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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?

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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)

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

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225 Comments

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Sep 29, 2026 8:08 PM
299 Comments
Joined Oct 2010
PissyEmuSep 29, 2026 8:08 PM
299 Comments
1 in stock at Duluth, GA
12 in stock at Marietta, GA
Pro
Sep 29, 2026 8:18 PM
4.5K Comments
Joined Nov 2015
dshoppr
Pro
Sep 29, 2026 8:18 PM
4.5K Comments
Today is last day for the deal, if anyone is planning to buy, grab it.
Pro
Sep 29, 2026 8:25 PM
4.5K Comments
Joined Nov 2015
dshoppr
Pro
Sep 29, 2026 8:25 PM
4.5K Comments
They increased the M4 Max studio both 512GB and 1TB.
Sep 29, 2026 8:45 PM
49 Comments
Joined Jul 2014
ncmuSep 29, 2026 8:45 PM
49 Comments
Quote from SociableWing1460 View quoted comment :
If I order thru BB can I get them to retroactively price match? My local BB has none in stock (but free delivery tomorrow at 2499) and no MC stores near me. TIA.
I had no luck with all the agents
Sep 30, 2026 1:54 AM
16 Comments
Joined Feb 2023
TenderChannel923Sep 30, 2026 1:54 AM
16 Comments
Quote from dshoppr View quoted comment :
Today is last day for the deal, if anyone is planning to buy, grab it.
where mentioned?
Sep 30, 2026 2:52 AM
206 Comments
Joined Nov 2005
milkmandanSep 30, 2026 2:52 AM
206 Comments
Quote from TenderChannel923 View quoted comment :
where mentioned?
the in store sticker next to the display said 9/28 for me. someone who had an order sheet said 9/30. so regardless, the deal is ending super soon.
Sep 30, 2026 2:54 AM
206 Comments
Joined Nov 2005
milkmandanSep 30, 2026 2:54 AM
206 Comments
Quote from SociableWing1460 View quoted comment :
If I order thru BB can I get them to retroactively price match? My local BB has none in stock (but free delivery tomorrow at 2499) and no MC stores near me. TIA.
you can try but very likely they will reject the price match even if the live agent says yes and everything goes through. You'll get an email within 24 to 48 hours from Best Buy customer service directly telling you that they have rejected the price match and you will not be getting it. The only people that found success are those who did it much earlier; basically the very first day it went on sale at Micro Center when they had plenty of stock. Or people who are able to walk into a Best Buy and get the manager to retroactively apply the price match

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Sep 30, 2026 1:03 PM
34 Comments
Joined Mar 2021
MaroonFruit6888Sep 30, 2026 1:03 PM
34 Comments
Can it run GTA6?
1
Sep 30, 2026 3:43 PM
50 Comments
Joined Sep 2012
tsumaSep 30, 2026 3:43 PM
50 Comments
Quote from CraftyThunder View quoted comment :
For those who price matched successfully, did you get this email at 5 pm cst after the fact the agent approved the price match and refund this morning. Thank you for choosing Best Buy. This email is in response to your price match request under order number . Please note that the Mac Studio with Apple M5?Max chip, 36?GB memory, and 512?GB?SSD in silver is non transactable for a price match at MicroCenter. Therefore, per policy, no price match should be completed for this item. For more information about our Price Match Guarantee, you may refer to https://www.bestbuy.com/PMG We appreciate your business. For any other concerns, you may visit our Support Center at www.Bestbuy.com/support Sincerely, DhevBest Buy Customer Care
My Micro Center in Houston had several in stock, but even so, two online Best Buy agents would not price match due to the $500 price difference and said I should go to a Best Buy store and do the price match there, which they did. It wasn't in stock at BB but I am receiving it shipped tomorrow.
Sep 30, 2026 5:33 PM
175 Comments
Joined Jan 2012
chiropteranSep 30, 2026 5:33 PM
175 Comments
FYI these just came back in stock locally, my Microcenter was sold out the last two days, now it's showing 10+ in stock.
Oct 1, 2026 12:53 AM
206 Comments
Joined Nov 2005
milkmandanOct 1, 2026 12:53 AM
206 Comments
Quote from chiropteran View quoted comment :
FYI these just came back in stock locally, my Microcenter was sold out the last two days, now it's showing 10+ in stock.
you might want to list which Micro Center you're actually seeing that change. My local one apparently only got one or it was a return or a failed pick up. Still completely sold out at all CA and AZ locations. In-store tag also said walk-in deal dies on 9/28, so even if they re-stock it might be back up to normal price. I am headed back there tomorrow for something else. I will double check and ask a member.
Last edited by milkmandan September 30, 2026 at 06:26 PM.
Pro
Oct 1, 2026 6:01 AM
4.5K Comments
Joined Nov 2015
dshoppr
Pro
Oct 1, 2026 6:01 AM
4.5K Comments
Quote from milkmandan View quoted comment :
you might want to list which Micro Center you're actually seeing that change. My local one apparently only got one or it was a return or a failed pick up. Still completely sold out at all CA and AZ locations. In-store tag also said walk-in deal dies on 9/28, so even if they re-stock it might be back up to normal price. I am headed back there tomorrow for something else. I will double check and ask a member.
where are you located? Az store has open box M4 Max for 1620 if you are interested reserve it now and decide later.
Oct 1, 2026 1:59 PM
206 Comments
Joined Nov 2005
milkmandanOct 1, 2026 1:59 PM
206 Comments
Quote from dshoppr View quoted comment :
where are you located? Az store has open box M4 Max for 1620 if you are interested reserve it now and decide later.
CA. I actually saw an open box Mac Studio M5 Max, this $1999 one, on sale open box for $1799 at Tustin MC.Only one. 10pm. It was gone in minutes. Wish I was fast enough. Seems like some returns and failed pick ups are coming thru.
Pro
Oct 1, 2026 4:19 PM
4.5K Comments
Joined Nov 2015
dshoppr
Pro
Oct 1, 2026 4:19 PM
4.5K Comments
Quote from milkmandan View quoted comment :
CA. I actually saw an open box Mac Studio M5 Max, this $1999 one, on sale open box for $1799 at Tustin MC.Only one. 10pm. It was gone in minutes. Wish I was fast enough. Seems like some returns and failed pick ups are coming thru.
Bay area ?

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Oct 2, 2026 7:58 AM
14 Comments
Joined Dec 2016
blisteringherbOct 2, 2026 7:58 AM
14 Comments
I was able to get a price match from Best Buy in person after a couple of failed online attempts. I purchased on Weds when there were 11 in stock at Micro Center (Marietta). They shipped the last one in stock at the Kennesaw store to me and it arrived the next day.

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