Technologies
Apple Mac Studio 2023 Review: Still the Creative Choice for Mac
There aren’t many changes to Apple’s midrange desktop. There didn’t need to be.
Like
- Fast and quiet
- Relatively compact
- HDMI 2.1
Don’t like
- M2 Max model has two less Thunderbolt connections than the M2 Ultra
There isn’t a lot to say about the latest generation of the Mac Studio: From a «put it on your desk and use it» perspective, it feels almost exactly like the model that preceded it, with the expected generation-over-generation tweaks we see routinely in laptops and desktops.
In sum, it delivers up to about 20% better performance over the equivalent last-generation M1 chip because it has more CPU and GPU cores, and because of the updated Wi-Fi (from 6 to 6E) and Bluetooth 5.3, it has more stable and potentially much faster wireless. That, plus upgraded HDMI 2.1 — what Apple refers to as «enhanced» HDMI — are certainly important new features, they just don’t change the experience much.
As much as I like the system — and I really do like it quite a lot — it’s a little hard to make a case for the M2 Max model. If you really need CPU and/or GPU power, you’re better off with an Ultra configuration at a not-cheap $4,399 ($3,999 if you lop a terabyte off the storage of our $3,199 test configuration). If you just want the CPU performance and are OK with a decent-ish GPU, the M2 Pro Mac Mini can be had for $1,000 less.
Apple Mac Studio 2023
| Price as reviewed | $3,199, £3,299, AU$5,099 |
|---|---|
| CPU | 3.3GHz Apple M2 Max 12 cores (8P/4E), 16-core Neural |
| Memory | 64GB LPDDR5 unified |
| Graphics | Integrated 38 cores |
| Storage | 2TB Apple SSD, SD card slot |
| Ports | 6x USB-C (2x Thunderbolt 4), 2x USB-A, 1x HDMI 2.1, 3.5mm audio |
| Networking | 10Gbps Ethernet, Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax), Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Operating system | MacOS Ventura 13.4 |
| Dimensions | 3.7 x 7.7 x 7.7 in (9.5 x 19.7 x 19.7 cm) |
| Ship date | June 2023 |
Many creative apps, notably photo editing, still tend to use CPU resources more than GPU, and the M2 Pro has the same Neural cores as the M2 Max. And, while the Max handles some basic high-res video editing, you can get away with the cheaper model for 4K, but will probably want to bump up for higher resolutions.
Much also depends on what creative applications you’re using as well as how you’re using them. You’ll see a lot more custom MacOS optimization from, say, DaVinci Resolve than Premiere Pro, so throwing money at the Max over the Pro may not help you. And features that might theoretically benefit from more Neural cores (the Ultra has 2x the Max and below), may not perform the processing locally. For instance, the processing for Photoshop’s new Generative Fill takes place remotely, so your system doesn’t really have to do any heavy lifting.
The Pro also has the same encode/decode accelerators as the Max, while the Ultra has twice as many. And the Ultra configuration has two more Thunderbolt ports — its dual Max processor configuration means another Thunderbolt controller — which is important if you plan on using external drives for that.
03:14
That doesn’t mean there isn’t a group of buyers for whom the M2 Max combination of solid CPU and GPU performance is just right for the money — it’s just easier and probably sufficient to go cheaper or necessary to go pricier.
The upgraded HDMI means it can handle a 4K monitor at a refresh rates of up to 240Hz. It does enable variable refresh rate for monitors that support it, and as with the MacBook Pro you don’t have much control over it; you enable it in MacOS and it’s out of your hands.
Aside from gaming, where it’s key for avoiding artifacts caused by the disconnect between game frame rate and display screen update, one of the main reasons for VRR (ProMotion) is to save power on devices like the iPad and iPhone. That’s not a huge issue for a desktop, so unless you’re gaming you’re better off just setting it to a high but fixed rate and leave it.
The port layout is the same as it’s been since the system launched.
If you do plan on gaming, I’d wait for MacOS 14 Sonoma before committing. Depending on how many game developers take advantage of Apple’s DX11/DX12 emulation so you can run Windows games, and depending on how they perform, you may want to adjust your GPU requirements. At the moment, there aren’t many native Apple silicon games; most are mobile games running on top of Apple’s Rosetta emulator. You can run a virtual Windows machine like Parallels, but I’d probably vote Ultra for that.
Performance
Apple silicon’s performance remains remarkably consistent, in the sense that it’s more or less directly correlated with the number of cores (though that doesn’t mean it’s true for any specific application, because they’re too squidgy when it comes to producing generalizable results).
The 38-core GPU in the Studio’s M2 Max delivers about 20% better Metal performance over the 32-core GPU in the M1 Max, almost entirely because of the increase in the number of cores. For a frame of reference, the 38-core performance puts it roughly comparable to an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 Ti, at least in one cross-platform benchmark (3D Mark Wild Life Extreme Unlimited), but there are a variety of metrics that simply aren’t reflected by that test.
Read more: Apple MacBook Air 15-Inch Review: Finally, Big for Less
Using it, though, we can extrapolate that the M2 Ultra’s 76-core version should provide a little less than twice that of the 38-core M2 Max and fall a little short of the RTX 4070 Ti. One interesting pattern that I see is that the more GPU cores there are the less you get out of each individual core within a given generation and about a 5% increase per core from M1 to M2.
As we’ve seen with the M1 generation, multicore CPU performance is almost identical for a given core configuration — in other words, the 12-core M2 Pro’s as fast as the 12-core M2 Max — and about 20% faster than the 10-core M1 Max. Because more cores. Single core speed is up by about 14%. For reference, the CPU performance seems about the same as an Intel Core i7-13700H.
I’ve only had a few days with the system, so I’m still sorting out the various performance nuances. I’m comfortable with the conclusions I’ve drawn thus far — it remains the excellent system it was when it debuted last year — but if necessary may update with more about this particular configuration for creative work and gaming.
Cinebench R23 CPU (multicore)
Cinebench R23 CPU (single core)
3DMark Wild Life Extreme Unlimited
Configurations
| Apple Mac Mini (M2 Pro, 2023) | MacOS Ventura 13.2; Apple M2 Pro (12-core CPU,19-core GPU); 16GB LPDDR5 RAM; 1TB SSD |
|---|---|
| Apple Mac Mini (M2, 2023) | MacOS Ventura 13.2; Apple M2 (8 CPU cores, 10 GPU cores); 8GB LPDDR5 RAM; 256GB SSD |
| Apple Mac Studio (M1 Max, 2022) | MacOS Monterey 12.3; Apple M1 Max (10 CPU cores, 32 GPU cores); 64GB RAM; 2TB SSD |
| Apple Mac Studio (M2 Max, 2023) | MacOS Ventura 13.4; Apple M2 Max (12 CPU cores, 38 GPU cores); 64GB RAM; 2TB SSD |
| Apple MacBook Pro (14-inch, 2021) | MacOS Monterey 12.4; Apple M1 Pro (10 CPU cores, 16 GPU cores); 32GB LPDDR5 RAM; 1TB SSD |
| Apple MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2021) | MacOS Monterey 12.4; Apple M1 Max (12 CPU cores, 32 GPU cores); 32GB RAM; 512GB SSD |
| Apple MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2023) | MacOS Ventura 13.2; Apple M2 Pro (12 CPU cores, 19 GPU cores); 32GB LPDDR5 RAM; 1TB SSD |
Technologies
Google Agrees to Pay $135M in Huge Android Data-Harvesting Settlement
Google’s settlement with Android users would resolve the lawsuit and alter how the company manages its terms of service, though not all users would receive financial compensation.
Android users, take note: On Tuesday, Google reached a preliminary settlement in a class action lawsuit over illegal data collection. If it goes through, Google will pay out $135 million to Android phone users, possibly the largest settlement of this kind in history.
According to the lawsuit, starting in 2017, Google programmed its Android OS to automatically collect cellular data via carriers, with no way for users to opt out. The lawsuit asserted that this data collection occurred even when users took steps such as disabling location tracking or closing apps.
Don’t miss any of our unbiased tech content and lab-based reviews. Add CNET as a preferred Google source.
The lawsuit also made a significant claim: that Google’s data collection practices constituted a crime called conversion. Conversion occurs when one party takes property from another with the intent to deprive them of it. No conversion cases have ever settled for $135 million.
As part of the settlement, Google has denied any wrongdoing.
«We are pleased to resolve this case, which mischaracterized standard industry practices that keep Android safe. We’re providing additional disclosures to give people more information about how our services work,» said Google spokesperson José Castañeda.
The lawsuit could have significant implications for data privacy and other data collection practices. It will also change Google’s terms of service. The company has agreed to obtain more explicit consent from Android users when first using new phones, to include a toggle button to turn off certain types of data collection, and to disclose data collection more clearly.
How do Android users know if they’ll get paid?
This is a preliminary settlement ahead of the first trial date in August, so we don’t yet know all the details. The judge will have to approve the settlement and confirm the time frame, payment method and other specifics.
Here’s what we do know: Payments would be capped at $100 per person, so no one should expect to get more than that. Also, in most cases, you have to sign up to become a part of a class action lawsuit. If you didn’t sign on to this specific lawsuit by now, you’re not likely to receive any money.
Another settlement involved ad targeting
It’s been an eventful week for Google settlements. Earlier this week, Google also agreed to a $68 million preliminary settlement in another class action lawsuit, this one involving Google Assistant (now being replaced with Gemini for Home).
Users said smart devices used Google Assistant to listen to them without their activation, leading to ad targeting based on information they hadn’t willingly shared.
In that settlement, payments will be made automatically. No claim form is required to receive a payment.
Technologies
Today’s NYT Connections Hints, Answers and Help for Jan. 29, #963
Here are some hints and the answers for the NYT Connections puzzle for Jan. 29 #963.
Looking for the most recent Connections answers? Click here for today’s Connections hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands puzzles.
What a fun NYT Connections puzzle today! There’s a favorite children’s story in one group, and four classic author surnames that, naturally, don’t show up in an «author surname» category. Read on for clues and all of today’s Connections answers.
The Times has a Connections Bot, like the one for Wordle. Go there after you play to receive a numeric score and to have the program analyze your answers. Players who are registered with the Times Games section can now nerd out by following their progress, including the number of puzzles completed, win rate, number of times they nabbed a perfect score and their win streak.
Read more: Hints, Tips and Strategies to Help You Win at NYT Connections Every Time
Hints for today’s Connections groups
Here are four hints for the groupings in today’s Connections puzzle, ranked from the easiest yellow group to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group.
Yellow group hint: Maybe it’s Maybelline.
Green group hint: Too hot, too cold, just right.
Blue group hint: Raise a cup.
Purple group hint: They all sound like words with a similar meaning.
Answers for today’s Connections groups
Yellow group: Makeup.
Green group: Featured in Goldilocks and the Three Bears.
Blue group: Ending with drinking vessels.
Purple group: Homophones of words meaning «brutal.»
Read more: Wordle Cheat Sheet: Here Are the Most Popular Letters Used in English Words
What are today’s Connections answers?
The yellow words in today’s Connections
The theme is makeup. The four answers are bronzer, foundation, liner and stain.
The green words in today’s Connections
The theme is featured in Goldilocks and the Three Bears. The four answers are bear, bed, Goldilocks and porridge.
The blue words in today’s Connections
The theme is ending with drinking vessels. The four answers are fiberglass, Silverstein, smug and stumbler.
The purple words in today’s Connections
The theme is homophones of words meaning «brutal.» The four answers are Gorey, Grimm, grizzly and Scarry.
Don’t miss any of our unbiased tech content and lab-based reviews. Add CNET as a preferred Google source.
Technologies
Today’s NYT Connections: Sports Edition Hints and Answers for Jan. 29, #493
Here are hints and the answers for the NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle for Jan. 29, No. 493.
Looking for the most recent regular Connections answers? Click here for today’s Connections hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle and Strands puzzles.
Today’s Connections: Sports Edition features some tricky terms. If you’re struggling with today’s puzzle but still want to solve it, read on for hints and the answers.
Connections: Sports Edition is published by The Athletic, the subscription-based sports journalism site owned by The Times. It doesn’t appear in the NYT Games app, but it does in The Athletic’s own app. Or you can play it for free online.
Read more: NYT Connections: Sports Edition Puzzle Comes Out of Beta
Hints for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups
Here are four hints for the groupings in today’s Connections: Sports Edition puzzle, ranked from the easiest yellow group to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group.
Yellow group hint: Checkmate!
Green group hint: Think Nadia Comăneci.
Blue group hint: Soccer stars.
Purple group hint: H2O.
Answers for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups
Yellow group: Chess pieces.
Green group: Gymnastics terms.
Blue group: Premier League Golden Boot winners.
Purple group: Water ____.
Read more: Wordle Cheat Sheet: Here Are the Most Popular Letters Used in English Words
What are today’s Connections: Sports Edition answers?
The yellow words in today’s Connections
The theme is chess pieces. The four answers are bishop, pawn, queen and rook.
The green words in today’s Connections
The theme is gymnastics terms. The four answers are handspring, round-off, salto and twist.
The blue words in today’s Connections
The theme is Premier League Golden Boot winners. The four answers are
The purple words in today’s Connections
The theme is water ____. The four answers are bottle, boy, hazard and polo.
Don’t miss any of our unbiased tech content and lab-based reviews. Add CNET as a preferred Google source.
-
Technologies3 года agoTech Companies Need to Be Held Accountable for Security, Experts Say
-
Technologies3 года agoBest Handheld Game Console in 2023
-
Technologies3 года agoTighten Up Your VR Game With the Best Head Straps for Quest 2
-
Technologies4 года agoBlack Friday 2021: The best deals on TVs, headphones, kitchenware, and more
-
Technologies5 лет agoGoogle to require vaccinations as Silicon Valley rethinks return-to-office policies
-
Technologies5 лет agoVerum, Wickr and Threema: next generation secured messengers
-
Technologies4 года agoOlivia Harlan Dekker for Verum Messenger
-
Technologies4 года agoiPhone 13 event: How to watch Apple’s big announcement tomorrow