MacBook Pro M6 Review: Great Laptop, but Mind Its 16 GB Limit

Apple claims gains of up to 30% in graphics and 25% in AI over the M5. Dividing its own figures gives improvements from about 18% in Affinity to 70% in Logic Pro, with Xcode, Blender and Cyberpunk around 25-28%. Those tests used 32 GB and 4 TB, a model costing 4,419 euros.

Strengths

Single-core performance stands out: 802 points in Cinebench, ahead of the M4 Max (676) and M3 Ultra (573). Multi-core, the hierarchy holds: 5,384 points against 7,829 for the M4 Max. The mini-LED screen is no longer Apple's best, but it remains outstanding, and 1 TB as standard plus three Thunderbolt 4 ports, HDMI and an SD slot mean you rarely need a hub.

Against the MacBook Air M5, it adds a fan, a display reaching 1,000 nits in SDR and 1,600 in HDR at 120 Hz (500 nits and 60 Hz on the Air), and up to 24 hours of video playback versus 18. It weighs about 320 grams more than the 13-inch Air and costs 900 euros more with the same memory but double the storage.

Weaknesses

16 GB feels thin on a Pro, and upgrading pushes the price toward far stronger models. The fan stayed silent with small AI models, stirred slightly under Bionic and single-thread Cinebench, and was very loud in multi-thread Cinebench. Sustained throttling was not measured. At 1.55 kg it is also heavier than the new 1.38 kg touchscreen OLED model, which has the Dynamic Island, and no charger is included.

Who it is for

It suits those who found the Air too limited in long sessions, upgraders from Intel, M1 or M2 Macs, and occasional 4K editors. M5 owners have little reason to switch. Heavy video, 3D or multi-monitor work calls for an M5 Pro or M5 Max, and large local AI models need more than 16 GB.