Apple has unveiled a refreshed iMac and an entry-level 14-inch MacBook Pro, with both computers powered by the M6 chip that the company introduced in the Mac mini a few weeks ago. The iMac receives the more substantial update, skipping the M5 generation and moving directly from the M4 to the M6.
New iMac configurations
Apple offers the M6 iMac in two configurations. The model with “M6 chip with 2 Thunderbolt ports” includes a 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU. Choosing the “M6 chip with 4 Thunderbolt ports” provides 12 CPU cores and 12 GPU cores.
The two-port model can be configured with up to 24 GB of RAM and 1 TB of storage. The four-port version supports up to 32 GB of RAM and 2 TB of storage.
Apple’s announcement is available in its iMac newsroom post.
14-inch MacBook Pro uses a single M6 option
The entry-level 14-inch MacBook Pro has one M6 configuration, with a 12-core CPU and 12-core GPU. Its memory capacity is limited to 32 GB, while storage can be expanded to 4 TB.
Apple details the laptop in its MacBook Pro newsroom announcement.
Apple claims major performance gains over M4
Because the previous iMac update introduced the M4, the move to M6 represents a larger refresh than a typical annual upgrade. Apple says that, in the Mac mini, the M6 delivers up to 40 percent faster CPU performance, up to twice the graphics performance, and nearly five times faster on-device AI compared with the M4.
Those figures are broadly consistent with the performance observed in testing of the M6 Mac mini last month. The new iMac is expected to deliver similar results, although performance will depend on the specific configuration.
Source: arstechnica.com