Apple’s latest 24-inch iMac brings a welcome performance boost without increasing its starting price, reinforcing its position as one of the strongest all-in-one desktop computers on the market. Powered by the new M6 chip, the updated machine combines faster processing, improved AI capabilities and a familiar colorful design with the convenience of an all-inclusive desktop setup.
Starting at $1,499, the 2026 iMac retains the sleek appearance of its predecessors while delivering meaningful improvements under the hood. Its combination of a vibrant 24-inch Retina display, 16GB of starting memory, updated connectivity and included accessories makes it an appealing option for households, professionals, businesses and creative users.
Familiar Design With a Colorful Finish
The M6 iMac maintains the slim, minimalist design introduced with the M1 generation. Although there are no significant exterior changes, its modern aluminum construction, compact footprint and selection of seven colors continue to give it plenty of visual appeal.
Available finishes include Purple, Orange, Blue, Yellow, Green, Silver and Pink. The display is surrounded by a white bezel, while the lower chin and rear casing feature color-matched finishes. The result is a desktop that looks more like a stylish addition to a workspace than traditional computer equipment.
The 24-inch 4.5K Retina display remains one of the machine’s biggest attractions. With a resolution of 4,480 x 2,520 pixels and brightness reaching 500 nits, it delivers sharp details, vibrant colors and an enjoyable viewing experience.
Whether browsing the internet, managing emails, creating presentations, editing photographs or watching videos, the screen provides plenty of visual clarity. It also offers sufficient detail and color accuracy for everyday photo and video editing.
An optional nano-texture glass finish is available for users who frequently work in brightly lit environments. The standard glossy display performs well, although reflections can become distracting when positioned near windows or other strong light sources.
Connectivity includes a headphone jack on the left side and either two or four Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports, depending on the configuration. The magnetic power connector sits at the rear, while the higher-end model’s power adapter includes a 2.5Gb Ethernet port.
Apple also includes a color-matched USB-C keyboard and either a Magic Mouse or Magic Trackpad, allowing buyers to get started without purchasing essential accessories separately.
Pricing and Value
One of the most appealing aspects of the M6 iMac is that Apple has maintained its previous starting price despite introducing a more powerful processor.
The entry-level configuration costs $1,499, £1,499 or AU$2,399. For that amount, buyers receive an M6 processor with a 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage.
A more powerful configuration costs $1,699, £1,699 or AU$3,699, upgrading to a 12-core CPU and GPU alongside 512GB of storage.
Additional options include nano-texture glass, extra Thunderbolt 4 connections, Ethernet and expanded memory and storage configurations.
For anyone purchasing their first desktop Mac or replacing an older computer, the iMac offers considerable value because the display, speakers, keyboard and mouse are included.
However, owners of the previous M4 iMac may not find enough reason to upgrade immediately. The latest model is primarily a performance improvement rather than a complete redesign.
M6 Chip Delivers a Significant Performance Boost
The biggest improvement comes from Apple’s new M6 processor, which provides noticeably stronger performance than the M4 generation.
The review unit featured the higher-end M6 configuration with a 12-core CPU, 12-core GPU, 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. Running macOS 27.2, the computer handled everyday multitasking with impressive responsiveness.
During testing, multiple browser windows containing more than a dozen tabs were used alongside applications such as Messages, Mail, Photos, Pixelmator Pro and Slack. The system remained smooth and responsive, even with several demanding applications running simultaneously.
The improved Neural Engine is another important development. The M6 features a Dual 16-core Neural Engine, helping accelerate artificial intelligence functions and creative workflows.
This is particularly useful for Apple Intelligence features, including Siri-powered assistance. For example, Siri can create calendar events using information from invitations displayed in Mail or Gmail, including adding other attendees.
Creative applications also benefit from the additional processing capabilities. Generative Fill in Pixelmator Pro performed smoothly during testing, while tools such as Expand, Clean Up and Super Resolution helped improve photo-editing workflows.
The larger display also makes working across creative applications more comfortable, particularly when moving projects between Photos and Pixelmator Pro.
Benchmark results further demonstrate the improvement. In Geekbench 6, the M6 iMac achieved 4,553 points in single-core performance and 20,038 in multi-core testing.
By comparison, the previous M4 model recorded 3,646 and 14,724 points, respectively. This represents approximately a 25% improvement in single-core performance and a 36% increase in multi-core performance.
Additional Geekbench 7 testing produced scores of 3,931 for single-core and 21,374 for multi-core performance.
These results reinforce the M6 iMac’s position as a capable desktop for productivity, multitasking and creative applications.
Updated Wireless Connectivity
Beyond the processor, Apple has introduced improvements to wireless connectivity.
The M6 iMac supports Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 and Thread connectivity, providing updated networking capabilities and improved integration with compatible smart-home devices.
These additions make the desktop better equipped for modern connected environments, particularly for users who rely on multiple Apple devices and smart-home accessories.
Should You Buy the Apple iMac M6?
The 2026 iMac is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a stylish, powerful desktop that works straight out of the box.
Its combination of a high-resolution display, improved processing performance, generous starting memory and included accessories makes it particularly attractive to people already using Apple’s ecosystem.
Buy it if:
- You want a complete all-in-one desktop with a high-quality display.
- You regularly use an iPhone, iPad or other Apple devices and want seamless integration.
- You appreciate a colorful, modern computer that fits easily into different environments.
- You need strong performance for everyday productivity and creative projects.
Consider another option if:
- You need a display larger than 24 inches.
- You require more processing power for demanding professional workloads or running advanced AI models.
- You already own the M4 iMac and are satisfied with its performance.
The Mac mini with M6 is worth considering if you prefer choosing your own monitor and accessories. Buyers seeking substantially more processing power can also explore Apple’s Mac Studio lineup.
Testing and Real-World Experience
The M6 iMac was tested over five days in different environments, including a kitchen island and a dedicated desk setup.
Testing involved everyday productivity, web browsing, creative applications, gaming, video calls, movie streaming and music playback. Applications including Google Chrome, Pixelmator Pro, Final Cut Pro and Slack were used alongside benchmarking software to assess overall performance.
The results highlighted the computer’s ability to manage demanding workloads while maintaining a responsive experience.
Final Verdict
Apple’s M6 iMac is a compelling upgrade that strengthens an already successful desktop formula. Although its exterior remains largely unchanged, the improved processor, stronger AI capabilities and updated connectivity make it a more capable machine.
The decision to maintain the starting price is particularly welcome, giving buyers more performance without requiring additional spending.
It may not be a necessary upgrade for existing M4 owners, but for anyone moving from an older Mac or purchasing an all-in-one desktop for the first time, the M6 iMac is an outstanding option. With its vibrant display, attractive design and impressive performance, it continues to set a high standard for all-in-one computers.
