Teardown of 27" Retina iMac reveals identical parts, construction as last-gen model
The team at iFixit recently completed a teardown of Apple's new iMac with 5K Retina display and found the all-in-one to be nearly identical to previous models, save for the ultra high-resolution screen.
Images of the teardown process were posted to iFixit's website on Friday, showing the internal components and overall construction of Apple's latest iMac are virtually the same as last year's revision.
The one big change, as made obvious by the computer's name, is the 27-inch 5,120-by-2,880 pixel 5K Retina panel that Apple managed to squeeze into the slim aluminum chassis. In this case, the screen was made by LG, a known Apple supplier that provides Retina displays for other products like the Retina MacBook Pro and certain iPad models.
When Apple revealed the new iMac on Thursday, it touted a slew of new technologies created just for the huge Retina display, including a specialized timing controller iFixit found attached to a long, thin circuit board running the length of the panel. Other chips found on the display board:
Apple did take the opportunity to refresh the iMac's processor and GPU, however, and the new models come with next-generation Intel Core i5 and i7 processors, as well as AMD Radeon 290X and 295X graphics units.
The new iMac with Retina 5K display is currently available for order from the Online Apple Store and MacMall.com ($2,494.00), with MacMall offering the added benefit of only collecting sales tax in a handful of states. More resellers are expected to start carrying the product over the next few weeks and those in the market can check AppleInsider's Price Guides for the latest stock information.
Images of the teardown process were posted to iFixit's website on Friday, showing the internal components and overall construction of Apple's latest iMac are virtually the same as last year's revision.
The one big change, as made obvious by the computer's name, is the 27-inch 5,120-by-2,880 pixel 5K Retina panel that Apple managed to squeeze into the slim aluminum chassis. In this case, the screen was made by LG, a known Apple supplier that provides Retina displays for other products like the Retina MacBook Pro and certain iPad models.
When Apple revealed the new iMac on Thursday, it touted a slew of new technologies created just for the huge Retina display, including a specialized timing controller iFixit found attached to a long, thin circuit board running the length of the panel. Other chips found on the display board:
- Texas Instruments NH245 8-Bit Dual-Supply Bus Transceiver
- Texas Instruments BUF16821 Programmable Gamma-Voltage Generator and Vcom Calibrator
- Parade Technologies DP665 LCD Timing Controller (possibly an Apple modified version of the DP663 LCD Timing Controller)
- Texas Instruments TPS65270 Monolithic Dual Synchronous Buck Regulator
- Texas Instruments TPS65168 High Resolution Fully Programmable LCD Bias IC for TV
Apple did take the opportunity to refresh the iMac's processor and GPU, however, and the new models come with next-generation Intel Core i5 and i7 processors, as well as AMD Radeon 290X and 295X graphics units.
The new iMac with Retina 5K display is currently available for order from the Online Apple Store and MacMall.com ($2,494.00), with MacMall offering the added benefit of only collecting sales tax in a handful of states. More resellers are expected to start carrying the product over the next few weeks and those in the market can check AppleInsider's Price Guides for the latest stock information.
Comments
Texas Instruments is one great company. Right up there with Apple in terms history and ethical business practices. They actually invented the integrated circuit and still hard at work perfecting it.
Goddammit! Every single time these guys come out with a "New" Mac it has the same identical parts as the previous model did (with the exception of the parts that are new, that is)
Those who can't, tear things down.
That's a pretty crappy title considering Apple DID update some of the important things like processor and graphics. Unless I'm just misunderstanding the quoted sentence above, the author ought to be ashamed of himself.
Great info but sickening how these guys tear down stuff. Gee
It's ok, these guys are experts. I'm sure they managed to put it all back together.
They didn't upgrade any of the non-retina iMacs either, which means it's going to be another year. Damn you, Intel!
Agree... had Broadwell come with this new iMac, I'd be ordering one right now. My 2009 iMac is beginning to show its age... albeit slowly.
When Broadwell comes out, it's time to buy.
Yep. Even though they got out of mobile SOC design they still do good stuff. Like IBM these days.
Upgraded CPUs and GPUs, Thunderbolt 2 plus the 5K display all for only a few hundred dollars more than the old version makes for a great upgrade. iFixit mentioned finding a lot the same but I see the similar/identical items (flash storage, RAM, cooling system, etc.) to simply be stock items that don't need upgrading at this time. The skeleton of the iMac doesn't have to change either, it's fine how it is (except for those who want to open them up all the time). Except for the use of double-sided tape to hold the display to the frame, there isn't that much inside to mess with. Apple has really reduced the complexity of the construction, circuit boards and everything else providing fewer things to break.
Goddammit! Every single time these guys come out with a "New" Mac it has the same identical parts as the previous model did (with the exception of the parts that are new, that is)
I know. It's bloody ridiculous. A new CPU, GPU and world leading screen. When are they going to upgrade something significant? It's just the same identical parts year after year.
When you take the time to do it right, why change?
Reminds me of the saying:
"Of course I don't look busy - I did it right the first time."
????
The arrangement of internal components is only a year old, in which they completely redesigned the iMac. No need to rebuild the iMac from the ground up again.
http://9to5mac.com/2014/10/17/retina-imac-ram-upgrade/
http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/iMac/Retina-5K/DDR3L
I bet Apple wanted Broadwell in this new iMac in the worst way. Is it just me or did Schiller seem a little under enthused during his presentation? It's like he took a Xanax.
If that's iFixit's take, that its all the same inside the new iMac except the monitor, that's a bit disingenuous. I'm a couple years from updating my iMac anyhow so I'm sure the innards will be up to iFixit's standards by then.
The title borders on being unethical if you ask me. Apple is delivering very significant updates to the hardware that is most important for supporting the new panel. This should be considered a major update. Yeah it sucks that Broadwell isn't there but let's be honest it might never ship.
Not "when" but rather if. I can honestly see Apple saying screw it to Intel and telling them to get SkyLake on line or get lost. If Broadwell ships in early 2015 (doubtful) and they wait until this time next year to refresh then they might as well demand SkyLake from Intel.
It is sad that Intel is screwing up so badly here but at least they aren't as bad off as AMD. I have this feeling though that if Broadwell does come it will be after mid year 2015. At least In a desktop form. Further I hope I'm wrong.
Footnote at end of article: with updated screen, CPU, graphics, and thunderbolt 2
Those who can, do.
Those who can't, tear things down.
And then bitch about how it was made.
So disappointed this still has Thunderbolt 2. That was so last year. Thunderbolt is getting stale¡