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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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+310
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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.

  • The deal can be secured through Best Buy price matching when Micro Center shows local stock.

    kashhhmoneyyytejavictoryKrisK1984dshoppr

  • The 36GB unified RAM can be sufficient for running certain local MoE LLMs targeting about 24GB VRAM.

    Caleodrgka55drgka55

  • The Mac Studio configuration can offer strong connectivity and sustained performance with 10Gb Ethernet and less thermal throttling.

    cockadoodleprivater

  • The SSD can be expanded using Thunderbolt for additional storage during upgrades.

    AtlanticFoxThirstyCruz

Common Questions (5)

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

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227 Comments

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Sep 26, 2026 3:39 PM
37 Comments
Joined Feb 2019
NitzMistrySep 26, 2026 3:39 PM
37 Comments
I was able to price match with BestBuy while placing the order online but received email today saying "Please note that the Mac Studio Apple M5 Max chip with 36GB Memory and 512GB SSD - Silver is non transactable for a price match at MicroCenter. Therefore, per policy, no price match should be completed for this item."
Pro
Sep 26, 2026 3:42 PM
4.6K Comments
Joined Nov 2015
dshoppr
Pro
Sep 26, 2026 3:42 PM
4.6K Comments
Quote from NitzMistry View quoted comment :
I was able to price match with BestBuy while placing the order online but received email today saying "Please note that the Mac Studio Apple M5 Max chip with 36GB Memory and 512GB SSD - Silver is non transactable for a price match at MicroCenter. Therefore, per policy, no price match should be completed for this item."
Always remember when you are price matching at Bestbuy, ask for them to give a link with adjusted price. So you will just pay the reduced price and get done with it. Dont place the order for full price and ask for refund later.
Sep 26, 2026 4:04 PM
4.3K Comments
Joined Jun 2007
dvdrdiscsSep 26, 2026 4:04 PM
4.3K Comments
Quote from dshoppr View quoted comment :
Always remember when you are price matching at Bestbuy, ask for them to give a link with adjusted price. So you will just pay the reduced price and get done with it. Dont place the order for full price and ask for refund later.

Any idea if I can add gift cards to payment when an agent sends a checkout link? I remember last year I couldn't. The link only allowed me to checkout with a credit card.
Pro
Sep 26, 2026 4:46 PM
4.6K Comments
Joined Nov 2015
dshoppr
Pro
Sep 26, 2026 4:46 PM
4.6K Comments
Quote from dvdrdiscs View quoted comment :
Any idea if I can add gift cards to payment when an agent sends a checkout link? I remember last year I couldn't. The link only allowed me to checkout with a credit card.
Yes you can add gift cards and reward certificates too. I didnot see the paypal option though.
Sep 26, 2026 5:10 PM
106 Comments
Joined Dec 2014
awong9970Sep 26, 2026 5:10 PM
106 Comments
Was disappointed that it was out of stock, but saw the restock and picked one up at Tustin, CA.
Sep 26, 2026 6:39 PM
1.8K Comments
Joined Dec 2003
lifeatragedySep 26, 2026 6:39 PM
1.8K Comments
I hate how I don't live near a microcenter.
Sep 26, 2026 6:47 PM
151 Comments
Joined May 2006
joefratguySep 26, 2026 6:47 PM
151 Comments
got bestbuy messages to price match. They then cancelled the order 1 hour later.

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Sep 26, 2026 6:53 PM
2.2K Comments
Joined Jan 2009
cockadoodleSep 26, 2026 6:53 PM
2.2K Comments
Quote from Pineconehead View quoted comment :
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.
$1499 would be more enticing.
2
Sep 26, 2026 7:21 PM
1 Comments
Joined Sep 2026
MaritimeRescueSep 26, 2026 7:21 PM
1 Comments
Hey people thanks for the help I saw Dallas restocked and headed there for opening scored one. For those in DFW it's showing in stock as of 14:20 Saturday
Sep 26, 2026 7:24 PM
73 Comments
Joined Jan 2022
MaroonGuitar7427Sep 26, 2026 7:24 PM
73 Comments
Quote from dshoppr View quoted comment :
Yes you can add gift cards and reward certificates too. I didnot see the paypal option though.
do you see trade in option if go thru that link they give you?
Sep 26, 2026 7:26 PM
225 Comments
Joined Jun 2023
PowerfulSuit190Sep 26, 2026 7:26 PM
225 Comments
What is the distinction between this and an M5 Max laptop at the same price point?
Sep 26, 2026 7:26 PM
2.2K Comments
Joined Jan 2009
cockadoodleSep 26, 2026 7:26 PM
2.2K Comments
Quote from masterz13 View quoted comment :
512GB storage on a $2000 computer is wild
Storage can be external. The 36GB ram is more of a concern...
Sep 26, 2026 7:29 PM
2.2K Comments
Joined Jan 2009
cockadoodleSep 26, 2026 7:29 PM
2.2K Comments
Quote from PowerfulSuit190 View quoted comment :
What is the distinction between this and an M5 Max laptop at the same price point?
Ports. 10Gb ethernet which means 1GB/s storage transfer rate over network to NAS or share on computer . Less thermal throttling so more sustained high performance.
1
Sep 26, 2026 8:11 PM
512 Comments
Joined Jul 2022
PineconeheadSep 26, 2026 8:11 PM
512 Comments
Quote from PowerfulSuit190 View quoted comment :
What is the distinction between this and an M5 Max laptop at the same price point?
The laptop would be a much bettter deal because I think laptop defaults to 2TB storage with M5 Max unlike 512gb here.

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Sep 26, 2026 8:57 PM
2 Comments
Joined Jan 2014
illliliSep 26, 2026 8:57 PM
2 Comments
Quote from MaroonGuitar7427 View quoted comment :
do you see trade in option if go thru that link they give you?
I was able to get BB to price match and had to get them to input the trade in specs as the serial alone doesn't import the system specs automatically. Provided link then included trade in data.

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