Choosing iMac 2014/2015/2017

[LipFii_]

Hi,

I need a new computer and i am definitely going for iMac (now using windows). I need it for programming in Java, C, Python... some easy photoshop and designing... So i don’t need powerful machine. My eyes got irritated faster than normal ones, I need a good screen to irritate my eyes less - 27 5k.

Going to buy used one (upgrade ssd and ram on my own), i am choosing between:
- late 2014: m290x 2gb, 4.0 i7, 16gb, 512gb fusion (need ssd) for 1300€
- late 2015: m380, 3.2 i5, 8gb, 1tb sata, (need ram and ssd) for 1100€
- late 2015: m395x 4gb, 4.0 i7, 32gb, 2tb fusion (need ssd) for 1400€
- mid 2017: rx570 4gb, 3.4 i5, 16gb, 1tb fusion (need ssd) for 1350€
-mid 2017: rx580 8gb, 4.2 i7, 32gb, 512gb ssd (no upgrades needed) for 2150€
All refurbished with 1 year warranty, with apple mouse and keyboard.

Cheapest model brand new 27” costs 2300€ in my country.

This will be my first imac. As i said, i don’t need it for performing hard tasks. It would be good if it will work for next 5 years (i will be replacing thermal paste and fans on my own, i will clean it inside often too). I want to ask:
-How big difference is in screens?
-Best value?
-Which has the least issues?

Thanks

 

[padams35]

2014 - These 1st-gen 5K models had the most issues, usually with screen image retention. However there wasn't a 512GB fusion, so that might actually have a 512GB SSD.

m380 - This underpowered GPU is significantly slower than everything else on your list. Probably not a problem for the stated use, but could become an issue if your use becomes more demanding.

2017 - Displays have slightly brighter max brightness with a wider color gamut than the 2014/2015s. Also has newer Thunderbolt-3/USB-C ports in place of the Thunderbolt-2 on the older iMacs.

Best value... probably the 2017 - 570, but that's my own subjective preference for having the newest ports. Someone else might say the 2015-m395X for the i7 processor.

 

[LipFii_]

2014 - These 1st-gen 5K models had the most issues, usually with screen image retention. However there wasn't a 512GB fusion, so that might actually have a 512GB SSD.

m380 - This underpowered GPU is significantly slower than everything else on your list. Probably not a problem for the stated use, but could become an issue if your use becomes more demanding.

2017 - Displays have slightly brighter max brightness with a wider color gamut than the 2014/2015s. Also has newer Thunderbolt-3/USB-C ports in place of the Thunderbolt-2 on the older iMacs.

Best value... probably the 2017 - 570, but that's my own subjective preference for having the newest ports. Someone else might say the 2015-m395X for the i7 processor.

Thanks. I am mostly in need for good screen, so 2017 seems best to me too. Does iMac accept same CPU as PC? For example 2017 has kaby lake, so can i replace original i5 with new i7 7740?

 

[padams35]

It has an LGA 1151 socket (full disassembly required to access), so replacement might be possible (I don't know anyone who has done it though). Note: I hear the i7-7740X uses LGA2066 so that particular CPU will never work.

 

[Fishrrman]

2017 has USBc and thunderbolt3.
I wouldn't buy anything older.

 

[killerrobot]

What did you end up buying? I agree with @padams35 that the 2017 rx570 seems the best deal out of all of those.