2020 iMac 27″ review: excellent screen, strong performance and an expensive upgrade

And so it is not surprising that he looks the same as the last one. Apple has done everything to make you want it for its business , and not just for its beautiful body.

Incredibly powerful, the 27-inch iMac 2020 glows from the inside out, not the outside. The best monoblock in the world has been refined on all fronts with laser precision, making it better in every way.

I've been using it for a week, every day, from morning to night. There are a lot of impressions. But the main thing is to take it, or wait for rebirth?

I’ll break the rules right away: you don’t have to wait for anything, buy it now, and in 5-7 years you’ll exchange it for the nth generation with Apple ARM chips. There won't be a better iMac in its current form, because this one is the best today.

Why I love the iMac even though I never actually owned one

Whether you like it or not, some gadgets in life are remembered for a long time, and the best ones are able to change it altogether.

I personally have two vivid memories associated with the iMac.

First: I’m 15 years old, I work at a newspaper, and for the first time in my life I’m sitting at a 2006 iMac and I don’t understand what’s going on. Apple for me is like a dark forest, some strange and distant thing from a parallel world. Mac OS X is a completely incomprehensible beast after Windows; nothing works (but it’s interesting!).

After an hour of blind acquaintance, I got up from the chair in complete confusion and gave way to the layout designer. She brought this iMac to the newspaper office several times a month and for some reason refused to work on our office PCs.

The impression of the new experience was remembered for a long time. That iMac was the starting point of my interest in Apple, which was spurred by the release of the iPhone a year later - and ultimately brought me here.

My workplace in 2013. Thanks to my then lacking camera skills for the quality of the photo.

Second: it’s 2013, I’ve been working at iPhones.ru for three years, and for the first time I received an iMac for review – the then current 27-inch model. I'm shocked at how little space a full-fledged desktop computer can take up.

The delight from the juicy, bright display and excellent performance (I even played games!) is replaced by disappointment that in a couple of weeks it will have to be returned, and I will have to be wrapped in wires again. I decide that in my apartment I will give up my home PC in favor of just such a thing.

Photo from 2013, on the right is the 2013 27-inch iMac. Not much has changed in appearance!

I constantly think about it when I come home and see cables, cords, a system unit under the table in the work area - a whole square meter allocated to accommodate all the components of a typical modern computer. It’s better not to think about how much time it took to decorate the place more or less decently.

Meanwhile, the same ideal emerges in the back of my mind...

One cable. Plug it in and it works – magic!

What new features does Apple offer?

Apple has a couple of surprises for the 2020 iMac, including a new FaceTime HD 1080p camera, higher-fidelity speakers, and a "studio-quality" three-microphone system. It's nice that Apple recognizes that more people are working from home today than ever before by releasing an all-in-one PC with a significantly better webcam. It is also important in modern realities that the built-in T2 security chip helps improve performance thanks to the image signal processor. According to the press release, it "provides tone mapping, exposure control and face recognition for a better camera experience." Additionally, the T2 chip helps the speakers include "adjustable equalizer for better balance, more accurate reproduction and deeper bass."

The iMac's kit is both spartan and rich

Apple knows what the buyer (iMac) wants: get it out and use it. Therefore, from time immemorial, a keyboard and a mouse have been placed along with a candy bar.

By default, these are wireless Magic Keyboard 2 and Magic Mouse 2 . There is only one Lightning cable in the box, from which both are charged, but it will be needed very rarely, because both accessories work on the same charge for months without interruption, and are charged in a matter of hours.

I've already written about Magic Keyboard 2 and how awesome it is in every way. Included, however, is the short version, and not the wide one with a block of Num keys. If you want a larger model (+ 2441 rubles), you need to click on the small “change” button on the configurator page. Don't miss the mark!

I'm delighted with the keyboard, which can't be said about Magic Mouse 2. I didn't appreciate it, just like the first version. Maybe the hand is wrong. I'm sure she has a lot of fans, I won't argue with them.

As for me, Magic Trackpad 2 is the ideal option. If desired, you can choose a package with it instead of an Apple mouse (+ 4,068 rubles) or as an addition (+ 11,075 rubles).

If you have an iMac model with a nanotexture display, then in this box there will be a special polishing cloth for cleaning the screen - gray, very soft and relatively small in size. I don't recommend losing it. Let it be in an easily accessible, closed place.

This fabric has nothing in common with the usual microfiber, both in appearance and to the touch.

The iMac itself is packaged thoroughly. Don’t throw away the folding box (with a handle!) or its contents! It will serve faithfully during transportation or moving.

The same goes for foam briquettes, as well as the adhesive fabric in which the computer display is wrapped. If you take it off and put it on carefully, you can use it an unlimited number of times.

In one of the recesses of the foam you will find a power cable . All that remains is to unload all the contents onto the table and do the most important thing:

Go.

New processors and lots of memory

I feel in my heart that this is the last generation of iMac with Intel processors; all-in-one PCs have received fresh tenth-generation chips. Moreover, if the basic iMac model with a 27-inch screen does not have the ability to change the processor, then more expensive versions can be flexibly customized. You can choose from Intel Core i5 to Intel Core i9 with six, eight or ten cores.

DDR4 RAM with a frequency of 2666 MHz is also unchanged. If you wish, you can choose an iMac not with a modest 8 GB of RAM, but increase it up to 128 GB inclusive. However, in this case you will have to pay an impressive 260,000 rubles for the maximum volume. Do you need it? If necessary, it’s easier to buy several memory sticks yourself and change them. Fortunately, the iMac has retained this upgrade option; alas, MacBooks are deprived of such happiness.

There will no longer be an iMac with a Fusion Drive hybrid drive; all all-in-one PCs will get an SSD. I used an iMac with Fusion Drive, which was an interesting thing when the technology came out in 2012. The computer had a 128 GB SSD and a large hard drive; they were combined at the software level and the user could not decide where exactly to install the application. The monoblock independently decided where the data would be stored, because of this there were problems when the multi-thousand library of images in the Photo program began to slow down wildly. Subsequently, Apple generally reduced the SSD capacity to 32 or 24 GB in such Fusion Drive systems, so it is not surprising that the iMac slowed down wildly - all the load fell on the slow hard drive.

So I had to either buy an external SSD, install the system on it and work in this way without knowing the brakes, or buy a custom iMac with a normal SSD instead of a hybrid Fusion Drive. But since there were almost no custom iMacs in Russia, they were supplied to order, and the time it took to receive the coveted candy bar increased by an average of a month.

Now there is no such problem: the iMac in the base has a 256 GB SSD, and the maximum volume is limited to 8 TB. The standard volume is small, I advise you to pay extra and order a version of at least 512 GB. However, there remains, as always, the option of using an external drive if you work with large amounts of data. This will save you a lot of money.

Why do you need an external SSD? Let's look at the example of LaCie Mobile SSD

Alexander Pobyvanets

26 April 2019

You can install a more powerful video card instead of the base Radeon Pro 5300 with 4 GB of memory. There are Radeon Pro 5500 XT, Radeon Pro 5700 and Radeon Pro 5700 XT to choose from.

The 5K display is simply stunning. It also has a computer.

I have an external monitor at work, which now costs plus or minus 80 thousand rubles. Considered super high quality! But the picture on it is simply nothing compared to this iMac.

14.7 million pixels on a 27-inch diagonal with an ultra-wide viewing angle at a native resolution of 5120x2880 - pure 5K pleasure in a 16:9 ratio.

Designers, layout designers and other applied creative people love the iMac for good reason. This has long been a guarantee of predictably high image quality. You switch from, say, a 16-inch MacBook Pro and feel at home: the same colors and contrast. With which, as everyone knows, Apple is completely fine.

The screen frame, which some people noticed in the preview review, is not noticeable at all when you sit in front of the screen in person. This is more visible in the photo from the outside than to the owner and user. And the lower part falls out of sight altogether.

The brightness is high, 500 nits , which, in the presence of nanotexture, allows you to work even in the fierce sun from the window.

All 2020 iMacs, including 21.5-inch models, now support True Tone . It adjusts the color balance of the picture to the lighting conditions, which will be especially important for those who work from natural light sources.

I like how it works on MacBook and iPhone, I rarely turn it off - mostly when I'm editing very dark RAW photos with poor white balance. At other times, the eyes are much more pleasant with it than without it, and in general the image is perceived better, more logical.

The iMac is also very easy to tilt with one hand. It gives in as if there were eight and a half kilograms of “iron” inside. And on the rubberized leg, it cheerfully turns to the side with a slight movement.

The main differences between iMac and other types of computers

Of course, there are a huge number of differences compared to other computers. If you want to get new sensations and purchase truly reliable equipment, then you should definitely pay attention to the iMac.

1. The main difference from other computers is the unique external design. Of course, an emblem with an apple always inspires confidence and gives confidence to the person who buys such a product.
2. Another difference is the ability to use a fairly high-quality and original MacOS operating system. Although some programs cannot run on this operating system, it is more reliable than standard Windows.
3. Among other things, we can highlight the opportunity to receive high-quality technical service.

Each IMac user will have additional reasons to purchase this type of product.

Photo: CPU iMac test result

Nanotexture – what is it and why?

It's amazing how much attention this feature has gotten. Three quarters of the questions that readers asked in Telegram and by email concerned her specifically.

Nanotexture is a patented glass processing method in which a specific pattern is burned directly onto the surface with an ultra-precise laser. Rays of light striking such a surface are scattered without being reflected back .

Nanotexture differs from films or plastic matte screens in three ways:

▪ the texture remains part of the glass, not a coating ▪ color contrast is maintained ▪ image clarity is not degraded

Matte displays on high-resolution screens are controversial. It's plastic or, even worse, film on glass. Both of these affect the contrast of the picture in the worst possible way, and in many cases also spoil its clarity, filling the screen with “dirty” pixels of reflected light from the matrix.

The nanotexture is applied directly to the glass and has almost no effect on the picture . iMac, like other Apple gadgets, has always been famous for its excellent display calibration. As a result, the colors were preserved, the contrast too - in Cupertino they could not afford to return to half-measures of the standard of ten years ago.

Apple first offered a nanotexture glass option last year on its Pro Display XDR displays. Now the technology has reached the masses, starting with the 27-inch iMac.

This is an additional feature that can only be installed from the factory and so far only on 27-inch 2020 models. You can add it when ordering or take a ready-made “config”.

One way or another, nanotexture will add 50 thousand rubles to the cost of the computer, which is 20 thousand cheaper than for Pro Display XDR.

Apple imac 27 late 2013 specifications

Display

• 27-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit display with IPS technology; 2560 x 1440 pixel resolution with support for millions of colors

CPU

• 3.2 GHz
  3.2 GHz Intel Core i5 Quad-Core Processor (Turbo Boost up to 3.6 GHz) with 6 MB L3 cache
• 3.4GHz 3.4GHz
  Quad-Core Intel Core i5 (Turbo Boost up to 3.8GHz) with 6MB L3 Cache Tuned up to 3.5GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7 (Turbo Boost up to 3.9GHz).

In memory

• 8 GB (two 4 GB modules) DDR3 memory with a frequency of 1600 MHz; four users - works like this - DIMM slots Configuration with 16 GB of memory or 32 GB.

Storage1

• 1 TB (7200 rpm) hard drive Configurable 3 TB HDD, 1 TB or 3 TB Fusion Drive or 256 GB, 512 GB or 1 TB flash storage.

Graphic arts

• 3.2GHz
  NVIDIA GPU GeForce Graphics Card for GT 755M with 1GB GDDR5 Memory
• 3.4GHz
  NVIDIA GeForce GPU for GTX 775M Graphics Card with 2GB GDDR5 Memory Customizable for NVIDIA GeForce GTX 780M Graphics Card with 4GB GDDR5 Memory.

Video and camera support

• FaceTime HD camera
• Simultaneously supports full native resolution on the built-in display and up to 30 inches (2560 x 1600 pixels) on the external display
• Support extended desktop and video mirroring modes
• Support target display via Thunderbolt port using Thunderbolt to Thunderbolt cable (sold separately)

Audio

• Stereo speakers
• Dual microphones
• Headphone port Headphone/optical digital audio output (mini jack)
• Support Apple iPhone headset with microphone

Connectivity and expansion options

• SDXC card slot
• Four USB 3 ports (USB 2 compatible)
• Two Thunderbolt ports
• Mini DisplayPort output supporting DVI, VGA and dual-link DVI (adapters sold separately)
• 10/100/1000Base-T Gigabit Ethernet ports (RJ-45 connector)
• Kensington lock slot

Entrance

Apple Wireless Keyboard

Full-size keyboard with 78 (US) or 79 (ISO) keys, including 12 function keys and 4 arrow keys (inverted “T” arrangement)

Magic Mouse

Smooth, seamless multi-touch surface with support for basic gestures (scrolling and swiping). Click and double-click anywhere. The symmetrical design accommodates left- and right-handed users.

Magic Trackpad

Glass Multi-Touch trackpad for precise cursor control; Supports inert scroll, zoom and expand, swipe, three-finger swipe, four-finger swipe, tap, double-tap, rotate, zoom, scroll, click and drag, click drag and lock, simulate right-click A and B.

Wireless

• Internet Wi-Fi Internet
  802.11 ac for Wi-Fi wireless networks;2 IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/N compatible
• Bluetooth
  Wireless technology Bluetooth 4.0

Size and weight

• Height: 20.3 inches (51.6 cm)
• Width: 25.6 inches (65.0 cm)
• Stand depth: 8 inches (20.3 cm)
• Weight: 21 lbs (9.54 kg)3

Electrical and operating environment requirements

• Line voltage: 100-240VAC
• Frequency: 50Hz to 60Hz, single phase
• Operating Temperature: 50° F to 95° F (10° to 35° C)
• Relative Humidity: 5% to 95% non-condensing
• Operating altitude: tested to 10,000 feet

Limited Warranty and Service

Your iMac comes with 90 days of free phone support and a one-year limited warranty. Purchase AppleCare Protection to extend service and support for up to three years from the date you purchase your computer. Only an AppleCare Protection Plan entitles you to direct telephone support from Apple technicians and the assurance that repairs will be performed by Apple-authorized technicians using genuine Apple parts. For more information, visit Apple Support or call 800-823-2775.

In field

• imac
• Apple Wireless Keyboard
• Apple Magic Mouse
• Power cable

Included Software

• OS X Mountain Lion: The world's most advanced computer operating system. To learn more
• Mac Store App
• Safari
• Mail
• Messages
• Calendar
• Contacts
• Reminders
• Notes
• Time Machine
• Facetime
• Photo Booth
• Game Center
• on iTunes
• with ILIFE: iPhoto, iMovie and GarageBand apps.

Customize to order

Customize your iMac with these settings, only in the Apple online store.

Looking for an iMac that can be wall mounted or has an adjustable handle? Select an iMac with a built-in VESA mount adapter.

• 27-inch iMac 3.2 GHz
  Magic Trackpad
• 16 GB memory upgrade (two 8 GB modules)
• 32 GB memory upgrade (four 8 GB modules)
• 3 TB Hard Drive
• 1 TB or 3 TB Fusion drive
• 256 GB, 512 GB or 1 TB flash memory

iMac and the environment

Apple considers all stages of a device's life cycle when calculating its environmental impact.

iMac has the following features to reduce its environmental impact:

• Screen glass is arsenic-free
• BFR-free
• PVC-free4
• Mercury screen with LED backlight
• Recyclable aluminum and glass housing
• Energy Star Version 5.2 Compliant Requirements
• Rated EPEAT gold5

Apple and the environment

Learn more about Apple's commitment to reducing the environmental impact of our products and processes. Or read our product environmental reports for detailed information on the environmental performance of each Apple product.

Treatment

Apple takes a holistic approach to managing materials and reducing production waste. Learn more about how to restart your Mac.

Acoustic Characteristics

Declared noise level according to ISO 9296

1. LVAD is the statistical upper limit of a-weighted sound power level (rounded to the nearest 0.1 B).
2. Lpam is the weighted average sound pressure level measured at the operator's workplace (rounded to the nearest dB).
3. 1 B (bel) = 10 dB (decibel).

Accessories

Mac Software

• iWork package
• Diaphragm
• Logic X
• English

Adapters

• Apple Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter
• Apple Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adapter
• Apple Mini DisplayPort to Dual Link DVI Adapter

Airport and wireless

• Airport "Time Capsule"
• Airport Express Base Station
• Extreme Base Station Airport

Other Accessories

• Magic Trackpad
• Apple USB SuperDrive
• Apple Charger
• AppleCare Protection Plan

1. 1 GB = 1 billion bytes, 1 TB = 1 trillion bytes; actual capacity after formatting is less.
2. Based on the draft IEEE 802.11 ac specification.
3. Weight depends on configuration and manufacturing process.
4. PVC power cord is available in all regions except South Korea.
5. iMac achieves a Gold rating from EPEAT in the US and Canada.

Nanotexture WORKS. ☀️