Inside The Machine
Mac laptop · Not on sale yetDwg. MC-57 · Spec sheetmachines.json ·

MacBook Pro 14" (M6) for local AI.

With 16 GB it counts as a 16 GB machine for AI. The smartest model it runs is K2 Horizon 7B (Mac only), 36% as smart as the best paid AI. 40 of 122 chat models fit its 12 GB for AI. About $1,999 (Apple Store, 2026-10-27). Up to 32 GB: Qwen3.8 27B, 59% (price unknown).

See what fitsSet as my computer (16 GB)
123
1ChipM6 (12-core CPU, 12-core GPU)
2Memory16 / 24 / 32 GB. Shared by the chip and the graphics.
3CaseLaptop
  1. 1ChipM6 (12-core CPU, 12-core GPU)
  2. 2Memory16 / 24 / 32 GB. Shared by the chip and the graphics.
  3. 3CaseLaptop
Memory
16 / 24 / 32 GB
For AI
12 / 18 / 24 GB
Memory speed
153 GB/s
Price from
$1,999Apple Store · 2026-10-27
Dwg. no.
MC-571 price · 0 speed tests
1What fits

Pick a memory size. See what it runs.

Memory decides which AI models fit. Here is a helper that runs all day on this machine: a brain, ears and a voice. Same rule as Fig. 2 on Explore and your setup page.

Memory options
This is my computer: 16 GB
Memory
16GB$1,999 · Apple Store · 2026-10-27
For AI
12GB75% of the memory.
Counts as
16GBOur standard size (12 GB for AI).
Chat models that fit
40of 122In its own 12 GB for AI.
Fig. 1a · Your 24/7 helper on 16 GB
  1. 1BrainQwen3.5 9B23% of the best paid AI. Thinks, plans and uses tools.Why not K2 Horizon 7B? Our data doesn't list tool use for K2 Horizon 7B, so the helper skips it. A helper needs tools to act for you.9.6 GB
  2. 2EarsQwen3-ASR 0.6BTurns your voice into text.1 GB
  3. 3VoiceKokoro 82M v1.0Talks back to you.0.5 GB
  4. FreeRoom to spareLeft over in the memory for AI.0.9 GB
  5. SystemKept for the computerThe operating system and your apps.4 GB
ollama run qwen3.5:9b
Ollama · the helper's brain
How we fill it. The helper's brain, ears (speech to text) and voice (text to speech) stay loaded together. Ears and voice get up to 15% of the memory for AI each. The brain is the best model that can use tools and fits in the rest. To make an image, the helper pauses the brain and the image model uses its space. Same rule as Fig. 2 on /explore and /my.
Smartest model this machine runsFig. 1b

K2 Horizon 7B

Mac only (MLX)Runs wellOn its own 12 GB for AI

Of best paid AI
36%
Needs
8.6GB
mlx_lm.generate --model mlx-community/K2-Horizon-7B-4bit --prompt 'hello'
MLX (Mac only)

Mac only. K2 Horizon 7B scores higher, but it has no Ollama download yet, only an MLX one, which needs a Mac. The recipes install Gemma 4 12B, the smartest model here that runs with Ollama on Mac, Windows and Linux.

Top picks for its 12 GB for AI

  1. K2 Horizon 7BIFM (MBZUAI) · needs 8.6 GB · MLX (Mac only)36%Runs well
  2. Gemma 4 12BGoogle · needs 11.2 GB · Ollama25%Runs, but tight
  3. Qwen3.5 9BAlibaba Qwen · needs 9.6 GB · Ollama23%Runs well
  4. Qwen3.5 4BAlibaba Qwen · needs 5.8 GB · Ollama23%Runs well
  5. MiniCPM5 2BOpenBMB · needs 3.9 GB · MLX (Mac only)22%Runs well
Best for code
Ornith 1.5 9B
Best for agents
Mellum2.1 12B-A2.5B Thinking
Reads images
Gemma 4 12B

% = test score as a share of the best paid AI. Fit lights use this machine's own 12 GB for AI. Runs well: the model fits in usable memory with at least 10% to spare. Runs, but tight: it fits, but less than 10% of usable memory is left. Close other apps first. Needs N GB+: it does not fit. N is the smallest memory size it fits in.

All 40 models that fit a standard 16 GB
2Specs

The spec sheet.

Memory for AI: 75% of the memory: the macOS default for the graphics.machines.json ·
SpecValueSource
KindMac laptopMacOur data
ChipM6 (12-core CPU, 12-core GPU)Apple – MacBook Pro tech specs2026-10-27
ShapeLaptopOur data
Memory16 / 24 / 32 GBShared (unified): the chip and the graphics use one poolApple – MacBook Pro tech specs2026-10-27
Memory for AI12 / 18 / 24 GB75% of the memory: the macOS default for the graphics.Our data
Memory speed153 GB/sSpec page lists 153 GB/s for 16GB and 170 GB/s for the 24GB/32GB configurations.Apple – MacBook Pro tech specs2026-10-27
PowerunknownOur data
Launch price$1,999Our data
StatusNot on sale yetOur data

MacBook Pro 14" (M6) specs

Kind
Mac laptopMac
Chip
M6 (12-core CPU, 12-core GPU)Apple – MacBook Pro tech specs · 2026-10-27
Shape
Laptop
Memory
16 / 24 / 32 GBShared (unified): the chip and the graphics use one poolApple – MacBook Pro tech specs · 2026-10-27
Memory for AI
12 / 18 / 24 GB75% of the memory: the macOS default for the graphics.
Memory speed
153 GB/sSpec page lists 153 GB/s for 16GB and 170 GB/s for the 24GB/32GB configurations.Apple – MacBook Pro tech specs · 2026-10-27
Power
unknown
Launch price
$1,999
Status
Not on sale yet

Memory for AI: 75% of the memory: the macOS default for the graphics. machines.json ·

From our data notes: Pre-orders open 2026-10-28; not on sale until 2026-11-06 (Apple Store page, checked 2026-10-27). Replaces the M5 14-inch MacBook Pro. Apple says up to 25% faster LLM prompt processing than M5; no measured tokens per second yet.

3Prices

Every price we found.

Prices are approximate, in US dollars, with the shop and the date we checked. A memory-chip shortage pushed 2026 prices up. Check before you buy.

  1. 16 GB$1,999Apple Store · 2026-10-27
  2. 24 GBNot capturedNo dated price for this size
  3. 32 GBNot capturedNo dated price for this size
Every listing, cheapest first. Each price links to where we found it.machines.json ·
Price, USDWhat you getKind of priceShop or tracker
$1,999new14", M6, 16GBStarting priceApple Store2026-10-27
4Speed

No published speed yet.

A token is a piece of a word. More tokens per second means faster answers. Speeds are copied from published tests by makers and the community, with sources. We did not run them. Different apps and settings give different speeds, so compare with care.

We found no published speed test for this machine yet. Memory speed (153 GB/s) is the best guide: higher means faster answers.

5Questions · 2 notes

Short answers.

  1. What is the best local LLM for the MacBook Pro 14" (M6)?

    With 32 GB, Qwen3.8 27B (needs 22.7 GB). Its Artificial Analysis score is 33.7: 59% of the best paid AI, Claude Opus 5.5. 64 of the 122 open chat models fit in its own 24 GB for AI. With 16 GB: K2 Horizon 7B.

  2. How much does the MacBook Pro 14" (M6) cost?

    From about $1,999 for the 16 GB model (as of 2026-10-27). 2026 prices are inflated by the memory-chip shortage; check before buying.

Next

Check your own computer.

One read-only command. It reads your memory, chip and graphics card, prints one link and sends nothing. The link shows what fits that exact computer.

Mac or Linux
curl -fsSL https://insidethemachine.ai/scan.sh | sh
Windows (PowerShell)
irm https://insidethemachine.ai/scan.ps1 | iex

Or skip the scan: open the MacBook Pro 14" (M6) with 16 GB as your setup. Other sizes: use “This is my computer” in Fig. 1.

Agent view · text/markdown · or send Accept: text/markdown

MacBook Pro 14" (M6) for local AI: current facts 


URL: https://insidethemachine.ai/machines/macbook-pro-14-m6 · machines.json 2026-10-27 · prices and speeds checked 2026-10-15 · models.json 2026-10-27

With 16 GB it counts as a 16 GB machine for AI. The smartest model it runs is K2 Horizon 7B (Mac only), 36% as smart as the best paid AI. 40 of 122 chat models fit its 12 GB for AI. About $1,999 (Apple Store, 2026-10-27). Up to 32 GB: Qwen3.8 27B, 59% (price unknown).

Specs 


- Kind: Mac laptop (Mac). Shape: Laptop. Status: Not on sale yet.
- Chip: M6 (12-core CPU, 12-core GPU). Memory: 16 / 24 / 32 GB, Shared (unified): the chip and the graphics use one pool.
- Memory for AI: 12 / 18 / 24 GB. 75% of the memory: the macOS default for the graphics.
- Memory speed: 153 GB/s (Spec page lists 153 GB/s for 16GB and 170 GB/s for the 24GB/32GB configurations.). Spec source: Apple – MacBook Pro tech specs, 2026-10-27, https://www.apple.com/macbook-pro/specs/.
- Power: unknown. Launch price: $1,999.
- From our data notes: Pre-orders open 2026-10-28; not on sale until 2026-11-06 (Apple Store page, checked 2026-10-27). Replaces the M5 14-inch MacBook Pro. Apple says up to 25% faster LLM prompt processing than M5; no measured tokens per second yet.

Memory sizes (Fig. 1) 


Rules: We round each machine down to the biggest standard size (8 to 512 GB) whose memory for AI it has. The GeForce RTX 5090 has 31 GB for AI. A standard 32 GB computer has 24 GB and a 48 GB one has 36 GB, so it counts as 32 GB. It counts as that size for the model picks per size and for the recipes. A machine's fit count ("N of 122 chat models fit") uses its own memory for AI, so its machine page, its /machines row, /my and the /best guides give the same number. So 79 of 122 chat models fit the GeForce RTX 5090, and 64 fit a standard 32 GB computer. "The smartest model it runs" uses the machine's own memory for AI, so a 24 GB graphics card (23 GB for AI) can run a bigger model than a 24 GB Mac (18 GB for AI).
| memory GB | for AI GB | counts as GB | chat models that fit its memory for AI (of 122) | for comparison: fit a standard computer of that size (of 122) | smartest model it runs | % of best paid AI | price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | 12 | 16 | 40 | 40 | K2 Horizon 7B (Mac only) | 36% | $1,999 (Apple Store, 2026-10-27) |
| 24 | 18 | 24 | 47 | 47 | K2 Horizon 7B (Mac only) | 36% | no dated price in our data |
| 32 | 24 | 32 | 64 | 64 | Qwen3.8 27B | 59% | no dated price in our data | 

- 16 GB: Mac only. K2 Horizon 7B scores higher, but it has no Ollama download yet, only an MLX one, which needs a Mac. The recipes install Gemma 4 12B, the smartest model here that runs with Ollama on Mac, Windows and Linux.
- 24 GB: Mac only. K2 Horizon 7B scores higher, but it has no Ollama download yet, only an MLX one, which needs a Mac. The recipes install Gemma 4 12B, the smartest model here that runs with Ollama on Mac, Windows and Linux.

The 24/7 helper (Fig. 1a) 


Rule: The helper's brain, ears (speech to text) and voice (text to speech) stay loaded together. Ears and voice get up to 15% of the memory for AI each. The brain is the best model that can use tools and fits in the rest. To make an image, the helper pauses the brain and the image model uses its space. Same rule as Fig. 2 on /explore and /my.
| memory GB | brain | ears (speech to text) | voice (text to speech) | free GB | kept for the system GB | image model (the brain pauses) | brain run command |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | Qwen3.5 9B (9.6 GB, 23%) | Qwen3-ASR 0.6B (1 GB) | Kokoro 82M v1.0 (0.5 GB) | 0.9 | 4 | Z-Image Turbo (4 GB) | `ollama run qwen3.5:9b` (Ollama) |
| 24 | Gemma 4 12B (11.2 GB, 25%) | MOSS-Transcribe-Diarize 0.9B (2.5 GB) | Magpie TTS Multilingual 357M (2 GB) | 2.3 | 6 | Z-Image Turbo (4 GB) | `ollama run gemma4:12b` (Ollama) |
| 32 | Gemma 4 12B (11.2 GB, 25%) | Qwen3-ASR 1.7B (3 GB) | Magpie TTS Multilingual 357M (2 GB) | 7.8 | 8 | Z-Image Turbo (4 GB) | `ollama run gemma4:12b` (Ollama) | 

- 16 GB: why not K2 Horizon 7B as the brain? Our data doesn't list tool use for K2 Horizon 7B, so the helper skips it. A helper needs tools to act for you.
- 24 GB: why not K2 Horizon 7B as the brain? Our data doesn't list tool use for K2 Horizon 7B, so the helper skips it. A helper needs tools to act for you.
- 32 GB: why not Qwen3.8 27B as the brain? Qwen3.8 27B needs 22.7 GB. Next to the ears and voice, the brain has 19 GB left.

Top picks per size (Fig. 1b, judged on this machine's own memory for AI) 


Fit rule: We count 75% of your memory as usable for AI. The rest is for the system and your apps. Runs well: the model fits in usable memory with at least 10% to spare. Runs, but tight: it fits, but less than 10% of usable memory is left. Close other apps first. Needs N GB+: it does not fit. N is the smallest memory size it fits in. Size unknown: we do not know how much memory it needs. On this page "usable" is the machine's own memory for AI.

- 16 GB (12 GB for AI): smartest it runs K2 Horizon 7B (Mac only), 36%, Runs well, run: `mlx_lm.generate --model mlx-community/K2-Horizon-7B-4bit --prompt 'hello'` (MLX (Mac only)).
  Top picks: K2 Horizon 7B 36%, needs 8.6 GB, Runs well; Gemma 4 12B 25%, needs 11.2 GB, Runs, but tight; Qwen3.5 9B 23%, needs 9.6 GB, Runs well; Qwen3.5 4B 23%, needs 5.8 GB, Runs well; MiniCPM5 2B 22%, needs 3.9 GB, Runs well.
  Best by job, at the standard 16 GB size: code Ornith 1.5 9B; agents Mellum2.1 12B-A2.5B Thinking; reads images Gemma 4 12B.
  Set this as your computer: https://insidethemachine.ai/my?os=mac&chip=apple-m6&hw=macbook-pro-14&ram=16
- 24 GB (18 GB for AI): smartest it runs K2 Horizon 7B (Mac only), 36%, Runs well, run: `mlx_lm.generate --model mlx-community/K2-Horizon-7B-4bit --prompt 'hello'` (MLX (Mac only)).
  Top picks: K2 Horizon 7B 36%, needs 8.6 GB, Runs well; Gemma 4 12B 25%, needs 11.2 GB, Runs well; Qwen3.5 9B 23%, needs 9.6 GB, Runs well; Qwen3.5 4B 23%, needs 5.8 GB, Runs well; MiniCPM5 2B 22%, needs 3.9 GB, Runs well.
  Best by job, at the standard 24 GB size: code NousCoder 14B; agents Mellum2.1 12B-A2.5B Thinking; reads images Gemma 4 12B.
  Set this as your computer: https://insidethemachine.ai/my?os=mac&chip=apple-m6&hw=macbook-pro-14&ram=24
- 32 GB (24 GB for AI): smartest it runs Qwen3.8 27B, 59%, Runs, but tight, run: `ollama run qwen3.8:27b` (Ollama).
  Top picks: Qwen3.8 27B 59%, needs 22.7 GB, Runs, but tight; Qwen3.5 27B 40%, needs 21.5 GB, Runs well; Qwen3.6 27B 37%, needs 21.5 GB, Runs well; K2 Horizon 7B 36%, needs 8.6 GB, Runs well; Muse Glimmer 30B 30%, needs 22.7 GB, Runs, but tight.
  Best by job, at the standard 32 GB size: code Qwen3.8 27B; agents Qwen3.8 27B; reads images Qwen3.8 27B.
  Set this as your computer: https://insidethemachine.ai/my?os=mac&chip=apple-m6&hw=macbook-pro-14&ram=32

Prices (Fig. 3, approximate, USD, cheapest first) 


Prices are approximate, in US dollars, with the shop and the date we checked. A memory-chip shortage pushed 2026 prices up. Check before you buy.

Per memory size: 16 GB $1,999 (Apple Store, 2026-10-27); 24 GB no dated price in our data; 32 GB no dated price in our data.
| price USD | condition | what you get | kind of price | shop or tracker | date | link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $1,999 | new | 14", M6, 16GB | Starting price | Apple Store – Buy MacBook Pro | 2026-10-27 | https://www.apple.com/shop/buy-mac/macbook-pro |

Published speeds (Fig. 4, not our tests) 


Speeds are copied from published tests by makers and the community, with sources. We did not run them. Different apps and settings give different speeds, so compare with care. On the page each bar is a share of the fastest published result for that model on any machine in our data.

None found yet. Memory speed (153 GB/s) is the best guide: higher means faster answers.

Check your own computer (read-only, sends nothing): `curl -fsSL https://insidethemachine.ai/scan.sh | sh` (Mac or Linux) or `irm https://insidethemachine.ai/scan.ps1 | iex` (Windows PowerShell).

---

Reference file (https://insidethemachine.ai/machines/macbook-pro-14-m6.md). Its "chat models that fit" counts this machine's own memory for AI.

MacBook Pro 14" (M6) for local AI 


URL: https://insidethemachine.ai/machines/macbook-pro-14-m6
Type: Mac laptop. Chip: M6 (12-core CPU, 12-core GPU). Memory: unified, options 16, 24, 32 GB. Bandwidth: 153 GB/s (Spec page lists 153 GB/s for 16GB and 170 GB/s for the 24GB/32GB configurations.). Spec source: https://www.apple.com/macbook-pro/specs/ (2026-10-27).
Price: from about $1,999 for the 16 GB model (2026-10-27, approximate). Status: announced.

Which models fit
| memory GB | usable GB | chat models that fit its own usable GB (of 122) | best 3 that fit | best it runs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | 12 | 40 | K2 Horizon 7B (8.6 GB, Mac only), Gemma 4 12B (11.2 GB), Qwen3.5 9B (9.6 GB) | K2 Horizon 7B (Mac only) |
| 24 | 18 | 47 | K2 Horizon 7B (8.6 GB, Mac only), Gemma 4 12B (11.2 GB), Qwen3.5 9B (9.6 GB) | K2 Horizon 7B (Mac only) |
| 32 | 24 | 64 | Qwen3.8 27B (22.7 GB), Qwen3.5 27B (21.5 GB), Qwen3.6 27B (21.5 GB) | Qwen3.8 27B |

Published speeds 


None found yet.

Notes: Pre-orders open 2026-10-28; not on sale until 2026-11-06 (Apple Store page, checked 2026-10-27). Replaces the M5 14-inch MacBook Pro. Apple says up to 25% faster LLM prompt processing than M5; no measured tokens per second yet.

Questions 


**What is the best local LLM for the MacBook Pro 14" (M6)?**
With 32 GB, Qwen3.8 27B (needs 22.7 GB). Its Artificial Analysis score is 33.7: 59% of the best paid AI, Claude Opus 5.5. 64 of the 122 open chat models fit in its own 24 GB for AI. With 16 GB: K2 Horizon 7B.

**How much does the MacBook Pro 14" (M6) cost?**
From about $1,999 for the 16 GB model (as of 2026-10-27). 2026 prices are inflated by the memory-chip shortage; check before buying.