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Apple’s next Mac Studio could get a new M5 Ultra chip and a cooler upgrade

The desktop workstation is tipped to receive an M5 Ultra this year, an M7 Ultra later, and a redesigned heat sink.

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Apple Mac Studio Featured
Apple

Apple’s Mac Studio may not be getting a fresh new look anytime soon, but it could be getting a meaningful upgrade where it matters most. According to Mark Gurman in the latest edition of his Power On newsletter, Apple is preparing an M5 Ultra-powered Mac Studio as early as this year, while an even more powerful M7 Ultra version is already on the company’s roadmap for 2028. Interestingly, the report also claims Apple is redesigning one component most users will never see: the heat sink.

More power is coming, and Apple wants to keep it cool

Gurman reports that the upcoming M5 Ultra Mac Studio won’t receive a major external redesign. Instead, Apple is reportedly focusing on internal improvements, including a redesigned heat sink, to better manage the additional power of its next-generation Ultra chip.

Apple’s Mac Studio plans include an M5 Ultra model as early as this year and an M7 Ultra model in 2028. Apple is also working on a redesigned heat sink to better support the additional power. https://t.co/q7fQ9IjMK9

— Mark Gurman (@markgurman) June 28, 2026

That makes plenty of sense. As Apple’s silicon continues to evolve, professional workloads such as 8K video editing, 3D rendering, software development, and on-device AI models are becoming increasingly demanding. Better thermal management could allow the Mac Studio to sustain peak performance for longer without throttling under heavy loads.

A person uses an Apple Mac Studio and a Studio Display monitor at a desk.
Apple

The roadmap doesn’t stop there. Gurman also says Apple is already planning an M7 Ultra Mac Studio for 2028, suggesting the company is thinking multiple generations ahead for its flagship desktop workstation.

If it isn’t broken, don’t redesign it

If you were hoping for a radical redesign, though, you may have to wait. According to Gurman, Apple appears happy sticking with the current Mac Studio chassis, choosing to refine what’s inside rather than reinvent the hardware itself.

Apple Mac Studio in use in a studio
Apple

Honestly, that’s probably the right call. The Mac Studio’s compact aluminum design has held up remarkably well since its debut, and professionals shopping for one are far more interested in sustained performance than cosmetic changes. If Apple can deliver a faster Ultra chip with better cooling while keeping the same footprint, it could end up being exactly the kind of upgrade Mac Studio users have been waiting for.

Varun Mirchandani
Varun Mirchandani
News Writer
Varun is an experienced technology journalist and editor with over eight years in consumer tech media. His work spans…
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