Apple has unveiled a broad wave of new hardware and software products centered on artificial intelligence, including a 14-inch MacBook Pro and iMac powered by the new M6 chip, a substantially redesigned iPad mini with the A20 Pro chip and OLED display, and major AI-focused upgrades to Apple Creator Studio.
The new 14-inch MacBook Pro features a 12-core CPU and 12-core GPU, with Neural Accelerators incorporated into each GPU core and a Dual 16-core Neural Engine. Apple said graphics performance is up to 30% faster and AI workloads are up to 25% faster compared with M5.
For customers upgrading from an M1 MacBook Pro, Apple said the new model can deliver up to 11 times faster graphics and up to 13 times faster AI performance. The laptop also adds Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, faster storage, and up to 24 hours of battery life.
The 14-inch MacBook Pro with M6 starts at $1,999 and will be available in space black and silver.
Apple is also bringing M6 to the iMac. The new all-in-one features up to a 12-core CPU and 12-core GPU and a Dual 16-core Neural Engine. Apple said the machine delivers up to five times faster on-device AI performance compared with the M4 iMac and up to 18 times faster overall performance for customers upgrading from certain Intel-based models.
The iMac retains its 24-inch 4.5K Retina display and seven-color lineup while adding Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, available 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet, and SSD performance that Apple said is up to twice as fast. Pricing starts at $1,499 for a configuration with a 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU, while the 12-core CPU and GPU configuration starts at $1,699.
Both M6 Macs are available for pre-order beginning October 28, with availability starting November 6.
Apple’s iPad mini is receiving an even more extensive redesign. The new model features an 8.5-inch OLED Super Retina XDR display, up from the previous-generation screen size while maintaining the same overall footprint through thinner bezels.
The iPad mini is 5.4 millimeters thin and now carries an IP67 rating for water and dust resistance. Its OLED display offers up to 1,200 nits of peak brightness and a 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio, with an optional nano-texture finish.
Inside, Apple’s A20 Pro uses its latest 2-nanometer process technology and includes a 7-core GPU with Neural Accelerators. Apple said the chip delivers up to 4.5 times faster AI performance, up to 2.7 times faster graphics, and up to 60% faster multithreaded CPU performance compared with the previous iPad mini.
Other upgrades include a landscape-oriented 12MP Center Stage camera, an Acoustic Display audio system, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and faster cellular connectivity through Apple’s C2 modem. The iPad mini starts at $699 for Wi-Fi and $849 for Wi-Fi + Cellular, with availability also beginning November 6.
Alongside the hardware announcements, Apple is significantly expanding the AI capabilities of Apple Creator Studio.
Final Cut Pro gains integrated MotionVFX content and access to Apple-curated video assets, while Pixelmator Pro adds Generate Fill for editing selected portions of images using natural-language instructions.
Logic Pro is adding an intelligent assistant powered by Apple-built and third-party models, along with an upgraded Stem Splitter and redesigned sound browser.
Keynote, Pages, and Numbers are also gaining intelligent assistants built on Apple models and OpenAI. The assistants can understand the context of a document and help users design presentations, write and restructure text, analyze data, create tables, and recommend visualizations.
Apple is also introducing Model Context Protocol support, allowing external AI agents and tools to read content, make edits, and perform automated actions directly within Keynote, Pages, and Numbers.
Apple Creator Studio updates will arrive in November as a free update for existing subscribers. New subscriptions cost $12.99 per month or $129 per year.
Taken together, the announcements extend Apple’s AI strategy across both hardware and creative software, with more AI processing occurring directly on Apple silicon while Siri AI and Apple Intelligence become more deeply integrated across macOS 27 and iPadOS 27.
KEY QUOTES:
“With the powerful M6 chip, we’re taking performance to the next level, with a boost in CPU speed and graphics and even more powerful capabilities for on-device AI. With its amazing battery life, remarkable Liquid Retina XDR display, and even faster connectivity, the new 14-inch MacBook Pro with M6 delivers a fantastic combination of performance, capability, and value.”
“With the blazing performance and AI capabilities of M6 supercharging every workflow and the next generation of Apple Intelligence with Siri AI — combined with its stunning 24-inch Retina display, its gorgeous design in seven vibrant colors, and macOS 27 — the new iMac has everything users need to run their businesses, manage their lives, and bring their ideas to life.”
Shelly Goldberg, Vice President Of Hardware Engineering At Apple
“With a remarkably thinner and lighter design, a stunning new OLED display, the incredibly powerful A20 Pro, and water and dust resistance, the new iPad mini is a huge leap forward for users who love having the full iPad experience in the palm of their hand.”
Dave Pakula, Vice President Of Hardware Engineering At Apple
“This is our most exciting update since the launch of Apple Creator Studio. MotionVFX content in Final Cut Pro gives subscribers rapid access to extensive professional video effects and content, bringing incredible value to the suite.”
Brent Chiu-Watson, Senior Director of Worldwide Product Marketing for Apps and iCloud at Apple
