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The M6 MacBook Pro arrives as a familiar design paired with a slightly faster chip, serving as the most accessible entry-level professional laptop from Apple. Priced at $1,999, it offers a compelling option for buyers who prefer to skip the much higher costs of Apple’s newer OLED touchscreen models.
What’s new with the MacBook Pro M6?
As reported by Engadget, the primary update in this device is Apple’s new M6 chip, which features a 12-core CPU and a 12-core GPU, improving upon the 10-core configuration found in the previous M5 model. The processor consists of two super cores, four performance cores, and six efficiency cores, alongside dual 16-core neural engines that Apple states deliver double the AI performance of the M5.
According to Apple’s benchmarks, the M6 brings modest gains, offering 11.7x faster 3D rendering compared to the M1 MacBook Pro, while the M5 achieved a 9.2x increase. In gaming, the M6 is 3.2x faster in Cyberpunk 2077 than the M1 system, whereas the M5 reached 2.5x. Users seeking higher performance must currently look to the M5 Pro or M5 Max chips, as faster M6 Pro or Max versions have not yet been released. The M6 supports up to 32GB of RAM running at 170 GB/s, whereas the M5 Pro accommodates 64GB at 307 GB/s.
Beyond the processor, the 14-inch laptop retains the hardware features of past generations, including a MiniLED Liquid Retina display with a 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate, a unibody chassis, three Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports, a MagSafe connector, an HDMI port, a headphone jack, and an SD card slot. The device weighs 3.4 pounds.
Performance and everyday use
Engadget noted that a review unit with 16GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD handled daily workflows smoothly without noticeable slowdowns. In Geekbench 6 testing, the M6 MacBook Pro achieved 4,458 points for single-threaded tasks and 19,077 points for multi-threaded tasks, compared to the M5’s 4,310 and 18,003 points. The M6 graphics scored 64,115 points in the Geekbench 6 GPU test, outperforming the M5’s 48,840 points, while Cinebench R24 multi-threaded performance showed about a 30 percent improvement over the M5.
In gaming tests, Lies of P reached between 90 and 100 fps at maximum resolution and settings, marking a 25 fps increase over the M5 system. The reviewer found that the lack of a touchscreen was not an issue, noting that Apple’s trackpad remains efficient for navigation and that the MiniLED screen is sufficiently bright for outdoor use in direct sunlight. Battery life reached nine hours and 35 minutes during the MacBatteryBenchmark script, while a standard workday of mixed tasks brought the battery to 50 percent after six hours.
Purchasing considerations and market position
While the price increased from $1,599 to $1,999 over the past year, the 14-inch M6 MacBook Pro remains the least expensive professional-grade laptop offered by Apple. Buyers considering an upgrade to the $2,499 M5 Pro chip might also weigh spending slightly more for the redesigned $2,899 PROLED MacBook Pro, which features an M5 Pro chip and a lighter build.
The base 14-inch MacBook Pro continues to bridge the gap between the MacBook Air and high-end workstations by offering active cooling, a ProMotion MiniLED display, and extensive port options.
