Apple has unveiled a new 14-inch MacBook Pro with the M6 chip. The laptop gets a new processor, support for Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 and, according to Apple, up to 24 hours of battery life. The company is targeting the device at students, business users and creative professionals who want to run AI tasks locally.
The M6 processor features a 12-core CPU and a 12-core GPU, with an integrated Neural Accelerator in each GPU core. According to Apple, the graphics chip performs up to 30 per cent faster than that of the M5. The company also claims that AI tasks are processed up to 25 per cent faster than on the previous generation.
Local AI processing
The chip also includes a Dual 16-core Neural Engine. Apple says this works together with the GPU to run large language models (LLMs) and Apple Intelligence features directly on the device, without relying on external servers.
The base model comes with 16 GB of unified memory, which can be expanded to 32 GB. Memory bandwidth reaches up to 170 GB/s. For organisations that want to run language models locally, the amount of memory is an important factor when choosing a configuration, as the size of a model determines how much working memory is required.
Connectivity and ports
The new MacBook Pro supports Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6. If you want to take advantage of Wi-Fi 7 at client sites, the network infrastructure must also support the standard. Existing access points generally work with earlier Wi-Fi standards.
Otherwise, the laptop retains much of its predecessor’s specifications. These include the Liquid Retina XDR display, optionally available with nano-texture glass, a 12MP Center Stage camera and six speakers. For connectivity, the device offers three Thunderbolt 4 ports, an HDMI port, an SDXC card slot and MagSafe 3 for charging.
The laptop runs macOS 27 Golden Gate, the new version of Apple’s operating system. According to the company, the battery lasts up to 24 hours. How long a battery lasts in practice depends on how the device is used and the workload placed on it.
Materials and availability
Apple states that the enclosure is made from 100 per cent recycled aluminium. According to the company, the device as a whole is made up of 45 per cent recycled materials. For clients who take sustainability targets or reporting obligations into account when purchasing hardware, these figures may play a role.
The 14-inch MacBook Pro with M6 is available to order now from €2,329. With an education discount, the price is €2,209. The device will be in shops from Friday 6 November, in Space Black and Silver.
This article was originally published in Dutch on MSP Business. Read the original →
