Apple opens pre-orders for M6 MacBook Pro, touts 24-hour battery and Wi‑Fi 7

What’s new in the M6 model

At the centre of the update is the M6 chip, which Apple says is built on a 2‑nanometer process. The company is shipping the 14-inch MacBook Pro with a 12-core CPU and a 12-core GPU, a step up from the 10-core configurations used in prior generations.

Apple is putting special emphasis on AI tasks this cycle. The M6 MacBook Pro introduces what it describes as a first-ever dual 16-core Neural Engine, aimed at heavier on-device machine learning workloads. Apple is positioning the change as a practical boost for creators and developers who want AI features without relying on cloud processing.

In performance claims, Apple says the M6 GPU delivers up to 30% faster graphics and up to 25% faster AI workloads than the M5 model. For customers upgrading from an M1-based system, Apple’s figures are far larger: up to 11x faster graphics and up to 13x faster AI workloads.

Battery life is another headline number. Apple says the new 14-inch MacBook Pro can run for up to 24 hours, calling it the longest battery life ever in a Mac.

Wireless connectivity also moves forward. The laptop supports Wi‑Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6, a combination that should matter most to users in crowded networks or those pairing multiple accessories, though real-world results will depend on routers and peripherals.

The rest of the package is familiar. Apple is keeping its Liquid Retina XDR display and the same general design language, with finishes including Silver and Space Black.

The pre-order window that opened on October 28 sets up a quick retail turn. Apple has said in-store availability and shipments begin November 6.

Pricing starts at $1,999 in the US, with education pricing at $1,899. Configuration options vary, though Apple’s headline positioning is that the base system is now an M6 machine rather than last year’s silicon.

The M6 rollout is not limited to notebooks. Apple has also announced a refreshed iMac with the M6 family, extending the same themes of on-device AI and faster connectivity to its all-in-one desktop.

For the iMac, Apple is advertising up to a 12-core CPU and up to a 12-core GPU. It keeps the 24-inch 4.5K Retina display and adds Wi‑Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6. Buyers can also opt for 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet, and Apple says the machine supports up to four Thunderbolt 4 ports. The iMac is being offered in seven colours.

Apple’s performance claims for the iMac focus on users coming from older systems. The company says the M6 iMac can deliver up to 2x faster graphics and up to 5x faster on-device AI than the M4 model, and up to 18x faster performance than the most popular Intel-based iMac for people upgrading.

Touchscreen talk, and what comes next

While Apple’s announced 14-inch M6 MacBook Pro is a conventional update, there is fresh attention on what could follow. Reports circulating around Apple’s “Pro and tell” event in Los Angeles suggest touchscreen MacBook Pro models could be announced, with pre-orders possibly beginning the same day and availability potentially as early as November 6.

Those reports also point to higher starting prices for touchscreen versions, with expectations set at $2,899 for a 14-inch model and at least $3,399 for a 16-inch. Apple has not confirmed those details in the information available today.

For customers weighing an upgrade, the practical question is whether the M6’s changes match their needs. Apple’s pitch is straightforward: more CPU and GPU cores, a larger on-device AI engine, Wi‑Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6, and a battery-life figure that pushes the MacBook Pro deeper into all-day and then some.

The next milestone is November 6, when the first orders are due to ship and the new MacBook Pro reaches stores, offering the first real-world look at whether Apple’s AI and graphics claims translate into everyday work.