongSep 28, 2026 4:57 PM
704 Comments
Quote from jargoone View quoted comment :
Unfortunately not true: https://expandmacmini.com/blogs/n...ed-storage
It is true. He's talking about the Studio, not the mini. Although it's likely going to take some time before someone comes out with upgrade kits for the new Studios.
Last edited by jwong September 28, 2026 at 11:01 AM.
Pro
Sep 28, 2026 6:05 PM
1.2K Comments
Joined Dec 2014
1gokart
Pro
Sep 28, 2026 6:05 PM
1.2K Comments
Quote from jargoone View quoted comment :
Unfortunately not true: https://expandmacmini.com/blogs/n...ed-storage
We're not talking about M6/M5Pro Mac Mini. The M5 Max Mac Studio is a non soldered SSD, like the M4 Max but we'll have to wait for someone to make a replaceable SSD as the pins are not the same as the M4 Max
Last edited by 1gokart September 28, 2026 at 04:18 PM.

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Sep 28, 2026 7:08 PM
362 Comments
Joined Dec 2008
VTTreekllaSep 28, 2026 7:08 PM
362 Comments
Available to reserve online now. This may change the price match dynamic. But why again do folks want it through BB or another outlet versus MC beyond limited access with their small footprint?
3

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