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Thinking of switching - is iMac 5k as good as they say?
- Thread starter TheCopywriter
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I bought an iMac 27 Retina (late 2014) early in 2015, my very first Apple computer. I had an Apple Monitor in the early 2000s (I think) for a PC I built and some people where complaining about a yellow tint back then. I for the life me don't know why, for I had never a problem with my older Apple Monitor. An it's not like I don't know color for I once worked 15 years as a color matcher for an automotive paint manufacturer and I can honestly say I know color. 
Getting back to the computer and display itself, I like the fact that I can turn the computer on and not have to worry about tinkering around with the computer, the OS or the peripherals (Hard Disks, Wireless, etc..) and get actually working on a clear colorful high resolution display. For a large screen it takes up less space than some of my computers that had small monitors. I don't have the eye strain that I used to have with my older computers. I personally don't think you would go wrong with an iMac 5k.
Getting back to the computer and display itself, I like the fact that I can turn the computer on and not have to worry about tinkering around with the computer, the OS or the peripherals (Hard Disks, Wireless, etc..) and get actually working on a clear colorful high resolution display. For a large screen it takes up less space than some of my computers that had small monitors. I don't have the eye strain that I used to have with my older computers. I personally don't think you would go wrong with an iMac 5k.
I haven't noticed any screen tinting at all in the 6+ months I've been using the 5K iMac. They're extremely bright, and very uniform in their overall color (white in the middle of the screen is white at the edges, etc.).
There again though, every single machine will exhibit different screen tendencies, that's just the nature of the beast.
Susceptibility varies depending on the person, but I have always noticed a slightly uneven tint on my late 2014 model. I recommend you go to the Apple store and check the demo units to see if it's enough to bother you, although it will be a little different with every panel (I've used 3 on mine).
That's a tough one I would say if 4K video editing is in your future then it'll be worth it.
The differences are quite large between these 2 chips it may well be worth it just in longevity it might be useful for a bit longer with better graphics.
Yes, it is. Stay away from the 5400 RPM drive. (Although if you're looking at the 27" 5K, it will be a slightly faster 7200 RPM HDD. I still recommend you avoid it, as newer versions of OS X really only get decent performance from SSDs, especially the fast PCIe ones used in the iMacs.)
The new 1 TB Fusion drive has only 24 GB of SSD space, not 32. Enough to improve boot times and app start times over the HDD, but pretty much everything else will only be on the HDD. Get the larger Fusion drive or pure Flash if you can.
Thank you for that -- and apologies for muddling the figures.
It's the smaller size I have in mind, I think.
Congrats, and enjoy your new baby
Yeah, I agree about the AC on the edu discount, that's a nice savings.I have issues with my eyes but i love the 5k iMac i just got. I do hit command + a lot though if looking at internet stuff. LOL
I have very poor eyesight but I love the 5k display. For me I scale the resolution down one notch or is it up one notch? I find this setting more pleasing and less strain for my eyes.
Great choice! 5k, 4k, whatever resolution, density is what counts.
since you come from a windows/linux background, could you share your experience transitioning?
I'd like to get the 21.5" for my parents for very similar reasons you had
system preferences -> accessibility has all the options for fine tuning you might be looking for. I checked the "increase contrast" box, additional to scaling. there is also where you can change cursor size and "zoom/magnification" options you might find useful.
thank you and have fun with your new shiny
profmatt wrote:
"Is the fusion drive hobbled because of the low 32GB of flash? Should I pony up for a full flash drive?"
If you get the 2tb fusion drive option, you get a 120gb SSD portion, and a 2tb HDD portion.
That yields "enough" storage space on the "SSD end" of the fusion setup, and PLENTY of extra space "on the back end" ...
"Is the fusion drive hobbled because of the low 32GB of flash? Should I pony up for a full flash drive?"
If you get the 2tb fusion drive option, you get a 120gb SSD portion, and a 2tb HDD portion.
That yields "enough" storage space on the "SSD end" of the fusion setup, and PLENTY of extra space "on the back end" ...
I interested in buying an Imac 27", it will be my second Mac, but first desktop. I would like to know, what do you prefer an i7 or an SSD 256GB?
I might game Football Manager and Civilization V (VI is they will release it), Broken Sword and those remasters from Double Fine and those indie games. I will also edit few videos, but those from vacation and that sort use. I do use intensevely is InDesign.
I might game Football Manager and Civilization V (VI is they will release it), Broken Sword and those remasters from Double Fine and those indie games. I will also edit few videos, but those from vacation and that sort use. I do use intensevely is InDesign.
OP, the clarity is unbeatable. I've been looking at screens since the CRT terminal (eg VT100) days. I've had 27" 2540x1440 screens, 24" HD, and others. There's no comparison, none at all. I've been using mind for more than a year. I'm probably in front of it 5 or 6 hours a day, often more. I work with text a lot, and that's really why I went for it. Text on the riMac is unbeatable. No yellow (a few years ago I rejected a 27" iMac that was delivered with the yellow issue, and never tried an iMac again until this one.
I'm not fond of all-in-ones, but until I can get a 5K monitor and something powerful (and up to date) to drive it, I'll stay with this one.
I'm not fond of all-in-ones, but until I can get a 5K monitor and something powerful (and up to date) to drive it, I'll stay with this one.
Computer glasses. A couple of years ago I got a prescription for glasses for computer monitor viewing distances and had my optician make up glasses with progressive lenses for the monitor distance up top, and reading distance below. Made a huge difference in reducing fatigue doing desk work. I will have to visit an Apple Store to try them with the new monitors.
I would personally opt for i7 since it is not upgradeable but if in future you fall short of space you could always connect an external drive.
I have been through same dilemma but in the end i went with i7 which is more sensible to fuure proof.
Yep, for all intense and purposes, its a sealed computer. Seeing the iFixit teardown is a bit eye opening on how apple basically glues the computer together. For me the risk of damage far exceeds the benefit of upgrades. I made sure I configured my iMac to what I wanted for now and had room to grow for the future because I wasn't about to crack that baby open