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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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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 25, 2026 5:07 AM
660 Comments
Joined Jan 2015
tijjSep 25, 2026 5:07 AM
660 Comments
Quote from CharlesCCC View quoted comment :
I got exactly the same model about 18 months ago for 1699. It is insane how AI have changed so much price on those things. (Everyone is paying the inflated price).

btw, i believe this one was 1999 Retail (and then price hiked to 2499).
The amount of BS people spread is insane. Bought newly released olf week product 18 months ago ..
Sep 25, 2026 5:27 AM
1 Comments
Joined Sep 2026
MellowLeopard465Sep 25, 2026 5:27 AM
1 Comments
Quote from cn288 View quoted comment :
Was able to price match with Best Buy. I think this is a great price for the machine if you can use all this power.
did your local microcenter have any stock? i'm about to get on chat with an agent and i'm afraid they'll decline because there's no stock at my microcenter.
Sep 25, 2026 6:09 AM
192 Comments
Joined Jun 2015
cromoSep 25, 2026 6:09 AM
192 Comments
Quote from dbernie41 View quoted comment :
ELI5 about this. Is this basically like running a fully local version of something like Claude and therefore don't have to pay a subscription? Or what is the benefit?
No, nowhere close Claude. You'll get some simpler models working on it. Still useful for working on stuff you want to keep private, e.g. that uses your credentials.
Sep 25, 2026 2:50 PM
82 Comments
Joined Dec 2020
OrangeChannel8353Sep 25, 2026 2:50 PM
82 Comments
Quote from wherestheanykey View quoted comment :
I've been running Qwen 3.8 27B and DeepSeek Harness for nearly a month.

It's a very capable combination and often too capable for its own good.

The highlight of DeepSeek Harness is that you can customize virtually everything about it using the model you have loaded.

This has led to way more sub-projects than I have time for.

The last one developed a hook to my case lights so it could indicate when it was done with a task or found an error.

External to that, it's been able to build Arch Linux from source with integrated customizations, decompiled drivers, solved a few crackmes that would have taken me weeks, rebuilt the Roku remote app to be less annoying, and helped deliver a child (okay, this one didn't happen).
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?
Sep 25, 2026 3:58 PM
76 Comments
Joined Dec 2006
cjbell82Sep 25, 2026 3:58 PM
76 Comments
Looks like another restock has happened. My local Microcenter now has 25.
Sep 25, 2026 4:23 PM
171 Comments
Joined Jul 2013
morockinSep 25, 2026 4:23 PM
171 Comments
Quote from MarkT4717 View quoted comment :
Microcenter restocked this morning, so if you want to price match at Best Buy, try again. My advice, go to the store. Ask if it's in stock, have them grab it for you to ring it up. AT THAT TIME, you mention the price match when they are already at register. Show them the stock and price, they will say "no shit, that's cheap".. Call over a manager who will verify and look at it as a $2000 purchase at their store in sales, and say "fark Apple" and take the price match. Works every time.If you are in the NY/NJ/CT area, Yonkers has 3 in stock this morning, so head to a BB quick this AM..Don't bother with online.. they are trained to say no..Store level kids, don't care..
Confirming that I just price matched with Best Buy online on the Mac Studio that was already delivered earlier this week. Saved $550!
Sep 25, 2026 4:51 PM
2.1K Comments
Joined May 2008
Gambit16Sep 25, 2026 4:51 PM
2.1K Comments
This is a great deal for those looking to have a great productivity desktop that'll be overpowered for at least another 5 years.

I was thinking about returning my M6 Mac Mini with 32GB, 512GB and getting this Mac Studio instead but it's much bigger and heavier than Mac Minis.

Quote from cjbell82 View quoted comment :
Looks like another restock has happened. My local Microcenter now has 25.
Yeah North Jersey store has 25+ right now. woot

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Sep 25, 2026 7:21 PM
27 Comments
Joined Nov 2006
hpnasSep 25, 2026 7:21 PM
27 Comments
This is a great deal but seems you can't order online for pick up, but rather actually have to go to the store to buy it, at least for NY/NJ locations
Sep 25, 2026 8:27 PM
671 Comments
Joined May 2013
igoogleSep 25, 2026 8:27 PM
671 Comments
I miss mac. mini for less than 500$
1
Sep 25, 2026 10:04 PM
1.2K Comments
Joined Dec 2003
rwong48Sep 25, 2026 10:04 PM
1.2K Comments
Quote from cjbell82 View quoted comment :
Looks like another restock has happened. My local Microcenter now has 25.
I see this now too. I had checked about an hour before your message and it was still out. Santa Clara, CA
Pro
Sep 25, 2026 10:22 PM
4.5K Comments
Joined Nov 2015
dshoppr
Pro
Sep 25, 2026 10:22 PM
4.5K Comments
Quote from rwong48 View quoted comment :
I see this now too. I had checked about an hour before your message and it was still out. Santa Clara, CA
Santa Clara is out since yesterday afternoon
Last edited by dshoppr September 25, 2026 at 11:20 PM.
1
Sep 25, 2026 10:55 PM
44 Comments
Joined Nov 2006
IlovecakesSep 25, 2026 10:55 PM
44 Comments
Still available at micro center Fairfax. They have lots of them store guy said.
Sep 26, 2026 2:23 AM
472 Comments
Joined Apr 2021
t99Sep 26, 2026 2:23 AM
472 Comments
Dallas has 25+ in store. Guess this will be the normal price at microcenter. Hope they get the Ultra base model, would love a discount on that one 😄
Pro
Sep 26, 2026 6:04 AM
4.5K Comments
Joined Nov 2015
dshoppr
Pro
Sep 26, 2026 6:04 AM
4.5K Comments
Quote from rwong48 View quoted comment :
I see this now too. I had checked about an hour before your message and it was still out. Santa Clara, CA
Santa Clara now has more than 20. Try early in the morning.

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Sep 26, 2026 6:08 AM
1.2K Comments
Joined Dec 2003
rwong48Sep 26, 2026 6:08 AM
1.2K Comments
Quote from dshoppr View quoted comment :
Santa Clara now has more than 20. Try early in the morning.
That's what I was referring to. I refreshed before sending my post. Apparently, you didn't..
1

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