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Apple 512GB Mac Studio M3 Ultra Discontinued Amid Historic AI-Driven RAM Shortage

Canopy Hardware
Apple Mac Studio desktop on a desk representing the discontinuation of the 512GB M3 Ultra model amid the AI-driven RAM shortage

Apple quietly removed the 512GB RAM configuration of the M3 Ultra Mac Studio from its online store between March 4–6, 2026, while simultaneously raising the price of the 256GB variant from $1,600 to $2,000 — an indirect acknowledgment of the historic AI-driven memory supply crunch affecting the entire industry. The 512GB option remains listed on Apple's Tech Specs support page but is no longer purchasable, marking an unusual departure from Apple's standard practice of extending shipping windows rather than delisting configurations. The move comes during a week of broad Mac product refreshes including the MacBook Neo, M5 MacBook Airs, and M5 Pro/Max MacBook Pros, most of which managed memory and storage upgrades or price holds despite the supply constraints.

Key Takeaways

  • Apple removed the 512GB M3 Ultra Mac Studio from the Apple Store between March 4–6, 2026; the 256GB M3 Ultra Mac Studio price increased from $1,600 to $2,000 simultaneously
  • 512GB Mac Studio was the highest-RAM Mac ever sold at $9,499; Apple typically extends ship dates rather than discontinuing configurations — making this removal unusual
  • Discontinuation reflects the industry-wide AI-driven HBM/DRAM supply crunch: Samsung and other memory makers reported record profits in Q1 2026 from elevated memory pricing

Original source: Ars Technica