Macs With M1 Ultra: Full List and Buying Guide

The Apple M1 Ultra chip appears in exactly two Mac models: the Mac Studio (2022) and the Mac Pro (2023). Both are desktop machines aimed at professionals who need extreme CPU and GPU performance, and both were sold with the M1 Ultra as a higher-tier option above the M1 Max.

Background: Why the M1 Ultra Exists

Apple introduced the M1 Ultra in March 2022 as the third member of the M1 family, following the M1 and M1 Pro/Max. Its key innovation is UltraFusion—a silicon interposer that connects two M1 Max dies together, allowing the system to treat them as a single chip. This gives the M1 Ultra 20 CPU cores (16 high-performance + 4 efficiency), up to 64 GPU cores, and up to 128GB of unified memory. Apple designed it specifically for creative professionals, 3D artists, and software developers who need more power than the M1 Max but don’t want to move to Intel-based Mac Pro towers.

The Two Macs That Use the M1 Ultra

Mac Studio (2022)

The Mac Studio was announced alongside the M1 Ultra and was the first Mac to offer it. It is a small, square desktop computer designed to sit under a monitor. The M1 Ultra version starts at $3,999 in the US, with configurations up to 128GB of unified memory and 8TB of storage. It has four Thunderbolt 4 ports, two USB-A ports, an HDMI port, a 10Gb Ethernet port, and an SD card slot. The M1 Ultra model also adds a front-facing SD card slot and two additional USB-C ports (one on the front, one on the back).

Mac Pro (2023)

The Mac Pro, released in June 2023, is Apple’s most powerful desktop tower. It is the only Mac Pro to use Apple silicon, and it comes exclusively with the M2 Ultra chip—not the M1 Ultra. This is a common point of confusion. The Mac Pro (2023) does not include the M1 Ultra; it uses the M2 Ultra, which is a later generation. So if you are specifically looking for the M1 Ultra, the Mac Studio (2022) is the only Mac that ever shipped with it.

How to Identify an M1 Ultra Mac

If you are buying a used Mac or checking your own system, you can verify the chip in two ways:

• About This Mac: Click the Apple menu > About This Mac. The chip name appears next to “Chip.â€� If it says “Apple M1 Ultra,â€� you have the right model.
• System Information: Click “More Infoâ€� in About This Mac, then select “Hardwareâ€� in the sidebar. The chip name is listed under “Chip.â€�

You can also check the model identifier: Mac Studio with M1 Ultra has the identifier Mac13,2. The Mac Pro (2023) has Mac14,8 (M2 Ultra) and Mac14,14 (M2 Ultra with 76-core GPU).

Performance and Capabilities

The M1 Ultra delivers roughly double the performance of the M1 Max in multi-core tasks. In real-world usage, it handles 8K video editing, complex 3D rendering, and large-scale software compilation with ease. Its 64-core GPU can compete with high-end discrete graphics cards like the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090 in certain workloads, though not in all. The unified memory architecture allows the CPU and GPU to share up to 128GB of memory, which is crucial for loading massive datasets or high-resolution textures without swapping to disk.

Common Misconceptions

• “The Mac Pro has an M1 Ultra.â€� False. The 2023 Mac Pro uses the M2 Ultra. The M1 Ultra was never offered in the Mac Pro.
• “The M1 Ultra is available in a laptop.â€� False. No MacBook model uses the M1 Ultra. It is only in the Mac Studio (2022).
• “The M1 Ultra is the fastest Apple chip ever.â€� Not anymore. The M2 Ultra, M3 Max, and M4 Max all outperform it in various metrics. The M1 Ultra was the fastest at its launch but has been superseded.

How to Choose Between M1 Ultra and Other Macs

If you are considering a Mac with the M1 Ultra, the main decision is whether to buy a used Mac Studio (2022) or a newer model. Here are key factors:

• Budget: Used M1 Ultra Mac Studios are significantly cheaper than new M2 Ultra Mac Studios or Mac Pros.
• Performance needs: If your work fits within 128GB of memory and you need maximum GPU cores, the M1 Ultra is still very capable. For the absolute fastest Apple silicon, look for M2 Ultra or M3 Ultra models.
• Ports and expansion: The Mac Studio has a fixed set of ports. The Mac Pro (2023) offers PCIe expansion slots, but it does not come with M1 Ultra.
• Software compatibility: All M-series chips run the same macOS versions. No software that runs on M2 Ultra will refuse to run on M1 Ultra, though performance may differ.

Cost and Availability

The M1 Ultra Mac Studio (2022) originally started at $3,999. As of 2025, it is no longer sold new by Apple, but you can find it on the refurbished market or from third-party sellers. Prices for used units vary widely based on configuration, condition, and warranty. Expect to pay somewhere between $2,500 and $3,500 for a base model with 64GB of memory and 1TB of storage. The M2 Ultra Mac Studio, which is the direct successor, starts at $3,999 new.

Alternatives to the M1 Ultra

If you cannot find an M1 Ultra Mac Studio or want a newer chip, consider these options:

• Mac Studio with M2 Ultra (2023): Offers roughly 20% faster CPU and GPU performance, and supports up to 192GB of memory.
• Mac Studio with M4 Max (2024): A more recent option with better single-core performance and efficiency, though with fewer GPU cores than the M1 Ultra.
• Mac Pro with M2 Ultra (2023): The tower form factor with PCIe expansion, but at a much higher price.
• MacBook Pro with M3 Max or M4 Max: If you need portability, these laptops offer comparable performance to the M1 Ultra for many tasks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Mac mini have an M1 Ultra?

No. The Mac mini has never been offered with the M1 Ultra. The Mac mini uses base M1, M2, or M2 Pro chips.

Can I upgrade a Mac Studio from M1 Max to M1 Ultra?

No. The M1 Ultra is a physically different chip with a different interposer. You cannot swap or upgrade the chip in any Mac. You must buy the model with the M1 Ultra from the start.

Is the M1 Ultra still good in 2025?

Yes, for most professional workloads. It still outperforms many current mid-range desktop CPUs and GPUs, and its 128GB memory capacity is unmatched by most laptops. However, it is not the fastest Apple chip anymore, and newer M3/M4 Ultra models offer better performance per watt.

What is the difference between M1 Ultra and M2 Ultra?

The M2 Ultra is built on a newer 5nm process (second generation) and has more transistors, faster GPU cores, and support for up to 192GB of memory. It delivers roughly 20% better multi-core CPU performance and up to 30% better GPU performance than the M1 Ultra.

Does the M1 Ultra support external GPUs?

No. Apple silicon Macs do not support external GPUs (eGPUs). The M1 Ultra’s integrated GPU is the only graphics option.

Is the M1 Ultra good for gaming?

It can run many games at high settings, but macOS has a limited game library compared to Windows. The M1 Ultra’s GPU is powerful, but most AAA titles are not natively available for macOS.

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