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1gokart 44.9K Views
Oct 23, 2026 8:00 AM

Apple Mac Studio Desktop (2026): M5 Max, 36GB RAM, 512GB SSD

$2,000

$2,500

20% off
+ Free Pickupat Micro Center
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Deal Details
Micro Center has Apple Mac Studio M5 Max Desktop Computer (2026, MHL64LL/A) for $1999.99. Free store pickup is available where stock permits.

Thanks to Community Member 1gokart for finding this deal.

Note: Availability may vary by location.

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 johnny_miller | Staff
  • Our research indicates this offer is $299.01 lower (13% savings) than the next best price from a reputable merchant at the time of this post.
  • This price matches +304 Frontpage Deal from last month.

Original Post

Written by 1gokart
Community Notes
About the Poster
Deal Details
Community Notes
About the Poster
Micro Center has Apple Mac Studio M5 Max Desktop Computer (2026, MHL64LL/A) for $1999.99. Free store pickup is available where stock permits.

Thanks to Community Member 1gokart for finding this deal.

Note: Availability may vary by location.

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 johnny_miller | Staff
  • Our research indicates this offer is $299.01 lower (13% savings) than the next best price from a reputable merchant at the time of this post.
  • This price matches +304 Frontpage Deal from last month.

Original Post

Written by 1gokart

Community Voting

Deal Score
+105
Good Deal
Bad Deal
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Top Comments

milkmandan
208Comments
26Reputation
this frontpage deal is back. should be upvoted again. also 48GB/1TB version is $400 off for $2999. not as good of a deal as the base ($500 off) but if you need the more ram, storage, gpu cores and the increased Memory bandwidth, its a solid deal

with large restocks at local MC, i would imagine this might be nearing the last time this might be discounted like this until next iteration
Go to Comment
M5Rahul
3.1KComments
451Reputation
Good deal , but that base storage with a Max chip is outright insulting!
Go to Comment

Community Reviews

The Mac Studio M5 Max is a compact desktop that feels very fast for creative work and local AI, with Thunderbolt 5, 10GbE, Wi‑Fi 7, and a replaceable SSD. The 36GB and 512GB base configuration is the main weak point, since coding, Xcode, photo libraries, and local models can run into memory pressure or storage limits. The 48GB and 1TB version is viewed as the better value, while heavier AI workflows keep pushing the conversation toward 64GB, 96GB, or more. It is a strong machine, but the base memory and storage make the right configuration matter a lot.

  • The Mac Studio M5 Max includes multiple high-bandwidth ports like Thunderbolt 5, 10GbE LAN, and HDMI 2.1 for flexible workstation setups.

    Whatthefahad

  • The Studio can run local models, and it can deliver faster prompt and token generation performance versus an M4 Pro 48GB setup.

    SmartMeal986

  • The Studio's replaceable SSD design can make storage expansion more feasible than soldered SSDs on the 2026 Mac mini models.

    whodiini

  • The Mac Studio can feel dramatically faster for general creative workflows like Lightroom and can handle large RAW files smoothly after adding external storage.

    paolo80

  • The 36GB unified memory configuration can create RAM pressure quickly, forcing process kills or swapping during development and testing.

    nycynikthesefishtacos

  • The Studio's memory and disk are not upgradable, so buyers may regret choosing lower RAM or smaller storage for local LLM workloads.

    nycyniknycynik

  • The base storage and RAM choices can be viewed as insufficient for many LLM workloads, while also being overkill for everyday tasks.

    M5Rahulmadcool

  • The 512GB SSD configuration can run out of disk space during software development, requiring frequent moves to external storage.

    nycynik

Common Questions (4)

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

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72 Comments

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Pro
Oct 24, 2026 7:10 PM
3.4K Comments
Joined Dec 2012
pmperry
Pro
Oct 24, 2026 7:10 PM
3.4K Comments
Quote from Thrifle View quoted comment :
SSD prices are coming down 8% from Sept to Oct in my research. Memory is still high
New PC sales have dropped 21% and they're expected to drop another 27% in the 4th quarter.
Oct 24, 2026 9:37 PM
1.3K Comments
Joined Sep 2011
RamesesThe2ndOct 24, 2026 9:37 PM
1.3K Comments
I don't think I can spend any more money on it at the moment. The price jump going from this 128 GB Max variant to base Ultra with 256 GB is basically double the money ($9499 + tax). I guess I will have to continue renting LLMs. Frown

Quote from M5Rahul View quoted comment :
Serious local LLMs ( fast prefills, context expansion caching, and high token count/sec et al ). I'd look at at least 256GB RAM.. 128 is the minimum basic, but better than folks pushing 64GB and expecting near frontier model outputs.
Oct 24, 2026 10:10 PM
196 Comments
Joined Aug 2011
Stevemax07Oct 24, 2026 10:10 PM
196 Comments
I'm not working LLMs like many of y'all, but I just bought one of these from BB (price matched) and this Studio with the M5 Max flies in comparsion to my old M5 Macbook Air.

This is an exciting machine!
Oct 25, 2026 12:16 AM
2 Comments
Joined Apr 2018
JohnS5439Oct 25, 2026 12:16 AM
2 Comments
M5 max is a beast
Oct 25, 2026 4:18 AM
763 Comments
Joined Feb 2010
vandytomOct 25, 2026 4:18 AM
763 Comments
For this price, I'd rather get the iPhone Duo.
1
6
Oct 25, 2026 5:24 AM
100 Comments
Joined Aug 2017
nycynikOct 25, 2026 5:24 AM
100 Comments
I own this computer - it was a mistake. I should have gotten at least 1 TB and at least 64 GB of RAM. I regret it daily.

I do contemplate selling this thing and getting something newer, but as everyone has said, the skyrocketing prices are nuts. I think it was 1k for ram upgrade alone in the store.
Oct 25, 2026 11:45 AM
40 Comments
Joined Feb 2011
paolo80Oct 25, 2026 11:45 AM
40 Comments
Quote from nycynik View quoted comment :
I own this computer - it was a mistake. I should have gotten at least 1 TB and at least 64 GB of RAM. I regret it daily.I do contemplate selling this thing and getting something newer, but as everyone has said, the skyrocketing prices are nuts. I think it was 1k for ram upgrade alone in the store.
What do you use it for?

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Oct 25, 2026 8:42 PM
7.5K Comments
Joined Jan 2009
MrDeaalsOct 25, 2026 8:42 PM
7.5K Comments
Quote from nycynik View quoted comment :
I own this computer - it was a mistake. I should have gotten at least 1 TB and at least 64 GB of RAM. I regret it daily.

I do contemplate selling this thing and getting something newer, but as everyone has said, the skyrocketing prices are nuts. I think it was 1k for ram upgrade alone in the store.
why was it a mistake ? i'm planning to buy a 48GB machine to run some local models but this seems like a good deal based on current market conditions. just trying to understand whats wrong with the machine and for which use case ?
Oct 25, 2026 9:49 PM
100 Comments
Joined Aug 2017
nycynikOct 25, 2026 9:49 PM
100 Comments
Quote from paolo80 View quoted comment :
What do you use it for?
I'm a software developer, I use it for coding. It's not enough ram for [VS Code + Docker + terminal + Chrome + Slack + e2e tests]. Pretty much every time I run tests, I have to kill something after running out of ram.

The 500GB is also not enough. I have an external drive because you have to, but even with that it's constantly low on disk space, and I'm constantly trying to move more things onto the external. I've thought about trying to boot from an external and get a Thunderbolt drive, but Thunderbolt 5 is crazy expensive, and 4 is not as fast as internal, so it's just more sadness. Frown
1
Oct 25, 2026 9:50 PM
100 Comments
Joined Aug 2017
nycynikOct 25, 2026 9:50 PM
100 Comments
Quote from MrDeaals View quoted comment :
why was it a mistake ? i'm planning to buy a 48GB machine to run some local models but this seems like a good deal based on current market conditions. just trying to understand whats wrong with the machine and for which use case ?
it is a good deal, and I love that I can run local models. I just wish I had purchased more ram and disk space, since they are not upgradable.
Oct 26, 2026 1:57 PM
110 Comments
Joined Nov 2007
madcoolOct 26, 2026 1:57 PM
110 Comments
Aside from the sale it seems this is not the ideal configuration for most people. It's insufficient for a lot of LLM work but overkill for most everything else. What am I missing?
Oct 26, 2026 3:19 PM
40 Comments
Joined Feb 2011
paolo80Oct 26, 2026 3:19 PM
40 Comments
Quote from madcool View quoted comment :
Aside from the sale it seems this is not the ideal configuration for most people. It's insufficient for a lot of LLM work but overkill for most everything else. What am I missing?
I bought it yesterday. Added an external drive. Lightroom flies now and it handles R5II raw files effortlessly. I could have gotten an m6 mini with upgraded ram and disk tomatch the Studio and save 300 bucks. But I think it's worth it
Oct 26, 2026 6:24 PM
230 Comments
Joined Jan 2006
load97Oct 26, 2026 6:24 PM
230 Comments
Quote from madcool View quoted comment :
Aside from the sale it seems this is not the ideal configuration for most people. It's insufficient for a lot of LLM work but overkill for most everything else. What am I missing?
Missing Handbrake.fr. Among other programs.
Oct 27, 2026 12:34 AM
89 Comments
Joined Jan 2018
George3914Oct 27, 2026 12:34 AM
89 Comments
Quote from nycynik View quoted comment :
I'm a software developer, I use it for coding. It's not enough ram for [VS Code + Docker + terminal + Chrome + Slack + e2e tests]. Pretty much every time I run tests, I have to kill something after running out of ram.

The 500GB is also not enough. I have an external drive because you have to, but even with that it's constantly low on disk space, and I'm constantly trying to move more things onto the external. I've thought about trying to boot from an external and get a Thunderbolt drive, but Thunderbolt 5 is crazy expensive, and 4 is not as fast as internal, so it's just more sadness. Frown
Are you running LLMs? What models are you running for coding?

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Oct 27, 2026 2:22 AM
3.2K Comments
Joined Dec 2012
fuzzyballzOct 27, 2026 2:22 AM
3.2K Comments
The real question is does this Mac bend?
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