Apple unveils new iMac with M6 chip, promising major performance gains

Pre-orders start October 28; same 24-inch design, upgraded internals, $1,499 price

By LineZotpaper AI staff

Published27 October 2026

Updated27 October 2026

Read Time2 min

Sources2 outlets

Apple today introduced a new iMac powered by its M6 chip, featuring up to a 12-core CPU and 12-core GPU, a 40 percent faster CPU and 2x faster graphics than the previous M4 model, the company said. The new machine retains the same 24-inch display and overall design but adds Wi-Fi 7 via a new N1 wireless chip, Bluetooth 6, 2.5Gb Ethernet and up to four Thunderbolt 4 ports.

The M6 iMac includes a Dual 16-core Neural Engine, delivering up to 5x faster AI performance than the M4 generation, according to Apple. The previous iMac offered up to a 10-core CPU and GPU with a 16-core Neural Engine.

Additional updates include 2.5Gb Ethernet with up to 2.5 times faster wired connectivity than the prior model, and storage performance that Apple says is twice as fast.

Pricing starts at $1,499, unchanged from the M4 iMac. Pre-orders open Wednesday, October 28 at 10:10 a.m. PT, with shipments expected to begin Friday, November 6.

The announcement is part of a week of product unveilings by Apple. Yesterday the company released a new iPad mini with an OLED display, and iMac pre-orders are expected to open minutes after the rumored MacBook Pro redesign is unveiled.

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Analysis

Why This Matters

The M6 chip represents a significant generational leap in CPU, GPU and AI performance, particularly relevant for creative professionals and users running AI workloads locally.
Apple is aggressively upgrading its desktop lineup at the same price point, potentially pressuring competitors in the all-in-one market.
The new iMac ships in early November, just ahead of the holiday shopping season.

Background

The iMac with M4 was introduced in late 2024, marking the first refresh of the 24-inch design. Apple has been iterating its in-house M-series chips on an annual or near-annual cadence, with the M5 generation being skipped or rolled into the M6 for the Mac product line. The new iMac maintains the slim profile and color options of its predecessor.

What to Watch

Pre-order availability starting October 28 at 10:10 a.m. PT, which may sell out quickly.
The rumored MacBook Pro redesign announcement expected later this week, which could share the M6 chip.
Early benchmarks and real-world performance comparisons to both the M4 iMac and competing Windows all-in-ones.

Sources

Apple refreshes the iMac with M6 chips · The Verge
Apple launches new iMac with powerful M6 chip · 9to5Mac

Checked

12 claims in this story checked against 2 sources: 8 supported.

Show each claim

SupportedApple unveiled a new iMac with an M6 chip, promising major performance gains.The Verge: “The new iMac generation was introduced today, giving Apple's all-in-one desktop computer a performance boost via the same chipset Apple launched with the Mac Mini in August .”
SupportedThe new iMac has an M6 chip with up to a 12-core CPU and 12-core GPU.9to5Mac: “It has an up to 12-core CPU, 12-core GPU, and Dual 16-core Neural Engine.”
Partly supportedThe M6 iMac has a 40 percent faster CPU and 2x faster graphics than the M4 model, as Apple said.9to5Mac: “Compared to M4, users should expect up to: 40% faster CPU performance 2x faster graphics”
SupportedThe new iMac retains the same 24-inch display and overall design.9to5Mac: “The new iMac has the same 24-inch display and overall design as before, but with upgraded internals.”
SupportedThe iMac adds Wi-Fi 7 via an N1 wireless chip and Bluetooth 6.9to5Mac: “N1 wireless chip for Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6”
SupportedThe iMac has 2.5Gb Ethernet with up to 2.5 times faster wired connectivity than the previous generation.9to5Mac: “2.5Gb Ethernet with “up to 2.5x faster wired connectivity than the previous generation””
Partly supportedThe M6 iMac has a Dual 16-core Neural Engine and up to 5x faster AI performance than the M4 generation, according to Apple.9to5Mac: “It has an up to 12-core CPU, 12-core GPU, and Dual 16-core Neural Engine. The previous iMac only offered up to a 10-core CPU and GPU, and 16-core Neural Engine. Compared to M4, users should expect up to:”
Partly supportedApple says storage performance is twice as fast.9to5Mac: “Compared to M4, users should expect up to: 40% faster CPU performance 2x faster graphics 2x faster storage 5x faster AI performance”
SupportedPricing starts at $1,499, unchanged from the M4 iMac.9to5Mac: “The M6 iMac starts at $1,499, the same price as before.”
SupportedPre-orders open Wednesday, October 28 at 10:10 a.m. PT.9to5Mac: “Pre-orders for the new iMac start tomorrow, October 28 at 10:10 a.m. PT.”
SupportedShipments are expected to begin Friday, November 6.9to5Mac: “It will ship Friday, November 6.”
Partly supportedApple released a new iPad mini with an OLED display the day before.9to5Mac: “Yesterday brought the new iPad mini with OLED, and now today there’s an upgraded iMac powered by the M6 chip.”

Correction

27 October 2026An earlier version of this story reversed the expected sequence of the rumored MacBook Pro unveiling and iMac pre-orders. Pre-orders are expected to open minutes after the unveiling, not before it. It also incorrectly described October 28 as Tuesday. It is Wednesday.