The M6 iMac is official. Apple announced it on October 27, 2026, with pre-orders opening October 28 and the first deliveries on Friday, November 6. It starts at $1,499 in the US.
If you’ve been holding out on an all-in-one, here’s what changed, what didn’t, and who should actually pay for it.
Here are the numbers you’ll want first, straight from Apple’s announcement:
- $1,499 for the 10-core model, $1,699 for the 12-core.
- Pre-orders start October 28 in 35 countries and regions, including the US.
- Deliveries and store availability begin November 6.
- Seven colors: blue, green, pink, yellow, purple, orange, and silver.
- It ships with macOS 27, called Golden Gate.
Short version: same look, a much faster chip, and a push toward AI that runs on the Mac itself.
What the M6 chip actually gives you
The new M6 comes in 10-core and 12-core CPU versions. The 12-core is two cores bigger than before, and Apple says it has the fastest single-threaded CPU performance of any all-in-one.
The GPU has 10 or 12 cores, and each core now carries a Neural Accelerator. Apple also lists a dual 16-core Neural Engine and memory bandwidth up to 170GB/s.
In plain terms, this chip is built for people who edit video, run local AI models, or keep dozens of heavy apps open. A student writing essays will not feel most of it. That is why the price gap between the two models matters more than the raw speed claims.
Those are Apple’s own tests, so treat them as best-case numbers. Against an M4 iMac (10-core, 32GB memory, 2TB SSD), Apple claims:
- Up to 5x faster on-device AI.
- Up to 2x faster graphics.
- Up to 1.5x faster in Microsoft Excel.
- Up to 2x higher ray-tracing gaming performance.
The AI figure is the headline, and it’s the one most likely to depend on the exact test. Real-world gains for email and browsing will be far smaller. Independent reviews should land once units ship.
M6 iMac models compared: which one makes sense?
| Spec | 10-core model | 12-core model |
|---|---|---|
| Price (US) | $1,499 ($1,449 education) | $1,699 ($1,599 education) |
| CPU / GPU | 10-core / 10-core | 12-core / 12-core |
| Thunderbolt 4 | Fewer ports | Four ports |
| 2.5Gb Ethernet | No | Yes |
| Nano-texture display | No | Optional |
| Magic Keyboard with Touch ID | Optional extra | Included |
The $200 gap buys more than two cores. The extra ports, faster Ethernet, and Touch ID keyboard are what many desks actually need, so the 12-core is better value than it first looks.
Apple’s release doesn’t state the base memory and storage. Check the configurator on October 28 before you click buy.
Display, ports, and design: mostly unchanged
The screen is still a 24-inch 4.5K Retina panel (23.5 inches of actual diagonal) with 500 nits of brightness. The 12MP Center Stage camera with Desk View carries over, along with a six-speaker setup and a three-microphone array.
The update is in the wireless and connection specs. You get Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and support for up to two 6K external displays. SSD speeds are up to 2x faster than the previous generation.
Your old accessories don’t carry over automatically. The color-matched keyboard and mouse or trackpad come with USB-C, so you’ll want to check what you already own.
Siri AI on the iMac, and the catch
Apple is selling the M6 iMac on AI. macOS 27 brings a more capable Siri built into Spotlight, plus Visual Intelligence and writing help across apps. If you want the software side in more detail, we covered what’s new in macOS Golden Gate 27.2.
There are limits you should know before you pay for the chip. Siri AI is in beta in macOS 27.2 and works in six languages. It isn’t available in the EU on iOS, iPadOS, and watchOS, or for users under 13.
Apple also says some server-side AI features have daily usage limits, and that expanded access will cost a fee in the future. So the on-device speedup is the part you can count on.
Where this fits in Apple’s October lineup
The iMac isn’t alone. Apple also launched a 14-inch MacBook Pro with M6 from $1,999, which ships on the same November 6 date.
It follows the new iPad mini, covered in our iPad mini price and release date guide. Apple’s separate Wednesday event is a different story, and we looked at that in our Pro and Tell preview.
Frequently Asked Questions
When can I buy the M6 iMac?
Pre-orders open October 28. Deliveries and in-store availability start Friday, November 6.
How much does the M6 iMac cost?
The 10-core model is $1,499 and the 12-core is $1,699 in the US. Education pricing drops them to $1,449 and $1,599. Apple Upgrade leasing starts at $28.99 a month for 36 months, US only.
Is the M6 iMac worth upgrading from an M4 iMac?
Probably not for everyday work. Apple’s biggest gains are in AI and graphics tasks, so it makes sense if you run local models or heavy creative apps.
Can the M6 iMac run external displays?
Yes. Apple says it supports up to two 6K external displays. Check which ports your model has first, since the 12-core gets the full four Thunderbolt 4 ports.
Our take: buy the 12-core if you’re getting one at all, and wait for independent benchmarks before you pay for the AI claims. The 10-core only makes sense if you need the lowest price and don’t care about ports or Ethernet. If you own an M4 iMac, keep it.
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