‘Gamechanging’: Internet loses it over Apple’s new Mac Studio computer

An announcement from Apple has sent the tech world into a spin, with gadget lovers jostling to get their hands on a brand new product.

Apple has announced a “gamechanging” new product during the tech giant’s first major event of 2022.

Apple’s Peek Performance March event was held early Wednesday morning Australian time, with CEO Tim Cook revealing a string of new innovations.

But the one that has caught the attention of tech lovers the world over is a new desktop computer, the “gamechanging” Mac Studio, which was touted as bringing “unprecedented” performance to “astonishing new heights”.

The announcement caused an immediate stir on social media, with tech junkies sharing their excitement on Twitter – and some poking fun at the unique, chunky cube design.

not gonna lie, pretty disappointed they called it Mac Studio instead of MacThicc #AppleEvent

— Federico Viticci (@viticci) March 8, 2022

if the Mac Studio looks familiar its because its design is based off the best computer ever created pic.twitter.com/cEYAsvIxLe

— Wadah Adlan (Pencil) (@WadahA) March 8, 2022

I don't care what Apple's branding says, I'm going to be calling the Mac Studio the Big Mac.

— Brian Westover (@BrianatPC) March 8, 2022

In a nutshell, the Mac Studio – the first new Mac model to be revealed in years – includes both Apple’s M1 Max chip as well as a new and more powerful chip, the M1 Ultra.

The Mac Studio was touted by the firm as being faster than the Mac Pro, and promises to work quietly regardless of your workload.

Apple has announced a new desktop computer, the Mac Studio. Picture: Apple

The new Studio Display monitor was also announced, and according to Apple, “together, Mac Studio and Studio Display transform any workspace into a creative powerhouse”.

It comes with four Thunderbolt 4 ports, a 10Gb Ethernet port, two USB-A ports, an HDMI, and an audio jack and supports Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0.

The Mac Studio with M1 Max will be up to 50 per cent faster than the Mac Pro, and the new computer is specifically targeting studio use for those who create things like music, design and videos.

It can support up to four Pro Display XDRs and a 4K TV and can be pre-ordered today, and will be available from March 18.

Today’s announcement has caused a stir. Picture: Apple

“We couldn’t be more excited to introduce an entirely new Mac desktop and display with Mac Studio and Studio Display,” said Greg Joswiak, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing.

“Mac Studio ushers in a new era for the desktop with unbelievable performance powered by M1 Max and M1 Ultra, an array of connectivity, and a compact design that puts everything users need within easy reach.

“And Studio Display — with its stunning 5K Retina screen, along with the best combination of camera and audio ever in a desktop display — is in a class of its own.”

CEO Tim Cook led the event. Picture: Apple

But it doesn’t come cheaply, with Australian pricing starting at $3099 for the M1 Max and $6099 for the M1 Ultra models.

That high price point hit a nerve with some tech followers, with Denmark-based author Thomas Baekdal accusing the company of becoming “a toy only for the super-wealthy”.

Heh... yeah... no! ... I mean, come on Apple. You have become a toy only for the super-wealthy.

I mean, the **cheapest** price here in Denmark:
Mac studio: DKK 17,999
Apple Studio Display: DKK 13,999
Keyboard + mouse: DKK 2,549:

DKK 34,547 ($5,060) ... for the CHEAPEST option. pic.twitter.com/Xt6qt7F9To

— Thomas Baekdal (@baekdal) March 8, 2022

But others weren’t worried by the price tag, with countless social media users begging Apple to take their hard earned cash.

Mac Studio. Take my money, @Apple#AppleEvent
Related: Selling my 4 bed, 2 bath home in NE PDX.

— Caleb Denison (@Caleb_Denison) March 8, 2022

New budget iPhone

Apple also unveiled a few other innovations, including the additional of Friday night baseball to Apple TV + and iPad Air with M1 chip and 5G support.

But the announcement attracting the most attention besides the Mac Studio was a new iPhone that will be around half the cost of other models, starting at $719.

The new iPhone SE 3 – the third generation of Apple’s SE range – is far more budget-friendly than other iPhones and will replace the 2020 model, and will come with 5G and a 12 megapixel camera.

It means a smaller display compared to other iPhones, as well as fewer cameras, but most other features will be the same, including “the same incredibly powerful A15 Bionicchip that’s in iPhone 13”.

It will be available from March 18, with pre-orders open from March 12.

There were also some exciting iPhone announcements. Picture: Apple

Apple also unveiled the new “sophisticated alpine green iPhone 13 Pro” and green iPhone 13.

According to Apple, the iPhone 13 line-up features “sleek designs made even more durable with the Ceramic Shield front cover, and includes the breakthrough A15 Bionic chip, an advanced 5G experience, cutting-edge camera systems for stunning photos and videos, and a huge leap in battery life”.

“People love the design of iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13, and we’re excited to unveil the stunning new alpine green and green finishes, which join the wide range of beautiful colours on the iPhone 13 line-up,” said Bob Borchers, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing.

“These new colours give customers even more options when choosing their iPhone, and we can’t wait for them to take advantage of all the iPhone 13 line-up offers, including unmatched performance with A15 Bionic, our best camera systems, massive improvements to battery life for everyday needs, fast 5G, incredible durability and so much more.”

Apple’s big tease

And if that’s not enough for you, Apple also teased a new Mac Pro – but said that announcement would have to wait for a future event.

“One more product to go: Mac Pro. But that’s for another day,” Apple’s head of hardware John Ternus said.

“We look forward to seeing what our users will do with all of these incredible products and the impact they will have on people’s lives,” Tim Cook said of the new announcements.

Originally published as ‘Gamechanging’: Internet loses it over Apple’s new Mac Studio computer