Mini PCs · Head to head

Apple Mac Studio (M5 Max 36GB + 512GB) vs MINISFORUM MS-S1 Max (64GB + 2TB)

Full Mini PCs comparison in 2026

Updated October 2026
Data from Amazon and official Apple and MINISFORUM sites.
2026 verdict
Among premium mini PCs, the MINISFORUM MS-S1 Max (64GB + 2TB) stands out for memory and storage.
MINISFORUM MS-S1 Max (64GB + 2TB)
Winner
MINISFORUM MS-S1 Max (64GB + 2TB)
$2599.00

Last recorded price

Buy on Amazon USA
It gives 64GB of quad-channel LPDDR5X-8000 and a 2TB SSD against the 36GB of unified memory and 512GB drive of the Apple Mac Studio (M5 Max 36GB + 512GB), and it pairs a Ryzen AI Max+ 395, Radeon 8060S graphics, a 50 TOPS NPU, dual 10GbE and four USB4 ports. The Mac Studio is the more affordable of the two and the only one with Thunderbolt 5, 10Gb Ethernet and macOS, so it stays the pick for a Mac-centric desk.
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FeatureApple Mac Studio (M5 Max 36GB + 512GB)MINISFORUM MS-S1 Max (64GB + 2TB)Winner
Price$2299.00$2599.00Apple Mac Studio (M5 Max 36GB + 512GB)
Rating5.04.8Apple Mac Studio (M5 Max 36GB + 512GB)
Memory Capacity36 GB64 GBMINISFORUM MS-S1 Max (64GB + 2TB)
Storage Capacity512 GB2 TBMINISFORUM MS-S1 Max (64GB + 2TB)
CPU ModelM5 Max 18-coreAMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395Different strengths
Memory ConfigurationUnified MemoryQuad-channelDifferent strengths
Memory Speed460 GB/s8000 MT/sDifferent strengths
GPU Model32-core GPUAMD Radeon 8060S GraphicsDifferent strengths
NPU Model16-core Neural EngineAMD Ryzen AI NPU (50 TOPS)Different strengths

What the differences mean

Platform

The Apple Mac Studio runs an 18-core M5 Max on macOS, while the MINISFORUM MS-S1 Max runs an AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 on Windows 11 Pro. The choice usually follows the software you depend on, not the raw spec sheet.

Memory

The MS-S1 Max has 64GB of quad-channel LPDDR5X-8000 shared by the CPU, GPU and NPU, where the Mac Studio offers 36GB of unified memory at 460 GB/s. For local AI models the larger pool matters more than the per-byte speed.

Storage

The MS-S1 Max ships with a 2TB drive and a second M.2 slot inside; the Mac Studio carries 512GB that can be specified larger at purchase but not changed afterwards. That is four times the out-of-the-box storage on the MS-S1 Max.

Connectivity

The Mac Studio carries four Thunderbolt 5 ports, a single 10Gb Ethernet port and front SDXC, plus Wi-Fi 7 with Thread. The MS-S1 Max counters with two 10GbE ports and four USB4 connectors, two of them at 80Gbps, and no Thunderbolt certification.

Graphics

The Mac Studio's 32-core GPU suits macOS video and 3D pipelines. The MS-S1 Max uses a Radeon 8060S with 40 compute units that draws on the unified memory and can address a large slice of it as VRAM for local models.

Which one to buy if

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-S1 Max (64GB + 2TB)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better overall: Apple Mac Studio (M5 Max 36GB + 512GB) or MINISFORUM MS-S1 Max (64GB + 2TB)?

The MINISFORUM MS-S1 Max (64GB + 2TB) for memory and storage, with 64GB of quad-channel LPDDR5X-8000, a 2TB SSD, a 50 TOPS NPU and dual 10GbE. The Apple Mac Studio (M5 Max 36GB + 512GB) wins for a macOS workflow with four Thunderbolt 5 ports and 10Gb Ethernet.

What is the biggest difference between the Apple Mac Studio and the MINISFORUM MS-S1 Max?

The memory and platform. The Apple Mac Studio (M5 Max 36GB + 512GB) offers 36GB of unified memory on macOS, while the MINISFORUM MS-S1 Max (64GB + 2TB) offers 64GB of quad-channel LPDDR5X-8000 on an AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 with a Radeon 8060S.

Which one has more memory and storage?

The MINISFORUM MS-S1 Max (64GB + 2TB), with 64GB of unified memory and a 2TB drive. The Apple Mac Studio (M5 Max 36GB + 512GB) ships with 36GB of memory and a 512GB SSD.

Do either of these have Thunderbolt?

The Apple Mac Studio (M5 Max 36GB + 512GB) has four Thunderbolt 5 ports. The MINISFORUM MS-S1 Max (64GB + 2TB) has four USB4 ports, two at 80Gbps, but they are not certified as Thunderbolt.

Who should buy the Apple Mac Studio (M5 Max 36GB + 512GB)?

A Mac user who wants Thunderbolt 5, 10Gb Ethernet and a strong integrated GPU in a quiet desktop, and is happy to choose memory and storage at purchase.

Who should buy the MINISFORUM MS-S1 Max (64GB + 2TB)?

A buyer who wants the largest shared memory pool and more built-in storage for local AI, virtualisation or creative work on Windows, with two 10GbE ports and four USB4 connectors.

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