Apple Refreshes iMac and 14-inch MacBook Pro with M6 Chips
Apple announced updated iMac and 14-inch MacBook Pro models powered by the M6 chip, featuring up to 5x faster on-device AI performance and Wi-Fi 7 support. The iMac starts at $1,499, while the MacBook Pro begins at $1,999. Both devices are available for pre-order on October 28, with general availability starting November 6.
Key points
- Apple unveiled updated 24-inch iMac and 14-inch MacBook Pro models featuring the new M6 system-on-chip.
- The M6 chip, Apple's first 2nm processor, includes a dual 16-core Neural Engine for up to 5x faster on-device AI performance compared to previous generations.
- The base 14-inch MacBook Pro starts at $1,999 with 16GB of unified memory and 1TB of storage, while the iMac begins at $1,499.
- Both devices now include Apple's N1 wireless chip, providing Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 connectivity.
- Pre-orders for the new hardware open on October 28, with deliveries scheduled to begin on November 6.
Apple Expands M6 Chip Lineup with iMac and MacBook Pro Updates
Apple has officially announced refreshed versions of its iMac and entry-level 14-inch MacBook Pro, both powered by the newly released M6 system-on-chip. The announcements come just one day after the introduction of the new iPad mini and serve as a precursor to the company's "Pro and Tell" event scheduled for October 28 in Los Angeles. While the 16-inch MacBook Pro retains its M5 Pro and M5 Max processors, the new M6 models bring significant performance upgrades to the desktop and 14-inch laptop categories without altering their established external designs.
Performance Gains and AI Focus
The M6 chip marks Apple's transition to a 2-nanometer process and introduces a dual 16-core Neural Engine, doubling the neural processing units found in previous iterations. Apple states that this architecture delivers up to 5x faster on-device AI performance in the iMac and up to 25% faster AI workloads in the MacBook Pro compared to their M4 and M5 predecessors, respectively. The MacBook Pro’s 12-core GPU, which features Neural Accelerators in each core, offers up to 30% faster graphics performance than the M5 model. Additionally, the iMac’s M6 variant provides up to 2x faster graphics performance and 2x faster storage speeds compared to the M4 iMac.
Connectivity and Hardware Specifications
A key hardware update across both devices is the integration of Apple’s N1 wireless networking chip. This component enables support for Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6, replacing the Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 standards found in previous models. The N1 chip also improves the reliability and performance of features such as AirDrop and Personal Hotspot. The 14-inch MacBook Pro retains its Liquid Retina XDR display, 12-megapixel Center Stage camera, and port selection, including three Thunderbolt 4 ports, an HDMI port, an SDXC card slot, and MagSafe 3 charging. The iMac maintains its 24-inch 4.5K Retina display and seven color options.
Pricing and Availability
Apple has maintained the starting prices of its previous models. The new 14-inch MacBook Pro with M6 starts at $1,999, featuring 16GB of unified memory and 1TB of storage. Configurations can be upgraded to 32GB of memory and 4TB of storage. The iMac starts at $1,499, with base configurations including a 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU, while higher-end models offer a 12-core CPU and GPU. Pre-orders for both devices open on October 28 at 10:10 a.m. Pacific Time, with general availability beginning on November 6 in 35 countries.
Market Context and Future Outlook
These updates position the M6 chip as a central component of Apple’s current hardware strategy, emphasizing local AI processing capabilities. The 16-inch MacBook Pro remains unchanged with M5 Pro and M5 Max options, but industry speculation suggests the upcoming "Pro and Tell" event may introduce redesigned MacBook Pro models with OLED displays. The staggered release of products, including the iPad mini and now the iMac and MacBook Pro, indicates Apple’s continued effort to refresh its lineup ahead of the holiday shopping season.
Key takeaways
- Apple has updated the iMac and 14-inch MacBook Pro with the M6 chip, focusing on AI performance and connectivity.
- The M6 chip features a dual 16-core Neural Engine, delivering up to 5x faster on-device AI tasks.
- Both devices now support Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 via the new N1 wireless chip.
- The MacBook Pro starts at $1,999, and the iMac starts at $1,499, with no price increases.
- Pre-orders begin on October 28, with shipments starting on November 6.
- The 16-inch MacBook Pro remains powered by M5 Pro and M5 Max chips for now.
Sources
The WireByte editorial team synthesises technology news from multiple primary sources, verifies the facts, and links every source. Articles are produced with AI assistance and reviewed under our editorial policy.
