The entry-level 14-inch MacBook Pro is getting a faster M6 chip, improved wireless connectivity, and better support for external displays.
But the upgrades come with a starting price of $1,999, putting Apple’s most affordable Pro laptop $400 above what the M3 model cost at launch three years ago.
Announced October 27, the new MacBook Pro will be available to pre-order October 28, ahead of its November 6 release.
M6 adds more CPU and GPU cores
The M6 introduces a 12-core CPU with two super cores, four performance cores, and six efficiency cores, alongside a 12-core GPU.
That’s an increase from the M5’s 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU. Apple claims up to 30% faster graphics performance and 25% faster AI workloads compared with the previous generation.
The chip also doubles its Neural Engine capacity, moving from 16 cores to two 16-core engines with 32 cores combined.
Apple says the additional processing power improves on-device language models, Apple Intelligence features, and Siri’s ability to work across apps without relying on cloud processing.
Memory bandwidth increases from 153GB/s to 170GB/s, although there’s an important distinction: only the 24GB and 32GB configurations receive the faster bandwidth. The base 16GB model retains the previous bandwidth.
Wi-Fi 7 and better external display support
Apple’s N1 wireless chip brings Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 to the MacBook Pro, replacing Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3.
External display support also improves. The M6 model can drive two 4K monitors at refresh rates up to 165Hz, compared with the M5 model’s 144Hz limit.
Otherwise, the laptop remains largely unchanged. Apple carries over the same 14-inch display, aluminum chassis, ports, battery, and speaker system.
Storage starts at 1TB, continuing the minimum introduced in March when Apple discontinued the 512GB configuration on the M5 MacBook Pro.
A $400 higher entry price than the M3 generation
At $1,999, the new MacBook Pro costs considerably more than the $1,599 starting price of the M3 model introduced in 2023.
The M5 generation had already raised the entry price, so the M6 isn’t responsible for the entire increase.
Still, the higher cost makes the base MacBook Pro a more expensive proposition for buyers who don’t need its additional processing power.
The new model arrives alongside Apple’s refreshed M6 iMac, which also starts at a higher price than earlier generations.
Apple is separately expected to introduce more expensive MacBook Pro models featuring OLED touchscreens, with reported pricing starting at $2,899. Those models have not yet been officially announced.
Pre-orders for the M6 14-inch MacBook Pro begin Wednesday, October 28, with availability starting Friday, November 6.
