Compared: $4,999 27-inch iMac vs $4,999 iMac Pro
Although the iMac Pro carries Apple's professional designation, your money may be better spent on a 2020 27-inch iMac.
Credit: Apple
Before the refresh of the standard iMac on Tuesday, the iMac Pro was really the only choice for a workstation-class Apple all-in-one. With a few key upgrades, however, the 27-inch iMac has taken its throne.
Here's how the base model iMac Pro, which starts at $4,999, compares to a 27-inch iMac upgraded to the same price. Both are discounted with exclusive promo code deals found in the AppleInsider Mac Price Guide.
The base model iMac Pro is equipped with a 10-core Intel Xeon W processor, which is a workstation-class chip rated at 3.0GHz with Turbo Boost up to 4.5GHz.
It's been long enough without an update that the 27-inch iMac's consumer-grade Intel chip is faster, however. The top-line iMac processor -- a 10-core, 10th-generation Intel Core i9 CPU Comet Lake chip -- is rated at 3.6GHz with Turbo Boost speeds up to 5.0GHz.
Although benchmarks aren't always indicative of real-world performance for any given user, there are a useful in this instance. The iMac Pro in this comparison clocks in with a single-core score of 1125 and a multi-core score of about 9480 in Geekbench 5 testing, at about 140W TDP. It remains a custom part for the iMac Pro.
Although it isn't yet clear which specific chip model the new iMac has, it's based on the Comet Lake architecture and is probably the Intel Core i9-10910. This Comet Lake Intel Core i9 processor benchmarked a single-core score of about 1420 and a multi-core score of around 11000, with about 125W TDP.
What is a question here, is the thermal situation between the two machines. To handle that 140W, The iMac Pro had a custom cooling situation, and eschewed the RAM door to get that done. The 27-inch iMac still has that door -- but also has a different motherboard than previous models and slightly less TDP. We'll know more about this after we get our hands on the new iMac.
This is a big differentiator to those with a large number of external devices, or multiple monitors that need to be connected externally. This can be avoided somewhat with external Thunderbolt 3 docks or eGPUs, but this may be the determining factor between models for those with big input and output needs.
Credit: Apple
Comparing the 27-inch iMac to the iMac Pro gets a bit more interesting when it comes to RAM and internal storage. Both upgrade options can cost a user a lot of money at the time of purchase.
Apple's iMac Pro comes standard with 1TB of internal SSD storage. Upgrading the iMac's SSD to 1TB costs an additional $200, though we've chosen to bump that up to 2TB in our comparison.
There are two main differences when dealing with RAM between the two machines given that the speed is effectively the same between the two models -- the RAM door for user upgrades on the 27-inch iMac, and the ECC RAM on the iMac Pro.
As we discussed on Wednesday, you already know if you need ECC RAM. Most don't.
Furthermore, we don't recommend users upgrade their 27-inch iMac RAM at the time of purchase. For this analysis, given that the vast majority of users stick with the RAM that they purchased originally, we've chosen to bring the model in-line with the iMac Pro's baseline RAM of 32GB.
Looking at benchmarks, the Radeon 5700 XT delivers much better performance across several metrics. And that's the Radeon 5700 XT equipped with 8GB of RAM, and not 16GB like our model.
While it gets the job done, the Vega 56 in the iMac Pro is starting to show its relative age. And, supplies of the chip suitable for the iMac Pro and eGPU solutions like the BlackMagic one are running low.
As with our previous iMac comparison, there are two noteworthy differences with the new 27-inch iMac model.
For one, the 27-inch iMac now features a True Tone display, which should make reading a bit easier on the eyes in some cases.
Like we've done in this like-price comparison, the 27-inch iMac can also be configured with Apple's high-quality, anti-reflective nano-texture glass. For the purposes of this comparison, we've configured our iMac with the feature as a point of departure with the iMac Pro. The iMac Pro doesn't currently support the upgrade.
Credit: Apple
The iMac Pro was at the very pinnacle of Apple's desktop lineup when it launched in 2017. Since then, it's been dethroned by the Mac Pro in terms of raw desktop performance.
But now, with the release of the refreshed 27-inch iMac, the internals on the iMac Pro is certainly showing its age. Our comparison proves that you'll get more bang for your buck if you upgrade a 27-inch iMac than you would for a base iMac Pro.
That's not even considering the fact that you can upgrade the RAM in the 27-inch iMac yourself, and save $600 while doing so. And, you can leave off the $500 for the nano-texture display too. This results in an all-in-one machine with slightly more performance for most users, for $1100 less, depending on where you get your RAM.
In other words, the 27-inch iMac is going to be a better and faster computer for just about every type of user. As we mentioned, that's due to the iMac Pro's age. But until Apple issues an actual update of its all-in-one workstation, we recommend the 27-inch iMac in almost every scenario.
Credit: Apple
Before the refresh of the standard iMac on Tuesday, the iMac Pro was really the only choice for a workstation-class Apple all-in-one. With a few key upgrades, however, the 27-inch iMac has taken its throne.
Here's how the base model iMac Pro, which starts at $4,999, compares to a 27-inch iMac upgraded to the same price. Both are discounted with exclusive promo code deals found in the AppleInsider Mac Price Guide.
iMac Pro versus $4999 27-inch iMac -- Specifications
For the purposes of this comparison, we've taken the 27-inch iMac and made key upgrades to bring its price up to $4,999 to match the base model iMac Pro.| $4,999 27-inch iMac (2020) | $4,999 Base iMac Pro (2017) | |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | 3.6GHz 10-core, 10th-generation Intel Core i9 processor, Turbo Boost up to 5.0GHz | 3.0GHz 10-core Intel Xeon W processor, Turbo Boost up to 4.5GHz |
| Graphics | Radeon Pro 5700 XT with 16GB of GDDR6 memory | Radeon Pro Vega 56 with 8GB of HBM2 memory |
| RAM | 32GB of 2666MHz DDR4 | 32GB of 2666MHz DDR4 ECC |
| Internal storage | 2TB SSD | 1TB SSD |
| Display | 5120 x 2880 Retina display True Tone Nano-texture glass | 5120 x 2880 Retina display |
| Connectivity | 802.11ac Wi-Fi Bluetooth 5.0 10Gb Ethernet | 802.11ac Wi-Fi Bluetooth 5.0 10Gb Ethernet |
| Microphone + Camera | 1080p FaceTime Camera Studio-quality, three-mic array | 1080p FaceTime camera Four-microphone array |
| Video output | Up to two 6K displays at 60Hz, one 5K at 60Hz, or two 4K displays at 60Hz | Up to two 5K displays at 60Hz or up to four 4K UHD displays at 60Hz |
| T2 Chip | Yes | Yes |
| Ports | Two Thunderbolt 3 ports, Four USB A, SDXC | Four Thunderbolt 3 ports, Four USB A, SDXC |
| T2 Chip | Yes | Yes |
iMac Pro versus $4999 27-inch iMac -- Performance
When the iMac Pro first launched in 2017, Apple touted it as the most powerful Mac that it had ever made. That was three years ago, however.The base model iMac Pro is equipped with a 10-core Intel Xeon W processor, which is a workstation-class chip rated at 3.0GHz with Turbo Boost up to 4.5GHz.
It's been long enough without an update that the 27-inch iMac's consumer-grade Intel chip is faster, however. The top-line iMac processor -- a 10-core, 10th-generation Intel Core i9 CPU Comet Lake chip -- is rated at 3.6GHz with Turbo Boost speeds up to 5.0GHz.
Although benchmarks aren't always indicative of real-world performance for any given user, there are a useful in this instance. The iMac Pro in this comparison clocks in with a single-core score of 1125 and a multi-core score of about 9480 in Geekbench 5 testing, at about 140W TDP. It remains a custom part for the iMac Pro.
Although it isn't yet clear which specific chip model the new iMac has, it's based on the Comet Lake architecture and is probably the Intel Core i9-10910. This Comet Lake Intel Core i9 processor benchmarked a single-core score of about 1420 and a multi-core score of around 11000, with about 125W TDP.
What is a question here, is the thermal situation between the two machines. To handle that 140W, The iMac Pro had a custom cooling situation, and eschewed the RAM door to get that done. The 27-inch iMac still has that door -- but also has a different motherboard than previous models and slightly less TDP. We'll know more about this after we get our hands on the new iMac.
iMac Pro versus $4999 27-inch iMac -- input and output
Input and output, networking, and Wi-Fi are very close. Both are still using 802.11ac, both have Bluetooth 5.0. The iMac Pro has four 40 Gbit/second Thunderbolt 3 ports versus two on the 27-inch iMac, and both have four 5Gbit/second USB-A ports.This is a big differentiator to those with a large number of external devices, or multiple monitors that need to be connected externally. This can be avoided somewhat with external Thunderbolt 3 docks or eGPUs, but this may be the determining factor between models for those with big input and output needs.
iMac Pro versus $4999 27-inch iMac -- RAM & internal storage
Credit: Apple
Comparing the 27-inch iMac to the iMac Pro gets a bit more interesting when it comes to RAM and internal storage. Both upgrade options can cost a user a lot of money at the time of purchase.
Apple's iMac Pro comes standard with 1TB of internal SSD storage. Upgrading the iMac's SSD to 1TB costs an additional $200, though we've chosen to bump that up to 2TB in our comparison.
There are two main differences when dealing with RAM between the two machines given that the speed is effectively the same between the two models -- the RAM door for user upgrades on the 27-inch iMac, and the ECC RAM on the iMac Pro.
As we discussed on Wednesday, you already know if you need ECC RAM. Most don't.
Furthermore, we don't recommend users upgrade their 27-inch iMac RAM at the time of purchase. For this analysis, given that the vast majority of users stick with the RAM that they purchased originally, we've chosen to bring the model in-line with the iMac Pro's baseline RAM of 32GB.
iMac Pro versus $4999 27-inch iMac -- Graphics
The base model iMac Pro sports a Radeon Pro Vega 56 with 8GB of HBM2 memory. The 2020 27-inch iMac comes standard with a Radeon Pro 5500 XT with 8GB of GDDR6 memory, but we configured it with a Radeon Pro 5700 XT with 16GB.Looking at benchmarks, the Radeon 5700 XT delivers much better performance across several metrics. And that's the Radeon 5700 XT equipped with 8GB of RAM, and not 16GB like our model.
While it gets the job done, the Vega 56 in the iMac Pro is starting to show its relative age. And, supplies of the chip suitable for the iMac Pro and eGPU solutions like the BlackMagic one are running low.
iMac Pro versus $4999 27-inch iMac -- Display
The iMac Pro and the 2020 27-inch iMac have what is essentially the same display. Both have a 27-inch Retina 5K display with a resolution of 5120 x 2880 and support for one billion colors. They both feature P3 wide color support and 500 nits of brightness.As with our previous iMac comparison, there are two noteworthy differences with the new 27-inch iMac model.
For one, the 27-inch iMac now features a True Tone display, which should make reading a bit easier on the eyes in some cases.
Like we've done in this like-price comparison, the 27-inch iMac can also be configured with Apple's high-quality, anti-reflective nano-texture glass. For the purposes of this comparison, we've configured our iMac with the feature as a point of departure with the iMac Pro. The iMac Pro doesn't currently support the upgrade.
iMac Pro versus $4999 27-inch iMac -- the final verdict
Credit: Apple
The iMac Pro was at the very pinnacle of Apple's desktop lineup when it launched in 2017. Since then, it's been dethroned by the Mac Pro in terms of raw desktop performance.
But now, with the release of the refreshed 27-inch iMac, the internals on the iMac Pro is certainly showing its age. Our comparison proves that you'll get more bang for your buck if you upgrade a 27-inch iMac than you would for a base iMac Pro.
That's not even considering the fact that you can upgrade the RAM in the 27-inch iMac yourself, and save $600 while doing so. And, you can leave off the $500 for the nano-texture display too. This results in an all-in-one machine with slightly more performance for most users, for $1100 less, depending on where you get your RAM.
In other words, the 27-inch iMac is going to be a better and faster computer for just about every type of user. As we mentioned, that's due to the iMac Pro's age. But until Apple issues an actual update of its all-in-one workstation, we recommend the 27-inch iMac in almost every scenario.
Comments
I'm somewhat surprised that Apple didn't knock a few (hundred) bucks off the pro, but perhaps they would actually prefer that consumers do the obvious thing and buy the new model instead.
In short, I agree with you, in part.
That side-by-side? Who's universal workflow would you suggest? Unfortunately, this isn't as practical a suggestion as you (or I) would like.
The 5700XT situation is complex. The noise situation very much depends on the cooling system design, and it is no hotter than a Vega 64 that you can get in the iMac Pro, or the Radeon VII that I have in an eGPU enclosure -- and perhaps a bit less on the latter, but that's anecdotal only based on my one-enclosure testing. I agree that some of the PCI-E cards with the chipset are chattery, but Apple's 5700XT for the Mac Pro are not.
We'll see how it goes.
Yes, looking fwd to it. Thanks.
My last iMac was top of the range and cost AUD$2900 in 2011. Sigh.
i guess the new one is four times faster and superior in every way except repairability, where it is a massive step back, but still.
(it’s a continuing shame that MacBook Pro do not have an ECC option. Apple shouldn’t be beholden to Intel chipsets, and ought to have been able to offer it even on the Core Processor Family of CPUs and at a good price.)
It doesn’t follow from this iMac upgrade that the iMac Pro isn’t selling to the audience it was created for. However, Intel updated the Xeon-W line late last year, which means Apple can, if they so choose, do a quiet refresh of the iMac Pro. The base configuration would be 12-core. I still expect they will do that, but I’m beginning to wonder...
I wonder if we will first see the new iMac form factor in the iMac Pro, and it could be relatively soon — it would be Intel-only at first, but the new form factor would carry over to the first Apple Silicon iMacs next year.
But -- what actually takes advantage of AVX-512? Do any of Apple's pro apps?
And regarding ECC -- in principle, it sounds great. Given a choice between errors being corrected vs not corrected, who wouldn't choose "corrected"? But I have searched high and low for actual evidence regarding the practical benefits of ECC, and outside of a few academic papers focused on servers, using metrics I honestly don't understand, I just can't find anything. And in terms of my own personal experience, which involves running months worth of simulations on both ECC and non-ECC machines, I have not been able to perceive an advantage to ECC. Having said that, if I could just pay $50 and get ECC, I'd do it. But that's not on offer.
There's an iPad pro and an iPhone pro, so I bet there will continue to be an iMac pro.
BUT -- when we move to a post-Intel world, the differentiator for "Pro" might change. Instead of being ECC and AVX-512, it might be display size and/or quality. It might also be expandability. For example, maybe the iMac has a 24" screen and RAM is not user-upgradeable, but the iMac Pro has a 30" screen with upgradeable RAM.
At the top end, the iMac Pro is still much more performant than the new iMac. So those who want/need more power in an all-in-one will go for an iMac Pro. Due to thermal limitations, I doubt we'll see an updated version. So, I have a feeling the current iMac Pro was only a stop-gap system for those waiting for a "Pro" system. I'm guessing what we have now, is the last of Intel iMacs and will remain as is, until this time next year when ASi based iMacs are released.
My guess is that this year, we will see a new new Mac mini and a variation of a MacBook (Air or Pro) with Apple's new silicon. The MacBook to demonstrate what's possible with battery life, and the mini to demonstrate what kind of performance we can expect from other desktop systems (and something to replace the developer's kit mini).