Apple Replaces the M5 MacBook Pro With M6: What It Means for Business Buyers

Apple Has Replaced the M5 MacBook Pro With an M6 Model

If you tried to order a 14-inch MacBook Pro this week, you may have noticed something has changed. Apple announced a new 14-inch MacBook Pro with the M6 chip on 27 October 2026. The standard M5 model has now been replaced in Apple’s line-up.

We spotted it ourselves when we went to order an M5 MacBook Pro for a client and our supplier told us it had already gone. For businesses buying Macs right now, this changes what you get for your money and when you can get it.

Who Is This Guide For?

This guide is for UK businesses that buy MacBooks for staff, or are planning to. You can order the new M6 MacBook Pro through Speedster IT. Our IT procurement services for business team sources it for you, and our Expert Mac IT Support team sets it up so it arrives ready to use.

What Is New in the M6 MacBook Pro?

According to Apple, the new 14-inch MacBook Pro brings:

• The M6 chip: a 12-core CPU and a 12-core GPU, up from 10 cores on the M5.
• Faster graphics and AI: Apple says up to 30% faster graphics and up to 25% faster AI workloads than the M5.
• Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6: through Apple’s N1 wireless chip.
• Battery life: rated at up to 24 hours.
• More storage as standard: 16GB of unified memory and 1TB of storage on the base model.

The performance figures are Apple’s own and haven’t yet been independently tested. Real-world gains for everyday office work are likely to be smaller.

When can I get one?

Pre-orders opened on 28 October 2026. Apple says the new model is available from Friday 6 November 2026. Order through us now and we will confirm your delivery date when we place the order.

How much does the M6 MacBook Pro cost in the UK?

The 14-inch M6 MacBook Pro starts at £1,999 including VAT in the UK (about £1,666 excluding VAT), with 16GB of memory and 1TB of storage. Higher memory and storage options cost more. Ask us for a price for the model and set-up you need.

Buy through Speedster IT and we give you one clear quote for the MacBook and its set-up, so you know the full cost before you order. Call 0204 511 9111 or email hello@speedster-it.com for a quote.

What About the M5 Pro and M5 Max Models?

Apple hasn’t released M6 Pro or M6 Max chips. Instead, on 28 October 2026 it announced a new MacBook Pro with PROLED XDR Display, in 14-inch and 16-inch sizes with M5 Pro or M5 Max chips.

It’s Apple’s first Mac with a touchscreen. The OLED display is brighter, with better contrast, which suits design, photo and video work. It’s available from 6 November 2026.

Apple can change its line-up quickly, so if you’re buying a higher-end model, ask us what’s available and ask us for a price before you order.

Should I wait for an M6 Pro or M6 Max?

Probably not, if you need the machine now. Apple hasn’t announced a date for higher-end M6 chips. The M5 Pro and M5 Max, including the new PROLED XDR models, are very capable machines for design, video and development work.

Should Your Business Buy the M6 or an M5 MacBook Pro?

For most staff, either will do the job well. The right choice depends on what you need:

• Buy the M6 if you want the longest possible life from the machine, or your office already has Wi-Fi 7.
• Consider an M5 if we can still source one at a good price and your team mainly uses email, Microsoft 365 and web apps.
• Buy an M5 Pro or M5 Max if your team needs more power for creative or technical work.

Is it worth buying an M5 MacBook Pro now?

It can be, if you can still get one. Stock is going quickly now the M6 has launched, so ask us whether we can still source a new M5 with full warranty. An M5 bought today should get macOS updates for years.

Will the M6 make a difference for office work?

For email, documents and video calls, the difference will be small. The bigger gains are for AI tools, video editing and other heavy work. The longer battery life is useful for anyone who works on the move.

Do You Need Wi-Fi 7 to Get the Benefit?

No. The M6 MacBook Pro works on any Wi-Fi network. But you’ll only get Wi-Fi 7 speeds if your office access points support it.

If you’re replacing laptops anyway, it may be a good time to check your network too. Our article Wi-Fi 7 Is Here, Your Network Is not Ready explains what to look for.

Setting Up New Macs for Your Business

A new Mac straight out of the box isn’t ready for business use. Before it goes to a member of staff, it should be:

• enrolled in your device management, so you can apply security settings and wipe it remotely if it’s lost
• encrypted with FileVault
• set up with your Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace account
• protected with endpoint security
• added to your IT asset list

What is Apple Business Manager?

Apple Business Manager is Apple’s free service for businesses. Macs bought through it, or added to it, can enrol in your device management automatically the first time they’re switched on. This saves set-up time and means a lost Mac stays locked to your business.

How do I manage Macs alongside Windows PCs?

A device management tool such as Microsoft Intune can manage Macs and Windows PCs together. Our article on Mobile Device Management, the Essential Tool for Cybersecurity explains how it works.

Do Macs need to meet Cyber Essentials?

Yes. If staff use Macs for work, they’re in scope. They need to run a supported version of macOS, get security updates within 14 days and be protected from malware.

Why Buy Your MacBook Pro Through Speedster IT?

You could order a MacBook from Apple yourself, but it would arrive as a consumer device that still needs setting up for business. When you buy through us:

• One quote, one invoice: the MacBook and its set-up on one bill, quoted upfront.
• Ready on day one: we enrol it in your device management, encrypt it, add your Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace account and install your security software before it reaches your staff.
• The right model: we help you choose between the M6, M5 Pro and M5 Max, so you don’t pay for power you won’t use.
• Secure from the start: set up to meet your Cyber Essentials requirements.
• Ongoing support: if something goes wrong, your team calls our helpdesk and we deal with it, including any warranty claim.

Order Your M6 MacBook Pro From Speedster IT

Speedster IT supplies, sets up and supports Macs for London businesses, alongside Windows PCs and Microsoft 365. Tell us how many you need and we will send you a quote.

Call us on 0204 511 9111, email hello@speedster-it.com or get in touch to order.

Louise

With over 15 years at Speedster IT, I’ve built a career around helping businesses navigate the evolving world of technology. I publish all the content for the IT Support London Blog and Cyber Security Blog, where I share practical insights on infrastructure upgrades, cybersecurity trends, and smart IT strategies for growing companies.