Apple iMac (27-inch, Late 2013) vs Apple iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Late 2014)
Better figure, where one is clearly better
| AppleiMac (27-inch, Late 2013) | AppleiMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Late 2014) | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Released | September 2013 | October 2014 |
| Performance | ||
| Processor | Intel Core i5-4570, Intel Core i5-4670 or Intel Core i7-4771 | Intel Core i5-4690 or Intel Core i7-4790K |
| CPU cores | 4 | 4 |
| CPU threads | 4 or 8 | 4 or 8 |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce GT 755M (1 GB GDDR5), NVIDIA GeForce GTX 775M (2 GB GDDR5) or NVIDIA GeForce GTX 780M (4 GB GDDR5) | AMD Radeon R9 M290X (2 GB GDDR5) or AMD Radeon R9 M295X (4 GB GDDR5) |
| Memory | 8 GB, 16 GB or 32 GB | 8 GB, 16 GB or 32 GB |
| Storage | 256 GB to 3 TB | 256 GB to 3 TB |
| CPU | 3.2 GHz quad-core Core i5 with Turbo Boost up to 3.6 GHz, or 3.4 GHz quad-core Core i5 with Turbo Boost up to 3.8 GHz; the upper configuration supports a 3.5 GHz quad-core Core i7 with Turbo Boost up to 3.9 GHz | 3.5 GHz quad-core Intel Core i5 with Turbo Boost up to 3.9 GHz, configurable to a 4.0 GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 with Turbo Boost up to 4.4 GHz |
| GPU | NVIDIA GeForce GT 755M with 1 GB GDDR5 on the 3.2 GHz model; GeForce GTX 775M with 2 GB GDDR5 on the 3.4 GHz model, configurable to GeForce GTX 780M with 4 GB GDDR5. The upper model supports either graphics option with its standard Core i5 or optional Core i7. | AMD Radeon R9 M290X with 2 GB GDDR5, configurable to AMD Radeon R9 M295X with 4 GB GDDR5; either graphics option can be paired with either processor |
| Memory type | 1600 MHz DDR3; 8 GB (two 4 GB modules), configurable to 16 GB (two 8 GB modules) or 32 GB (four 8 GB modules); four user-accessible SO-DIMM slots | 1600 MHz DDR3; 8 GB (two 4 GB modules), configurable to 16 GB (two 8 GB modules) or 32 GB (four 8 GB modules); four user-accessible SO-DIMM slots |
| Storage type | 1 TB 7200-rpm hard drive; optional 3 TB hard drive, 1 TB or 3 TB Fusion Drive, or 256 GB, 512 GB or 1 TB flash storage on either base processor. Apple confirms PCIe flash storage in its launch notice. | 1 TB Fusion Drive as standard; optional 3 TB Fusion Drive or 256 GB, 512 GB or 1 TB flash storage (SSD) |
| Display | ||
| Screen size | 27″ | 27″ |
| Resolution | 2560 × 1440 | 5120 × 2880 (better) |
| Panel | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Display type | LED-backlit display with IPS technology and support for millions of colours | 27-inch Retina 5K display with IPS technology and support for millions of colours |
| Display features | Fully laminated glass and anti-reflective coating; Target Display Mode via a separately sold Thunderbolt cable. Apple does not publish brightness or refresh rate in the model's specification sheet. | Laminated display and anti-reflective coating described by Macworld; Target Display Mode is unavailable (Engadget and Ars Technica). Apple does not publish brightness or refresh rate in the specification sheet. |
| Connections | ||
| Ports | 2 × Thunderbolt, 4 × USB-A, SD card slot, Ethernet, headphone jack | 2 × Thunderbolt 2, 4 × USB-A, SD card slot, Ethernet, headphone jack |
| Ethernet | 1 Gb/s | 1 Gb/s |
| External displays | Up to 1 | Up to 1 |
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac | 802.11ac |
| Bluetooth | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| Camera | FaceTime HD | FaceTime HD |
| Back ports | Four USB 3 ports, two Thunderbolt ports with Mini DisplayPort output, SDXC card slot, Gigabit Ethernet, headphone and optical digital audio output; Kensington lock slot. DVI, VGA and dual-link DVI need separately sold adapters. | Four USB 3 ports, two Thunderbolt 2 ports with Mini DisplayPort output, SDXC card slot, Gigabit Ethernet, headphone and optical digital audio output; Kensington lock slot. DVI, VGA and dual-link DVI need separately sold adapters. |
| External displays | Built-in display at native resolution alongside one external display up to 2560 × 1600; extended desktop and video mirroring | Built-in display at native resolution alongside one external display up to 3840 × 2160; extended desktop and video mirroring |
| Speakers | Stereo speakers; supports Apple iPhone headset with microphone | Stereo speakers; supports Apple iPhone headset with microphone |
| Microphones | Dual microphones | Dual microphones |
| Keyboard and mouse | Apple Wireless Keyboard and Magic Mouse; optional Magic Trackpad | Apple Wireless Keyboard and Magic Mouse; optional Magic Trackpad |
| Design and power | ||
| Type | All-in-one | All-in-one |
| Weight | 9.54 kg | 9.54 kg |
| Width × depth × height | 650 × 203 × 516 mm | 650 × 203 × 516 mm |
| Operating system | macOS | macOS |
| Size and weight detail | Dimensions include the stand; weight varies by configuration and manufacturing process. A built-in VESA mount version was also available. | Dimensions include the stand; weight varies by configuration and manufacturing process. A built-in VESA mount version was also available. |
| Power supply | 100–240 V AC, 50–60 Hz, single phase | 100–240 V AC, 50–60 Hz, single phase |
| Noise | Apple's operator-position sound pressure: 15 dB at idle and during hard-drive access | Apple's operator-position sound pressure is 15 dB at idle, during hard-drive seek and during its wireless-web test; tested on the standard Core i5/M290X/Fusion Drive configuration |
| Materials | Recyclable aluminium and glass enclosure; arsenic-free display glass and mercury-free LED backlight | Recyclable aluminium and glass enclosure; arsenic-free display glass and mercury-free LED backlight |
| In the box | iMac, Apple Wireless Keyboard, Magic Mouse and power lead; OS X Mountain Lion and iLife were included at launch | iMac with Retina 5K display, Apple Wireless Keyboard, Magic Mouse and power lead; OS X Yosemite and built-in creative and productivity apps |
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