Apple Brings M6 Updates to MacBook Pro and iMac Lines

On the heels of yesterday’s new iPad Mini, Apple has turned its attention to its Mac lineup. Unlike the iPad Mini that received an OLED display and a water-resistant design, today’s Mac updates are mere spec bumps. After debuting its M6 processor with the Mac Mini in August, Apple is bringing the new chip to both its entry-level MacBook Pro and iMac.

M6 means more cores

The M6 chip in the ‌MacBook Pro‌ features a 12-core CPU (two super cores, four performance cores and six efficiency cores) and a 12-core GPU. The previous M5 model had a 10-core CPU (four super cores and six efficiency cores) and a 10-core GPU. 

In addition, the Neural Engine in the M6 doubles the number of cores, with a dual 16-core NE replacing the single 16-core NE from before.

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Memory bandwidth also increases from 153GB per second to 170GB per second, but this bump applies only when you choose to outfit the MacBook Pro with 24GB or 32GB of memory, not the default 16GB.

Networking improves with support for Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6, and the new laptop can support dual external 4K displays at up to 165Hz, up from 144Hz.

In this era of constantly rising costs, seeing a price remain constant feels like a win. The M6 MacBook Pro starts at the same $1,999 price as the previous model. 

iMac skips from M4 to M6

It’s been nearly two years since the last iMac update, which means Apple’s all-in-one makes the jump from the M4 to the M6 processor. The design (built around a 24-inch, 4.5K Retina display) and color options (blue, green, pink, yellow, purple, orange and silver) stay the same, as does the $1,499 starting price.

But now for that $1,499, the M6 iMac has a 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU along with the dual 16-core Neural Engine. That’s up from the M4 chip, which started with eight CPU cores, eight GPU cores and a single 16-core NE.

The step-up model costs $1,699 and gets you an M6 chip with a 12-core CPU and 12-core GPU, along with four Thunderbolt 4 ports instead of just a pair. This higher-end model also comes with 2.5Gbps Ethernet, which is available as an add-on with the baseline model. The previous M4 iMac offered only gigabit Ethernet.

Preorders open Wednesday, Oct. 28, for the new M6 MacBook Pro and M6 iMac, with shipping expected to start on Friday, Nov. 6.

Apple’s Pro and Tell week isn’t over. It will culminate with tomorrow’s special event in Los Angeles, where Apple is expected to reveal the long-awaited touchscreen MacBook Pro.