Apple has introduced a new iMac desktop computer powered by its M6 chip, promising major improvements in processing speed, graphics performance, and AI capabilities. The launch continues the company’s staggered product announcements, following the unveiling of a new iPad mini earlier this week.
The updated iMac retains its 24-inch design and 4.5K Retina display but introduces a more powerful processor, faster memory bandwidth and updated wireless connectivity. Apple is placing particular emphasis on on-device AI performance, with the new hardware designed to support more advanced Apple Intelligence features and an upgraded version of Siri.
The M6 chip, which previously appeared in the Mac mini and Mac Studio, is now available in Apple’s entry-level all-in-one desktop range. The company says the new processor delivers substantial improvements over earlier generations, making the iMac better suited to everyday productivity, creative applications, gaming and AI-assisted tasks.
M6 chip brings faster processing and graphics
The new iMac uses Apple’s M6 processor, which offers configurations with up to a 12-core central processing unit (CPU), a 12-core graphics processing unit (GPU) and a dual 16-core Neural Engine. The added processing cores and dedicated AI acceleration are intended to improve performance across a broad range of applications.
Apple has also increased memory bandwidth to 170GB/s, allowing data to move more quickly between the processor and unified memory. The company says the improved architecture enables the new iMac to deliver up to twice the graphics performance of the previous M4-powered model. This could benefit users working with high-resolution photographs, demanding visual projects and graphics-intensive games.
The desktop computer starts with 16GB of unified memory, with 24GB and 32GB configurations available for users who require additional capacity. Unified memory lets the CPU and GPU share the same memory pool, helping the system handle demanding applications without separate memory pools for each processor.
Productivity applications are another area where Apple expects users to see improvements. According to the company, the M6 iMac is up to 50 per cent faster than the M4 model when performing tasks in Microsoft Excel. Compared with the original M1-powered iMac, performance in these workloads can reach 2.5 times the previous level.
The performance gains also extend to creative work. Apple says the new machine can handle photo editing and video editing workloads while delivering up to twice the gaming performance for ray tracing compared with its predecessor. Ray tracing simulates how light interacts with objects and surfaces, helping games produce more realistic reflections, shadows and lighting effects.
These improvements could make the iMac a more capable option for users who want an all-in-one desktop for work and entertainment without moving to a separate professional workstation. However, the actual benefits will depend on the applications being used, the selected configuration and the complexity of individual workloads.
Apple highlights on-device AI and upgraded Siri
Artificial intelligence is a central part of Apple’s pitch for the M6 iMac. The company says the new model delivers up to five times faster on-device AI performance than the M4 version when processing prompts in LM Studio. Compared with the M1 model, Apple’s figures say the improvement can reach 12 times.
The Neural Engine and additional Neural Accelerators integrated into the processor’s cores support these gains. The hardware is designed to handle AI workloads locally, potentially reducing the need to send certain requests to remote servers. Local processing can also help applications respond faster, depending on the task and the model used.
The added computing power is intended to support the next generation of Apple Intelligence features in macOS 27. Apple says the updated system will introduce a more capable version of Siri, which it describes as “profoundly more capable” than the previous assistant.
Planned capabilities include helping users find information across their emails and photos, answering questions, and providing relevant details. Siri will also integrate into Spotlight, Apple’s built-in search feature, letting users ask questions on a wider range of subjects and follow up with additional queries.
The integration could make it easier to access information without manually opening several applications or searching through individual files. The extent of these benefits will depend on which features are available and how well they work with the user’s applications and personal data.
Apple Intelligence availability remains an important consideration for international buyers. The supplied announcement notes that the service is not yet available in Europe, meaning access to the advertised AI capabilities will depend on regional availability and supported languages.
Beyond processing power, the M6 iMac includes several connectivity updates. Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 support newer wireless standards, while optional 2.5Gb Ethernet offers a reported 250 per cent speed increase over the previous implementation. These changes could benefit users transferring large files or connecting to faster local networks.
However, the computer doesn’t adopt Thunderbolt 5, which the latest Mac Studio offers. Instead, it retains Thunderbolt 4 connectivity. Apple says the iMac can support up to two external 6K displays, giving users the option to expand their workspace for multitasking, content creation and other professional activities.
Familiar design returns with updated features and pricing
The M6 iMac retains the 24-inch 4.5K Retina display, which offers 500 nits of brightness and supports the P3 wide colour gamut. Apple has not announced a larger 27-inch version with this launch, so the screen size remains unchanged.
The display is designed to provide sharp text, detailed images and a broad range of colours for everyday computing and creative work. Although the internal hardware has received a substantial upgrade, the continued use of the existing display suggests Apple is concentrating this release on performance and connectivity rather than a major redesign.
Other features include a 12-megapixel Centre Stage camera, Touch ID and a choice of seven colours. Centre Stage helps keep users in the frame during video calls, while Touch ID provides fingerprint authentication for supported functions. Apple will also offer colour-matched accessories to complement the desktop computer’s appearance.
The combination of an integrated display, built-in camera and matching peripherals maintains the iMac’s position as a compact desktop system for homes, offices and creative workspaces. Users can set up the computer without buying a separate monitor, though external displays and accessories remain available for those who want to expand their setup.
Apple is scheduled to open pre-orders for the new M6 iMac on 28 October. The entry-level configuration starts at US$1,499 and includes a 10-core CPU, a 10-core GPU and 16GB of memory. A higher-tier version costs US$1,699 and features a 12-core CPU, a 12-core GPU and 16GB of memory.
The two starting configurations give buyers a choice between a lower-cost option and a model with more processing and graphics power. Customers who plan to run demanding creative applications or use AI tools regularly may also want to consider the available memory upgrades. However, the best configuration depends on their workload.
Overall, the M6 iMac delivers faster performance in a familiar all-in-one design. Its biggest changes are processing power, graphics capabilities, and on-device AI, while the display, colour options, and general form factor remain largely unchanged. The new model could appeal to users upgrading from older Apple Silicon systems, particularly those who want stronger performance for productivity and creative tasks without moving to a larger professional desktop.
