Apple's New iMac Gets M6, Faster AI, and the Same Colorful All-In-One Design

Apple announced the new iMac with M6 on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, alongside the new 14-inch MacBook Pro with M6. This is not a redesign. It is the same strikingly thin 24-inch all-in-one, in the same seven colors, with a much faster chip inside and better connectivity around it.

Preorders start Wednesday, October 28, with availability beginning Friday, November 6.

What is new: M6, in two versions

The iMac with M6 comes in two chip configurations, and that choice matters more than usual:

• Base model, $1,499: 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU
• Higher model, $1,699: 12-core CPU and 12-core GPU

Both use M6, with Neural Accelerators in each GPU core, a Dual 16-core Neural Engine, and memory bandwidth up to 170GB/s. The 12-core version has two more CPU cores and two more GPU cores than the previous M4 iMac, which had 10 of each.

Apple's claimed gains over the previous M4 iMac, based on Apple's own testing, include:

• Up to 2x faster graphics for tasks like photo editing in Affinity
• Up to 5x faster on-device AI performance for prompt processing in LM Studio
• Up to 1.5x faster performance in Microsoft Excel
• Up to 2x higher gaming performance with ray tracing

Compared with older machines, the numbers get bigger, as they usually do in Apple press releases:

• Up to 3.3x faster graphics in Affinity than the iMac with M1, and up to 12x faster on-device AI in LM Studio than M1
• Up to 2.5x faster in Excel than M1
• Up to 18x faster than the most popular Intel based iMac

Treat those as Apple's best case figures, not a promise for every app. Still, the pattern is clear: this is a meaningful jump from M4, and a huge jump from M1 or Intel, especially for AI work that runs on device.

The iMac also gets storage that Apple says is up to 2x faster for SSD read and write performance, so apps and large photo or video projects should launch and load noticeably faster than on M4.

The design stays the same, and that is the point

If you were hoping for a new iMac look, this is not it. Apple kept the thin all-in-one design, the 24-inch 4.5K Retina display (23.5 inches measured diagonally), and the seven colors: blue, green, pink, yellow, purple, orange, and silver.

The display delivers 500 nits of brightness, P3 wide color with over 1 billion colors, and what Apple describes as 5x more resolution and nearly 70 percent greater brightness than the bestselling 24-inch all-in-one PC.

Other carryover features include:

• 12MP Center Stage camera with Desk View for video calls and top-down workspace sharing
• Two pairs of force-cancelling woofers with two tweeters, plus Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos
• Studio quality three-microphone array
• Color-matched keyboard and mouse or trackpad with USB-C ports
• Magic Keyboard with Touch ID, which comes standard on the 12-core model and can be configured on the 10-core model

The nano-texture display option is also tied to the 12-core model, so check that configuration carefully if glare is a major issue for your workspace.

Connectivity gets a real upgrade

The new iMac adds Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6, along with up to four Thunderbolt 4 ports and support for up to two 6K external displays, giving you more than 50 million pixels of workspace when combined with the built-in display.

A few connectivity details depend on which model you buy:

• 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet: Available as an option only on the 12-core model, with up to 2.5x faster wired connectivity than the previous generation
• Four Thunderbolt 4 ports: All four USB-C ports support Thunderbolt 4 on the 12-core model. The 10-core model has two.
• Nano-texture display and Touch ID standard: Both are tied to the 12-core model

In other words, the $1,699 model is not just faster. It is also the one that unlocks the full connectivity and display options. If you need wired Ethernet at full speed, or you want nano-texture, budget for the higher model from the start.

macOS 27 and Siri AI

The new iMac ships with macOS 27 Golden Gate, including Siri AI and Apple Intelligence features across apps. Apple says Siri AI can help you find what you need across messages, emails, and photos, take action across apps, and use Visual Intelligence with a dedicated keyboard shortcut to ask about what is on your screen.

In Safari, Apple Intelligence can organize tabs into topics, notify you of website changes like restocks or price drops, and create custom extensions from a description. You can also create automations in Shortcuts by describing them, and use intelligent photo editing tools in Photos.

As with other Apple Intelligence features, availability varies by language and region. Siri AI is still in beta in macOS 27.2, and some server based features have daily usage limits. Apple's footnotes say Siri AI is currently unavailable in the EU on iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch, but they do not mention the Mac, so check availability for your region and language before counting on it.

Price and availability

US pricing:

• 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU: $1,499, or $1,449 with education savings
• 12-core CPU and 12-core GPU: $1,699, or $1,599 with education savings

That $1,499 starting price matches what the M4 iMac cost after Apple raised its price in June. The M4 model launched at $1,299 in 2024, so the entry iMac now costs $200 more than it did two years ago.

Apple Upgrade leasing starts at $28.99 per month for a 36-month lease for the $1,499 model, excluding taxes and any trade-in credit.

Preorders start October 28 in 35 countries and regions, including the US. It begins arriving to customers and in Apple Store locations and Apple Authorized Resellers on November 6.

Who should buy it

• Families, students, and small businesses who want one machine that does everything: The iMac is still the simplest Mac to buy. One box, one display, one keyboard, and now a much faster chip.
• M1 and Intel iMac owners: The performance and AI gains are large, and you also get Wi-Fi 7, faster storage, and a modern camera and audio system.
• Creators who work in photo, video, and AI apps: The 12-core model in particular, with its extra CPU and GPU cores, is built for Affinity, Final Cut Pro, Blender, and local AI models.
• Anyone who wants a colorful, clutter free desk: No tower, no separate display to choose, no cable mess. Just pick a color and go.

Who should wait, or pick a different Mac

• M4 iMac owners: The M6 gains are real, especially for AI, but if your M4 iMac already handles your work, this is probably not a must buy upgrade.
• Power users who need a larger display or a more powerful chip: The iMac is still 24 inches, and it still tops out at M6, not M6 Pro or M6 Max. If you need a bigger screen or a higher end chip, a Mac mini or Mac Studio with a separate display, or a MacBook Pro, will give you more headroom.
• Buyers who need 2.5Gb Ethernet, nano-texture, or full Thunderbolt on every port: Do not buy the $1,499 base model assuming those are included. They are tied to the $1,699 12-core model.

Bottom line

The new iMac with M6 is a familiar machine made faster, especially for AI. It keeps the design, display, colors, camera, and audio that made the 24-inch iMac popular, and adds M6 performance, faster storage, Wi-Fi 7, and better connectivity.

At $1,499, it is a strong all-in-one for families, students, and small businesses. At $1,699, the 12-core model is the one to pick if you want the full chip, the full connectivity, and the nano-texture option.

Just remember to check the configuration before you order. On this iMac, the price you pick determines more than speed.