Apple has refreshed its two most popular computers without a dedicated event. On 27 October the company unveiled the 14-inch MacBook Pro and the 24-inch iMac with the new M6 chip. US prices are unchanged from the previous generation: from $1,999 for the laptop and from $1,499 for the all-in-one. Pre-orders open on 28 October and sales start on 6 November. Below we look at what has actually changed, who should upgrade, and which inexpensive accessories are worth adding to a new Mac.
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What we know about the M6 MacBook Pro
The new 14-inch MacBook Pro gets the M6 chip, which Android Headlines reports is built on a 2nm process. It has a 12-core CPU and 12-core GPU. Apple calls the M6 core the fastest CPU core in the world, but that is the company’s own claim and there are no independent tests yet.
Apple’s claimed gains over the previous M5 generation are:
- graphics up to 30% faster;
- on-device AI tasks up to 25% faster;
- overall performance up to 1.3 times higher;
- local language model prompt processing up to 13 times faster than on an M1 MacBook Pro.
The base unified memory is 16GB, with 24GB and 32GB configurations available. According to Android Headlines, the step up to 32GB costs $400. TechCrunch reports that memory bandwidth has risen to 170GB/s, against 153GB/s on the M5.
Apple rates battery life at 24 hours. Fast charging is supported, up to 50% in 30 minutes, but only with a compatible high-power USB-C adapter. Wireless is Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6. The ports are the usual set for this series: HDMI, MagSafe 3, three Thunderbolt 4 ports, an SDXC card slot and a headphone jack. The camera is 12MP, and the colours are silver and space black.
One important detail: the M6 is only in the 14-inch model. The larger 16-inch MacBook Pro is still sold with the M5 Pro or M5 Max.
What’s new with the iMac
The 24-inch iMac keeps its design and 4.5K Retina display. It also runs the M6, with neural accelerators built into every core. Apple promises up to five times faster on-device AI than the M4 iMac.
The all-in-one comes in two versions:
- 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU, two Thunderbolt ports, from $1,499;
- 12-core CPU and 12-core GPU, four Thunderbolt ports, from $1,699.
Both start with 16GB of memory and offer a 24GB option, while 32GB is only available on the four-port model. There are still seven colours: blue, green, pink, yellow, purple, orange and silver. The computer ships with macOS 27.
Dates and prices
Pre-orders for the MacBook Pro and iMac open on 28 October at 10:10 Pacific time, which is 17:10 in the UK. Deliveries begin on 6 November. The new iPad mini with an OLED display, announced a day earlier, goes on sale the same day. Starting prices in the US are unchanged from the previous generation. The sources we used did not give UK pricing at the time of writing.
Why this isn’t the biggest announcement of the week
The update looks routine, and there is a reason for that. Apple has an event called Pro and Tell planned in Los Angeles on 28 October, where a MacBook Pro with a touch OLED screen is expected. That is not a confirmed announcement, only press expectation. According to MacRumors and Gizmodo, citing reports, such a laptop could start at $2,899 for the 14-inch version and $3,399 for the 16-inch. That would make the $1,999 M6 MacBook Pro the entry ticket to the Pro line, with the touchscreen model sitting in a much pricier niche.
What this means for buyers
If you have an M1 or Intel Mac, upgrading makes sense: the difference in speed, battery life and support for local AI models will be noticeable, and the US price has not gone up.
If you have an M4 or M5, there is no rush. A gain of 25-30% in some tasks rarely changes everyday work.
If you are choosing between the M6 and the touchscreen model, it is worth waiting for 28 October to see the final prices and specs. The rumoured difference in starting price is around $900.
If you are eyeing the iMac, pay attention to the port count. The entry model has just two, and almost every user will need a hub.
A general note on buying: new Macs often reach some retailers with a delay after the worldwide launch, and early stock can cost more. If you don’t need the computer urgently, it is sensible to wait a couple of weeks and compare offers.
How to round out a new Mac
There is no point buying the computer itself on AliExpress: warranty and pricing are more reliable with official sellers. Accessories are another matter. Shoppers buy them there in large numbers, and the savings are noticeable. We picked four popular, highly rated items that don’t repeat our earlier laptop roundups.
Baseus 10-in-1 USB-C hub
The most useful purchase for the entry-level two-port iMac and for any MacBook that gets connected to a monitor and a network cable. According to the listing, the hub has two HDMI outputs with 8K and 4K support, 10Gbps USB 3.2, an RJ45 port, SD and TF card readers and 100W PD pass-through charging. Before buying, note that running two external monitors through a hub depends on the capabilities of your particular Mac. It is currently £16.73, down from £34.50.
Price on 28 October: £16.73
Sold: 4 118+ pcs, positive reviews: 96.5%
View on AliExpress
Compact 65W GaN charger
A second power adapter is handy to keep in your bag, so you don’t have to carry the original between home and the office. This is an inexpensive gallium nitride model with a USB-C port and fast charging, with more than 18 thousand sales. For full-speed charging of the MacBook Pro, Apple recommends its own high-power adapter, so treat this one as a spare for travel and for your phone. The current price is £2.11, down from £4.21.
Price on 28 October: £2.11
Sold: 18 710+ pcs, positive reviews: 98%
View on AliExpress
UGREEN 3-slot vertical stand
Suits anyone who uses a MacBook closed, with an external monitor. The aluminium stand holds the laptop upright and frees up desk space, and the two remaining slots can take a tablet or phone. A good choice for owners of several Apple devices. It costs £12.26, down from £30.25.
Price on 28 October: £12.26
Sold: 1 329+ pcs, positive reviews: 97.7%
View on AliExpress
UGREEN ergonomic wireless mouse
A quiet mouse with six buttons and up to 4000 DPI, connecting through a 2.4GHz receiver. The seller states MacBook compatibility in the description. It is one of the best-selling mice in the official UGREEN store, with almost 6 thousand purchases and 97% positive reviews. Right now it is £10.61, down from £17.53.
Price on 28 October: £10.61
Sold: 5 970+ pcs, positive reviews: 97%
View on AliExpress
The M6 MacBook Pro and iMac announcement is unlikely to be the biggest news of the week, but for most buyers these are the most practical models. If you don’t need a touchscreen, there is no need to wait for the 28 October event on their account.
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