Resolution imac 27 retina 5k. iMac - Specifications

Advantages

High resolution (5K)
Superb display
Very high performance
Top-level case and design
Overall fair price

Flaws

High energy consumption
Quite noisy under load

Test results for Apple iMac Retina 5K 27" (MF886RU/A) Late 2014

• Price-quality ratio
  Fine

• Price/quality ratio: 71
• Productivity (30%): 87.4
• Equipment (25%): 85.9
• Display (25%): 95.2
• Energy efficiency (10%): 35.8
• Noise (10%): 84.6

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Photo: Apple iMac Retina 5K 27″: incredibly high resolution for macOS

Apple's 5K iMac, like other iMacs, comes in a variety of configurations.

We received a device for testing labeled MF886RU/A, which belongs to the entry level and is sold today at a price of 140,000 rubles.

Currently, you won’t find an all-in-one PC with a 5K resolution cheaper, and in general, no one except Apple makes all-in-one PCs with this resolution (there are 5K monitors with prices starting from 100,000 rubles). At the same time, the components here are of the highest level, at least for an all-in-one computer.

The computing heart of this monoblock is an Intel Core i5-4690 processor with four cores, which operates at a clock frequency of 3.5 GHz. The AMD Radeon R9 M290X video card is responsible for working with graphics.

The list of main components is complemented by 8 GB of RAM and a Fusion Drive with a capacity of 1 TB. The 5K display also has excellent characteristics, the brightness of which is 419 cd/m2, and the checkerboard contrast is 165:1. The density of image pixels is very high - 218 ppi.

The system reproduces full 5K resolution (5120x2880 pixels) only under the macOS operating system. During testing, we had Windows 8.1 installed, so it was not possible to achieve such a resolution and test the device in the appropriate modes.

Apple iMac Retina 5K 27″: high performance

Apple iMac Retina 5K 27″: the thinnest case

High-performance components provide exceptional results in the benchmarks run during our testing. This "5K-iMac" is noticeably superior to many all-in-one competitors.

In particular, in the 3DMark 11 benchmark, which is a measure of gaming performance, a result of 7573 points was shown. As a comparison, the second fastest all-in-one, also an iMac in 27-inch format, scored only 3002 points.

The system's capabilities are truly impressive: even when we run the resource-intensive game Metro 2033 at the native display resolution of 5120x2880 pixels, the iMac manages to produce 17 frames per second.

Unfortunately, if you install Windows OS on this computer, all the benefits of the Fusion Drive hybrid drive are lost, because... For the cache, Windows uses the space of a regular hard drive. That is why in the PCMark 7 benchmark, which can be significantly affected by the speed of an SSD drive, the results were not very high.

Apple iMac Retina 5K 27″: especially interesting for working with multimedia

However, if you take into account the components used, such energy consumption is not very surprising. Under full load, we measured 193.8 W, most of which is taken by the Radeon video card.

In normal operation, power consumption is at 61.8 W, with the display off - 39.6 W. Moreover, if you compare power consumption and performance, the ratio will clearly speak in favor of the device. Anyone who chooses an iMac for gaming should think twice about it, since the Radeon video card here, although of the Hi-End class, is from the field of mobile solutions.

Apple iMac Retina 5K 27″: volume under load

Another disadvantage of high-quality graphics resolution lies in the level of operating noise. The more powerful the video card used in the system, the more powerful cooling it requires to avoid overheating. Since the iMac's thinnest chassis doesn't allow for a silent water cooling system, a fan and heatsink are required.

Under load, the noise level from the cooler reaches 1.9 sleeps. In terms of noise from video cards for desktop computers, this is not the highest level, but in our rating of monoblocks this result is the worst. However, as we have already noted, in comparison with conventional desktop PCs, this monoblock will be practically inaudible.

Apple iMac Retina 5K 27″: alternative

A 5K display is certainly exciting, but it's mostly for graphics professionals. In particular, designers or video editors will appreciate the highest pixel density. Anyone looking for an iMac for general use would do well to choose the 2560 x 1440 pixel version.

With a price starting from 100,000 rubles, this model is significantly cheaper, but at the same time it is not inferior to the 5K-iMac in any parameter except display resolution. Quite the opposite: the device labeled ME088D/A takes first place in our all-in-one monoblock rating. Since the level of energy consumption and operating noise is much lower, the victory in the test results is well deserved.

TEST RESULTS
Productivity (30%)
Equipment (25%)
Display (25%)
Energy efficiency (10%)
Noisiness (10%)
CONCLUSION The 5K-ready iMac achieved new record-breaking performance scores in testing and featured a stunning, ultra-sharp display. The downside of serious processing power is high levels of power consumption and noise under full load - which is why the device did not make it to the top of our rankings.	83.5% OVERALL RESULT

Characteristics and test results of Apple iMac Retina 5K 27" (MF886RU/A) Late 2014

Price-quality ratio	71
CPU	Intel Core i5-4690
Video card	AMD Radeon R9 M290X
RAM capacity	8 GB
Maximum RAM	32 GB
RAM type	DDR3-1600
Number of RAM slots	4 slots
HDD	1.000 GB
SSD	-
Optical drive	-
operating system	Mac OS X 10.10 Yosemite
Display: diagonal	27 inches
Display: resolution	5.120 x 2.880 pixels
Display: Dot Density	218 ppi
Display: touchscreen	-
Display: anti-glare coating	-
Display: maximum brightness	419 cd/m²
Display: staggered contrast	165:1
Display: Horizontal viewing angle (50:1)	176 degrees
Display: vertical viewing angle (50:1)	176 degrees
Noise: idle	0.2 sleep
Noise: When playing Full HD video	0.3 sleep
1.9 sleep
Power consumption: off	0.1 W
Power Consumption: Standby (S3)	2.2 W
Power consumption: idle with display off	39.6 W
Power consumption: idle (desktop)	61.8 W
Power Consumption: Full Load	193.8 W
Built-in TV tuner (DVB-T)	-
Remote control	-
Equipment: WLAN	802.11b/g/n/ac
Equipment: LAN	1 Gb/s
Equipment: Bluetooth	version 4.0
Equipment: NFC	-
Equipment: number of USB ports (total)	4 connectors
Equipment: number of USB 3.0 ports	4 connectors
Equipment: Thunderbolt	2 connectors
Equipment: eSATA	-
Equipment: card reader	SD
Video output: HDMI	optional
Video output: DVI	optional
Video output: VGA	optional
Video Output: Display Port	-
Video input: HDMI	-
Video input: DVI	-
Audio output: analog	Yes
Audio input: for microphone	-
Audio Input: Line-In	-
Audio input: optical	-
Webcam	Yes
Dimensions	65 x 52 x 20 cm
Weight	9.2 kg
Test: PCMark 7	3.852 points.
Test: PCMark 7 - Productivity	2.553 points
Test: PCMark 7 - Creativity	5.747 points
Test: PCMark 7 - Entertainment	4.435 points
Test: PCMark 7 - Computation	7.915 points
Test: PCMark 7 - System Storage	1.963 points
Test: 3DMark 11	7.573 points
Test: 3DMark 11 - Grafik	7.850 points
Test: 3DMark 11 - Physik	6.741 points.
Test: 3DMark 11 - Combi	7.018 points
Test: Cinebench R11.5 - Open GL	101 fps
Test: Cinebench R11.5 - Multi-CPU	6.2 points
Test: Cinebench R11.5 - Single-CPU	1.7 points
Test: Metro 2033 (native)	17.0 fps

In mid-2015, an updated Apple all-in-one model appeared on the technology markets - a 27-inch iMac with a Retina 5K display. Not many devices are produced with 4K screens; Apple products have gone even further. You can view 4K quality images on the display, there will just be some free space on the sides. This is a convenient bonus for those who do editing, photo processing, or like to play modern computer games.

It is important to note that in 2015 only the 27-inch monoblock received an update. The appearance of the box remains the same. It has an irregular shape, narrowed at the top and flared at the bottom. The bottom base has a large stable surface. The box is easy to disassemble and it is easy to remove the product. Save the packaging and receipt so that if you sell or transfer the product to another person, they will not be superfluous.

Foam molds hold the device firmly inside. The iMac 27 5K is covered with films, which protects it from accidental minor damage. The protective film is removed without a trace. iMac 27 Retina 5K includes: Wireless Keyboard and Magic Mouse , instructions, stickers and power cable.

The look of iMac with Retina 5K display

The appearance of the device does not differ from the models released in 2012. The dimensions of the device have not changed in comparison with its predecessor and are: 51.6 (height), 65.0 (width), 20.3 cm (stand thickness). The device weighs 9.54 kg. Communication connectors are located on the rear side of the case. These include: 4 USB 3.0 connectors, a pair of Thunderbolt ports , Ethernet port , SD/SDXC format card reader , mini-Jack 3.5 mm.

27 inch iMac with Retina 5K Display

The screen resolution, which is 5120 × 2880 pixels, deserves special attention. The screen is protected by a glass plate. The surface is mirror-smooth. The display is equipped with an anti-glare filter. Bright objects located near the screen do not interfere with the perception of the image. The picture is displayed brightly, clearly and without “grain”. The surface has an oleophobic coating, which makes it easy to remove greasy stains and prevents their appearance.

The matrix used in the iMac is IPS. Operating system X Yosemite is used . The screen is capable of separating shades of color that are located next to each other in the color palette. The color gamut of the matrix is ​​slightly different from sRGB . But since the deviations are too small, it does not affect the display of natural color saturation. When iMac with Retina 5K display is turned off or in standby mode, the power consumption is 0.07 watts. Energy consumption spikes of up to 2 W may occur.

The display does not flicker. Changing the brightness affects the backlight level, but does not affect the brightness of the screen. The screen brightness can be adjusted within wide limits. The user adjusts the glow for comfortable working conditions, both in bright light and in complete darkness. There is automatic adjustment of the brightness level. It is regulated by a light sensor. The sensor can change the brightness parameter, either up or down.

The computer can be “trained” to set the brightness level. Select a comfortable glow level in certain conditions in manual mode. Automatic adjustment must be activated. Based on the specified parameters, the display brightness indicators will be set in the future. Viewing angles are wide, color distortion during indirect viewing is negligible. If desired, color rendition can be further calibrated. You cannot use a peripheral monitor with the iMac Retina 5K 27 inch Late 2015.

OS on iMac with Retina 5K display

The all-in-one runs on OS X 10.10 Yosemite. A special feature of this version of the system is the flat display of the icons. iCloud Drive also appeared , Spotlight the search has become better, the “notifications” panel has expanded. Now to use Spotlight search, the user must click on the center of the display. After the search displays results, the user can view the contents of the found documents or folders.

“Notifications” are located on the right side of the screen. An additional “today” panel has appeared; it will display widgets that can be added and removed. It is convenient to place the calculator application there, so it is always at hand. Through the panel you can make publications on a social network, type and send messages through the iMessage application. Place the “weather” here and always know when to take an umbrella.

With the advent of iCloud Drive, the user can not only synchronize data, but use a full-fledged cloud. The user receives a separate folder, which will appear in the Finder. You can put any copies and place files here. After placement, synchronization will be carried out, and the data will immediately be available from another device (if the connection is made using the same account).

A positive difference from Dropbox is that it provides 5 GB of free space, not 2. A volume of five GB is used for mail materials, personal data saved by the user, and backup copies. Disadvantage of iCloud Drive there is a lack of an application through which the user can view the contents of the cloud. The company's overall focus is on deepening the connection between iOS devices and OS X. Today, a user can receive a call through an Apple iMac Retina 5K directed to an iPhone. iMac 27″ now has viewing and sending SMS functionality . iDevices can continue each other's work from where they left off, be it a PC or a smartphone.

The disadvantages of talking on the phone through the Apple iMac 27″ all-in-one are the external noise of the room and the fact that the conversation will be heard by everyone around. And the user will not be able to move away from the candy bar at this moment. In terms of working with messages, the computer, on the contrary, is very convenient. If you write a long text, it is more convenient to do it on a large screen. If the information received is necessary for work, you will not have to additionally transfer the contents of the message to your computer.

There is an additional option for transferring data from device to device, called “Handoff”. Translated as "transfer". Externally, it is displayed as an additional mail or browser icon to the left of the other icons. The icon will display a small picture of the gadget. This means that a page is open on another i-device and the user can go to the place of work that he left on another gadget. This feature only works inside Apple apps. All system pre-installed programs are adapted to the 5K resolution level and are displayed accordingly.

iMac 5K Review - Specifications

The model is produced in a basic configuration, but in addition, when ordering through the official Apple website, the user can upgrade the processor, RAM, video card and storage device. The computer processor is quad-core. Apple iMac 27 Retina 5K i7 Intel Core and iMac 27 Retina 5K i5 are available. The iMac 27 Retina 5K i5 runs at a clock speed of 3.5 GHz, can be accelerated to 3.9. Does not support Hyper-Threading technology. Intel Core The i7 runs at 4.0 GHz and accelerates to 4.4. The price of the second processor option is 15,000 rubles more expensive. The basic configuration comes with iMac 27 Retina 5K i5 Core.

Level 3 processor cache with 6 MB memory. The user can also select RAM before ordering. Increasing your computer's RAM will increase data processing speed and the device will work faster. Memory for iMac 5K DDR3, available in 8, 16 and 32 GB. A memory capacity of 16 GB will be 12 thousand rubles more expensive, and 32 GB will be 36 thousand more expensive.

Apple aimac's 5K Fusion Drive. Fusion Drive consists of a large number of hard drives that have the high performance of flash drives. The user can choose a Fusion Drive drive of 1 and 3 TB. The price tag for the second drive will be 9 thousand rubles higher. Flash drives with capacities of 256, 512 and 1 TB are also available. The price of the second and third drives will be 18 and 48 thousand more, respectively.

Processor running AMD Radeon R9 M290X graphics. Excellent image processing. To improve graphics quality, in addition to the basic configuration with 2 GB GDDR5, the user can buy a card with 4 GB memory. It will cost 15 thousand rubles more. The monoblock is not equipped with an optical drive. Network interfaces are served by wired and wireless Broadcom, Bluetooth version 4.0. The iMac 27″ review shows that the user is presented with a classic desktop PC.

Retina 5K MK462RU/A

Online reviews from consumers are positive. High computer performance amazes creative users such as designers, photographers and editors. The large, high-resolution display delivers images clearly and naturally. For those who work with images, this monoblock is simply a godsend. 5K models are available to users: Retina 5K MK462RU/A, Retina 5K MK482RU/A and Retina 5K MK472RU/A . Prices for the devices are about 130, 160 and 140 thousand rubles, respectively. The most affordable configuration is Retina 5K MK462RU/A.

The Retina 5K MK462RU/A model released in late 2015, not 2016, has the following characteristics: quad-core Core i5 processor , with an operating frequency of 3.2 GHz. In accelerated mode it accelerates to a frequency of 3.6. Has a 27-inch retina screen with a resolution of 5120 x 2880 pixels. Desktop wallpapers with such high resolution look detailed, clear and colorful. The processor is supported by DDR3 RAM 8 GB. HDD drive capacity 1 TB. Graphics support is provided by a Radeon R9 M380 video card with 2 GB memory.

The monoblock is not equipped with an optical drive. Wireless communication is provided by Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. There are a pair of built-in speakers, a microphone and a Face Time camera. Communication is provided by: two Thunderbolt ports, four USB connectors (version 3.0 ), one RJ-45, a 3.5 mm headset port, a card reader.

The delivery set includes the monoblock itself, a wireless input panel and pointing device, documents, a pair of stickers, and a power cable. The body color is made of aluminum using Unibody technology. Color: silver. The product weighs 9.54 kg. Dimensions are: 51.6 cm (height), 65 cm (width) and 20.3 cm (depth).

The user can order a device in Moscow through an online store or by visiting an authorized store in the city. The Moscow region is served in the same stores. Many stores provide delivery services within the country. Anyone who has previously purchased Apple equipment knows that the high price of the products is justified by the quality and durability of the devices.

Of course, working with such a screen requires strong components. The basic configuration of the iMac 27 Retina 5K is as follows:

• Processor Intel Core i5-4690
• 8 (2 modules of 4) GB DDR3 1600 MHz RAM
• 1TB Fusion Drive
• AMD Radeon R9 M290X graphics card with 2 GB GDDR5 video memory

In the Russian online Apple store it costs 190 thousand rubles. For an additional fee, you can choose a more powerful processor (Core i7-4790K, plus 20 thousand rubles) and/or a video card (AMD Radeon R9 M295X with 4 GB GDDR5, plus 20 thousand rubles), more memory (16 GB for 16 thousand). or 32 GB for 48 thousand) or another drive (256 GB SSD instead of 1 TB Fusion Drive for free, 3 TB Fusion Drive for an additional payment of 12 thousand rubles, 512 GB SSD for 24 thousand or 1 TB for 48 thousand) . You cannot select more than one drive.

Our configuration features a Core i7-4790K, 16GB of RAM, a standard 1TB Fusion Drive, and a Radeon R9 M295X. Its cost is 246 thousand rubles. Let us briefly explain which upgrades are worth the money and which are not:

• CPU: Apple demands two and a half times the difference between the prices announced by Intel for these Core i5 and Core i7 models. However, the difference in performance between them is significant; if an iMac is purchased for professional work with photo and video editors, it is better to pay extra. You can replace the processor yourself, but a new i7-4790K costs the same as a factory upgrade to it, so if you have nowhere to “attach” the i5-4690, there is no point in losing the warranty.
• RAM: since its replacement is available to the owner without disassembly and loss of warranty, there is no point in paying more. Regular DDR3 modules of the SO-DIMM format (i.e. for laptops) without ECC support are used, which you can easily purchase yourself. 4 8 GB sticks from a decent brand like Corsair or G.Skill can be purchased for 20-30 thousand rubles, depending on their characteristics (frequency and timings), and not for 48 thousand, as Apple offers. At the same time, unlike a factory upgrade, it is not necessary to get rid of the standard sticks - you can leave them and buy two more of 4 or 8 GB each (for a total of 16 or 24 GB). To work with photos and videos, a large amount of RAM is required; 8 GB is easily filled even when performing several simple tasks at the same time, such as working in the browser and watching videos on YouTube. Apparently, the huge screen resolution has an effect.
• Video card: again, for working with photos and videos (and games, if they are planned), more performance would not hurt, but it’s up to you to decide. The Radeon R9 M295X is better at both work and play. Unfortunately, we cannot check the prices for both proposed video cards and compare their difference with the upgrade cost requested by Apple: mobile video cards are not sold at retail.
• Drives: It should be noted that the Fusion Drive physically consists of two separate drives. This is a regular 3.5-inch SATA hard drive (in our case, 1 TB) and a 128 GB SSD with a proprietary PCIe connector (like a MacBook - oh, and Apple doesn’t like generally accepted standards, even the same M.2). Mac OS X automatically determines which files are sent to the SSD and which to the hard drive, and tries to ensure maximum performance. I must say, she does it very well. If you run Windows through BootCamp, then this scheme, apparently, will not be used and the system will run slower. If you plan to use only Mac OS, then Fusion Drive is enough for you. You can take the 3 TB option if you don’t want to buy an additional external hard drive. If you plan to install Windows, then it makes sense to invest in a full-fledged SSD. You can choose a 256 GB SSD instead of Fusion Drive for free; you should pay extra for larger SSDs only if you work with very large files that require extremely fast access.

Having thus clarified the situation with the proposed components, let's move on to the benchmarks of our configuration.

Just a couple of years ago, the Apple company surprised the computer market by introducing its first device with a Retina screen to the public. To date, there have been several generations of MacBookPro, which were equipped with displays of the highest possible resolution, but the company only got to all-in-one PCs last year.

The iMac series has always attracted users with its appearance and contents: wide screen, stylish and attractive design, excellent performance - all this makes the device an excellent tool for working in any field. Almost all of the company’s solutions are universal products, so the range of equipment will allow any specialist and amateur to realize their potential.

It’s not for nothing that the idea has developed that the best videos are edited on a Mac, smart photographers use Macs, designers and other people with a rich and unconventional imagination use gadgets from Apple. Whatever you say, it’s fashionable, expensive and beautiful, and at the same time there is an opportunity to count yourself among a narrow circle of admirers of exclusive technology. Although, judging by independent statistics, it is not so narrow: even despite the decrease in overall sales of personal computers, it is the Apple company that is demonstrating, if not confident, then clearly positive sales growth.

Model positioning

During the presentations of the Apple iMac 27″ Retina 5K, the company paid increased attention to those whom it considers a priority representative of its audience. Photo processing and complex video editing will become much more enjoyable, and at the same time productive, when using the new device from Apple.

The iMac 27″ Retina 5K quickly reached the Russian markets. Now you don’t have to wait long weeks or even months to try out an interesting new product in action. Let's try to figure out what exactly the company offers in the form of such a high-tech device, because a screen with such a high resolution is very difficult to come across. Let’s evaluate the advantages of the new model over its predecessors and analyze the technical characteristics of the iMac 27″ Retina 5K. Reviews about the device are very positive, so you can evaluate the performance of the device in general terms, and specific merits or demerits will be indicated below.

So, the hero of today's review is the new all-in-one iMac from Apple. Let's try to identify all the strengths and weaknesses of the model, taking into account the opinions of experts and reviews of ordinary users.

Specifications

The all-in-one PC is powered by a 4-core Intel Core i5 3.5 GHz processor with the ability to overclock to 3.9 GHz. There is 8 GB of DDR3 RAM on board, with a frequency of 1600 MHz (the basic configuration is equipped with two 4 GB sticks). Hard drive - 1 TB Fusion Drive type (the main volume is for HDD, the rest is accelerated space for SSD). Graphic video accelerator from AMD "Radeon" R9 M290X with 2 GB of fast GDDR5 memory.

Screen - 27’’, with a resolution of 5120x2880 pixels, IPS matrix with a glossy finish. Communication is provided by Wi-Fi 802.11ac and Bluetooth version 4 wireless protocols. Connection interfaces - 4 x USB 3.0, RJ-45 Internet port, two Thunderbolt 2 connectors, 3.5 mm microphone, SD slot and mini-port. Dimensions are 516 by 650 mm with a weight of 10 kg.

Design

The general appearance of the candy bar itself has remained unchanged since 2012. Someone may condemn this approach of the company, but, on the other hand, why change what pleases the eye to this day: precise lines, beautiful shapes and graceful outlines create the image of, if not the most attractive candy bar, then certainly one of the most stylish exactly.

The iMac 27 with a Retina 5K display will certainly appeal to aesthetes who are not used to cluttering their desktop with a bunch of wires and connectors and simply love high-quality technology. The company notes that the new monoblock is the thinnest to date, and the thickness of the device is only 5 mm (sidewalls).

Assembly

The monoblock is held on the surface by a durable aluminum leg, which is easily adjustable in terms of viewing angle, but, alas, you cannot change the height. The display is framed by a glossy black frame of quite impressive size, under which you can see the company logo.

The body itself is made entirely of aluminum, and the appearance of the Apple iMac Retina 5K inspires confidence, it is simply pleasant to look at, no matter from which side. The weight of the candy bar remains the same and, if desired, you can take it on short trips around the house or office - it is not heavy at all.

Screen

The all-in-one, as in the case of previous generations, can be optionally available with diagonals of 21 and 27", but in order to experience the fullness and depth of the new model, it is better to use the flagship version in the form of the iMac 27" Retina 5K. User reviews about quality This screen is entirely positive in nature, which is why we will consider it.

“Retina” is a rare representative of devices of this class, and if previously 2560 by 1440 pixels was considered a good resolution, then with the new screen it has quadrupled and is 5120 by 2880 pixels. Accordingly, the pixel density has also increased and now, instead of 106 ppi, it is 218 ppi.

You can look at the new iMac with Retina 5K display forever, simply admiring the rich colors and images presented. The icons remained the same, not decreasing in size at all, the picture just became clearer due to the very high bit depth of the display.

By the way, it is worth noting that the company conducted independent research and proved that the new screen consumes 30% less energy than devices of previous generations. There were no complaints from users regarding the cooling of particles, so this pleasant fact of reduced power consumption can be attributed to the advantages of the iMac Retina 5K.

A review of the monoblock showed that the company once again proves a very scrupulous attitude to the image quality of its monitors. Since the IPS matrix in liquid crystal technologies can no longer be overclocked beyond the limit, and the factory settings are already considered the standard of quality, the company decided to improve the only parameter that can be increased - resolution. Instead of the usual Quad HD scan, the monoblock received ultra-precise 5K resolution at 5120x2880 pixels with a corresponding increase in pixel density. Such parameters are comparable to smartphone screens, while in front of us is almost a 27-inch device.

The innovation for the Apple iMac 27″ Retina 5K is especially noticeable when working with the main desk, as its capacity has greatly increased, which immediately affects the performance of graphics and video applications such as Final Cut. Processing ultra-HD files in 2160p has become much more convenient, since 100% of the frame is displayed, plus there is enough space for placing tools and other useful applications.

The iMac 27″ Retina 5K screen has a very enviable brightness reserve - about 450 cd/m2, which is quite enough to work on the brightest and sunny day. In a normal room, the screen brightness can be safely set to 50% (if not lower), and the contrast, even with such settings, does not drop to the minimum level - approximately 1200 to 1 (a certain ceiling for an IPS matrix).

Thanks to the perfectly balanced anti-reflective coating, the image is presented in full depth and has a very convincing appearance. The viewing angles of the iMac Retina 5K deserve all sorts of praise, they are as wide as possible and video with friends will only be a joy.

Areas of application

Factory settings can offer the owner impeccable color balance and calibration with excellent accuracy, so there is simply no need to adjust or correct anything - just sit down and work. came almost close to the sRGB standard, which is a very big plus for the average consumer, but some professionals sometimes complain in their reviews that the display cannot cover Adobe RGB and DCI P3, and together with them the Rec standard, but this is already The requests are so specific that it’s difficult to add them to the general list of minuses.

The overall brightness characteristics of the iMac 27″ Retina 5K can be considered a benchmark for an IPS matrix, and color rendering is the peak of the monitor’s capabilities. So we can say with complete confidence that the screen of the new all-in-one is an excellent starting point for working with video and photographic materials. And if professionals may still doubt the work with “Ultra” HD, then ordinary device owners should be completely delighted with the natural and truly beautiful image on a 27-inch all-in-one with double clarity.

Performance

The Apple iMac 27″ Retina 5K all-in-one is equipped as standard with a quad-core Intel Core i5 processor with a clock frequency of 3.5 GHz and the ability to overclock in Turbo Boot mode up to 3.9 GHz. There is 8 GB of RAM on board of the DDR3 variety with a frequency of 1600 MHz, and if there is a need or just a desire, it can be increased to 32 GB.

To store and work with data, the all-in-one PC has a Fusion Drive hard drive. The hard drive has two partitions - one is a regular HDD, and the other is a high-speed SSD. The basic package includes a 1 TB hard drive, but you can choose a more expensive option with 3 TB of memory (0.512/1 TB for SSD).

As a graphics video accelerator, the company equipped the iMac Retina 5K with a solution from AMD in the form of the Radeon R9 290MX with one gigabyte of memory. Variable versions can be equipped with a similar M295X series, but with four GB and high-speed GDDR5 memory.

It is important for owners and future owners of the iMac Retina 5K to remember that upgrading on their own is practically impossible. The only thing that the company “allowed” to be increased in the candy bar was the RAM, everything else will remain the same and cannot be improved.

In practice, the device easily copes with any tasks in such a demanding program as processing a very significant amount of data without any brakes or freezes. The same indicators also apply to working with the powerful photo editor Lightroom, where the processing of libraries in the RAW format is flawless.

The new iMac Retina 5K is a very, very fast all-in-one PC. When making a comparison with its closest competitors, it turned out that when editing the same video in a resolution that supports 4K, the speed of the Apple device is higher than the others - a minute and 14 seconds versus almost 10 minutes of processing for similar devices.

Those who work with video formats that support 4K resolution will surely like that the entire image can be displayed on the screen. In principle, the same applies to amateur photographers, who can freely and comfortably edit their photographs taken in high resolution. Professionals working with powerful graphics packages, as a rule, connect another monitor to open the window to full screen, and in the case of a new all-in-one PC, such actions will be unnecessary - everything is perfectly visible on one device.

Interfaces

Behind the monoblock there are four USB 3.0 ports, two Thunderbolt 2.0, an RJ-45 connector for wired Internet, a slot for a regular SD card, and there is also a jack for external headphones and an additional 3.5 mm microphone.

Users in their reviews sometimes complain about the inconvenient location of the ports, which is why constantly working with peripherals causes a certain discomfort, so for such purposes you have to buy a separate card reader, which will always be at hand, and there will be no problems with memory cards or flasks.

Video communication is provided by a good FaceTime HD camera, which works with sound via two microphones. Access to wireless protocols is provided by the Wi-Fi module at 802.11ac and Bluetooth version 4.

Summarizing

The new monoblock, like its predecessors, is available in several modifications, and the option with a “regular” screen has also been retained, so if there is no need to purchase a display of this quality, you can save a very decent amount.

The company offers a ready-made and fully configured solution, so to get started you just need to connect the cable and the system is ready to use. The only fly in the ointment (and for some, on the contrary, stability and successful consistency) that concerns almost all products of the Apple company is the impossibility of upgrading. All that is available for improvement is RAM, and nothing more.

The device surprises with its resolution and picture quality, and the pixel density per inch can compete with any mobile gadgets. The practical benefits of the new screen will certainly be felt by professionals in their field - amateur photographers and video makers, and ordinary users will feel the richness of the picture in any modern games.

As for the surcharge for such a high resolution, it can be called quite reasonable, especially when comparing competing models from famous brands. Just one monitor will cost the owner about 2 thousand euros, and this does not take into account other components without which it is useless.

The average cost of an iMac Retina 5K (price as of February 2016) ranges from 100-180 thousand rubles and depends on the modification. An inexpensive model with a 21-inch screen and an average graphics card (GTX775M) costs about 90,000, and Pro models with all the bells and whistles reach 200,000.

Should I buy or not?

Is it worth paying that much money for a new screen? If you have money that you can spend on a purchase, then there are no downsides to such a solution, and the quality that you receive will please you for a very long time. And although some professionals involved in video or photo processing prefer specially configured options to suit their needs, the universal solution in the form of a new all-in-one PC will certainly be noticed and in demand by specialists. In any case, after purchasing an iMac, you will receive an excellent computer with an excellent screen and powerful hardware.

Advantages of a monoblock:

• stylish and original design;
• only high quality materials from a well-known brand;
• productivity “with a reserve” for several years;
• the highest screen resolution to date.

Disadvantages of the device:

• there is no possibility of connecting as a second screen;
• high price for the average computer buyer.

Late last year, Apple updated its iMac line. The new addition is a 21.5-inch iMac with a 4K display. As for the 27-inch iMacs, Apple introduced models with a resolution of 2,560 x 1,440 pixels, leaving only the Retina 5K display. Of course, the updates affected the processor, video card, HDD and SSD combination. Our testing laboratory received the top-of-the-line iMac model.

We are already in October 2014, so we will take many details from the previous review. In particular, there were no changes to the body. As we noted above, processors and other internal components have changed. Apple has switched to Intel processors of the Skylake generation; in Europe, buyers can choose Core i5 or Core i7 processors; in Russia, only preset configurations with Core i5 are available. Four graphics cards are available for 27-inch models: AMD Radeon R9 M380, M390, M395 or M395X. There are no configurations with M395X in Russia. Unfortunately, Apple did not integrate Thunderbolt 3 support into the new iMac with Retina 5K display.

The table shows the existing models:

21.5-inch iMacs
Price	89,990 rubles 1.249 euros	106,990 rubles 1.499 euros	122.990 rubles 1.699 euros
Technical data
CPU	Intel Core i5 1.6 GHz Turbo Boost up to 2.7 GHz	Intel Core i5 2.8 GHz Turbo Boost up to 3.3 GHz	Intel Core i5 3.1 GHz Turbo Boost up to 3.6 GHz
RAM	8 GB	8 GB	8 GB
Video card	Intel HD Graphics 6000	Intel Iris Pro Graphics 6200	Intel Iris Pro Graphics 6200
Display resolution	1.920 x 1.080 pixels	1.920 x 1.080 pixels	4.096 x 2.304 pixels
Storage device	1 TB HDD	1 TB HDD	1 TB HDD

In Russia there is no possibility of an upgrade. In Europe, an upgrade to 16 GB of memory will cost 240 euros, for a 1 TB Fusion Drive you will have to pay 120 euros, for a 2 TB - 360 euros. A 256 GB SSD will cost 240 euros, and for a 512 GB model you will have to pay 600 euros.

27" iMacs
Price	149.990 rubles 2.099 euros	162,990 rubles 2.299 euros	189,990 rubles 2.599 euros
Technical data
CPU	Intel Core i5 3.2 GHz Turbo Boost up to 3.6 GHz	Intel Core i5 3.2 GHz Turbo Boost up to 3.6 GHz	Intel Core i5 3.3 GHz Turbo Boost up to 3.9 GHz
RAM	8 GB	8 GB	8 GB
Video card	AMD Radeon R9 M380 2 GB video memory	AMD Radeon R9 M380 2 GB video memory	AMD Radeon R9 M395 2 GB video memory
Display resolution	5.120 x 2.880 pixels	5.120 x 2.880 pixels	5.120 x 2.880 pixels
Storage device	1 TB HDD	1TB Fusion Drive	2TB Fusion Drive

In Russia there is no possibility of an upgrade. In Europe, the 27-inch iMacs could see significant improvements. Upgrading the processor to Intel Core i7 at 4.0 GHz (Turbo Boost 4.2 GHz) will cost 300 euros. Increasing memory to 16 or 32 GB costs 240 or 720 euros. HDD, SSD or Fusion Drive upgrades are identical in price to the “junior” model, but here the option of upgrading to a 1 TB SSD is added for 840 euros. A faster AMD Radeon R9 M395X graphics card with 4GB of video memory is also available for €300.

5K display

The standout feature of the iMac with Retina 5K display is, of course, the display. Meanwhile, several manufacturers have already offered external displays with similar resolutions. The same can be noted. Of course, the issue of connecting such a display cannot be avoided. Typically, two DisplayPort inputs are used.

There are currently no standards for connecting a 5K display at 60Hz resolution. The DisplayPort 1.2 standard can only operate at 30Hz. As with the Dell and Philips monitors mentioned above, two DisplayPort streams are used, which through MST (Multi Stream Transport) provide a seamless picture. So the panel uses a DisplayPort 1.2 connection. But for this connection, not standard DisplayPort connectors are used inside, but eDP, that is, Embedded DisplayPort. Apple also indicates the use of its own TMU controller, but without details. So it's possible that Apple is using some kind of proprietary connection between the GPU and the display, or an overclocked DisplayPort 1.2 connection to ensure there is enough bandwidth for a 5K display. In any case, despite the implementation option, the system works - and this is the main thing.

The advantage of an iMac with a Retina 5K display, which can also be considered a disadvantage, is the sale of a ready-made Apple system with all components. Therefore, upgrading components is problematic. Apple only allows you to add RAM. If you work with your hands, you can replace the SSD. In general, the iMac can be recommended to those users who require a ready-made system and who are not going to upgrade it - at least until the next purchase entirely.

For more detailed information about the display, we recommend that you refer to. The display tests are presented below.

No interface changes

Compared to its predecessor, Apple did not change the interfaces. There is still no trace of Thunderbolt 3, which is not entirely clear since Apple is quite actively promoting this interface. At the back you can see a headphone output, an SDHX memory card slot, 4x USB 3.0, 2x Thunderbolt 2 and 1x Gigabit Ethernet.

The connector for connecting the power supply is located centrally behind the monitor stand; all cables are routed through the stand. On the right rear panel there is a power switch that turns the iMac into standby mode.

The photo does not show the wireless interfaces. But you do get Bluetooth 4.0 support (necessary for the Continuity feature in OS X 10.10 Yosemite), 802.11ac Wi-Fi support, and depending on the access point and antenna configuration, speeds range between 433 Mbps and 6.77 Gbps. But for the Apple wireless module, the maximum speed is specified at 1.3 Gbps.