Apple's New iMac and M6 MacBook Pro Focus on Performance Over Design

Apple has started rolling out a new Mac lineup ahead of its Pro and Tell showcase on Wednesday, October 28, with a new iMac powered by the M6 chip and an updated entry-level 14-inch MacBook Pro.

Neither update is expected to bring a major design overhaul, but Apple is promising meaningful performance improvements, particularly for graphics-heavy workloads and on-device AI. The new iMac starts at $1,499, while the MacBook Pro starts at $1,999. Both go on sale November 6, with pre-orders opening October 28.

These updates are unlikely to steal the spotlight from Apple's expected touchscreen MacBook Pro, which could mark a significant change for the Mac lineup. Still, they offer a look at how Apple is refreshing its existing computers while preparing for a bigger shift.

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What the M6 could mean for the iMac

The new 24-inch iMac retains the colourful all-in-one design of its predecessor, but Apple's M6 chip brings improvements across everyday computing, graphics and AI workloads.

The chip features up to a 12-core CPU and a 12-core GPU, with Neural Accelerators built into each GPU core. Apple says the new iMac delivers up to 1.5 times the performance of the M4 model in Microsoft Excel and up to twice the graphics performance in applications such as Affinity.

Apple New iMac with M6 (Image Credit: Apple)

Apple is also making a significant push around AI. The new iMac's dual 16-core Neural Engine and updated GPU can deliver up to five times the on-device AI performance of the M4 model, according to the company. That should help users run local AI models and handle AI-assisted creative tasks while keeping more processing on their own device.

For people upgrading from an Intel-based iMac, the difference could be even more substantial. Apple claims performance gains of up to 18 times over its most popular Intel-based iMac.

The display, however, remains unchanged. The iMac still has a 24-inch 4.5K Retina screen with 500 nits of brightness and P3 wide colour. It is available in seven colours: blue, green, pink, yellow, purple, orange and silver.

Pricing starts at $1,499, with higher configurations available for users who need more processing power and memory.

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Connectivity gets an upgrade

Apple says it has also improved the iMac's connectivity. The new model supports Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6, alongside optional 2.5Gb Ethernet, which offers up to 2.5 times faster wired connectivity than the previous generation.

Storage performance has also improved, with Apple claiming SSD read and write speeds up to twice as fast as before. That could make a noticeable difference when opening large projects, transferring files or loading extensive photo libraries.

Apple New iMac with M6 (Image Credit: Apple)

The iMac supports up to four Thunderbolt 4 ports and can connect to two external 6K displays. It also retains its 12MP Center Stage camera, studio-quality microphones, six-speaker sound system and colour-matched accessories.

These changes could make the iMac a more capable workstation, especially for people who regularly work with large files or multiple displays. However, the absence of a redesigned body or a larger screen means the upgrade is primarily about what's inside.

The entry-level 14-inch MacBook Pro gets the M6

The new 14-inch MacBook Pro also focuses on internal improvements. It replaces the previous M5 model with the M6 chip, bringing updated CPU and GPU performance without changing the familiar design.

Apple says the new model delivers up to 30% faster graphics performance and up to 25% faster AI workloads compared with its M5 predecessor. It also gains Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6.

M6 MacBook Pro 14” (Image Credit: Apple)

The entry-level MacBook Pro starts at $1,999, with pre-orders opening October 28 and availability beginning November 6.

Apple continues to offer higher-end MacBook Pro models for users who need more processing and graphics power. Those machines serve a different audience, particularly professionals working with demanding video, 3D and other creative workloads.

*M6 MacBook Pro 14” (Image Credit: Apple) *

For buyers who don't need a major design change, the M6 model offers a straightforward upgrade focused on speed and connectivity.

The touchscreen MacBook Pro is the bigger story

Apple's expected touchscreen MacBook Pro is the more significant development in this week's lineup. It would be the first MacBook Pro with touchscreen support, bringing touch interaction to macOS alongside the traditional keyboard and trackpad.