Apple just dropped the basic version of its new M6 processor into the entry-level version of the MacBook Pro. This is a traditional “chip-and-ship” upgrade, not a redesign, so the faster processor is the major change to the notebook.
“The 14-inch MacBook Pro is the pro laptop of choice for a wide range of users — from college students, to business professionals across every industry, to multidisciplinary creators doing it all on one device,” said Shelly Goldberg, Apple’s vice president of Hardware Engineering, in a statement. “With the powerful M6 chip, we’re taking performance to the next level, with a boost in CPU speed and graphics and even more powerful capabilities for on-device AI. With its amazing battery life, remarkable Liquid Retina XDR display, and even faster connectivity, the new 14-inch MacBook Pro with M6 delivers a fantastic combination of performance, capability, and value.”
M6 chip brings a boost in performance to MacBook Pro
It can be easy to overlook the budget MacBook Pro — it doesn’t have the raw performance of the higher-end variants, and the only screen option is 14 inches. Still, it offers far more ports than any MacBook Air.
And this update includes the Apple M6 processor that launched in the Mac mini earlier this fall. The chip features a 12-core CPU, a 12-core GPU with Neural Accelerators in each core, Dual 16-core Neural Engine and faster unified memory.
Just don’t waste your time looking for M6 Pro or M6 Max versions of the new MacBook Pro – Apple only introduced the entry-level version today. The more powerful one is expected tomorrow, with an OLED touchscreen.
Still, the basic M6 is no slouch. Apple promises that the CPU offers “blazing-fast single- and multithreaded performance.” The 12-core GPU delivers up to 30% faster graphics performance when compared to the M5. The chip also brings up to 25% faster performance for on-device AI workloads compared to the M5.
The base model M6 MacBook Pro includes 16GB of unified memory, and it is configurable with 24GB or up to 32GB. The new chip offers higher memory bandwidth up to 170GBps.
1TB of storage is the default, or the notebook can be configured with 2 TB or 4TB of capacity. That’s the same as its predecessor.
Other enhancements
Apple promises a battery life of up to 24 hours, “the longest ever in a Mac.” And unlike many Windows computers, performance does not vary depending on whether the computer is plugged in or on battery.
The new model comes with Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 for faster, more reliable wireless performance.
What didn’t change
Photo: Apple
While Apple upgraded the processor and made a few other enhancements, the basic design of the M6 MacBook Pro is the same as earlier versions. The 14.2-inch mini-LED display stays with a 3024-by-1964 pixel resolution. The overall dimensions and weight did not change, either.
And the notebook still boasts three Thunderbolt 4 ports for high-speed data transfers, connecting external displays and other USB-C accessories, along with an HDMI port for connecting a monitor or TV. An SDXC card slot makes it convenient for photographers to transfer images directly from memory cards, while a 3.5mm headphone jack supports wired headphones. The laptop also features a dedicated MagSafe 3 charging port, which attaches magnetically and detaches easily if someone trips over the cable.
The new MBP has a 12MP Center Stage camera with Desk View, and Touch ID in its keyboard.
M6 MacBook Pro: Price and availability
The 14-inch MacBook Pro with M6 starts at $1,999 (U.S.) That’s the same the previous M5 version sold for — though the computer did get a price hike in June.
Pre-orders start Wednesday, October 28, in 35 countries, including the U.S. It will begin reaching customers on Friday, November 6.
Preorder: Apple
Ed Hardy has been writing full-time about tech for 26 years, and using it for much longer than that. His intro to Apple was a Macintosh SE/30 (which he still has), but now he uses a 13-inch iPad Pro as his primary computer.
That’s because he’s a “tablet first” type of guy. Rather than use a Macbook, he connects a keyboard case to the iPad. And instead of a desktop Mac, he connects his tablet to a 27-inch display and full-size keyboard. (So don’t try to tell him that everyone has to use a Mac to be productive.)
Before coming to Cult of Mac, Ed wrote for NotebookReview, TabletPCReview and Brighthand, as well as other sites.
