Apple has updated its Mac Studio with new chipsets, but the M4 version isn't the most powerful

If you're a professional Mac user who needs lots of power, Apple's new Mac Studio with M4 Max isn't the one you want.

A man making music with the Mac Studio

Alongside its MacBook Air M4 launch today, Apple unveiled an update to its Apple Studio. And it's a little confusing.

There are two models, powered by a strange mix of chip generations: the M4 Max for the "base" and the M3 Ultra for the "if money's no object" tier.

If you're a serious professional, Apple seems to be telling you that it expects you to pay for the top-tier silicon.