alt Hacker NewsYes, I'm very glad they're doing this, but as of 2026, it's a bit academic. Pricing for the 512GB Mac Studio hasn't even been announced yet, but the 256GB version starts at $9499. So when you start talking about four of those puppies, it's substantial.
Someone else will do the math on how many years it would take to spend $40k on Muse Spark Open via OpenRouter.
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hirako2000 • today at 3:31 PM
It seems Apple figured they could sell more Mac Studios on the basis of frontier local AI models, profit to be made while users haven't figured out the math yet.
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bitcurious • today at 4:11 PM
Puts into perspective how cheap the frontier models are via subs or even API.
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But there are definitely people out there that will need to run these models locally (contractual or legal requirements). By validating a Mac Studio as an option for running local models, it might be the more appealing option.
For most of us though, you're right -- the OpenRouter option is far more cost effective.