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Apple has introduced the new iMac M6 all-in-one computer, featuring processing upgrades and a higher starting price. While the device delivers faster performance thanks to the M6 chip, its aging design and small screen size make alternative setups worth considering for most buyers, as reported by Engadget.
What is new for the iMac M6
Engadget tested the iMac M6 in a pale blue color configuration featuring a 12-core CPU, 12-core GPU with a dual 16-core neural engine, and 16GB of memory. Because Apple skipped releasing an update last year, the most notable change from the 2024 model is the transition from the M4 to the M6 processor. The new chip adds two extra cores to both base and high-end configurations, with the high-end version delivering a 12-core CPU and 12-core GPU. Apple states that memory bandwidth reaches up to 170GB/s, an increase from the previous 120GB/s limit.
The updated model also integrates Apple’s N1 wireless chip, adding support for Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 compared to the earlier Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 standards. Aside from these internal upgrades, the physical design remains unchanged from the 2021 iMac M1. It retains the 24-inch 4.5K IPS display with 500 nits of brightness, optional nano-textured glass, an adjustable tilt stand without height adjustment, a magnetic power connector, a 3.5mm headphone jack, a 12-megapixel webcam, and seven color options.
Performance in testing
Engadget noted that the M6 model runs significantly faster than its predecessor, with Apple claiming up to 50 percent faster speeds in productivity software like Microsoft Excel. In benchmark evaluations, the iMac M6 achieved 4,552 in single-core and 20,363 in multi-core Geekbench 6 tests, representing a 20 percent performance bump. Disk speeds also doubled, registering 12.4GB/s for writing and 6.76GB/s for reading.
During daily tasks, the computer handled spreadsheets, video calls, and 4K HDR entertainment smoothly, supported by its six-speaker audio system with Dolby Atmos. However, heavy creative work exposed limitations from the 16GB RAM allocation. While editing basic social media videos performed well, handling complex 6K footage with added effects caused interface lag and playback skipping. Gaming performance remained modest, reaching playable frame rates only at 1080p resolution in titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Baldur’s Gate 3. AI workloads tested via LM Studio ran at roughly 30 tokens per second, though memory limits occasionally caused minor inaccuracies.
Pricing and purchase considerations
The base iMac M6 starts at $1,499, which is $200 more expensive than the previous generation. The more capable version featuring a 12-core CPU, 12-core GPU, and 24GB of RAM costs $1,899. Engadget pointed out that consumers can purchase a Mac mini equipped with the same M6 chip and 24GB of RAM for $1,099, leaving enough budget to buy a larger, height-adjustable external monitor.
For users who specifically prefer a streamlined all-in-one computer, the iMac outperforms comparable Windows alternatives like the Lenovo Yoga AIO 27 in productivity and content creation. For shoppers unconcerned with managing a few extra cables, Engadget concluded that pairing a Mac mini with a larger display remains the superior choice for most users.
