Apple has reintroduced the Mac Studio as part of its 2026 product lineup, positioning it as a high-performance desktop workstation for content creators and users interested in local artificial intelligence (AI) applications. Initially, it was believed that the Mac Studio would not return in 2026, but its comeback highlights Apple's continued investment in powerful desktop computing. The Mac Studio is now equipped with the M5 Max chip, which has been available in the MacBook Pro for nearly a year. In contrast, the Mac mini is expected to be upgraded with the new M6 chip, though details about its performance are currently being tested separately. The 2026 Mac Studio offers two main configurations. The top-tier model includes 128 GB of unified memory, 4 TB of storage, and a 40-core GPU version of the M5 Max chip, with a price tag of 7,839 €. A more affordable option starts at 2,999 €, featuring a 32-core GPU, 36 GB of RAM, and 1 TB of storage. Despite the new M5 Max chip, the 2026 model does not introduce significant design changes compared to the previous Mac Studio M4 Max. It retains the same dimensions (19.7 x 19.7 x 9.5 cm) and weight (2.7 kg), as well as the same connectivity ports, including USB-C, Thunderbolt, HDMI, and more. However, the new model now supports Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6, enhancing its connectivity options. Performance-wise, the M5 Max chip outperforms its predecessor, the M4 Max, in desktop benchmarks, particularly in multithreaded tasks like video editing, 3D modeling, and content creation. The M5 Max also shows improvements in gaming, achieving an average of 178 frames per second in Shadow of the Tomb Raider, compared to 137 for the M4 Max. However, the gap between the M5 Max and the upcoming M6 chip in the Mac mini is narrower than expected, with the M6 chip scoring slightly lower in CPU benchmarks. The Mac Studio remains a strong contender in AI-related tasks, with the M5 Max excelling in half-precision calculations and quantization, which are crucial for running local AI models. While the Mac Studio's audio capabilities remain unchanged, with built-in speakers lacking bass and having a less-than-ideal orientation, its headphone output is of high quality, offering low distortion and a wide dynamic range. Despite these features, the Mac Studio's price has increased compared to previous models, which may affect its appeal to budget-conscious buyers. Nonetheless, it continues to be a powerful and compact option in the desktop PC market, maintaining its leadership in key performance areas.