It is obvious that the Mac Studio weighs more than the Mac mini, but if we look at the detailed technical specifications of the computer, we find something interesting. The Mac Studio with M1 Max chip weighs 2.7 kg, while the same computer with M1 Ultra chip weighs 3.6 kg. 900 grams more, which indicates that inside there must be a significant difference.
It’s not the chip, it’s what serves to dissipate its heat
Could it be that the M1 Ultra chip itself weighs a lot more? No. Even though it carries twice as many transistors as the M1 Max, 900 grams is too much for a chip. Is the power supply more powerful and therefore heavier? In The Verge, they got the answer to the riddle, which lies in the sink:
“Both models have the same 370W power supply. The extra weight is because the M1 Ultra chip has a larger copper thermal module, while the M1 Max’s heatsink is aluminum.”
Puzzle solved. Copper is much denser than aluminum (8.96 grams per cubic centimeter versus 2.7) and if the M1 Ultra chip needs that copper to dissipate its heat, that means the Mac Studio that powers it will weigh more. In any case, we are talking about a desktop computer, something that should not move too much from its place on the desk. an extra kilo shouldn’t be a problem.
