Apple this week introduced three new Mac computers: an updated iMac powered by its M6 chip, a faster 14-inch MacBook Pro, and a redesigned MacBook Pro featuring the company’s first touchscreen laptop display.
The new lineup brings improvements in performance, artificial intelligence (AI), display technology, and wireless connectivity. The touchscreen MacBook Pro also introduces Dynamic Island to the Mac, expanding a feature previously found on Apple’s mobile devices.
Pre-orders began October 28, with availability starting November 6.
New iMac Gets M6 Chip and Faster Performance
The updated 24-inch iMac retains its slim, colorful all-in-one design while adding Apple’s M6 processor, faster storage, and improved connectivity.
Available with up to a 12-core CPU and 12-core GPU, the new iMac is designed to handle everyday computing, multitasking, photo and video editing, and more demanding applications. Apple reports up to twice the graphics performance of the previous M4 model and up to five times faster performance for certain AI tasks.
The computer continues to feature a 24-inch 4.5K Retina display, a 12-megapixel Center Stage camera, and a six-speaker audio system. Connectivity upgrades include Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and up to four Thunderbolt 4 ports.
Available in seven colors, the iMac starts at $1,499, with a higher-performance configuration beginning at $1,699. It remains an option for home offices, students, families, and businesses looking for a desktop computer without a separate monitor.
Touchscreen MacBook Pro Introduces PROLED XDR Display
The biggest change comes with Apple’s redesigned MacBook Pro with PROLED XDR Display, available in 14-inch and 16-inch sizes.
For the first time, MacBook users can interact directly with the display through taps, swipes, and pinch-to-zoom gestures. Traditional keyboard and trackpad controls remain available, allowing people to switch between different ways of navigating their computers.
The touchscreen uses tandem OLED technology, which combines two light-producing layers to deliver higher brightness, deeper blacks, and more accurate colors. Apple reports up to 2,000 nits of peak brightness, a 10,000,000:1 contrast ratio, and refresh rates of up to 120Hz.
These features may be particularly valuable to photographers, video editors, designers, and other professionals who work with detailed visual content. The brighter display may also improve visibility in strongly lit environments.
The redesigned laptop introduces Dynamic Island to macOS, providing access to features such as Spotlight search, Live Activities, media controls, and Siri.
Apple says existing applications can recognize basic touch interactions without requiring major changes, while developers can add more advanced touchscreen functionality.
Thinner Design and Professional Performance
The PROLED XDR MacBook Pro models use Apple’s M5 Pro and M5 Max processors, offering configurations with up to 128GB of unified memory and 16TB of storage.
Despite the redesigned display, Apple has reduced the laptops’ thickness and weight. The 14-inch model weighs approximately 3 pounds, while the 16-inch version weighs around 4 pounds. Both offer up to 24 hours of battery life, according to Apple.
Additional features include Thunderbolt 5 connectivity, a 12-megapixel Center Stage camera, studio-quality microphones, and an upgraded six-speaker audio system.
The 14-inch PROLED XDR MacBook Pro starts at $2,899, while the 16-inch model begins at $3,399. Higher-end configurations with M5 Max processors cost more.
MacBook Pro Gets the New M6 Chip
Apple also introduced a separate 14-inch MacBook Pro powered by the M6 chip, offering improved processing power at a lower starting price than the touchscreen models.
The M6 features a 12-core CPU and 12-core GPU. Apple claims up to 30 percent faster graphics performance and up to 25 percent faster processing for certain AI workloads compared with the previous M5 generation.
Unlike the PROLED XDR models, this MacBook Pro retains the Liquid Retina XDR display and does not include touchscreen support.
Other features include Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, a 12-megapixel Center Stage camera, and up to 24 hours of battery life. Available in space black and silver, the M6 MacBook Pro starts at $1,999.
For users who want a capable laptop without the additional cost of OLED and touchscreen technology, the M6 model provides another option.
AI Features Expanded Across the Mac Lineup
The new Macs also support expanded Apple Intelligence capabilities through macOS 27, including improvements to Siri and tools that assist with writing, searching, and everyday tasks.
Apple continues to emphasize on-device AI processing, allowing supported features to run locally rather than relying entirely on cloud services. This can improve responsiveness and provide additional privacy benefits, although some features still require an internet connection or external processing. The faster processors may also benefit creative applications, software development, and other workloads that increasingly incorporate AI-powered tools.
The new lineup gives Mac users more options depending on how they work and what they need from their computers. The iMac remains a practical choice for a desktop setup, while the M6 MacBook Pro offers improved performance for those who need portability. The touchscreen models add another option for users who want a more advanced display and greater flexibility when working with applications. For anyone using an older Intel-based Mac, the improvements could make upgrading worthwhile. Owners of more recent models may find that their current computers still meet their needs, particularly if touchscreen functionality isn’t a priority.
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