Apple Updates Imac With M6 Chip And Faster On-device AI
The M6 iMac starts at $1,499, adding more processing power and updated wireless connectivity while keeping its familiar design.
Apple has introduced an M6-powered iMac, updating its all-in-one desktop with a faster chip while leaving its design largely unchanged. The new model starts at $1,499, with preorders opening October 28 and availability beginning November 6, according to The Verge. It replaces the M4 iMac without an M5 version in between.
Table of Contents
A faster chip in a familiar iMac
The entry configuration pairs a 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU with 16GB of unified memory. A version with a 12-core CPU and 12-core GPU starts at $1,699. Engadget reports that buyers can also choose 24GB or 32GB of memory. The M6 includes a dual 16-core Neural Engine, and Engadget says it brings more cores and higher performance per core than the M4.
Apple’s performance claims are substantial but remain its own measurements. According to Engadget, Apple says the M6 iMac delivers twice the graphics performance of the M4 model, up to 50 percent faster performance in tasks such as Microsoft Excel, and up to five times faster on-device AI prompt processing in LM Studio. The Verge also cites Apple’s claim of up to five times faster on-device AI performance than the M4 iMac.
What changes for everyday work
For people using an iMac for spreadsheets, photo or video editing, and local AI tools, the reported gains make processing power the main reason to consider this refresh. Engadget says the iMac runs macOS 27 and supports a new generation of Apple Intelligence, including Siri features for finding information in emails and photos and asking follow-up questions through Spotlight. Those capabilities could matter to professionals evaluating the desktop for daily work, though the reports provide no independent performance tests.
Connectivity has changed, too. The Verge reports that Apple’s N1 networking chip brings Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 to the base model. Ethernet rises from 1Gb to 2.5Gb, but The Verge says it is now a $30 upgrade over a Wi-Fi-only configuration.
What stays the same—and what costs extra
The iMac retains its 24-inch 4.5K Retina display, 12MP Center Stage camera and seven color choices, according to Engadget. It supports up to two external 6K displays, but uses Thunderbolt 4 rather than Thunderbolt 5. The Verge says the 10-core model has two Thunderbolt ports, while the 12-core version has four.
Other configuration details may affect the final price. The Verge says selecting a Magic Trackpad instead of a Magic Mouse now adds $50, whereas that swap was free on the previous iMac. It also reports that buyers cannot select a Touch ID Magic Keyboard without a numeric keypad. For this generation, the chip and connectivity upgrades—not a new look—define the update.
Sources
This story was compiled by AI from the reports below. Read the originals for the full details.