Mac Studio M4 Max: review for local AI
Apple's desktop for local AI - caught by the 2026 shortage. We look at what matters for running LLMs locally — memory, bandwidth, speed, price — and who it is (or is not) the right buy for.
Where to buy
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Specs
| Memory | Up to 96 GB unified (128 GB+ tiers pulled in 2026) |
| Bandwidth | 546 GB/s (M4 Max 16-core) |
| Compute | Apple Silicon M4 Max, 40-core GPU, Neural Engine |
| Power | ~160 W |
| Price | ~$3,999 (very tight stock) |
| Largest model | 70B at Q4 (~12 tok/s); fast large MoE via MLX |
Who is it for?
macOS creators/devs targeting large models, if you can find stock.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- 546 GB/s: ~2x a DGX Spark's bandwidth
- macOS + MLX highly optimized for LLMs
- Quiet, compact, ~160 W
- Excellent MoE inference
Cons:
- 2026 shortage: 128 GB+ configs pulled, 4-5 month lead times
- Expensive
- 96 GB now caps the very largest models
- New stock scarce - check refurbished
Verdict
On paper the best Apple desktop for local AI, but the 2026 shortage pulled high-memory configs and tightened stock. To run a 70B today, a Strix Halo mini PC (128 GB) is more accessible; otherwise watch refurbished or the MacBook Pro M4 Max 128 GB.
FAQ
Can the Mac Studio M4 Max run a 70B LLM locally?
70B at Q4 (~12 tok/s); fast large MoE via MLX.
How much does the Mac Studio M4 Max cost?
Expect ~$3,999 (very tight stock). Prices move fast — check today's price via the buy links.
Who is the Mac Studio M4 Max for?
macOS creators/devs targeting large models, if you can find stock.