Apple iMac with M6: Is the Upgrade from M4 Worth It?

TVS News AI, editorially supervised, presents Apple iMac with M6: Is the Upgrade from M4 Worth It.

TVS News AI editorial team presents Apple iMac with M6: Is the upgrade from M4 worth it.

What Does the M6 Bring Compared With the M4?

Apple is refreshing its iMac with the M6 chip. The key difference lies under the hood: While the M4 was available in configurations with up to 10 CPU cores, the M6 offers up to 12 cores.

There is also a redesigned GPU with neural accelerators integrated into every core. According to Xataka, Apple has also doubled the Neural Engine’s capabilities and increased memory bandwidth to a maximum of 170 GB/s.

For you, this means the M6 offers more headroom for demanding video editing, complex creative workflows and locally run language models. For advanced office work, web browsing and ordinary creative tasks, however, the M4 remains very fast, according to Xataka.

What Stays the Same on the iMac?

In terms of design, Apple is emphasizing continuity. The M6 iMac retains the slim all-in-one design of the M4 and is practically a copy on the desk. The color palette also remains unchanged.

There is no fundamental change to the display either: Both models feature a 24-inch Retina display with 4.5K resolution, 500 nits of brightness, True Tone and a wide color gamut. If what you are primarily seeking is a high-quality, large display, both generations provide a comparable result.

The differences are mainly in computing performance, GPU power and bandwidth for AI and creative workloads. You therefore should not expect a display upgrade or a major design overhaul with the M6.

Which iMac Is Better for You?

According to Xataka, the M4 remains very capable for everyday productivity, navigation and standard creative tasks. With 16 GB of RAM as its base configuration, it continues to offer a modern all-in-one solution. It is therefore important not to evaluate the latest chip generation in isolation.

The M6 is worth it above all if you actually want to use local AI, run large language models or regularly undertake demanding video and creative workflows. For purely office and media tasks, by contrast, the M4 would be the more economical choice.

Another difference concerns the entry price: Xataka lists the M6 iMac at €1,819, while the M4 is listed at €1,568.99 on Amazon and €1,605 at FNAC. Retail prices may fluctuate. This means the actual price for your use case matters more than benchmark differences alone.

Conclusion: Novelty Alone Is No Reason to Buy

The M6 iMac is the more powerful machine, especially for local AI and intensive creative production. The M4, meanwhile, remains a fast, mature system that rarely reaches its limits in everyday tasks and is now more affordable.

If you buy the M6 solely because of the “latest generation” label, you may be paying for headroom you will barely use. The M6’s wider adoption and price development also remain to be seen. Therefore, check whether your software benefits from the additional cores, GPU and higher memory bandwidth.

11 Tips for Choosing Between the M4 and M6

1. Choose the M6 for genuine AI workloads

If you run large language models locally or perform other AI tasks, the additional cores, Neural Engine and higher memory bandwidth are relevant. They will barely pay off for ordinary web browsing and writing.

2. Do not overlook the M4 when comparing prices

The M4 is now available for a notably lower price. Compare the price of your specific configuration, because the entry price and available memory together determine the realistic added value.

3. Look for 16 GB of RAM

This generation of the M4 comes with 16 GB of RAM as its base configuration. For a system intended to be used for as long as possible, this specification is an important factor.

4. Check your GPU requirements

The M6 features a redesigned GPU. If your work depends heavily on graphics performance, this change can be decisive; for conventional office work, it matters significantly less.

5. Factor in memory bandwidth

Up to 170 GB/s helps most with data-intensive tasks. Its effect becomes apparent wherever data must be moved quickly between the CPU, GPU and Neural Engine.

6. Put the identical display into perspective

Both generations offer a 24-inch Retina 4.5K display. Upgrading to the M6 therefore does not automatically improve your workspace or screen.

7. Do not pay twice for the same design

Visually, the M4 and M6 are almost indistinguishable. Therefore, decide based on performance, memory and price rather than a visibly new enclosure.

8. Weigh everyday tests against peak loads

Check whether your most frequent projects actually require the more powerful platform. An M4 is fast enough for everyday tasks; an M6 is more worthwhile when peak loads occur regularly.

9. Consider software compatibility

The stronger chip only helps if your programs actually use the additional performance. This is an important point to check, particularly with specialized creative applications.

10. Compare retailer prices

Xataka lists different M4 prices at Amazon and FNAC. Because offers can change, it is worth comparing current prices for the configuration relevant to you.

11. Set a clear upgrade rule

Choose the M6 if local AI or demanding creative workloads are part of your everyday life. The M4 is the more sensible choice if you want ordinary productivity, web browsing and media consumption for as little extra cost as possible.

More Value for You

If you are considering a purchase, it is worth looking at further technology guides, buying advice and workplace productivity. This allows you to assess the display, performance and price together instead of focusing solely on the latest chip generation.

Good luck with your decision — and enjoy the iMac that suits your working day.