When we think of the Mac, the computer that often comes to mind is the iMac. The Iconic desktop is a good mix of price and performance.
Still, all Macs have their own release cycle, and you should be wondering if it’s a good time to buy one now or should you wait for a new version to come out? Here’s what we know about the 27-inch iMac and our buying advice.
iMac 27″: price and specifications
Release: August 2020
The 27″ iMac was, until recently, one of only three Intel-based Macs remaining in Apple’s catalog. This model is now over a year old and was designed for more demanding users than the typical consumer put an end to creative applications, software development, and other CPU-intensive work.
The 27-inch iMac is still the old design, which was replaced by the 24-inch iMac in 2021. It has a silver aluminum body that’s thick in the center but tapers towards the edges. Its bezels are much thicker than the 24-inch iMac and it has a Retina 5K display.
Apple no longer has this model for sale in its store, but if you can find it in other stores, you can buy it with 10th generation Intel Core i9 processors, which can be replaced by faster Intel processors at an additional cost.
For more information see our review of the iMac 27″ (2020).
iMac 27″: why buy it
While the 24″ iMac’s M1 processor outperforms the standard 27″ iMac with an Intel processor configuration on many tasks, you have many more options with the 27″ iMac. It’s available with an Intel processor. 3-core and 10-core Core i9 .6GHz, as well as 128GB of RAM (the 24-inch has a 16GB max) and the option of a Radeon Pro 5700 XT with 16GB of GDDR6 memory. Of course, all of this comes at an additional cost.
If you use programs that are highly GPU dependent, the 27″ iMac with a high-end graphics card is more suitable. If you choose a 27″ iMac and customize it with a high-end graphics card, you can get better graphics. performance than the 24″ iMac. You also get more ports, including four USB-A ports, and of course, a bigger screen.
Now all of this you will h ave to find outside of the Apple Store.
iMac 27″: why wait
The latest 27-inch iMac with Intel isn’t really that old, but the initial design was introduced on the 24-inch model in 2007 (in 2012 the body got slimmer), so its design is old. You only have to look at the 24-inch iMac to see how dated the 27-inch model is.
On the other hand, there are Apple’s new processors, the M1 Pro and M1 Max, which debuted in the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro. The new 27-inch iMac is rumored to have these processors (or Mac Studio’s M1 Ultra), along with a new Liquid Retina XDR display and a new design.
Basically, the upcoming 27-inch iMac will take the pro-grade components of the new MacBook Pros and put them into a desktop computer. This will make the Intel-based 27-inch iMac look even more dated than it already is.
igamesnews recommends: WAIT
The last 27″ iMac will be replaced, it’s only a matter of time. The new 27″ iMac will be an all-in-one for users looking for the highest specs in a desktop Mac.
If you buy an Intel-based iMac now, you’ll regret it when you see the landmarks M1 Pro and M1 Mac models that will replace it. Plus, you’ll miss the new design and maybe a new screen with better image quality and smaller bezels.
Hold on a little longer. It’s worth it.
Original article published on igamesnews.com.
Table of Contents
