Compared: 2020 27-inch iMac vs 2019 iMac 5K
Apple on Tuesday unveiled a new generation of 27-inch iMac with faster processors, the T2 chip and only SSD storage options. Here's what's new versus the 2019 iMac 5K -- and whether it's worth an upgrade.
Gorgeous True Tone display on 27-Inch iMac
This is not the radical iMac redesign that many users were expecting, but it does modernize the iMac form factor with some of Apple's latest features and Intel's latest available hardware.
Although the changes are incremental, there are some notable updates. Here's how the new 2020 27-inch iMac compares to the previous iMac 5K model from 2019.
Apple says the new 10th-generation Intel processors deliver up to 65% faster performance. Similarly, on the graphics front, the new AMD Radeon Pro options can bring users up to 55% better graphics performance.
RAM is upgradable on 27-Inch iMac
The previous iMac 5K model packed either 8th-generation or 9th-generation Intel processors, depending on the specific tier.
There are some compromises when it comes to actual storage space. The base model 27-inch iMac this year starts with a 256GB SSD, down from the 1TB Fusion Drive included with the previous generation.
For those with the wherewithal, the 27-inch iMac can be configured with a lot more storage. The previous model topped out with a 2TB SSD, while the new 2020 refresh can be customized with up to an 8TB SSD.
5K display of the 2020 27-Inch iMac
The new iMac model supports Apple's True Tone technology, which adjusts the color temperature of the screen based on a user's environment. Apple says it makes for a more pleasant viewing or reading experience.
For an additional $500, users can also opt to upgrade to nano-texture glass. First introduced on the Pro Display XDR, the upgrade adds high-quality, anti-reflective technology to the display glass.
Ports on the rear of the 2020 27-Inch iMac
Compared to the previous generation, the 2020 27-inch iMac should feature a better video and audio recording experience. That's thanks to a new 1080p FaceTime camera and a "studio-quality" three-mic array similar to the one on the 16-inch MacBook Pro.
While the 2020 iMac update doesn't introduce support for Wi-Fi 6, it does bump the Bluetooth specification up to 5.0 (from 4.2). Additionally, users can now opt to add a 10Gb Ethernet port for a $100 upgrade.
The back of the 2020 27-Inch iMac
Alongside the standard processor and GPU bumps, the 2020 27-inch iMac features some notable upgrades over the past iteration. Users who have been waiting to update from an older iMac may have just the reason to do so.
With that being said, the upgrades here are fairly incremental. We didn't see a major redesign, as many users have been anticipating. Similarly, we're in the midst of a major architecture transition to Apple Silicon.
Because of those reasons, users who have recently bought a new Apple desktop may be better served by waiting until a more substantial upgrade arrives. The patience will likely pay off.
At press time, both models qualify for triple-digit savings with exclusive coupon and/or instant discounts. To bring up applicable coupon codes and instructions, click on the green price tag icon in the Price Guide next to the corresponding prices.
Gorgeous True Tone display on 27-Inch iMac
This is not the radical iMac redesign that many users were expecting, but it does modernize the iMac form factor with some of Apple's latest features and Intel's latest available hardware.
Although the changes are incremental, there are some notable updates. Here's how the new 2020 27-inch iMac compares to the previous iMac 5K model from 2019.
Specifications
| 27-inch iMac (2020) | iMac 5K (27-inch, 2019) | |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | 10th-generation Intel starts with 3.1GHz 6-core Core i5 processor with Turbo Boost up to 4.5GHz | 8th- or 9th-generation Intel Core Starts with 3GHz 6-core Intel Core i5 with Turbo Boost up to 4.1GHz |
| Graphics | Radeon Pro 5300 with 4GB of GDDR6 memory Configurable up to Radeon Pro 5700 XT with 16GB memory | Radeon Pro 570X with 4GB of GDDR5 memory Configurable up to Radeon Pro Vega 48 with 8GB memory |
| RAM | 8GB base Configurable up to 128GB | 8GB base Configurable up to 128GB |
| Internal storage | 256GB internal SSD (base) Configurable up to 8TB SSD No Fusion Drive | 1TB Fusion Drive Base Configurable up to 2TB SSD |
| Display | 5120 x 2880 Retina display True Tone | 5120 x 2880 display |
| Connectivity | 802.11ac Wi-Fi Bluetooth 5.0 10Gb Ethernet available for $100 | 802.11ac Wi-Fi Bluetooth 4.2 |
| Microphone + Camera | 1080p FaceTime Camera Studio-quality, three-mic array | 720p FaceTime camera Standard microphone |
| Video output | Up to two 6K displays at 60Hz, one 5K at 60Hz, or two 4K displays at 60Hz | One 5K display at 60Hz or two 4K displays at 60Hz |
| Special features | T2 chipset Hey Siri support Nano-texture glass ($500 upgrade) | N/A |
| Price | Starts at $1,799, configurable up to $8,799 when spec'd out Best 2020 27" iMac prices | Starts at $1,799, configurable up to $6,399 when spec'd out |
Processor, RAM, and graphics
The 2020 27-inch iMac models feature incrementally updated Intel chips -- so no Apple Silicon here. With that being said, there are measurable gains in performance.Apple says the new 10th-generation Intel processors deliver up to 65% faster performance. Similarly, on the graphics front, the new AMD Radeon Pro options can bring users up to 55% better graphics performance.
RAM is upgradable on 27-Inch iMac
The previous iMac 5K model packed either 8th-generation or 9th-generation Intel processors, depending on the specific tier.
Internal storage
Apple has done away with the Fusion Drive on the new 27-inch iMacs. For users, that means you'll always have top-tier storage performance thanks to the all-SSD lineup.There are some compromises when it comes to actual storage space. The base model 27-inch iMac this year starts with a 256GB SSD, down from the 1TB Fusion Drive included with the previous generation.
For those with the wherewithal, the 27-inch iMac can be configured with a lot more storage. The previous model topped out with a 2TB SSD, while the new 2020 refresh can be customized with up to an 8TB SSD.
Display
Resolution, aspect ratio, pixels-per-inch and brightness are all exactly the same between the 2020 27-inch iMac and the 2019 iMac 5K. But there are a couple of notable differences.5K display of the 2020 27-Inch iMac
The new iMac model supports Apple's True Tone technology, which adjusts the color temperature of the screen based on a user's environment. Apple says it makes for a more pleasant viewing or reading experience.
For an additional $500, users can also opt to upgrade to nano-texture glass. First introduced on the Pro Display XDR, the upgrade adds high-quality, anti-reflective technology to the display glass.
Other considerations
The 27-inch iMac is the first of Apple's all-in-ones to sport a T2 chipset. That enables Hey Siri, introduces upgraded security functions, and may even speed up certain video-encoding related workflows.Ports on the rear of the 2020 27-Inch iMac
Compared to the previous generation, the 2020 27-inch iMac should feature a better video and audio recording experience. That's thanks to a new 1080p FaceTime camera and a "studio-quality" three-mic array similar to the one on the 16-inch MacBook Pro.
While the 2020 iMac update doesn't introduce support for Wi-Fi 6, it does bump the Bluetooth specification up to 5.0 (from 4.2). Additionally, users can now opt to add a 10Gb Ethernet port for a $100 upgrade.
Our conclusion
The back of the 2020 27-Inch iMac
Alongside the standard processor and GPU bumps, the 2020 27-inch iMac features some notable upgrades over the past iteration. Users who have been waiting to update from an older iMac may have just the reason to do so.
With that being said, the upgrades here are fairly incremental. We didn't see a major redesign, as many users have been anticipating. Similarly, we're in the midst of a major architecture transition to Apple Silicon.
Because of those reasons, users who have recently bought a new Apple desktop may be better served by waiting until a more substantial upgrade arrives. The patience will likely pay off.
Lowest iMac prices
Shoppers looking to pick up an iMac can find the lowest 2020 27-inch iMac prices and the best 2019 27-inch iMac 5K discounts in our AppleInsider Price Guide.At press time, both models qualify for triple-digit savings with exclusive coupon and/or instant discounts. To bring up applicable coupon codes and instructions, click on the green price tag icon in the Price Guide next to the corresponding prices.
Comments
It is actually quite a nice upgrade, but I will wait to replace my dead iMac, I have received my daughter’s 2015 MBA as a hand me down, I can always buy one of these at a discount once the Apple Silicon version is released and I don’t like it.
That’s a large CPU performance hike, Apple must be confident its own silicon can deliver more.
its just a bit if loose wording. Here is what the update actually does:
I have no inside info, but my personal guess is that MB 12" or MBA 13" would be the first to go ARM, maybe late this year, and I don't expect iMac or Mac Pro until late 2021. But I hope I am wrong and we will see them earlier.
Regarding putting an ARM Mac in a recording studio I'd be very careful for the first year, until all software and plugins have been updated to natively support it. Unless you're used to always updating your software to the latest version as soon as it comes out. In my experience, from the 3 or 4 studios I have recorded in as a musician (and previously having a small home studio myself), studios are very reluctant to experiment with the latest and would rather prefer something that is already tried and tested. That said, music production is not as computationally heavy as for example video editing, and even advanced effects or VST instruments could potentially run well under Rosetta emulation.
Note that I am not saying that studios will prefer Intel Macs indefinitely. Of course they will also move to ARM, but as with anyone depending on a production environment for living, it may take a little longer for ARM Macs to get there.
Quite likely the beginning of the end of the Hackintosh yes. But I guess Apple won't cut macOS compatibility for non-T machines until they are all classified as vintage.
Regarding the performance hike, I think perhaps AppleInsider may have wrongly interpreted the "65% more Amp Designer plug-ins" from Apple's page as "65% faster performance", which is not quite true. This comparison is also based on
"Testing conducted by Apple in July 2020 using preproduction 3.6GHz 10-core Intel Core i9-based 27‑inch iMac systems with 128GB of RAM and shipping 3.6GHz 8-core Intel Core i9-based 27‑inch iMac systems with 64GB of RAM. Tested using Logic Pro X 10.5.1 with project consisting of multiple tracks, each with an Amp Designer plug-in instance applied. Individual tracks were added during playback until CPU became overloaded. Performance tests are conducted using specific computer systems and reflect the approximate performance of iMac."
where actually the double amount of RAM could have played a role.
Finally, I find it a little bit strange that 1 GbE is still standard, when 2.5 GbE would cost about $2-3 more. It is becoming very common on AMD B550/B570 and Intel Z490 boards.
On the other hand, $100 to upgrade to 10GbE is actually a very competitive price. Kudos to Apple for that! (That goes for the Mac mini as well.)
"my personal guess is that MB 12" or MBA 13" would be the first to go ARM, maybe late this year, and I don't expect iMac or Mac Pro until late 2021. But I hope I am wrong and we will see them earlier."
I agree and hope I'm wrong.
"Regarding putting an ARM Mac in a recording studio I'd be very careful for the first year, until all software and plugins have been updated to natively support it. Unless you're used to always updating your software to the latest version as soon as it comes out. In my experience, from the 3 or 4 studios I have recorded in as a musician (and previously having a small home studio myself), studios are very reluctant to experiment with the latest and would rather prefer something that is already tried and tested. That said, music production is not as computationally heavy as for example video editing, and even advanced effects or VST instruments could potentially run well under Rosetta emulation."
Wow I've had a home studio also.
I think Apple is prepared. I'm betting there will be some AU plugin "wrapper" for legacy plugins. I heard somewhere that old plugins will be incompatible for some reason. I hope THEY'RE wrong in this case!
My gut says iMac or Mac Mini will be last. I would just hate to buy an iMac only for the Apple Silicon version to release a few months later.
Now that I think of it. How many Mac combinations are there?
Macbooks
iMacs
Mac Mini
(New form factor?)
I guess "late" isn't the right word when it's third.
One thing that you can check up on for whatever studio software you are using is how they load their plug-ins. If they load the plug-ins in a separate process instead of sharing memory with the application, then you can mix and match Apple and Intel freely. If they load into the local memory of the application, then you have to have everything Apple or everything Intel. Obviously for performance, the first scenario is preferable. Once the application is updated to support Apple Silicon, it won't matter if the plug-in developers are slow or out of business.
I'd certainly check before purchasing any new software or paying for significant updates.