Apple's entry-level 14-inch MacBook Pro gets M6 chip but lacks flagship features
The new 14-inch MacBook Pro, equipped with the M6 processor, offers modest performance gains but retains the older design and omits OLED, Dynamic Island and other premium features, starting at $1,999.
Apple’s latest 14-inch MacBook Pro introduces the M6 silicon, delivering roughly 7 % to 15 % faster CPU performance and up to 30 % better GPU output compared with last year’s M5 model. The chip adds two high-performance cores, four performance cores, six efficiency cores and a 12-core GPU, while the Neural Engine is doubled to 32 cores. Memory options remain at 16 GB, 24 GB and 32 GB, with bandwidth increasing to 170 GB/s for the higher-capacity configurations.
Despite the upgraded processor, the laptop retains the design introduced in 2021. It lacks a touchscreen, OLED panel, Dynamic Island and the slimmer chassis seen on Apple’s flagship “PROLED XDR” models. The 14.2-inch mini-LED display offers a 120 Hz ProMotion refresh rate, 1,000 nits SDR brightness and up to 1,600 nits HDR brightness, with an optional nano-texture matte finish.
Port selection is more extensive than in the MacBook Air, featuring MagSafe, two Thunderbolt 4 ports, an HDMI port, an additional Thunderbolt 4 port and an SD-card reader, allowing users to charge from either side of the device. The keyboard and trackpad are described as slightly crisper than those on the Air.
Pricing starts at $1,999, which is $700 higher than the 2020 M1 MacBook Pro and $400 above the previous year’s M5 model after Apple’s June price adjustments. The reviewer notes that the base model remains the most affordable way to obtain a 120 Hz ProMotion or nano-texture display within Apple’s laptop lineup.
"The M6 is faster than the M5 while consuming the same amount of power, making it more power-efficient," the reviewer writes.
The analysis suggests that while the entry-level Pro offers a solid performance step up for users of older M1 or M2 machines, it will likely wait several years for OLED or other premium technologies to trickle down, especially given ongoing component shortages.