Apple has launched an updated version of its desktop computer, the 24-inch iMac powered by its new M6 system-on-a-chip in India, succeeding the 2024 iMac. The latest all-in-one desktop brings improvements in computing and graphics performance, on-device AI processing, wireless and wired connectivity, and software capabilities with macOS 27.
Silicon Architecture and Performance
The new iMac is powered by Apple’s M6 chip, available with up to a 12-core CPU and a 12-core GPU. The processor features dedicated Neural Accelerators integrated into each GPU core and supports unified memory bandwidth of up to 170GB/s.
Apple highlights several performance improvements over previous generations:
- CPU and Productivity: Delivers up to 1.5x faster productivity performance in applications such as Microsoft Excel compared with the M4-powered iMac, and up to 2.5x faster performance than the original M1 model.
- Graphics Performance: Offers up to 2x faster graphics processing in creative applications such as Affinity compared with the M4, alongside up to 2x better ray-tracing performance for gaming.
- Compared with Intel Models: Provides up to 18x faster overall system performance than earlier Intel-based iMac models.
Enhanced On-Device AI Capabilities
The M6 chip features a Dual 16-core Neural Engine designed to deliver twice the AI computing capacity of its predecessor. According to Apple, on-device AI prompt processing in applications such as LM Studio is up to 5x faster than on the M4 and up to 12x faster than on the M1.
Combined with macOS 27, the hardware enables Apple Intelligence features and an upgraded Siri AI experience. Key capabilities include:
- System-Wide Assistance: Siri AI integration with Spotlight, Mail, and Messages helps users summarize content, draft text, and find information across personal data.
- Visual Intelligence: A dedicated keyboard shortcut enables context-aware visual searches based on content displayed on the screen.
- App Improvements: Safari gains automatic tab organization and website monitoring, while Shortcuts supports automation creation using natural-language commands. The system also expands support for locally running large language models (LLMs).
Connectivity and System Specifications
Apple has updated the iMac’s networking capabilities and connectivity options, bringing support for newer wireless standards and faster storage performance.
- Networking: The iMac supports Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6. An optional 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet port provides up to 2.5x the bandwidth of a standard Gigabit Ethernet connection.
- Storage and I/O: SSD performance is rated at up to twice the speed of the previous generation. Select configurations offer up to four Thunderbolt 4 ports and support connecting up to two external 6K displays.
- Display and Audio-Visual Features: The desktop retains its 24-inch 4.5K Retina display with up to 500 nits of brightness and P3 wide colour support. It also features a 12MP Center Stage camera with Desk View, a studio-quality three-microphone array, and a six-speaker sound system with Spatial Audio and Dolby Atmos support.
- Accessories: The Magic Keyboard, Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad, Magic Mouse, and Magic Trackpad feature USB-C charging and colour finishes that match the iMac.
The new iMac runs macOS 27, codenamed Golden Gate. The operating system introduces interface and functional changes, including a customisable “Liquid Glass” interface slider in System Settings.
Apple iMac (2026) M6 Specifications
| Display | 24-inch 4.5K Retina XDR display, 4480 × 2520 pixels, 218 pixels per inch, up to 500 nits brightness, P3 wide colour gamut, True Tone technology, optional nano-texture glass |
| Processor | Apple M6 chip with 10-core or 12-core CPU and 10-core or 12-core GPU, hardware-accelerated ray tracing, Dual 16-core Neural Engine, up to 170GB/s memory bandwidth |
| Memory | 16GB unified memory, configurable to 24GB or 32GB |
| Storage | 256GB SSD, configurable to 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB |
| Operating System | macOS 27 |
| Keyboard and Trackpad | Magic Keyboard, Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad, Magic Trackpad |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be), Bluetooth 6 |
| Camera | 12MP Center Stage camera with an advanced image signal processor and computational video support |
| Microphones | Studio-quality three-microphone array with a high signal-to-noise ratio and directional beamforming |
| Audio | High-fidelity six-speaker sound system with force-cancelling woofers, wide stereo sound, Spatial Audio and Dolby Atmos support |
| Audio Port | 3.5mm headphone jack with advanced support for high-impedance headphones |
| Ports and Ethernet | Optional two or four Thunderbolt 4 / USB 4 ports supporting speeds of up to 40Gbps; Gigabit Ethernet or optional 2.5Gb Ethernet |
| Supported Interfaces | DisplayPort, Thunderbolt 4 (up to 40Gbps), USB 4 (up to 40Gbps), USB 3.1 Gen 2 (up to 10Gbps) |
Pricing and Availability
Pre-orders for the new iMac begin on October 28, with deliveries and retail sales scheduled to start on Friday, November 6, across 35 countries and regions. Customers in India can order the desktop through the Apple India online store.
- 10-core CPU / 10-core GPU configuration: Starts at Rs. 1,74,900. Education pricing starts at Rs. 1,68,900.
- 12-core CPU / 12-core GPU configuration: Starts at Rs. 1,99,900. Education pricing starts at Rs. 1,87,900.
