This compact pro desktop puts most of its connectivity on the rear: four Thunderbolt 4 ports, two USB-A, HDMI 2.1, and 10 Gigabit Ethernet. The front adds an SDXC UHS-II card reader and two USB-C ports — and here's the catch buyers miss: on the M2 Max those front ports run at USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gb/s), while the M2 Ultra upgrades them to Thunderbolt 4 (40 Gb/s). The HDMI 2.1 port can drive an 8K display at 60Hz.
Apple’s compact pro desktop with four rear Thunderbolt 4 ports, HDMI 2.1, 10GbE, and a front SDXC UHS-II reader plus two USB-C ports.
Device Information
- Manufacturer
- Apple
- Release Year
- 2023
- Model Number
- A2901 (M2 Max) / A2902 (M2 Ultra)
- Category
- Desktop
Available Ports
| Connector | Quantity | Label | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) | 4 | Thunderbolt 4 (rear) | 40 Gb/s; supports DisplayPort video and Thunderbolt peripherals |
| USB Type-A (USB 3.2 Gen 1) | 2 | USB-A (rear) | Up to 5 Gb/s |
| HDMI 2.1 (Type A – Standard) | 1 | HDMI (rear) | Up to 8K@60Hz / 4K@240Hz |
| RJ-45 (10GBASE-T Ethernet) | 1 | Ethernet (rear) | 10 Gigabit Ethernet |
| 3.5mm TRS (Stereo Audio) | 1 | Headphone jack (rear) | Supports high-impedance headphones |
| SD Card Slot (UHS-II) | 1 | SDXC (front) | UHS-II |
| USB Type-C (USB 3.2 Gen 2) | 2 | USB-C (front) | 10 Gb/s on M2 Max; upgraded to Thunderbolt 4 (40 Gb/s) on M2 Ultra |
| IEC C14 (3-Pin Power Inlet) | 1 | AC power inlet (rear) | Internal power supply |
Notes & Compatibility
M2 Max and M2 Ultra share identical rear I/O; the two front USB-C ports differ — USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gb/s) on M2 Max, Thunderbolt 4 (40 Gb/s) on M2 Ultra. Internal PSU uses a standard IEC C14 mains inlet. HDMI is version 2.1 (8K@60Hz).
