Apple unveils M6 iMac from $1,499 and MacBook Pro from $1,999
Apple says preorders for the all-in-one desktop and 14-inch laptop open October 28 in 35 countries and regions.
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Apple says preorders for the all-in-one desktop and 14-inch laptop open October 28 in 35 countries and regions.
Apple announced the M6 iMac desktop and 14-inch M6 MacBook Pro laptop on October 27. Further configuration details show that the laptop’s memory bandwidth—the amount of data it can move to and from working memory each second—depends on how much memory buyers choose.
The new iMac follows the M4 model, while the laptop replaces the base M5 model.
The Register says the MacBook Pro’s standard 16GB configuration provides 153GB/s of memory bandwidth. Choosing 24GB or 32GB raises that figure to 170GB/s, so the upgrade changes both memory capacity and its data-transfer rate.
Apple calls this unified memory: working memory shared by the processor and graphics hardware. Its capacity, measured in gigabytes (GB), is separate from file storage. Bandwidth, measured in gigabytes per second (GB/s), describes how quickly data can move.
| Unified memory | Memory bandwidth |
|---|---|
| 16GB, standard | 153GB/s |
| 24GB | 170GB/s |
| 32GB | 170GB/s |
On the iMac, 2.5Gbps Ethernet—a wired network connection rated at 2.5 gigabits per second—is available on certain configurations. Apple says it offers up to 2.5 times faster wired connectivity than the previous generation.
Apple also specifies a 10,000,000:1 contrast ratio and 80% coverage of the Rec.2020 color range for HDR video editing.
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Apple’s specifications, detailed by 9to5Mac, show how the laptop’s chip differs from M5. The CPU is its general-purpose processor, while the GPU processes graphics. Cores are processing units that share computing work. Apple calls its dedicated hardware for superintelligence (SI) processing the Neural Engine.
Apple says the new 12-core processor and graphics configurations each have two more cores than before.
| Component | M6 | M5 |
|---|---|---|
| CPU cores, using Apple’s categories | 12: two super, four performance and six efficiency cores | 10: four super and six efficiency cores |
| GPU cores | 12 | 10 |
| Neural Engine | Two 16-core engines | One 16-core engine |
| Memory bandwidth | Up to 170GB/s | 153GB/s |
The iMac combines the computer and a 24-inch screen in one desktop unit. The MacBook Pro offers a smaller built-in screen and battery-powered use. Both support external monitors, storage drives and other accessories through Thunderbolt 4 connections.
| Feature | M6 iMac | 14-inch M6 MacBook Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price and chip configuration | $1,499: 10 processor cores and 10 graphics cores; $1,699: 12 processor cores and 12 graphics cores | $1,999: 12 processor cores and 12 graphics cores |
| Built-in screen | 24-inch, 4.5K resolution | 14-inch |
| Wireless connections | Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 | Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 |
| Thunderbolt 4 ports | Up to four | Three |
| Other connections | Available 2.5Gbps Ethernet for a wired network | HDMI video output, magnetic charging connector, SDXC memory-card slot and headphone jack |
| External monitor support | Up to two 6K displays | Up to two displays |
9to5Mac’s iMac coverage identifies Apple’s N1 wireless chip as the hardware behind its Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 connections, replacing Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3. It lists memory bandwidth of up to 170GB/s, compared with 120GB/s in the previous model.
9to5Mac’s laptop coverage lists 1TB of file storage in the base configuration.
Apple says the M6 iMac delivers up to 1.5 times faster performance in spreadsheet work and up to five times faster processing of prompts for locally run SI models than the M4 iMac. These comparisons describe particular tasks, not a uniform speed increase across every application.
For the MacBook Pro, Apple says graphics performance is up to 30 percent faster and on-device SI workloads are up to 25 percent faster than on M5. Its separate claim of up to 1.9 times faster Neural Engine performance concerns that component, not the overall speed of SI workloads.
Apple also says the laptop offers up to 24 hours of battery life. The performance and battery figures are results from Apple’s own testing.
Apple plans to open preorders for both computers on October 28 in 35 countries and regions, including the US. The company says customer deliveries and availability through its stores and authorised resellers will begin November 6.
Apple says the 14- and 16-inch laptops combine OLED touchscreens with M5 Pro or M5 Max chips. It has opened preorders and plans deliveries from November 6.
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