Apple did not wait for its event. On Tuesday, October 27, 2026, it unveiled a new 14-inch MacBook Pro and a new iMac, both running its M6 chip, and pitched them as machines built to run AI work on the device instead of in the cloud. The Apple M6 MacBook Pro starts at $1,999, the M6 iMac starts at $1,499, and both reach stores November 6 after pre-orders open October 28.

That timing is the first thing to notice. Apple announced the two Macs one day before its “Pro and tell” event in Los Angeles on October 28, and Bloomberg News has reported that event is expected to feature Apple’s first touch-screen MacBook Pro. So the M6 machines land as the warm-up act, not the main show.

Don’t buy the old model today.

Apple M6 MacBook Pro: faster graphics, same $1,999 starting price

Start with the laptop, because it carries the clearer set of numbers. Apple’s M6 chip in the 14-inch MacBook Pro has a 12-core CPU and a 12-core GPU, plus Wi-Fi 7, and Apple rates the machine for up to 24 hours of battery life, which it calls the longest ever in a Mac.

Apple says the M6 MacBook Pro delivers up to 30% faster graphics and up to 25% faster AI performance than its M5 predecessor. Those are Apple’s claims, not independent test results, and they matter most for on-device AI work such as image generation and Apple Intelligence features. Real benchmarks will arrive with reviews closer to November 6.

Base specs moved in a useful direction. MacRumors reports the $1,999 model now ships with 16GB of unified memory and 1TB of storage as standard, in Space Black or Silver, with configurations up to 32GB of memory and 4TB of storage. Android Headlines puts the 32GB upgrade at $400, which is steep but cheaper than what many PC makers charge for the same jump.

“The 14-inch MacBook Pro is the pro laptop of choice for a wide range of users, from college students, to business professionals across every industry, to multidisciplinary creators doing it all on one device,” said Shelly Goldberg, Apple’s vice president of Hardware Engineering.

One limit is worth knowing before you configure anything. Coverage of the announcement says the M6 upgrade applies to the entry-level 14-inch model, while larger or higher-end MacBook Pro configurations still use M5 Pro or M5 Max chips. If you need the biggest MacBook Pro, this announcement does not change your options.

Apple M6 iMac: the bigger jump

For desktop buyers, the iMac is arguably the more interesting update. Apple last refreshed its all-in-one in 2024 with the M4 chip, according to Pocket-lint, so the jump to M6 covers two chip generations instead of one. Apple says the new iMac delivers up to 5x faster on-device AI performance than the previous M4 model.

Android Headlines reports two iMac versions: a 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU model with two Thunderbolt ports starting at $1,499, and a four-Thunderbolt-port model with the full 12-core CPU and 12-core GPU configuration starting at $1,699. Both start with 16GB of memory, with 24GB available, and 32GB only on the four-port model. Colors run blue, purple, pink, orange, yellow, green, and silver, and the machine keeps its 24-inch display and 12MP Center Stage camera.

Why Apple announced a day early

Apple’s product calendar this month has been crowded. Pocket-lint notes Apple announced a new iPad mini the day before these Macs, ahead of the October 28 event. Dropping the M6 MacBook Pro and iMac as press-release news clears the deck for whatever Apple plans to show on stage, and it gets the holiday lineup in front of buyers early.

Pre-orders open October 28 in 35 countries and regions, including the US, with availability starting November 6, according to Reuters. That one-week gap is normal for Apple, and it gives reviewers time to test the battery and AI claims before most people can walk into a store and buy one.

What this means for buyers

Here’s the practical read. If you need an entry-level 14-inch MacBook Pro or a family desktop, the M6 models are now the ones to buy, at the same starting prices as before. No base-price hike hides inside this refresh.

If you already own a recent M5 MacBook Pro or an M4 iMac, patience pays. Wait for independent reviews around November 6, and watch the October 28 event first. A touch-screen MacBook Pro, if Bloomberg’s reporting proves right, would be a much bigger design change than a chip swap, and it could change which Mac you want.

Watch one more thing: the AI pitch. Apple is selling these Macs on work done locally, on your desk, not sent to a server. That only matters if the apps you use actually take advantage of it. For writing, browsing, and video calls, an M6 will feel fast, but so did the machine it replaces. For AI-heavy creative work, the gap should show up sooner, and reviews will tell us how big it really is.

FAQ

How much do the Apple M6 MacBook Pro and iMac cost?

The 14-inch M6 MacBook Pro starts at $1,999 and the M6 iMac starts at $1,499 in the US. Higher iMac and MacBook Pro configurations cost more.

When can I pre-order the M6 MacBook Pro and iMac?

Pre-orders open October 28, 2026, in 35 countries and regions including the US, with availability starting November 6, 2026.

What is new in the Apple M6 MacBook Pro?

The M6 chip brings a 12-core CPU and 12-core GPU, Wi-Fi 7, and up to 24 hours of battery life. Apple claims up to 30% faster graphics and up to 25% faster AI performance than the M5 model.

Should I buy the M6 Mac or wait for the October 28 Apple event?

If you want the entry-level 14-inch MacBook Pro or the iMac, the M6 models are the current ones. If a touch-screen Mac matters to you, wait one day: Bloomberg has reported Apple may show its first touch-screen MacBook Pro at the October 28 event.

Sources: Reuters, Android Headlines, MacRumors, Pocket-lint.