The iMac M6 is a good fit if you want a ready-to-use 24-inch desktop and your workload matches its memory and storage configuration. Reviewers report faster results in several tests, but the base model’s 16GB of memory and 256GB SSD leave less room for demanding creative projects or a growing file library. The screen, stand and single-display format are part of the decision, too.
Choose memory and storage for the work you expect to do: the SSD cannot be upgraded later, and one reviewer saw slowdowns on a 16GB model during a demanding video-editing session.
What changes from the iMac M4
The M6 update centers on Apple’s M6 processor and N1 wireless chip, while the iMac retains its 24-inch all-in-one format. Reviews describe Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6. The display is reported as a 24-inch 4.5K panel with brightness up to 500 nits.
The two reported processor configurations pair a 10-core CPU with a 10-core GPU, or a 12-core CPU with a 12-core GPU. Both start with 16GB of memory. The higher-core configuration has more Thunderbolt ports, a practical difference if you regularly connect external drives and other devices.
| Configuration | CPU/GPU | Thunderbolt 4 ports | Starting memory |
| Base | 10-core CPU / 10-core GPU | 2 | 16GB |
| Higher-core | 12-core CPU / 12-core GPU | 4 | 16GB |
Reviews published November 5, 2026 reported a US starting price of $1,499 for the base 10-core model with 16GB of memory and 256GB of storage. Higher configurations were reported at other prices, but those reports do not all describe the same memory and storage setup.
What reviewers measured in everyday and creative work
In Tom’s Guide’s Geekbench 6.7 tests, its M6 iMac scored 4,553 in the single-core test and 20,038 in the multi-core test. Its M4 comparison scored 3,646 and 14,724, respectively. In the same outlet’s HandBrake test converting 4K video to 1080p, the M6 took 3 minutes 20 seconds and the M4 took 5 minutes 3 seconds. Those results describe specific review units and tests, not a guaranteed result for every project.
Memory can matter as much as processor speed for heavier creative work. Engadget reported interface lag and playback skips on its 16GB iMac after adding effects and tracks to 4K and 6K footage in DaVinci Resolve. PetaPixel recommends considering 24GB or 32GB for demanding Premiere work. These observations point to workload-specific limits, not a universal threshold for every video editor.
For local AI, Engadget reported about 30 tokens per second while running the quen3.5-9b model in LM Studio on its 16GB unit; the reviewer also noted some inaccurate output. That is a useful example of one model on one configuration, not a measure of how every local AI workload will run.
Gaming results depend on the game and settings
CNN Underscored reported 69 frames per second in Shadow of the Tomb Raider at 1080p with graphics settings maxed out, and 27 frames per second at 4K in the same game test. Engadget reported 50 frames per second in Cyberpunk 2077 at 1080p with default settings; lowering quality raised its result to 60 frames per second. Different games and settings make these separate snapshots, not a direct comparison between the two machines or tests.
The screen, stand and storage shape the setup
The iMac’s integrated display saves you from choosing a separate monitor, but the standard stand tilts without adjusting in height. CNET reports that the internal SSD cannot be upgraded after purchase. With 256GB in the base configuration, it is worth deciding in advance whether your applications and files will fit comfortably or whether a larger storage option matters.
The base model has two Thunderbolt ports; the higher-core configuration has four. Reviews also describe no USB-A or SD-card slots. Tom’s Guide reports a $30 option for an Ethernet-capable power adapter on the base configuration. CNN Underscored reports that M-series iMacs, including the M6, cannot serve as traditional external monitors for another computer.
Should an M4 owner upgrade, or choose a Mac mini?
Tom’s Guide’s benchmark results show gains in its M6-versus-M4 tests, but CNN Underscored, TechRadar and PCMag say most M4 owners have less reason to upgrade unless they need more performance, memory or storage. That makes the M6 easier to recommend to someone replacing an older computer than to an M4 owner whose current setup already handles their work.
A Mac mini offers a modular alternative if you already have a display and peripherals or want to choose them separately. Engadget compared a $1,899 iMac M6 configuration with a $1,099 Mac mini M6 configuration, both described with 24GB of memory. The $800 difference is before adding a display and any peripherals to the mini, so it is not the price difference between two complete, equivalent setups. The iMac’s appeal is the integrated screen and desktop arrangement; the mini leaves those choices to you.
Moving your work to a new Mac
In a Reddit discussion about switching Macs, commenters described transferring data, preferences, applications and desktop layouts with Migration Assistant. Some said particular apps or accounts still needed a sign-in or activation. Several recommended choosing migration during initial setup. Those are users’ experiences, so plan for possible reauthentication rather than assuming every app session will carry over unchanged.
