Apple's new M6 iMac gets a faster wired connection than its predecessor, and the port that provides it sits in an unusual place: the power adapter.
According to Apple, the new 24-inch iMac supports 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet, which the company says delivers up to 2.5 times the wired speed of the previous generation. Apple's product notes say the Ethernet option is available on configurations with the 12-core CPU and 12-core GPU.
MacRumors reports that, as with earlier iMacs, the Ethernet jack is not built into the computer itself. Instead, it is on the power adapter, so a single cable carries both power and the network connection to the back of the machine. The previous iMac's optional Ethernet port topped out at 1 Gigabit, MacRumors notes, which makes this a clear step up for anyone wired into a fast local network.
On pricing, MacRumors says the 2.5 Gigabit port is a $30 upgrade on the lower-priced configuration and comes standard on the higher-end model. Apple's own footnote describes Ethernet as an option on the 12-core models, so buyers should check the configuration page when pre-orders open to see exactly what is included at each price.
Apple pitches the faster connection at people moving large files, streaming high-resolution content and running demanding business workflows. It arrives alongside Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 and up to four Thunderbolt 4 ports, which Apple says let users connect up to two 6K external displays.
The iMac with M6 starts at $1,499 and comes in seven colors: blue, green, pink, yellow, purple, orange and silver. Pre-orders begin October 28, and shipping starts November 6, according to Apple.
For small offices, studios and classrooms that rely on wired networks and shared storage, the Ethernet upgrade may matter more than it first appears, since faster file transfers depend on the network as much as on the computer. Apple has not detailed what speeds the port reaches in real-world use, so independent testing will be needed to confirm the gains once the first units reach customers.
0 comments