Apple’s new Macs promise faster AI, better graphics and up to 24 hours of battery life. But are they worth the price?

Apple has unveiled two new computers, and Indian buyers now have another big decision to make. The company announced a 14-inch MacBook Pro powered by its M6 chip and an updated 24-inch iMac on October 27, 2026. The starting prices are ₹2,39,900 and ₹1,74,900, respectively.

The launch puts artificial intelligence (AI) firmly in the spotlight. Apple promises faster graphics, improved on-device AI processing and better performance for demanding creative tasks. It has also announced new AI tools for its Creator Studio applications.

Here is what Indian buyers need to know about the new Macs, their specifications, prices and the upgrades that could actually make a difference.

Apple M6 MacBook Pro: Price in India and Availability

The Apple M6 MacBook Pro price starts at ₹2,39,900 in India. The laptop comes in Space Black and Silver, with pre-orders opening on October 28 and sales scheduled to begin on November 6, 2026.

The updated iMac starts at ₹1,74,900. Its higher configuration, featuring a 12-core CPU and 12-core GPU, starts at ₹1,99,900. Buyers can choose from seven colours, including Blue, Green, Pink, Yellow, Purple, Orange and Silver.

Apple’s official MacBook Pro specifications and iMac announcement provide the product details and launch schedule.

What Does the Apple M6 MacBook Pro Offer?

The new 14-inch laptop features an M6 chip with a 12-core CPU, a 12-core GPU and a dual 16-core Neural Engine. Neural Accelerators in the GPU cores help handle supported AI workloads.

Apple claims up to 30% faster graphics performance and up to 25% faster on-device AI performance compared with the M5 generation. It also reports that the Neural Engine is up to 1.9 times faster than the previous generation.

For users, these improvements could mean smoother graphics-heavy work, quicker image processing and better performance when running compatible AI applications. Apple also claims up to 13 times faster processing for large language model prompts compared with the 13-inch MacBook Pro with M1. That comparison uses an older reference model, so it should not be confused with the M5 figures.

Display, memory and battery life

The laptop retains its 14-inch Liquid Retina XDR display, with peak HDR brightness of up to 1,600 nits and a contrast ratio of 1,000,000:1. An optional nano-texture finish helps reduce glare.

It comes with 16GB of unified memory as standard, configurable up to 32GB, and memory bandwidth of up to 170GB/s. Apple claims battery life of up to 24 hours, although actual results will depend on usage.

Other features include a 12MP Center Stage camera, a six-speaker sound system, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, three Thunderbolt 4 ports, HDMI, an SDXC card slot and MagSafe 3 charging.

For video editors, designers and developers, the combination of processing power, connectivity and battery life could make this laptop a practical upgrade. Whether it is worth the price depends on the software they use and the performance of their existing computer.

Apple Launches M6 MacBook Pro and iMac: What Is New About the Desktop?

The iMac gets the M6 chip while retaining its familiar all-in-one design. Buyers can choose a 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU configuration or a more powerful 12-core version.

Apple claims the new iMac delivers up to five times faster on-device AI performance than the M4 model. It also reports up to 2.5 times faster performance in applications such as Microsoft Excel compared with the M1 iMac.

The desktop features a 24-inch 4.5K Retina display with 500 nits of brightness and P3 wide-colour support. Apple says its SSD read and write speeds are up to twice as fast as those of the previous generation.

Connectivity includes Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 and up to four Thunderbolt 4 ports. An optional 2.5-gigabit Ethernet connection is available, alongside a 12MP Center Stage camera and built-in speakers.

The iMac is best suited to people who prefer working at a desk. Students, families, small businesses and creative professionals may appreciate its large display and tidy setup, while users who regularly travel will find the MacBook Pro more practical.

Apple Pitches Faster On-Device AI: What Does It Mean?

Reuters described the launch as Apple launches M6 MacBook Pro and iMac, pitches faster on-device AI. The phrase captures the central idea behind both computers: processing supported AI tasks directly on the device rather than relying entirely on remote servers.

In practical terms, Apple pitches faster on-device AI as a benefit for people who use AI-assisted editing tools, generate images or run compatible language models locally. Processing tasks on the computer can improve responsiveness and may offer privacy benefits when information stays on the device.

Both Macs also support Apple Intelligence and updated Siri features through macOS 27. However, not every AI feature runs entirely on-device, and availability can vary by language, region and application.

These performance figures come from Apple, not independent benchmark testing. Real-world reviews will help buyers understand how much faster the computers feel in everyday use.

Apple Creator Studio Gets New AI Tools

Apple has also announced new creative and productivity features for its Creator Studio applications.

Final Cut Pro: New MotionVFX effects, transitions, templates and motion graphics, along with stock video assets in the Content Hub.

Pixelmator Pro: Generate Fill lets users select an area of an image and describe the changes they want using natural language.

Logic Pro: A beta AI assistant helps with production workflows, while Stem Splitter gains improved controls for separating drum parts.

Keynote, Pages and Numbers: Beta AI assistants can help with writing, presentations, data organisation and chart suggestions. Model Context Protocol support enables compatible external AI tools to interact with these applications.

Apple says the updates will arrive through the App Store in November as a free update for existing subscribers.

Should You Buy the New Macs?

The MacBook Pro suits people who need portability, long battery life and performance for demanding work. The iMac is a better fit for buyers who prefer a larger built-in display and an all-in-one desktop.

The Apple M6 MacBook Pro price may be easier to justify for professionals whose current laptops struggle with creative applications or AI workloads. Existing M4 and M5 users should compare their actual needs before upgrading, rather than relying only on Apple's performance claims.

There is another development to watch. Bloomberg has reported that Apple plans to introduce a touchscreen MacBook at its October 28 “Pro and tell” event. The newly announced M6 MacBook Pro itself retains its Liquid Retina XDR display, so the touchscreen model should be treated as a separate reported product until its specifications are officially confirmed.

The Bottom Line

Apple’s new Macs bring faster processing, stronger AI capabilities and improved connectivity to its laptop and desktop lineups. The MacBook Pro starts at ₹2,39,900 in India, while the iMac starts at ₹1,74,900.

For buyers, the real question is whether these upgrades solve a problem they face today. If your current computer handles your work comfortably, waiting for independent benchmarks may be sensible. If you need better performance for creative projects or supported AI tools, the new M6 models are worth comparing.

The best upgrade is the one that makes your everyday work easier, not simply the one with the biggest number in a product announcement.