Apple Unveils €1,739 M6 iMac, Keeping 24-Inch 2021 Design and 7 Colors

Q: Are hidden upgrade fees for basic features like Ethernet proving that the base M6 iMac is just an illusion of value?

Not entirely, but the base M6 iMac’s value is clearly thinner than Apple’s headline price suggests. The hidden-fee criticism is credible because Apple reserves several practical features for the higher-end model or charges extra for them. The base iMac starts at $1,499 in the U.S. and €1,739 in Germany, yet it keeps only two ports, supports just one external display, starts with a 256GB SSD, and requires a paid upgrade for 2.5Gb Ethernet. In Germany that Ethernet add-on is €27; in the U.S. reports put it at about $30. Those are not luxury extras for many desk users. That said, calling the machine an “illusion” goes too far. The M6 iMac does deliver real gains: reviews and Apple’s own figures point to notably faster CPU, graphics, storage, and on-device AI performance than the M4 model, alongside Wi‑Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6. For buyers who want a clean all-in-one with a strong screen, camera, speakers, and minimal setup, the package still has genuine appeal. The problem is competitive value. Once buyers add Ethernet, more storage, or need more ports and display support, the price advantage of the base model erodes quickly. At that point, many reviewers argue a Mac mini plus a separate monitor becomes the more flexible buy, especially since Apple still has not offered a larger iMac. So the base M6 iMac is not fake value, but it is carefully engineered to look more affordable than it will feel for many real-world users.

Q: Does the M6 chip's massive 5x AI performance boost justify buying a desktop that looks identical to a five-year-old model?

For most buyers, no. The M6 iMac is a strong internal upgrade, but identical looks alone do not justify paying desktop prices unless you specifically need its new performance. The key fact is that Apple changed very little on the outside. The new model still uses the 2021 chassis, the same 24-inch 4.5K display, the same seven colors, and no larger 27-inch option. Reviews broadly agree the machine feels overdue for a design refresh, especially at a starting price of $1,499 in the U.S. and €1,739 in Germany. What has changed is meaningful inside. Apple says the M6 brings up to 1.5x faster productivity performance than the M4, up to 2x faster graphics, and up to 5x faster on-device AI performance. Independent reviews also report clearly better results in multitasking, creative apps, gaming, photo editing, and local AI workloads. Networking is improved as well, with Wi‑Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and optional or included 2.5Gb Ethernet depending on configuration. But the 5x AI claim matters only for a narrower group of users. If you run local models, AI-assisted creative tools, or privacy-sensitive on-device workflows, the M6 upgrade is easier to defend. If your use is web, office work, streaming, school tasks, and light photo editing, the older M4 iMac—or a Mac mini with a larger display—likely offers better value. So the answer depends less on appearance than on workload: the M6 justifies itself for buyers who need its AI and graphics gains, not for those hoping for a fresh new iMac.

3 articles · Updated · heise online · Nov 10

Apple’s new M6 iMac arrives with the same 24-inch chassis and the same seven colors first introduced in 2021, with no larger model added.
The visual update is minimal even versus the 2024 M4 version: Apple kept the brighter rear finish introduced then, while press images and color names remain effectively unchanged.
At €1,739, the M6 iMac adds Apple’s N1 chip for Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6, while 2.5 Gbps Ethernet is limited to pricier configurations or a €27 upgrade.
The release also leaves a long-running gap in Apple’s lineup, as the company still has not revived the 27-inch Intel-era iMac or introduced a rumored 30-inch version.