8% OFF
$2299.00
$2499.00
Updated October 2026
Data from Amazon and official Apple and MINISFORUM sites.
2026 verdict
The Apple Mac Studio (M5 Max 36GB + 512GB) brings a 32-core integrated GPU, four Thunderbolt 5 ports and 10Gb Ethernet, but the MINISFORUM MS-03 (Ultra 9 64GB + 1TB) still wins for most buyers who need a wired home lab.
The MS-03 wins on memory capacity (64GB against 36GB) and storage capacity (1TB against 512GB), and it packs four wired network ports, a half-height PCIe x16 slot, three M.2 bays and vPro remote management into a 1.4 kg chassis. The Mac Studio remains the pick for a desk that lives in Apple's ecosystem and wants macOS, Thunderbolt 5 and a quiet aluminum body.
Deals by email
Mini PC prices change while you decide
We follow prices across the catalog and email you the best deals we find.
No spam. Unsubscribe in one click.
| Feature | Apple Mac Studio (M5 Max 36GB + 512GB) | MINISFORUM MS-03 (Ultra 9 64GB + 1TB) | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $2299.00 | $1919.00 | MINISFORUM MS-03 (Ultra 9 64GB + 1TB) |
| Rating | 5.0 | 4.9 | Apple Mac Studio (M5 Max 36GB + 512GB) |
| Memory Capacity | 36 GB | 64 GB | MINISFORUM MS-03 (Ultra 9 64GB + 1TB) |
| Storage Capacity | 512 GB | 1 TB | MINISFORUM MS-03 (Ultra 9 64GB + 1TB) |
| CPU Model | M5 Max 18-core | Intel Core Ultra 9 386H | Different strengths |
| Memory Configuration | Unified Memory | Dual-channel | Different strengths |
| Memory Speed | 460 GB/s | 5600 MT/s | Different strengths |
| GPU Model | 32-core GPU | Intel Graphics | Different strengths |
| NPU Model | 16-core Neural Engine | Integrated NPU (50 TOPS) | Different strengths |
What the differences mean
Networking
The MINISFORUM MS-03 carries two 10G SFP+ cages, a 10GbE port and a 2.5GbE port with vPro, which is what a software router or storage node needs. The Apple Mac Studio has a single 10Gb Ethernet port, enough for a fast client but not for routing between networks.
Expansion
The MS-03 adds a half-height PCIe x16 slot and three M.2 NVMe bays, two at PCIe 5.0 x4, plus U.2 support. The Mac Studio is sealed, so cards, extra drives and memory are not options after purchase.
Memory and storage
The MS-03 ships 64GB of DDR5 that can be raised to 128GB, next to a 1TB drive. The Mac Studio gives 36GB of unified memory at 460 GB/s and a 512GB SSD, faster per byte but smaller and fixed.
Processor and graphics
The Mac Studio's 18-core M5 Max and 32-core GPU are the stronger creative engine. The MS-03's Core Ultra 9 386H and integrated Intel graphics are built for virtualisation and I/O rather than rendering, so the two suit opposite jobs.
Remote management
The MS-03 supports Intel vPro, so it can be managed, diagnosed and recovered remotely. The Mac Studio has no equivalent out-of-band management, which matters in a rack or a remote site.
Which one to buy if
- you are building a software router or a 10 gigabit NAS head
The MS-03 gives four wired network ports and a half-height PCIe slot in a 1.4 kg box.
- your work happens in macOS
The Apple Mac Studio runs an 18-core M5 Max with a 32-core GPU on macOS, which the MS-03 cannot.
- you need 10G SFP+ cages and an expansion card
The MS-03 has two 10G SFP+ cages plus a half-height PCIe x16 slot for a network or controller card.
- you want four Thunderbolt 5 ports and 10Gb Ethernet on a sealed box
The Apple Mac Studio carries four Thunderbolt 5 ports and a single 10Gb Ethernet port with no case to open.
- the machine runs headless and must be managed remotely
vPro on the MS-03 allows remote management and recovery that the Mac Studio does not offer.
8% OFF
$2299.00
$2499.00
- + Rating: 5.0
- - Price: $2299.00 vs $1919.00
- - Memory Capacity: 36 GB vs 64 GB
Winner
$1919.00
- + Price: $1919.00
- + Memory Capacity: 64 GB
- + Storage Capacity: 1 TB
- - Rating: 4.9 vs 5.0
Price history compared
Every price change of both, in the same store, so the gap between the two lines is what one costs more than the other.
- Apple Mac Studio (M5 Max 36GB + 512GB)
- MINISFORUM MS-03 (Ultra 9 64GB + 1TB)
Loading price history...
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better overall: Apple Mac Studio (M5 Max 36GB + 512GB) or MINISFORUM MS-03 (Ultra 9 64GB + 1TB)?
The MINISFORUM MS-03 (Ultra 9 64GB + 1TB) for a wired home lab, since it has four network ports, a PCIe slot, three M.2 bays, more memory and storage and vPro. The Apple Mac Studio (M5 Max 36GB + 512GB) is the pick for macOS creative and GPU work, with a 32-core GPU and four Thunderbolt 5 ports.
What is the biggest difference between the Apple Mac Studio and the MINISFORUM MS-03?
Their purpose. The Apple Mac Studio (M5 Max 36GB + 512GB) is a sealed macOS workstation built around an 18-core M5 Max and a 32-core GPU, while the MINISFORUM MS-03 (Ultra 9 64GB + 1TB) is an expandable home-lab box with four wired network ports, a PCIe slot and upgradeable memory.
Can the memory of either machine be upgraded?
Only the MINISFORUM MS-03 (Ultra 9 64GB + 1TB) can, since it uses two DDR5 SO-DIMM slots that go up to 128GB. The Apple Mac Studio (M5 Max 36GB + 512GB) has unified memory fixed at purchase.
How many wired network ports does each have?
The MINISFORUM MS-03 (Ultra 9 64GB + 1TB) has four, two 10G SFP+ plus a 10GbE and a 2.5GbE port. The Apple Mac Studio (M5 Max 36GB + 512GB) has one 10Gb Ethernet port.
Who should buy the MINISFORUM MS-03 (Ultra 9 64GB + 1TB)?
A home-lab builder who needs ten-gigabit networking, expansion cards and remote management, or a virtualisation host that has to sit quietly in a rack or on a shelf.
Who should buy the Apple Mac Studio (M5 Max 36GB + 512GB)?
A creative professional who works in macOS and wants Thunderbolt 5, 10Gb Ethernet and a strong integrated GPU in a quiet desk machine.
Full comparison table
Compare all 104 Mini PCs side by side
You are looking at two of them. The full table lines up all Mini PCs in the catalog with the same specs, so you can filter by what you need and sort by price or rating.
- 104 Mini PCs
- 41 specs compared
- 38 filters
AsusNUC 15 Pro+ (Ultra 9 32GB + 1TB)
$1902.44
MINISFORUMMS-A2 (Ryzen 9 9955HX 96GB + 2TB)
$2099.00
AsusROG GR70 (RTX 5070 32GB + 2TB)
$2599.00- Apple
Mac Studio (M5 Max 36GB + 512GB)
8% OFF$2499.00$2299.00 
AsusNUC 13 Pro Slim (i7 16GB + 512GB)
$979.99
MINISFORUMMS-03 (Ultra 9 64GB + 1TB)
$1919.00
AppleMac Mini (M4 Pro 24GB + 512GB)
$1569.00
MINISFORUMMS-S1 Max (128GB + 2TB)
$3879.00
MINISFORUMMS-S1 Max (64GB + 2TB)
$2599.00
AsusNUC 16 Pro (Ultra 7 16GB + 512GB)
$1547.59
AppleMac Mini (M2 Pro 16GB + 512GB)
Last priceJul 31, 2026$1273.46
Unavailable
AppleMac Mini (M4 16GB + 512GB)
Last priceOct 13, 2026$999.00
Unavailable
GMKtecK17 Plus (32GB + 1TB)
15% OFF
$1299.99$1099.99
MINISFORUMG1 Pro (32GB + 1TB)
$1719.00
GeekomA9 Mega (128GB + 2TB)
5% OFF$3999.00$3799.00
BeelinkMini S12 Pro (N100 16GB + 500GB)
$339.00
BeelinkMini S12 (N95 8GB + 480GB)
$279.00
MINISFORUMM1-1390 (32GB + 1TB)
$767.00
MINISFORUMM1 Pro-125H (32GB + 1TB)
$895.00
MINISFORUMUM870 Slim (32GB + 1TB)
$799.00
Mini PCsAppleMac Mini (M6 16GB + 256GB)
4.1(23)13% OFF$899.00$779.99- Mini PCsApple
Mac Studio (M5 Max 36GB + 512GB)
5.0(2)8% OFF$2499.00$2299.00 - Mini PCsApple
Mac Mini (M2 Pro 16GB + 512GB)
4.7(1,454)Last priceJul 31, 2026$1273.46
Unavailable - Mini PCsApple
Mac Mini (M4 16GB + 512GB)
4.7(420)Last priceOct 13, 2026$999.00
Unavailable - Mini PCsApple
Mac Mini (M4 Pro 24GB + 512GB)
4.8(260)$1569.00 
Mini PCsAppleMac Mini (M4 Pro 48GB + 1TB)
4.4(14)Last priceFeb 17, 2026$2199.00
Unavailable
SpeakersAppleHomePod (2nd gen)
4.5(54)Last price$369.99
Unavailable
SpeakersAppleHomePod mini
3.0(1)€199.86
Streaming DevicesAppleTV 4K (3rd Gen, Wi-Fi + Ethernet 128GB)
4.7(1,624)Unavailable
Voice AssistantsAppleHomePod (2nd gen)
4.5(54)Last price$369.99
Unavailable
Voice AssistantsAppleHomePod mini
3.0(1)€199.86
- Mini PCsMINISFORUM
G1 Pro (32GB + 1TB)
4.6(26)$1719.00 - Mini PCsMINISFORUM
M1-1390 (32GB + 1TB)
4.5(224)$767.00 - Mini PCsMINISFORUM
M1 Pro-125H (32GB + 1TB)
4.5(224)$895.00 
Mini PCsMINISFORUMMS-02 Ultra (Ultra 9 285HX, 32GB + 1TB)
4.3(31)$1659.00- Mini PCsMINISFORUM
MS-03 (Ultra 9 64GB + 1TB)
4.9(12)$1919.00 - Mini PCsMINISFORUM
MS-A2 (Ryzen 9 9955HX 96GB + 2TB)
5.0(5)$2099.00 - Mini PCsMINISFORUM
MS-S1 Max (128GB + 2TB)
4.8(13)$3879.00 - Mini PCsMINISFORUM
MS-S1 Max (64GB + 2TB)
4.8(13)$2599.00 - Mini PCsMINISFORUM
UM870 Slim (32GB + 1TB)
4.5(224)$799.00 
Mini PCsMINISFORUMUM890 Pro (32GB + 1TB)
4.3(400)$989.00
Mini PCsMINISFORUMX1 Lite-255 (32GB + 1TB)
4.5(224)$759.00