Updated October 31, 2026. US information; schedules and availability may change.
Apple’s M6 iMac is available for preorder and is due to reach US customers and stores on November 6, 2026. If you already own an M4 iMac, the useful question is not whether the new chip is faster on paper. It is whether your current machine is slowing down work you actually do. This is a specification-based buying guide as of October 31, not a hands-on review.
What Apple announced
The new all-in-one keeps the familiar 24-inch 4.5K display design. Apple highlights an M6 chip, updated connectivity, and macOS 27 features. Configurations vary: check CPU/GPU core count, memory, storage, Ethernet, and ports on the exact model at checkout instead of treating every M6 iMac as identical.
M4 owners: the honest upgrade test
Open your largest usual project on the M4. If photo libraries, many browser tabs, code builds, or video exports run comfortably, a new machine may add little everyday value. If memory pressure and long exports are common, compare your actual workload and configuration with independent tests after November 6. Apple’s performance claims are manufacturer measurements.
New buyer: spend on the bottleneck
Choose memory and storage for your workload before paying for a higher tier solely for a benchmark number. If you keep hundreds of photos or large media files, plan capacity and backup. If you rely on wired networking or many external devices, verify the model-specific Ethernet and Thunderbolt details on Apple’s configuration page.
Price and timing
Apple lists the 10-core CPU/10-core GPU M6 iMac from $1,499 in the US and a 12-core CPU/12-core GPU model from $1,699. Taxes, upgrades, and promotions change the total. With availability beginning November 6, you can wait for independent testing if you are not replacing a broken computer today.
Who should buy?
A new buyer who wants a tidy desktop and the 24-inch screen has a clear candidate. An M4 owner with no performance complaints has less reason to hurry. A creator who needs a different monitor size, more ports, or more upgrade flexibility should compare the Mac mini or Mac Studio setup before ordering.
Sources and updates
Check the original source for any changes: official source.
