Apple Updates iMac and Entry-Level 14-Inch MacBook Pro with M6 Chip and N1 Wireless Module

Image: Ars Technica · Source

Apple refreshes the iMac and entry-level 14-inch MacBook Pro with the M6 chip, delivering substantial CPU, GPU, and AI performance improvements, along with the new N1 chip enabling Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 connectivity.

Apple has announced an update to two of its Mac models: the iMac and the entry-level 14-inch MacBook Pro. Both now feature the recently introduced M6 chip, which was first seen in the Mac mini several weeks prior. The update brings significant performance enhancements and improved wireless capabilities through the addition of the new N1 wireless chip.

The iMac is offered with two variants of the M6 chip. The version with two Thunderbolt ports includes a 10-core CPU and a 10-core GPU, configurable up to 24GB of RAM and 1TB of storage. The more powerful four Thunderbolt port option increases cores to 12 for both CPU and GPU, and supports up to 32GB of RAM and 2TB of storage. Apple skipped the M5 chip generation in its iMac line, moving directly from the M4 to M6. This jump brings marked gains: up to 40% faster CPU performance, doubling of graphics power, nearly five times faster AI processing, and approximately double the SSD read/write speeds compared to the previous generation based on the M4 chip.

For the 14-inch MacBook Pro, there is a single M6 chip variant featuring a 12-core CPU and GPU. This model upgrades from the prior M5 chip, resulting in approximately 30% faster graphics performance and double the efficiency of the Neural Engine. It supports up to 32GB RAM and up to 4TB of storage.

Both devices now include the dedicated N1 chip for wireless connectivity, introducing support for next-generation Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 standards. Additionally, the iMac can be configured with a faster 2.5Gb Ethernet connection, though the MacBook Pro continues without an Ethernet port.

No changes have been made to the external design of either device; they maintain the same physical appearance as their immediate predecessors. Pricing starts at $1,499 for the two-port iMac, $1,699 for the four-port iMac, and $1,999 for the M6 MacBook Pro. Pre-orders open on October 28, with shipping slated for November 6, according to Ars Technica's report.