Apple Mac Studio with M5 Ultra 96GB RAM + 1TB SSD

Apple Mac Studio with M5 Ultra Overview

The Apple Mac Studio with M5 Ultra price in Kenya is KShs 1,003,500. This compact workstation is for demanding macOS projects that can use substantial graphics power and memory: complex video timelines, large 3D scenes, extensive audio sessions and compatible local AI workloads. The listed Silver configuration combines a 30-core CPU, 64-core GPU, 96GB unified memory and 1TB SSD. If your projects do not need that memory capacity or graphics headroom, compare the Apple Mac Studio with M5 Max before allocating the rest of your workstation budget.

30-core CPU and 64-core GPU: choose for the workload

The M5 Ultra pairs its 30-core CPU with a 64-core GPU, hardware-accelerated ray tracing and a 32-core Neural Engine. Its 1.2TB/s memory bandwidth helps move data between the processor, graphics and shared memory. These resources are most useful when your software can distribute work across them; a larger core count does not make every application proportionally faster.

For editing, the media engine accelerates H.264, HEVC, ProRes and ProRes RAW, with two video decode engines, four video encode engines and four ProRes encode/decode engines. AV1 decoding is also supported. Codec acceleration can help compatible playback and export workflows, while effects, colour processing, source storage and application support still influence results.

What the 96GB memory and 1TB SSD package means

This listing is the 96GB RAM + 1TB SSD configuration with the 30-core CPU and 64-core GPU. It is not Apple’s higher-core 36-core CPU/80-core GPU configuration. The large unified-memory pool gives compatible applications room for complex assets and concurrent work. For local AI, check model size, quantisation, context length and software compatibility: the operating system and applications also need memory, so 96GB is not a promise that every 96GB model will run.

Unified memory is not a later user RAM upgrade. The 1TB SSD stores macOS, applications and working files, with formatted usable capacity below the advertised figure. Video media, sample libraries and model files can consume it quickly. Plan separate fast working storage and a backup destination rather than relying on a single internal drive for everything.

Six Thunderbolt 5 ports and practical front access

The Ultra has four Thunderbolt 5 ports at the rear and two at the front, plus a front UHS-II SDXC card slot. Compatible displays, storage and docks can use these connections; Apple’s up-to-120Gb/s specification is a link capability, not a guarantee that a storage drive will transfer at that rate. Rear connections also include two USB-A ports up to 5Gb/s, HDMI 2.1, 10Gb Ethernet and a 3.5mm headphone jack.

The front Thunderbolt ports are a meaningful distinction from the M5 Max model, whose front USB-C ports run at up to 10Gb/s. For a desk with frequent media ingestion or external-drive changes, front access avoids reaching behind the workstation.

Display support for editing, reference and monitoring

Apple specifies support for up to eight external displays at 6K/60Hz or 4K/up to 165Hz, or up to four at 8K/60Hz, 5K/120Hz or 4K/240Hz, using supported Thunderbolt and HDMI combinations. The maximum screen count and highest-resolution mode are different configurations, not promises that all limits apply simultaneously. Check the exact monitors, cables and docks against Apple’s display-connection guidance. A monitor is purchased separately.

10Gb Ethernet, Wi-Fi 7 and studio audio

The RJ-45 connection supports 1Gb, 2.5Gb, 5Gb and 10Gb Ethernet. It can be useful for shared media storage, but the switch, cabling and storage server must also support the required throughput. The Apple N1 wireless chip provides Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 and Thread networking; wireless features depend on equipment and regional availability.

A built-in speaker covers basic sound, while the headphone jack supports high-impedance headphones and HDMI carries multichannel audio. An audio interface, studio monitors, microphone and webcam are separate tools for a production or meeting setup.

Build the complete workstation

The enclosure occupies 19.7 × 19.7cm of desk space and stands 9.5cm high. Leave its ventilation clear and plan space for connected cables. It uses mains power through the included power cord, with an internal power supply; there is no laptop-style battery or separate charging brick to purchase.

The box contains the Mac Studio and power cord only. Add a compatible monitor, keyboard and pointing device, such as the Apple Magic Trackpad (USB-C) if you prefer macOS gestures. Include software licences, storage and backup needs in the overall budget. If you need a smaller-scale creative desktop, also compare the Apple Mac mini with M4 Pro against your actual applications.

Who should choose M5 Ultra?

Choose this configuration when a tested workflow benefits from its 96GB memory, graphics resources, media engines or extensive display connectivity. Check that specialist applications and plug-ins support macOS and Apple silicon; software requiring CUDA or a specific Windows environment needs separate compatibility consideration. The Ultra is a substantial workstation purchase, so a representative project is more useful than choosing solely by the chip name.

Specifications: Apple’s official Mac Studio M5 Max and M5 Ultra technical specifications. The included Apple product video introduces both chips; this page describes the specific Ultra package listed above.