Apple puts M6 chip in iMac and entry-level 14-inch MacBook Pro
Ars Technica reports Apple refreshed the iMac and entry-level 14-inch MacBook Pro with M6 chips, N1 wireless, and October 28 pre-orders ahead of November 6 shipping.
The story in focus
Ars Technica reports Apple announced M6-chip refreshes of the iMac and entry-level 14-inch MacBook Pro. The iMac skips the M5, gaining up to double SSD read/write performance over its M4 predecessor; the MacBook Pro steps up one generation from the M5. Both add the N1 wireless chip for Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6.
- The iMac goes from M4 to M6, skipping the M5 generation
- The entry-level 14-inch MacBook Pro moves from M5 to M6, gaining up to 30 percent faster graphics
- Both machines add the N1 chip for Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6
- The iMac starts at $1,499 and the MacBook Pro at $1,999
- Pre-orders open October 28, with shipping November 6
What changed
Apple has announced M6 refreshes for the iMac and the entry-level 14-inch MacBook Pro, per Ars Technica. The M6 chip first appeared in the Mac mini several weeks ago. The iMac's previous update brought the M4, so it skips the M5 entirely, while the MacBook Pro steps up a single generation from the M5.
The iMac comes in two M6 variants. The two-Thunderbolt-port option has a 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU and tops out at 24 GB of RAM and 1 TB of storage. The four-port option has 12 cores for each and maxes out at 32 GB of RAM and 2 TB of storage. The MacBook Pro offers only the 12-core variant, with up to 32 GB of RAM and 4 TB of storage.
Citing Apple's Mac mini figures, Ars Technica says the M4-to-M6 jump should bring up to 40 percent faster CPU performance, up to double graphics performance and nearly five times faster on-device AI. The M6 iMac should also see up to double SSD read/write performance versus the M4 model. The MacBook Pro gains up to 30 percent faster graphics and up to double Neural Engine performance.
Wireless, pricing and availability
Both computers include the N1 chip for wireless connectivity, adding Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6. The iMac can be configured with up to 2.5Gb Ethernet, while the MacBook Pro still has no Ethernet port. Neither device has outward design changes.
The iMac starts at $1,499 for the two-port version or $1,699 for the four-port version. The M6 MacBook Pro starts at $1,999. Pre-orders start October 28, and both ship November 6.
When do the M6 iMac and MacBook Pro ship?
Apple says pre-orders open October 28 and both machines ship November 6, according to Ars Technica. The iMac starts at $1,499 and the M6 MacBook Pro at $1,999.
Sources & further reading
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