Apple Refreshes 24-Inch M6 iMac, Keeping 6 Colors and Familiar Design

Q: Is the M6 iMac's simplicity worth the premium, or is a Mac mini setup actually the smarter, more flexible investment?

For most buyers, the Mac mini setup is the smarter investment; the M6 iMac is worth its premium mainly if simplicity and an integrated display matter more than value or flexibility. The new 24-inch iMac remains Apple’s easiest desktop: one purchase gets you a 4.5K display, webcam, speakers, microphones, keyboard, mouse, and a very clean setup. That convenience is real, and the built-in screen is strong: 4.5K, 500 nits, P3 color, plus a 12MP Center Stage camera and a six-speaker system. With M6, Wi‑Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, up to 32GB unified memory, and support for two 6K external displays, it is a capable long-term family, school, or small-office machine. But the premium is hard to ignore. The iMac starts at $1,499, while the M6 Mac mini starts at $899. Even after Apple’s recent price increases, the mini still offers better value per dollar. It also gives buyers freedom to choose a larger 27- or 32-inch monitor, swap accessories later, and build a setup around their needs. That flexibility matters because the iMac’s 24-inch display, unchanged design, and non-upgradable unified memory limit its long-term adaptability. The iMac makes most sense for people who want a no-hassle “desktop in a box” and would otherwise spend heavily on a good monitor, webcam, and speakers anyway. If you already own a decent display, or want more ports, more screen options, and better upgrade value, the Mac mini is the more practical choice.

Q: With Rosetta phasing out in macOS 28, will upgrading to the M6 iMac instantly break your essential legacy Intel software?

No—upgrading to an M6 iMac does not by itself instantly break legacy Intel software. The real breakpoint is the operating system, not the chip. The new iMac ships with macOS 27, and Rosetta still works on macOS 27, so most Intel-only Mac apps can continue to run there. The risk arrives when that M6 iMac is updated to macOS 28. Apple says general Rosetta support ends in macOS 28, with only limited support left for certain older, unmaintained games. That means ordinary Intel-only productivity, audio, research, and utility apps—and Intel-only plug-ins, helpers, or updaters inside otherwise modern apps—may stop launching. So essential legacy software will not necessarily fail on day one of buying the M6 iMac, but it can fail once you move that machine to macOS 28 if those tools still depend on Rosetta. For some users, the bigger hazard is hidden components: a universal app may still rely on Intel-only plug-ins or extensions. Apple’s own guidance is to audit apps before upgrading. In Finder’s Get Info, “Application (Intel)” means the app still needs Rosetta. On macOS 27, System Settings also shows a list of Intel-based apps. Users should also check developer sites for Apple silicon or Universal versions and verify plug-in compatibility separately. For people with critical older workflows, the practical advice is simple: stay on macOS 27 until every essential app and add-on is confirmed Apple silicon-native, or keep an older machine/environment for unsupported software.

3 articles · Updated · Ars Technica · Nov 12

Apple’s fourth Apple Silicon iMac update keeps the same basic 24-inch, screen-on-a-stand design, with the review framing it as an entry-level desktop for buyers who value simplicity and longevity.
The M6 model shows little external change from recent versions: it retains the relatively thick white bezel and the same six color tints plus silver used on the M4 iMac.
That continuity stands out because Apple’s other Apple Silicon Macs have changed more dramatically over the past five years, from the redesigned MacBook Pro to the smaller Mac mini and the Mac Studio’s rise.
The review argues the iMac is no longer Apple’s primary workstation machine, but a clean, colorful all-in-one still commonly seen in small offices and likely aimed at upgraders from M1 models or buyers weighing older refurbished units.