Updated November 5, 2026. The M6 iMac is available to order in Canada and is scheduled to reach customers and stores on November 6. Used M4 iMac prices and configurations vary by seller.
Apple's new M6 iMac creates a familiar choice: buy the latest all-in-one desktop or look for a discounted M4 iMac from 2024. The answer depends less on the chip name than on the exact configuration, condition and price. Both generations offer a compact desktop with a built-in 24-inch display, speakers, camera and keyboard-and-mouse setup. But the entry-level and upgraded models within each generation are not identical.
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What is actually new in the M6 iMac?
The M6 brings a newer processor and graphics architecture, Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6. Apple offers a 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU in the entry configuration, or a 12-core CPU and 12-core GPU in the higher configuration. The new machine starts at C$2,099 and C$2,299 respectively in Canada. Those are Apple's starting prices, before any memory, storage or other upgrades.
The M4 iMac had two main tiers at launch: an 8-core CPU/GPU entry model, and a 10-core CPU/GPU higher model. Their Canadian launch prices were C$1,699 and C$1,949 in 2024. Those historical list prices are useful context, not an estimate of what a used example should cost today. A used listing must be judged by its current asking price and exact specifications.
Neither generation represents a major change to the basic screen. Both use a 24-inch 4.5K Retina display with 4,480 by 2,520 pixels, P3 wide colour, True Tone and 500 nits of brightness. Both also have a 12-megapixel Center Stage camera with Desk View. If you primarily browse, write, join video calls and edit photos casually, the built-in display and camera alone give you little reason to replace a well-priced M4 with an M6. Our True Tone guide explains how its colour adjustment behaves in everyday use.
Compare the exact tier, not just M4 versus M6
Port count is an easy detail to miss in a used listing. The entry M4 iMac has two Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports, while its higher-tier version has four Thunderbolt 4 ports. The entry M6 has two Thunderbolt 4 ports; the higher-tier M6 has four. If you need a wired backup drive, external display, audio interface and other accessories, check the rear of the computer or the model specification before agreeing to a price.
The M6 also differs by tier in display support. According to Apple's specifications, the 10-core model supports one external display, while the 12-core model supports up to two. Do not assume every M6 iMac supports a two-monitor desk. For an M4 listing, verify its external-display specification and the required cable or dock for your setup. If the monitor itself is a large part of your purchase, our resolution comparison gives context for choosing an external display.
Both generations started with 16GB of unified memory and a 256GB SSD, but upgraded examples may have substantially more. M4 and M6 upper-tier configurations can be specified with up to 32GB memory and 2TB storage; entry tiers have lower ceilings. A used M4 with 24GB or 32GB and a larger SSD may be a better fit than a base M6 with 16GB and 256GB, particularly if you keep many apps or large photo libraries open. Read the actual About This Mac information or original order details rather than relying on a generic “M4 iMac” label. Plan around the memory and internal storage you buy, rather than assuming they are conventional user upgrades later.
How much faster is the M6?
Apple reports that the M6 iMac can be up to 1.5 times faster than an M4 iMac in one Excel test, up to twice as fast in an Affinity graphics test and up to five times faster in one local AI prompt-processing test. Those figures come from Apple's selected workloads and test configurations, including an M4 reference system with a 10-core CPU/GPU, 32GB of memory and 2TB of storage. They are not promises for every spreadsheet, image edit or AI app.
For light office work, web browsing and video calls, both machines are likely to feel responsive. The M6's extra headroom is more relevant when your own workload repeatedly pushes the CPU, GPU or on-device AI processing: large creative projects, sustained multitasking, rendering or particular local models. If your current computer already completes those tasks promptly, a faster benchmark by itself may not save much time. Conversely, a base M4 with 8 CPU and 8 GPU cores should not be treated as if it performs exactly like the higher-tier M4 used in Apple's comparison.
The M6 also brings newer wireless hardware: Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6, compared with Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 on the M4. You need compatible network equipment and a use case that benefits from it to see a practical Wi-Fi improvement. A stable Ethernet connection may be more useful for a fixed desk. Check whether the particular M4 or M6 configuration includes Ethernet and what speed you require.
When does a used M4 iMac make sense?
Start by comparing the used asking price with the same useful configuration of a new M6. Add the cost of missing accessories, any shipping, tax, and a warranty or return-policy difference. A small price gap may favour the new M6 for its newer processor, fresh warranty and the ability to choose the configuration. A larger gap can make the M4 appealing when its screen, ports, memory and storage already meet your needs. There is no universal discount threshold because used condition and included equipment vary.
Inspect a used iMac's display for uneven brightness, dead pixels and coating damage. Test every USB-C/Thunderbolt port, speakers, camera, microphone, Wi-Fi and Ethernet if fitted. Confirm the included power adapter, keyboard and mouse, as replacements affect the total cost. Ask for a demonstration that the computer starts normally, is signed out of the previous owner's Apple Account, and can be erased and set up without Activation Lock or organizational management blocking you. A clean-looking listing is not enough on its own.
Pay attention to age as well as the word “iMac.” An older Intel iMac is a different purchase from an M4 Apple-silicon iMac, even if both are sold as used all-in-one desktops. Software compatibility, performance, ports and display specifications can differ substantially. Confirm the exact year and chip before comparing an older store listing with the M6.
Could a different computer be the better purchase?
An iMac suits a desk where you want the screen and computer in one unit. It does not travel, and its built-in screen is not the same as owning an independent monitor you can freely pair with another computer. If you already have a suitable display, a Mac mini or laptop may be a more flexible way to spend the budget. If you need to move between rooms or travel, a MacBook plus external display avoids buying two separate computers.
The decision also depends on timing. On November 5, the M6 is announced and available to order, but its scheduled retail availability is November 6. If you need a computer immediately, check actual local delivery or pickup dates rather than assuming the launch date guarantees stock. Used inventory can be ready sooner, but only if the seller can provide adequate details and testing.
Bottom line
A used M4 iMac can be the better value when its verified configuration meets your needs and the total price is meaningfully below a comparable new M6. The M6 is easier to justify if you need stronger performance, newer wireless features, a specific higher-tier port or display setup, or the assurance of a new purchase. Compare the exact two- or four-port model, memory, SSD, condition and warranty before making the call. The shared 4.5K screen and camera mean this is primarily a configuration-and-price decision, not a choice between fundamentally different all-in-one displays.
Specifications and Canadian launch pricing: Apple's M6 announcement, M6 technical specifications and Apple's M4 announcement. Used prices and stock are not fixed.