Where they actually differ
The most decisive specs, ranked by how much they matter — before the full spec table.
| Spec | ASUS - ROG NUC (2025) | Apple - Mac Studio M4 Max |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | 2048 GB | 512 GB |
| RAM | 32 GB | 36 GB |
| TDP | 170 W | 180 W |
| Volume | 2.5 L | 3.7 L |
Between the ROG NUC (2025) and Mac Studio M4 Max, the ROG NUC (2025) comes out ahead in storage / tdp, while the Mac Studio M4 Max wins on ram. Overall, the ROG NUC (2025) scores 59.1 and the Mac Studio M4 Max scores 47.3 on our Mars Score.
Which should you buy?
The ROG NUC (2025) is the clear pick on raw spec strength, leading by 11.8 points on the Mars Score. The margin is wide enough that the underdog only makes sense if its individual strengths line up with what you specifically need.
Pick the ROG NUC (2025) if you care most about storage / tdp. The biggest gaps in its favor are storage, tdp, volume. The single most decisive one: Storage — 300.00% more. 2048 GB vs 512 GB.
Pick the Mac Studio M4 Max if you push the hardware — gaming, on-device AI, heavy multitasking — and the extra compute headroom is worth the trade-offs. Its strongest claims are ram. The single most decisive one: RAM — 12.50% more. 36 GB vs 32 GB.
Both ship with comparable thunderbolt, so those specs do not separate the two — focus on the differences below.
Bottom line: the ROG NUC (2025) is the safer default. The other model is the right choice only when its specific advantages line up with your priorities.
Which should you buy: ASUS - ROG NUC (2025) or Apple - Mac Studio M4 Max?
ASUS - ROG NUC (2025) leads the current Mars Score by 11.8 points.The more useful decision is the trade-off behind that result: compare ram, storage, volume, tdp against the way you will actually use the product.
Choose ASUS - ROG NUC (2025) if…
ASUS - ROG NUC (2025) has the measurable edge on storage gb, tdp w, volume l.
Choose Apple - Mac Studio M4 Max if…
Apple - Mac Studio M4 Max has the measurable edge on ram gb.
This is a structured comparison of the published catalog values. It is not a claim of identical real-world performance across every workload; use the linked spec drill-downs and methodology page to inspect the inputs.
Why ASUS - ROG NUC (2025) wins
- ▲Storage — 300.00% more. 2048 GB vs 512 GB.
- ▲TDP — 10.00 W less. 170 vs 180.
- ▲Volume — 1.20 L less. 2.5 vs 3.7.
Why Apple - Mac Studio M4 Max wins
- ▲RAM — 12.50% more. 36 GB vs 32 GB.
Spec comparison
Core
Form & I/O
| Spec | ASUS - ROG NUC (2025) | Apple - Mac Studio M4 Max |
|---|---|---|
| Volume | 2.5 Llead | 3.7 L |
| Weight | 1.5 kglead | 2.74 kg |
| TDPⓘ | 170 Wlead | 180 W |
| USB ports | 7lead | 6 |
| Thunderboltⓘ | true | true |