M6 MacBook Pro review: a strong laptop before a likely redesign

The M6 replaces the M5’s 10-core processor with a 12-core chip and adds Apple’s N1 networking chip, bringing Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6. The rest is familiar: a 14.2-inch mini-LED display, three Thunderbolt 4 ports, HDMI, an SD card slot, MagSafe charging and a headphone jack. The screen is bright and color-accurate, with a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, while the speakers, webcam and haptic trackpad remain strong points.

In everyday use, the laptop has ample power for tasks including photo editing, occasional video editing and light gaming. Battery testing delivered more than 12 hours of screen-on use, including video calls and multitasking. The reviewed configuration has 16GB of unified memory and 1TB of storage; the review argues that buyers planning to keep the machine for years should consider more memory, since its limits may become apparent before the processor feels dated.

That upgrade quickly raises the price. The base model costs $1,999, while 24GB of memory brings the price to $2,199 and 36GB to $2,399. At the latter price, the M5 Pro model with 24GB is only $100 more and offers a more powerful CPU and GPU. The review also notes that an OLED-screen MacBook Pro with a thinner, lighter design is expected next year, citing Mark Gurman’s report that the entry-level M7 model will use the redesigned hardware.

The M6 is still a capable, well-rounded laptop, particularly for buyers replacing an old Intel Mac or moving up from a MacBook Air. But those whose current computer can last another year may want to wait for the rumored redesign. The review gives the M6 MacBook Pro a score of 8.