Apple iMac with Retina 5K display. IMAC - Specifications

In the markets in the middle of 2015, an updated apple model of a monoblock appeared - 27 inch iMac with Retina 5K display. Not so much technology is produced with 4K screens, "apple" products stepped even further. You can view 4K images on the display, just on the sides will remain a bit of free space. This is a comfortable bonus to those engaged in installation, photo processing or likes to play modern computer games.

It is important to note that in 2015 the update received only a 27-inch monoblock. The appearance of the box remained the same. It has an irregular shape, it is too alone, to the bottom was scrambled. The lower base has a greater steady surface. The box is easy to disassemble, pull out the product simply. Save the packaging and check, in the case of the sale or transfer of the product to another person they will not be superfluous.

Fontoam forms are firmly held by the device inside. IMAC 27 5K is placed by films, which protects it from random small damage. The protective film is removed without a trace. Equipment IMAC 27 Retina 5K: Wireless Wireless Keyboard and Magic Mouse , instructions, stickers and network cable Nutrition.

Appearance imac with Retina 5K display

The appearance of the device does not differ from the models released in 2012. Dimensions of the device in comparison with the predecessor did not change and make up: 51.6 (height), 65.0 (width), 20.3 cm (coast thickness). Weigh the device 9.54 kg. Communication connectors are located on the back of the housing. These include: 4 USB version 3.0 connector, Thunderbolt ports , Ethernet port , SD / SDXC Format Carder , mini-jack by 3.5 mm.

27 inch iMac with Retina 5K Display

Special attention deserves the screen resolution, which is 5120 × 2880 pixels. The screen protects the glass plate. The surface is mirror-smooth. The display is equipped with an anti-reflective filter. Bright objects located near the screen do not interfere with the perception of the image. The picture is displayed bright, clearly without "grain". The surface has a oleophobic coating, it makes it easy to remove bold stains and prevents them in appearance.

Used matrix in iMac - IPS. Used operating system X Yosemite . The screen is capable of separating the shades of color, located next to each other in the color palette. Color coverage of the matrix slightly different from SRGB . But since deviations are too small, it does not affect the display of natural saturation of colors. When IMAC is found with the Retina 5K display in the off state or in waiting mode, energy is consumed at 0.07 W. There may be bursts of energy consumption up to 2 W.

Display does not flicker. Changing the brightness affects the backlight level, but does not affect the brightness of the screen. The glow of the screen is configured over a wide range. The user sets up a glow for comfortable working conditions, both in bright lighting and with complete darkness. There is automatic adjustment of the brightness level. It is regulated by the light sensor. The sensor can change the brightness parameter, both on the increase and downgrade.

Computer can be "trained" to set the level of brightness. Choose a comfortable level of glow under certain conditions in manual mode. Automatic adjustment should be activated at the same time. Based on the specified parameters, the display brightness indicators will be displayed. The viewing angles are wide, color distortions with indirect viewing insignificant. If you wish, the color rendition can be additionally calibrated. Use the peripheral monitor with IMAC Retina 5K 27 inch Late 2015 is impossible.

OS on iMac with Reetina 5K display

The monoblock works on OS X 10.10 Yosemite. A special feature of this version of the system is a flat display of the icon type. I also appeared icloud drive , Spotlight The search has become better, the "Notifications" panel expanded. Now in order to use Spotlight Search The user must click on the display center. After the search displays the results, the user can view the contents of the found documents or folders.

On the right side of the screen are "notifications". There is an additional panel "Today", it will display widgets that can be added and deleted. It is convenient to have an "Calculator" application there, so it is always at hand. Through the panel, you can make publications on the social network, typing and sending messages through the iMessage application. Place here "weather" and always up to date when you take an umbrella.

With the appearance of an ICloud Drive, the user can not only synchronize the data, but to use a full-fledged cloud. The user receives a separate daddle, which will appear in "Finder". You can add any copies and place files here. After placing, synchronization will be performed, and the data will immediately turn out to be available from another device (if the connection is made by one account).

Positive honors, from the same Dropbox is the provision of 5 GB free places, not 2nd. The volume of five GB is used on mail materials stored by the user personal data, backups. Disadvantage of iCloud Drive. It is the lack of an application through which the user can view the cloud contents. The overall work rate of the Company is aimed at deepening communication between IOS and OS X devices. Today, the user can take a call via Apple iMac Retina 5K, directed to the iPhone. For IMAC 27 "Now there is a feature of viewing and sending SMS . Maintenance can continue each other's work from the place of stop, whether it is a PC or smartphone.

The disadvantages of the call on the phone through the Apple Imac 27 "monoblock is the external noise of the room and the fact that the conversation will be heard all around. Yes, and to move away from the monoblock at this point the user will not be able to move. In the question of working with messages, the computer on the contrary is very convenient. If you write a long text, it is more convenient to do it on the big screen. If the information obtained is necessary for work, you do not have to further transfer the contents of the message to the computer.

An additional possibility of transmitting data from the device to the device appeared, called "Handoff". Translated as "Transmission". Externally, it is displayed as an additional mail or browser icon left from the rest of the icons. A small picture of the gadget will be displayed on the icon. This means that the page is open on another i-device and the user can go to the place of work, which he left on another gadget. This feature only works inside Apple applications. All pre-installed system programs are adapted to the level of resolution 5K and are displayed accordingly.

IMAC 5K Review - Specifications

The model is available in the basic configuration, but additionally when ordering through the official website Apple user Can do the upgrade of the processor, RAM, video card and information drive. Computer processor quad-core. Apple Imac 27 Retina 5K i7 Intel Core and IMAC 27 Retina 5K i5 is available. IMAC 27 Retina 5K I5 operates on a clock frequency of 3.5 GHz, can accelerate to 3.9. Does not support hyper-threading technology. Intel Core I7 operates at a frequency of 4.0 GHz and accelerates to 4.4. The price of the second processor is 15,000 rubles more expensive. Basic configuration is equipped with IMAC 27 Retina 5K i5 Core.

Cash-drive of the 3rd level processor with a memory of 6 MB. Retail memory, the user can also choose before order. Increasing the RAM computer will increase the data processing speed, the device will work faster. Memory for IMAC 5K DDR3 may be on 8, 16 and 32 GB. The amount of memory on 16 GB will be more expensive by 12 thousand rubles, 32 GB by 36 thousand more expensive.

Eppl Drive 5K Fusion Drive Apple. The Fusion Drive drive consists of a large number hard diskswho have a high performance of flash drives. The user can select Fusion Drive Drive for 1 and 3 TB. The price tag for the second drive will be higher than 9 thousand rubles. Flash drives are also available with a capacity of 256, 512 and 1 TB. The price of the second and third drive will be 18 and 48 thousand more expensive respectively.

Graphics processor AMD Radeon. R9 M290X. Perfectly processes a picture. To improve the quality of graphics, in addition to the basic configuration with GDDR5 in 2 GB, the user can buy a memory card for 4 GB. It will cost it for 15 thousand rubles more expensive. Monoblock is not equipped optical drive. Network interfaces are served by wired and wireless Broadcom, Bluetooth version 4.0.IMAC 27 Review shows that the classic desktop PC is presented before the user.

Retina 5K MK462GU / A

On the Internet reviews from consumers positive. High computer performance affects users of creative specialties, like designers, photographers and edges. A large display with high resolution transmits images clearly and naturally. For those who work with the image, this monoblock is just a find. Users are available for 5K: Retina 5K MK462GU / A, RETINA 5K MK482EN / A and RETINA 5K MK472EN / A . The prices of the devices are about 130, 160 and 140 thousand rubles, respectively. The most affordable equipment is Retina 5K MK462GU / a.

Model Retina 5K MK462RU / A released at the end of 2015, and not in 2016, has the following characteristics: Core i5 quad-core processor , with a working frequency of 3.2 GHz. In accelerated mode, it is accelerated to a frequency of 3.6. It has a screen of retina size 27 inches, the resolution of which is 5120 x 2880 pixels. Wallpaper desktop with such high resolution looks detailed, clearly and colorfully. Processor work supports RAM DDR3 on 8 GB HDD drive Tank 1 TB. Graphic support provides video Card Radeon. R9 M380 with 2 GB memory.

The monoblock is not equipped with an optical drive. Wireless communication provides Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. There are a pair of built-in speakers, a microphone and camera Face Time. Communication provide: two Thunderbolt ports, four USB connector (version 3.0 ), One RJ-45, port for connecting the headset by 3.5 mm, the card reader.

The package includes a monoblock itself, a wireless input panel and a manipulator, documents, pair of stickers, a power cord. The color of the housing is made of aluminum, using Unibody technology. Color - silver. Weighs the product 9.54 kg. The dimensions are: 51.6 cm (height), 65 cm (width) and 20.3 cm (depth).

Order a device in Moscow user can via the online store or coming to an authorized shop in the city. The Moscow region is served in the same stores. Many shops provide delivery services within the country. Whoever previously bought Apple technique, knows that the high price of products is justified by the quality and durability of devices.

My father, being an excellent radio electronist driver, gathered for me the first computer Sinclair ZX Spectrum 48 Kb. I am sure that it is not necessary to tell about it in detail, because the "Spectrum" is familiar not only to the older generation, but, I hope, and young people: a simple operating system, loading programs and games with cassettes (how to forget the unusual download sound), color image, Office with KEMPSTON joystick and so on.

Later there were already game television consoles Deendy and Sega, which were very fascinated, but they did not interrupted cravings to the world of "big" computers.

About about 12 years old I, like most of my peers at the time (90s), began to get involved in computer equipment, the benefit was a lot of literature, television gear and various sales salons. However, financially computers were not so available as in our time, so they remained a dream for many. As for me. But one day in Syut (station young techniciansI visited) heard the conversation of two boys, one of whom was boasting that he had a computer at home, but he seemed to him not understandable and too complex to use, so he offered his friend to exchange him to the dendy console. Such a barter was not interested in a guy, so I bow to the conversation with a counter offer: at that time I had the most implanted ZX Spectrum 128 KB with two drives and the Yamaha musical processor, a huge number of floppy disks with games and applications. That is, I offered to exchange "Spectrum" to an unknown PC for me. Reasoned like this: Even if the boy has the weakest computer, in any case it will be a PC with DOS or even Windows! Surprisingly, the guy agreed, and we agreed to meet for exchange.

Opening the building of the "cherished" computer at his house, I was somewhat disappointed, finding inside the motherboard with the Intel 80286 processor. Frankly, I keserized myself with hopes to see at least the "386th", but in the end, it was completed with that the "286th" will still be better than the outdated "Spectrum".

The funny thing is that PC was without a monitor, and to connect it to TV seemed almost unreal, unlike the same Spectrum. However, the father was still able to find a way out of the situation at first: he fed some kind of fee and eventually connected "286th" to the TV "Electronics". Plus consisted in the fact that the image appeared, but minus - what it was only in DOS, and in Windows the picture was only at the top of the screen :)

Later, gradually gaining experience, I collected PC from the components. By the way, the day of the announcement of the legendary 3DFX Voodoo Graphics video card was held, which appeared in 1995, which I also used in my computer running on Windows. Mostly on this operating system, I "sat" almost to the present day.

Actually, such a long preface turned out not only because of the emotions and nostalgia in writing during the writing, but also to understand - I am from that generation, which is serious and thoroughly approaches any technical devices, especially if it concerns them purchases.

The essence of the case

About 7 years 7 - 8 I practically do not replace anything in the PC, because at that time I gathered a good "iron", and if it were not for the game (which I do not play), you could use it so far. However, at some point I thought that I didn't need powerful components, I got a little on the noise of coolers, the huge body takes place, many wires at the table - tritely ugly (a year ago, gently gathered them together, but still a lot of cables). Therefore, I decided to look at the monoblocks on Windows. It turned out that in our market there are not many beautiful, productive solutions, moreover, I really wanted something new. Therefore, the choice fell on the Apple IMAC (familiar and colleagues were persuaded): Cute, fast (according to friends) and without tons of wires.

I will frankly say that I am present (I think, like many reasonable people), a psychological barrier before a certain amount, for example, is not ready to spend more than 500 rubles for communication services, no more than 40,000 rubles for a smartphone - no more 80 000 rubles and so on.

Given the Barrier, IMAC was ready to spend about 80,000 rubles. For this amount, I was offered Apple IMAC 21.5 '' FullHD with weak "hardware". Such a situation did not suit me, since "Mac" in such a situation did not differ from my PC, and the screen was less.

I had to overcome myself and set a psychological barrier in the amount of about 130,000 rubles. It was for me that I agreed to sell "Friendly Store" Bigeek Apple Imac 27''5k with Fusion Drive. In general, I arrived at Biggik, called Apple, clarified that the "car" certified, and went home.

Bugs, oddities and other things

Unpacked the box, installed on the table, turned on. The first thing I noticed is the easy light on the screen on the right at the top when it is filling in black. I grabbed the heart and soon to look for, no, not Corvalol, but an explanation - on the network. It turned out that the phenomenon is usual and not to raise panic. As they say, "spoons were found, and the precipitate remained" ...

By connecting the keyboard and the mouse, I began to study the system.

The second moment embarrassed me is Magic Mouse. For me, she was extremely uncomfortable for me, because it was used to working with a large mouse, which has at least two adequate mechanical buttons. Under adequacy, I understand the following: if you press on the left, then this is the left click, right - right click. In the Magic Mouse, the right click must be made at all at the top that is inconvenient. Probably a matter of habit. Without various software accelerators, the speed of moving the arrows along the 27-inch monitor turned out to be a flour: I had to choke the mouse on the table from side to the side. As a result, I put Mousezoom, and everything became more or less in place. However, in any case, it is not used to ergonomics of MM design.

I tried to replace MM with other mice. Houses were three options. All of them worked as hit, the most "killed" scrolls: then he is slow, then he is very fast, then misses many pages, it does not respond to smooth scrolls. In short, stayed on Magic Mouse, temporarily.

While setting up the system, checked the performance of applications, when playing a video (any - YouTube, the film) noticed a strange feature. It is quite difficult to describe it with words, but the essence is approximately as follows: in the video, with relatively sharp movements of contrasting objects of the edge, it was not smelly, slightly torn, about how not the most best time response. It was compared with that: there was a monitor (24 '' '"FullHD) connected to the PC. On it, the same videos looked much smaller, and the picture itself was perceived a more pleasant eye.

Before calling Apple, I decided to see the IMAC of my configuration in one of the salons from the RE-Store (I will forgive me employees, but most of them are practically not disassembled not only in the "hardware" Apple, but also in the system). To my surprise, it turned out that there screens behave similarly from the point of view of a strange thing found by me. Moreover, clarified from the staff, they see the same as me. Yes, see. I wanted to make sure that I would not go crazy :)

Somehowing with the situation, I found another unpleasant moment for me personally - scaling. The fact is that on 27 inches 5k the image looks great, but the entire interface is small. In the settings it is easy to select a larger format. However, the entire interface becomes slightly muddy and blunt. Question: Why then 5k, if the picture looks bad? Since I again did not want to stay in fools, asked the store consultant about whether he sees unaware fonts and icons. The answer was again affirmative.

A high-quality matrix is \u200b\u200bgood: excellent brightness, juicy colors, natural white color and high contrast. If you do not work with the text with the text, then Imac 27''5k is a cool "car". My profession is related to writing texts, so I'm sitting at the computer. In this regard, a small font, thin hair beacons and interface elements in a chape with a high contrast played a dick joke: 30-40 minutes, the eyes quickly get tired of peering in a small image. Yes, you can try something to come up with a font, with the brightness of the backlight, with other things, but in general, I did not go anything good!

Next, I decided to check the speed of the application to edit the iMovie video and Final Cut. The first program of some kind of testing and especially did not slow down, but in the second Timeline "Kryakhtel" with unpleasant brakes of the moving clip. As a result, I am more tormented than the movie edited. I know such things as Optimization and Proxy, but they are used slowly.

Here, most likely, Fusion Drive is to blame, that is, it was necessary to take the IMAC with SSD, but it is no longer 130,000 and not even 150,000 rubles. Such pace could be reached by 200,000 rubles. For such money it is easily purchased by a space PC.

To speak about the oddities of the OS I will not become, because from the very beginning I was ready to put up with the lack of many convenient applications. Even pirate programs - and then try to establish if they are usually not supported by the new version of the system.

What is just saving data to a hard disk if it worked with Windows :) In the text editor, there were constantly brakes: when writing the text, the letters did not have time for the speed of my set. Periodically, the turn on the whole screen was accompanied by lags.

If someone tells you the stories about the best OSX, then do not believe in these fairy tales. Of course, if you use Mac only for social networks and the Internet, then no problems will most likely and will not. Fair and for Windows.

As a conclusion

Here I will bring the brief results of why I bought a cool Apple computer and remained dissatisfied with them and even somewhat disappointed:

1. Not the most convenient, in my opinion, management of the mouse. But this is generally happening in the system. "Understand and forgive" difficult ...
2. Strange video behavior on the screen - no smoothness.
3. Slaughter scaling. It seems to me that Apple must be ashamed to make 5k screen and apply a poor-quality scale.
4. The small interface is associated with high contrast and sharp white beats the eyes, it is difficult to work with text for a long time.
5. Brakes in Final Cut and other small bugs.

Tips to distribute is an ungrateful matter, however, before buying Apple IMac, think is pretty, "Is there a game of the candle", try to get a gadget somewhere and to use at least a few days. However, Evgenia Wildyaev took about 4 months to addictive to the OS ...

Roma - Hayter! :)

Monoblock King: Uncompromising and Innovative

The main surprise and to some extent, not new iPad, but the IMAC monoblock with the Retina 5K display, were not even a syrprise. In principle, rumors that Apple plans to equip its monoblock Retina-display have long been. Moreover, even when the previous model IMAC came out, it was clear that the next step should be a radical screen update. But one thing is rumors, another is a reality that was in something better than all assumptions, albeit with certain reservations.

So, Apple has not updated the entire IMAC lineup (we will remind that it includes models with screens 21.5 inches and 27 inches, and both options are available in various configurations that differ in performance), but only a 27-inch computer. Moreover, the model of the last generation (both diagonals) remained in the line and are still available for purchase. But the flagship computer is now new: 27-inch iMac with Retina 5K display (for brevity Next, we will call it imac 5k).

Second important moment. Monitors with a resolution of 4K now are once or two and turned around. But Apple stepped even further. The resolution of the new iMac is 5120 × 2880. This means that you can play on the computer video 4K, the picture will be displayed in the original size, but there will still be some space from above and on the side. It is clear that for a video editing it is very convenient. Yes, and other scripts for using a PC, which involve working with visual content will greatly benefit from it.

For fairness, we note that in September Dell Monitor UltraSharp 27 Ultra HD 5K. It has exactly the same resolution and diagonal as IMAC 5K (about which there was not yet known in September), but it has not yet been reached on sale (at least we did not find it available in any Western or Russian store ), And the most important thing is that it was declared at $ 2500. And exactly the same price can already buy IMAC 5K, which is not just a monitor, but a full-fledged computer, and even incomparably more elegant outwardly. Perhaps, by the way, Dell's monitor sales start delay (it was scheduled for the fourth quarter of this year) is connected just with the exit computer Apple: After all, it is obvious that the Dell Monitor can now be sold at the stated price. So Apple is again ahead of the planet all.

But how successful it turned out iMac 5k? And whether it justifies its price - still quite large (especially if you consider the recent sharp rise in price of Apple products in Russia)? We studied the novelty in detail!

Equipment

The IMAC 5K packaging corresponds to the form and dimensions of the packaging of last year's 27-inch model. This is an asymmetric box with a narrower top and wider bottom, as a result of which the box as a whole looks like a pyramido-like. Not the most convenient solution from the point of view of storing the packaging of a computer (which, for example, may be needed when moving), but this form adds stability, so the box with a computer inside can be safely put on the floor and not be afraid that it is a leakage.

Inside the computer is securely fixed in foam forms. Separately, we note that all IMAC items are carefully sealed with films that securely protect the housing and scratch screen and other small damage. At the same time, the films are sprinkled quite easily, and after them there is no trace on the device itself. We have seen the same thing from past iMac models: Apple has enough constant standards here.

In addition to the iMac in the box, there is a network cable, Bluetooth Keyboard Apple Wireless Keyboard, Apple Magic Mouse Wireless Mouse, a short manual of the user and a leaf with stickers. We wrote about the Wireless Keyboard in the 2010 IMAC review, and the Magic Mouse was devoted to a separate article.

Thus, the IMAC 5K equipment is no different from the configuration of other relevant models of the IMAC line, including the most accessible ones.

Design

As you know, Apple rarely updates the design of your computers: it remains unchanged several years. Here IMac 5k has a design that has first appeared in the 2012 models. This, of course, was not a surprise for us, but was interested in another: did anything affect the dimensions (the thickness and other parameters that are difficult to estimate the promotional photos) a new display?

The answer to this question was not so difficult and difficult: we had in stock for comparison 27-inch IMAC of the previous generation, so we just put them near and ... did not find any differences! In the disabled display, the displays look absolutely the same: it is impossible to determine where 5k, and where is the usual one. The hull did not thicker on any millimeter.

This is, of course, a huge technological achievement. Recall that when after iPad 2 (with a resolution of 1024 × 768), iPad came out with the Retina display (2048 × 1536), then it was noticeably thicker. And this is quite explained. So the fact that Apple engineers were able to preserve the previous dimensions are very cool to IMAC 5K. For comparison, here is a photograph of the Dell UltraSharp 27 Ultra HD 5K.

And here it is still necessary to consider that in IMAC engineers were able to place all components of a powerful computer, including the cooling system, etc.! So the winner of this comparison is obvious. But back to the design of IMAC. Like last year's model, all ports here are located behind, and their set is identical: four USB 3.0, two thunderbolt, Ethernet connector, SD / SDXC memory card slot and headphone socket 3.5 mm.

We will not describe the design and our impressions from it in detail, because, repeat, it has not changed compared to last year's model. We only note that so far no one could release a more stylish and elegant monoblock, the appearance of which would make such an impression as iMac.

Having become acquainted with the appearance of the computer and making sure that she did not suffer due to a radical increase in the resolution of the display, we go to the most interesting one to get acquainted with the screen.

Screen

First emotion when you turn on Imac 5K - "Wow!". After it immediately follows the thought: "Finally!". The Retina permission came to smartphones, then in the tablets, the laptops appeared in the tablets, and now there was a connection of monoblocks. A year ago, we join that IMAC is good, but only lacking Retina-permission. After MacBook Retina, the IMAC has been uncomfortable on IMAC. Of course, if the screen is located at a distance of an elongated hand, the lack of pixel density is not very striking. But that buzz from the picture that you feel when working on MacBook Pro Retina.still no. And so - happened.

We conducted a detailed screen examination using measuring instruments. Since our hardware and software package is designed to work with the Windows OS, then the IMAC installed a 64-bit version of Windows 8, and most tests were performed only under it.

The screen is covered with a glass plate with a mirror-smooth surface, and, judging by the reflection of objects in it, has a very efficient anti-glare filter. As a result, very high image clarity is saved, of course, there is no "crystalline" effect (local brightness variation) and the reflection on the screen does not interfere with the work. True, the noticeability of contamination on the screen surface increases somewhat, as they change the reflecting properties of the outer surface. There is no airbap between the layers of the screen. It also seemed to us that the surface of the screen had weak oleophobic (fat-repellent) properties, as it seems to be traces from fingers removed slightly easier, but appear at a lesser speed than in the case of conventional glass.

This screen uses an IPS type matrix. Micrographs demonstrate a typical structure of subpixels for IPS:

Note that at least at the time of testing the tests, the maximum resolution that managed to set under Windows was 3840 per 2160 pixels, while the image was scaled to the full screen. That is, under this OS, it was impossible to get an image one to one by pixels. On the contrary, under the "native" OS x Yosemite, the conclusion was carried out in a true resolution of 5120 per 2880 pixels. In confirmation, we give a photograph of the fragment of the world, where the vertical and horizontal black and white strips are displayed in the lower part of the black and white stripes thickness:

It can be seen that one pixel image exactly corresponds to one pixel (from the subpixel triads) of the screen.

Color coverage is slightly different from SRGB:

However, the deviations of the coordinates of the primary colors from the SRGB vertices are not very large, so visually colors on this monitor have natural saturation.

Under the X Yosemite OS, coverage will fit to the borders of the SRGB:

Below is a spectrum for a white field (white line) imposed on the spectra of red, green and blue fields (line of the corresponding colors):

Such a spectrum with a relatively narrow peak of blue and wide hubs of green and red colors is characteristic of monitors that use a white LED backlight with a blue emitter and a yellow phosphor.

Under the X Yosemite OS on the spectra, the result of the correction of coverage in the form of a small cross-mixing component is visible:

The graphs below show the color temperature on different sections of the gray scale and deviation from the spectrum of absolutely black bodies (parameter ΔE) under the two OS:

The closest to the black range can be not taken into account, since it is not so important in it, but the color characteristic measurement error is high. For household use, the color rendition is good and in the option "out of the box" since ΔE is substantially less than 10, the color temperature is very close to the standard 6500 K, while both parameters are unsolonged from the shade to the shade. A slightly enlarged variation under the X Yosemite OS can be explained by the presence of a graphic correction of color reproduction.

To determine the uniformity of black and white fields, as well as the contrast, we measured the brightness of 25 points of the screen located in 1/6 increments from the width and the height of the screen (the screen boundaries are not included). The contrast was calculated as the ratio of the brightness of the fields in the measured points.

Uniformity is excellent, and black, and as a result, contrast is slightly lower. Contrast is slightly higher typical for IPS matrix, although not the highest, of the matrix that occurred among monitors on this type. The following presents an idea of \u200b\u200bthe distribution of the brightness of the black field across the area of \u200b\u200bthe screen:

Only in the upper left corner on the edge of the screen there are a pair of areas with a noticeable increase in the level of black.

White field brightness in the center of the screen and power consumed from the network:

* OS Windows, no running applicationsUnder the X Yosemite OS in similar conditions, consumption was a couple of watts below.

In standby mode and in the off state, the computer consumes 0.07 W with periodic splashes to two with a small watt.

With a decrease in the brightness, only the brightness of the backlight changes, i.e., without prejudice to the quality of the image (the contrast and the number of distinguishable gradations), the screen brightness can be changed in very wide limits, which allows you to work with comfort and watch movies both in brightly lit and in Dark room. At any level of brightness, the illumination modulation does not within up to 100 kHz, which means the complete absence of flicker.

Works automatic brightness adjustment over the illumination sensor. It is located on the left of the chamber's eye on the front panel. IN automatic mode When the external lighting conditions change, the screen brightness both rises and decreases. Under Windows, everything is simple - you can only include this feature. At the same time, in complete darkness, the auturance function reduces the brightness of up to 48 cd / m² (normally), in conditions lit by artificial offices (approximately 400 lux), it sets 280 kD / m² (it can be slightly blackened, but will come down), in a very bright environment (corresponds With a clear day outdoor lighting, but without direct sunlight - 20,000 LCs or a little more) increases to a maximum, that is, up to 430 cd / m² (as it should be). In general, this feature works adequately. Under the X Yosemite OS, the computer can also be trained to set the level of brightness by moving the brightness slider by hand to the required level when automatic brightness adjustment is enabled. For example, we have fully installed the brightness on a comfortable level for us in about 50 kD / m², and in the future, in the following three conditions, we obtained 44, 280-340 and 360-380 kD / m². Perhaps "teaching" with two or three levels of external illumination, other results can be obtained.

Judging by the dependences of brightness on time when the shades switching, no "overclocking" matrix is \u200b\u200bexplicitly given. Turning on and off when the black-white-black transition was 9.9 ms and 7.3 ms, respectively, the average total time for transitions between some halftons is 24.5 ms. From our point of view, this speed of the matrix is \u200b\u200bquite enough for games in dynamic games.

We determined the complete delay in the output from switching the video clip pages before starting the image output to the screen. At the same time, an unknown fixed value of the delay from the request to switch the video buffer page to start the ADC with an external photo sensor installed in the center of the monitor screen, as well as a certain variable delay due to the fact that Windows is not a real-time system with normalized delays . That is, quite a real full delay of a little bit more. As a result, the image output delay was about 34 ms. The value is not the smallest, but when working is still not tangible.

To find out how the screen brightness changes with the rejection of the perpendicular to the screen, we conducted a series of measuring the brightness of black, white and shades of gray in the center of the screen in a wide range of angles, deviating the sensor axis in the vertical, horizontal and diagonal (from the angle in the angle) directions.

In the vertical plane	In a horizontal plane
Diagonally	Brightness of the black field as a percentage of the maximum brightness of the white field
Contrast

Reducing brightness by 50% of the maximum value:

Note a smooth reduction in brightness when the rejection of the perpendicular to the screen in the horizontal direction, the graphs do not intersect in the entire range of the measured angles. The brightness of the deviation in the vertical direction drops a little faster. With a deviation in the diagonal direction, the behavior of the brightness of shades has an intermediate character between vertical and horizontal directions. The brightness of the black field with a diagonal deviation increases to a minimum. In fact, the screen is deprived of such a shortage as a diagonal flavoring of a black field inherent in one degree or another to all screens on IPS matrices. This is achieved through the use of a special leveling layer. Contrast in the range of angles ± 82 ° for all directions exceeds 10: 1.

For the quantitative characteristics of the change in color reproduction, we conducted colorimetric measurements for white, gray (127, 127, 127), red, green and blue, as well as light red, light green and light blue fields in full screen using an installation similar to that What was used in the previous test. The measurements were carried out in the range of angles from 0 ° (the sensor is directed perpendicular to the screen) to 80 ° in increments of 5 °. The resulting intensity values \u200b\u200bwere recalculated in ΔE relative to the measurement of each field when the sensor is perpendicular to the screen relative to the screen. The results are presented below:

As a reference point, you can choose a deviation of 45 °, which can be relevant in case, for example, if the image on the screen views two people at the same time. Criterion for preserving the correct color can be considered ΔE less than 3.

From the graphs it follows that with a deviation at the level of 45 degrees ΔE less or at least not much higher than 3 for all tested shades. Good stability Colors is one of the main advantages of IPS type matrices.

Total we have a unique screen screen. Visually very clear, with a mirror-smooth surface, but not glad. On the IPS matrix with stable flowers, but without diagonal flames of black. Also, the advantages should be attributed to a very wide range of brightness, adequately operating automatic adjustment of brightness (under the "native" OS, it may be necessary to "train"), the lack of flickering of the backlight and, of course, is very high resolution, unfortunately inaccessible (for now?) mode one to one by pixels under Windows. There are some oddities with a gamma curve in the bright area, but they are solved by calibration and profiling, without which, however, in the event of professional work with color and so do not do. In general, the screen quality is very, very high.

At the end of the screen conversation, we note a curious fact: use IMAC 5K with other Mac computers as an external display is not possible. There is a separate unambiguous phrase about it:

note that computer IMAC (With the Retina 5K display, 27 inches, end of 2014) does not support external display mode.

Why is that? Riddle. You may, Apple believes that it makes no sense to connect weaker computers to IMAC 5K. But how is Mac Pro, for example? And why not let the laptop models and iMac 5K Mac Mini.which will come out in a few years and, therefore, will be even more powerful?

Operating system and

iMAC 5K comes with a pre-installed OS X 10.10 Yosemite operating system.

Yosemite is the latest version of OS X, its main features - a new "flat" appearance of icons, inheriting IOS 7 style, the appearance of ICloud Drive, improved search Spotlight, extended notifications panel and the most deep mutual integration with iOS.

A complete list of innovations, of course, is much more - you can familiarize yourself with it. But we will tell you the impressions of the use of the opportunities that we most like the soul and became part of everyday work with Mac.

So, the search for SPOTLIGHT is now displayed not in the upper right corner, but right in the middle of the screen. Moreover, we can immediately see the contents of the found documents, folders, letters, etc. For example, you need to copy the address that is written in the TXT file. Previously, the file had to be opened and from there copy information. Now you can copy the desired line straight from Spotlight.

Expanded notification panel, opened on the right, is now equipped with the "Today" panel. It displays various widgets (you can add or delete them, although the default is small). So, it turned out to be incredibly convenient to carry out a calculator there (now it is not necessary to go for a calculator every time or keep the calculator icon in Dock).

It is also useful to display the weather, the possibility directly from the "Today" panel Write the message iMessage or publish status on Facebook. On the other side, it is not clear how, for example, making a calendar for a month (at least numbers only), the display of events is not only for the nearest working day, but according to the nearest planned events, etc. That is, there is not enough functionality or it is implemented Not the most intuitive way (basic possibilities we do not take).

Very important point - the appearance of ICloud Drive. Now the iCloud is used not only to synchronize the content of certain applications, but gets the functionality of a full-fledged cloud storagesimilar to Dropbox. As in the case of Dropbox, you get a separate folder that is displayed in the Finder, and any files and folders can be copied to it. After that, they will be synchronized with the server and automatically turn out to be on a MAC friend connected to the same ICLOUD account.

At the same time, unlike Dropbox, not 2 GB are provided for free, and 5 GB. But this figure is evolving, because it includes not only the files recorded by you in the appropriate folder, but all the materials of iCloud, i.e., mail, backup copies of iOS devices, etc. Another problem is that for iOS devices There is no such an application that, as the Dropbox application, it allowed to see the content of the ICloud Drive folder in one place. And last: one of the reasons for the superpopularity of Dropbox is the availability of it in the form of a native application absolutely on all platforms, including the most exotic (BlackBerry 10, Jolla, etc.). For this reason, Dropbox is ideal and, alas, while irreplaceable for users often turn from the device to the device and not ready to associate itself with one ecosystem. But, nevertheless, ICLOUD DRIVE is a step in the right direction. And if Apple will develop it, focusing on the same Dropbox, then for MAC users it can be a very useful working tool.

However, now Apple has taken a course not so much on strengthening the relationship with third-party devices (Namely in this direction I wanted to improve the ICloud Drive), how much to expand and deepen the interaction between iOS devices and Mac. In OS X 10.10, two new terms appeared for this: Continuity and Handoff.

So, now you can receive phone calls entering the iPhone, directly from your Mac or iPad, watch and send SMS using Mac (not just emissage messages, as before), finally, continue to work on the Mac started on the iPhone, and On the contrary.

Receiving calls using a computer is, of course, "wow". The first time is difficult to believe it. But even harder - to get used to use it. The main minus is obvious: all around your conversation is heard, and your interlocutor is what is happening around. Well, if you are talking at home, you can not move to another room ... I caught myself thinking that although I use Mac and at work, and at home, never answered calls through the computer (not counting test calls). However, I do not exclude that someone this possibility can be very useful - for example, how to replace the speakerphone on the smartphone. In addition, it is convenient that you immediately see who calls you or writes SMS - do not need to reach your smartphone.

About SMS - this is just more useful in real life, because sometimes it happens that either in SMS want to write a relatively long text (congratulations on some holiday, say), and then it is more convenient to dial it on the computer, or, on the contrary, The SMS has contained some information that is more convenient to transfer using a computer (for example, a phone of some person - then you are directly on Mac create a new contact in the appropriate application and copy the phone from the message).

As for the continuation of work (this is the concept of Handoff - "Transfer"), then here is meant here. Suppose you have opened some web link to the iPhone or iPad, but then decided to continue working with the site on Mac. In Dock you will see the Safari icon on the left, as if separated from the rest and marked with a special icon.

By clicking on it, you will see the same page that was opened on the iPhone or iPad. Similarly, the mail is also working. If you started to dial a letter to Mail, and then moved to Mac, you can continue from the same place on which they stopped. Of course, all this works only in Apple applications (namely with Mail, Safari, maps, messages, reminders, calendar, contacts, notes, keynote, numbers and pages), so if you prefer an alternative email client or browser, then Handoff will recycle Will not succeed.

In general, Yosemite 10.10 can be called the most significant and large-scale update of OS X in recent years that seriously influenced the user sensations and opportunities. But in many new features, unrealized potential is felt. Therefore, we hope that in the next major update, Apple will reveal this potential and develop the ideas laid down in Yosemite.

Returning to IMAC, we note that the OS itself, and all the preset applications (including Pages, Numbers and Keynote office programs, as well as the ILIFE package) are optimized for 5k resolution, that is, no "ladies" and other problems we do not Note. Here is the LaunchPad screenshot (the image is available in the original resolution).

Here you can evaluate and updated icons, and drawing parts. In terms of permission, it is the highest, but the objects themselves are less detailed and more specified precisely because of the refusal of the notorious skiorphism.

Also give the screenshot of Final Cut Pro X. This application is not included in the set preset applications And it is purchased separately, but, nevertheless, it is also optimized for the resolution of imac 5k.

Considering that the main use of IMAC 5K, in our opinion, is a video editing, the correctness of the display of Final Cut Pro X is particularly important here.

Configuration

Now consider the most details of the hardware configuration and performance of the IMAC 5K.

There is only one version of the basic configuration of this model. However, when ordering, four parameters can be improved in the Apple online store: processor, rAM, video card and drive.

Note that, in contrast to the usual 27-inch iMac, all IMAC 5K configuration options suggest the use of a flash drive (in a hybrid version, that is, Fusion Drive, or "in pure form").

We have visited the basic configuration of IMAC 5K. Create detailed specifications.

27-inch Apple Imac with Reetina 5K display
CPU		Intel Core i5-4690.
Chipset		Intel Z87.
RAM		8 GB DDR3-1600
Video subsystem		AMD RADEON R9 M290X (2 GB GDDR5)
Screen		27 inches (5120 × 2880)
Sound subsystem		Cirrus Logic CS4206.
Storage device		Fusion Drive (HDD ST1000DM003 (1 TB, 7200 rpm, SATA600) + Apple SSD SD0128F (128 GB))
Optical drive		not
Kartovoda		SDXC.
Network interfaces	Wired network	Broadcom NetXtreme BCM57766.
	Wireless network	Broadcom BCM4360 (802.11b / G / N / AC)
	Bluetooth	Bluetooth 4.0.
Interfaces and ports	USB (3.0 / 2.0)	4/0
	Thunderbolt.	2
	Microphone input	not
	Entry to headphones	there is
IP telephony	Webcam	there is (FaceTime)
	Microphone	there is
Overall dimensions with stand		650 × 516 × 203 mm
Weight		9.54 kg

The basis of this monoblock is a 22-nanometer processor of the fourth-generation (Haswell code name) with a nominal clock frequency of 3.5 GHz, which in TURBO Boost mode can increase to 3.9 GHz. The processor has 4 kernels and does not support Hyper-Threading technology. The size of its cache L3 is 6 MB, and TDP is 84 watts.

Also, the computer's equipment is included with the AMD RADEON R9 M290X graphics processor with a 2 GB of the selected video memory GDDR5, 8 GB of DDR3-1600 RAM, which works in two-channel mode (two 4 GB memory modules), and a hybrid drive Fusion Drive, which is The combination of HDD ST1000DM003 with a capacity of 1 TB and Apple SSD SD0128F with a capacity of 128 GB.

Communication capabilities of the monoblock iMac are determined by the presence of a two-band (2.4 and 5 GHz) module wireless communication Based on the Broadcom BCM4360 chip supporting 802.11a / B / G / N / AC standards. In addition to supporting Wi-Fi, IMAC implemented bluetooth module 4.0, as well as a gigabit wired interface based on the Broadcom NetXTreme BCM57766 controller.

We present the screenshots of the "System Report".

As we see, in terms of hardware configuration, we have a classic desktop computer. Actually, we draw attention to this because very many monoblocks are based on a laptop platform with all the arising minuses in terms of performance. Well, from the IMAC monoblock with the Retina 5K display, with such a configuration, you can expect a very decent level of performance.

Performance testing in OS X medium

Let's see how this configuration will manifest itself in tests. First, we test IMAC 5K in the native OS X environment, and then carry out a number of tests on our standard laptop technique designed to work under Windows. We emphasize that the actual use of IMAC 5K under Windows is currently not very advisable because, as we found out when testing the display, Windows cannot even completely use the resolution of the display. Perhaps in the future the corresponding drivers for the video card will appear in the future, but so far to buy IMAC 5K with an eye to work in Windows - at least risky and strange. Therefore, Windows tests have, rather, theoretical value, allowing us to obtain the data that we cannot get in the OS X environment, and compare them with other configurations that we have on tests. But it is primitive after all the performance in OS X, and here we have a new mini method of testing in Final Cut Pro X.

Detailed description of the methodology and test files are available on the link. Here you give a table with the results. For clarity, we compared them with the results of some other Mac, namely: with the younger basic configuration of the 27-inch iMac last year, the average configuration of the newest Mac Mini and the maximum configuration of 15-inch MacBook Pro. Retina.

	imac with Retina 5K display, Intel Core i5-4690, 4 cores, 3.5 GHz (Turbo Boost up to 3.9 GHz)	iMAC 27 "(Late 2013), Intel Core i5-4570, 4 cores, 3.2 GHz (Turbo Boost up to 3.6 GHz)	Mac Mini (Late 2014), Intel Core i5-4278U, 2 cores, 2.6 GHz (Turbo Boost up to 3.1 GHz)	MacBook Pro Retina 15 "(MID 2014), Intel Core i7-4870HQ, 4 cores, 3.2 GHz (Turbo Boost up to 3.6 GHz)
Stabilization (Final Cut Pro X)	15:16	20:28	39:56	26:52
Black and White (Final Cut Pro X)	2:53	4:50	7:57	8:56
Export 720p (Compressor)	24:08	24:59	48:59	24:14
Export 4K (Compressor)	4:05	4:08	5:40	3:50

As we see, in the Final Cut Pro x tests (stabilization and application of the Black & White effect), the new IMAC has become an unconditional leader. In exporting through compressor, its results are not so impressive: both more old Mac with discrete graphics showed the results at about the same level.

However, by the amount of tests, it can be said that the IMAC 5K is the most optimal solution for working with the video material (not counting Mac Pro, which is almost certainly more productive, but we, alas, have not been tested for this technique).

From synthetic tests, we, of course, could not use GeekBench 3. The results are below.

If in one-core mode, the new IMAC is ahead of all, then in multi-core, as we see, it is bypassing the 15-inch MacBook Pro Retina. But this is quite logical, because there is Core-i7 (albeit with a lower frequency), and not Core-i5. However, as it has shown testing in Final Cut Pro X, a sense of high performance MacBook Pro Retina is not always, because the laptop quickly goes into the trottling, dropping the frequency and losing all the advantage. And just at the IMAC 5K, we never noticed such a problem: even after half an hour in Final Cut Pro x, it remained only a little warm.

However, we will still talk about the work of the computer under the load and efficiency of the cooling system, but as long as we see how the productivity of 3D graphics is in games. This will help us a multiplatform Benchmark GFXBENCH 3.0.

The most interesting result for us is in the upper line in the "on the screen" column. Manhattan is the newest 3D scene using OpenGL 4.1, and the result with its help shows whether the IMAC 5K will cope with such a scene if it is displayed in the native resolution for it. Answer: Yes, it will cope. This indicates the number of frames per second (34 FPS), which are demonstrated in the scene. The result on the verge (less than 30 would be uncomfortable), but still. Well, if the same scene will be displayed in the resolution of Full HD, here the performance of IMAC 5k is enough with an excess.

Alas, it is impossible to accurately measure how many frames are demonstrated per second real games From the Mac App Store on the IMAC 5K screen - there is simply no such tool. But we will appreciate it on the most modern Windows games, from which it will be possible to conclude and about the performance of any other games.

Work under load and in idle mode

To analyze the efficiency of the cooling system, memory and drive performance, we had to install on a monoblock operating system Windows 8 (such an analysis under OS X is simply impossible).

In idle mode, as must be, the processor frequency in the monoblock is 800 MHz (naturally, we are talking about a balanced power consumption scheme), that is, intel technology Speedstep no complaints. The temperature of the processor in this mode is approximately 50 ° C.

When the processor is loaded, the STRESS CPU (Utility AIDA64 Extreme Edition is a system stability test, which uses integer calculations, the processor frequency is 3.7 GHz. The temperature of the processor in this load mode increases to 75 ° C.

When the processor loads the STRESS FPU test, which uses the calculations with a floating point and is more heated by the processor, the maximum frequency of the processor is 3.5 GHz, and its kernels increases to 85 ° C.

Analysis of the work of the monoblock using the AIDA64 utility allows us to conclude that the cooling system is completely coping with its tasks. None when loading the processor does not overheat and does not observe trottling. It should be added that no matter how much the processor and the video card is loaded, to hear the cooling system work is practically not possible. This monoblock is very quiet.

Memory Subsystem and Data Subsystem Performance

According to the AIDA64 Cache & Memory Benchmark utility, the data recording speed is 23637 MB / s, and the read speed is 23,100 MB / s. For DDR3-1600 memory (peak capacity of 12,800 MB / s) in two-channel operation mode, these are quite typical indicators.

As already noted, one of the features of the IMAC monoblock is its Fusion Drive storage subsystem consisting of an HDD disk with a capacity of 1 TB and SSD drive with a capacity of 128 GB.

The Atto Disk Benchmark utility determines the maximum consistent reading rate at about 165 MB / s, and the sequential recording speed is at about 160 MB / s.

CrystalDiskMark utility gives approximately the same results.

Well, also give the test results of the HD Tune Pro utility:

Testing performance in real applications under Windows 8

In conclusion of our review, we also give the results of testing the monoblock iMac with the Retina 5K display when used operating system Windows 8. To estimate the performance, we used our traditional methodology using Benchmarks IXBT Notebook Benchmark v.1.0 and IXBT Game Benchmark v.1.0.

Test results in Benchmark IXBT Notebook Benchmark v.1.0 are shown in the table. In addition, for clarity, we also added the test results of the testing of 21.5-inch monoblock IMAC (MID 2014) of the initial level.

Logical group tests	Reference system	iMAC 21,5 "(MID 2014)	iMac with Retina 5K display
Video converting, points	100	114,7	278,6
Mediacoder x64 0.8.25.5560, seconds	408,1	355,8	146,5
Creating a video content, scores	100	107,2	229,8
Adobe Premiere Pro CC, Seconds	1115,7	1024,5	427,9
Adobe After Effects CC, Seconds	1975,4	1847,3	910,7
PHOTODEX PROSHOW GOLD 5.0.3276, seconds	913,6	864,7	425,7
Processing digital photos, points	100	138,5	241,3
Adobe Photoshop CC, Seconds	1834,0	1324,5	760,2
Audio treatment, points	100	107,4	188,4
Adobe Audition CC, Seconds	880	819,2	467,1
Declamation of text, scores	100	90,0	144,1
ABBYY FineReader 11, seconds	115,3	128,1	80,0
Archiving and unzipping data, scores	100	99,7	158,0
WinRar 5.0 Archiving, Seconds	313,8	313,3	176,0
WinRAR 5.0 Unzip, Seconds	12,6	12,7	9,0
Application and Content download speed, scores	100	39,9	59,2
Application and Content Download Speed, Seconds	157,4	394,2	265,9
Integral performance result, scores	100	94,1	169,9

As you can see, in Windows-apps, the IMAC monoblock with the Retina 5K display is almost 70% a typical ultrabook (our reference system). Actually, this is understandable because Imac 5K has a desktop system configuration. In general, in terms of performance in non-chamber iMac applications with the Retina 5K display based on the Intel Core i5-4690 processor, it corresponds to an approximately top-end laptop configuration with a quad-core Intel Core i7-4700HQ processor.

Now consider the IMAC monoblock test results with the Retina 5K display in games. All gaming tests were launched at a resolution of 1920 × 1080.

Gaming Test	Maximum quality		Minimum quality
	The average fps	Minimum fps	The average fps	Minimum fps
ALIENS VS PREDATOR D3D11 BENCHMARK	51,0	-	164,9	-
Grid 2.	65,9	51,5	189,4	153,4
BIOSHOCK INFINITE.	51,6	15,9	190,8	30,1
World of Tanks.	65,3	28,0	100,5	39,0
Hitman: Absolution	28,9	24,0	67,3	54,0

Actually, the results are quite indicative and do not require comments. Conclusion In this case, you can only be made one: even when settings for maximum quality you can play almost all games. In short, this monoblock can be used and as a game PC.

conclusions

We really wanted to find when testing iMac with Retina 5K display any serious hidden disadvantages - you need to see the stains in the sun! But upon completion of testing, we cannot but admit that before us - practically perfect computerThat is suitable for both the professionals of all the masters and gamers, and simply use the users who want to have the best - no matter how much it cost. Imac 5K is a desktop performance without any discounts on a stunning design of the body, an excellent cooling system, and the main thing is unique in terms of its qualities and characteristics of the display. Present Miracle Computer Construction!

Of course, some small nuances (not even disadvantages, namely, the peculiarities that limit the possibilities of non-standard use) we found. For example, the impossibility of using IMAC under Windows with the use of full permission (although Windows on the IMAC 5K still looks superb) or the impossibility of the iMac in the external display mode (it is not entirely clear why, after all, someone may want to use it in a bunch with Mac Pro) . Traditionally mention the impossibility of upgrade computers MAC.. It is also curious about a small loss in several performance tests by a 15-inch MacBook Pro Retina laptop, which is explained by using Intel Core i5 processor, and not Core i7. But all this can hardly become an obstacle when buying.

So, perhaps, the only one (but truly serious) deterrent factor is the price. In Russia, it was possible to buy about 115 thousand rubles in Russia to increase the prices of IMAC 5k, now the price tag increased up to 145 thousand rubles (in the US, the cost remained former: 2499 dollars). Is this model of such money? Answer this question is as difficult and at the same time simply, how to answer the question whether the Tesla Model S car is worthwhile. If the goal is to get from point A to point B, it is definitely not. If the maximum comfort is important, perfection in every detail and the feeling of involvement in innovation, then yes. Such things are buying wealthy enthusiasts, perfectionists and those people who are important self-opticalization (for example, in personal Accounts Top managers of large companies in which meetings are sometimes held with partners, interviews and the like, should be, of course, Imac 5K). At the same time, to say that it is clean water "Ponte", it would be completely unfair. And to argue that the price is overestimated and there is an overpayment for the image - too, it is also impossible. In the case of IMAC 5K, it suffices to recall the declared price tag to the Dell monitor, which clearly does not apply for the status of the image product.

And on this background, even the increase in the ruble price of IMAC is not much dramatically, since the target audience of this product understands that there is nothing more than smaller, nor even for big money (for the combination of qualities) can not be bought in principle, but price fluctuations within a few tens of thousands for these people and companies are not fundamental (such a computer is clearly not bid and not postponing several months from salaries).

At the end of the review, we can only make obvious: to award the IMAC with the Retina 5K display, our editorial Award Original Design, noting a unique combination of external beauty, engineering innovation and user qualities of this product.

At the end of last year, Apple has updated its IMAC lineup. The new addition was the 21.5-inch iMac with a 4K display. As for the 27-inch iMac, Apple brought the model with a resolution of 2.560 x 1.440 pixels, leaving only the Retina 5K display. Of course, the updates touched the processor, video cards, HDD and SSD combinations. Our test laboratory entered the top model IMAC.

In October 2014, we already, so many details we take from the previous review. In particular, no changes occurred on the body. As we noted above, processors and other internal components have changed. Apple moved on intel processors Skylake generations, in Europe, buyers can choose Core i5 or Core i7 processors, only predefined configurations with Core i5 are available in Russia. Four video cards are available for 27-inch models: AMD RADEON R9 M380, M390, M395 or M395X. There are no configurations with M395X. Unfortunately, Apple did not integrate the Support for Thunderbolt 3 to the new iMac with the Retina 5K display.

The table shows existing models:

21.5-inch iMac
Price	89.990 rubles 1.249 Euro	106.990 rubles 1.499 Euro	122.990 rubles 1.699 Euro
Technical data
CPU	Intel Core i5 1.6 GHz TURBO BOOST TO 2.7 GHz	Intel Core i5 2.8 GHz TURBO BOOST TO 3.3 GHz	Intel Core i5 3.1 GHz TURBO BOOST Up to 3.6 GHz
RAM	8 GB.	8 GB.	8 GB.
Video card	Intel HD Graphics 6000	Intel Iris Pro Graphics 6200	Intel Iris Pro Graphics 6200
Display resolution	1.920 x 1.080 pixels	1.920 x 1.080 pixels	4.096 x 2.304 pixels
Storage device	1 TB HDD.	1 TB HDD.	1 TB HDD.

There are no upgrade in Russia. In Europe, upgrading up to 16 GB of memory will cost 240 euros, for 1-TB Fusion Drive will have to pay 120 euros, for 2-TB - 360 euros. The 256-GB SSD will cost 240 euros, and for 512-GB, the model will have to lay out 600 euros.

27-inch iMac
Price	149.990 rubles 2.099 Euro	162.990 rubles 2.299 Euro	189.990 rubles 2.599 Euro
Technical data
CPU	Intel Core i5 3.2 GHz TURBO BOOST Up to 3.6 GHz	Intel Core i5 3.2 GHz TURBO BOOST Up to 3.6 GHz	Intel Core i5 3.3 GHz Turbo Boost up to 3.9 GHz
RAM	8 GB.	8 GB.	8 GB.
Video card	AMD RADEON R9 M380 2 GB video memory	AMD RADEON R9 M380 2 GB video memory	AMD RADEON R9 M395 2 GB video memory
Displays permission	5.120 x 2.880 pixels	5.120 x 2.880 pixels	5.120 x 2.880 pixels
Storage device	1 TB HDD.	1 TB Fusion Drive	2 TB Fusion Drive

There are no upgrade in Russia. In Europe, the 27-inch iMac can be significantly improved. The processor update to Intel Core i7 at a frequency of 4.0 GHz (Turbo Boost 4.2 GHz) will cost 300 euros. Increasing memory up to 16 or 32 GB costs 240 or 720 euros. HDD, SSD or Fusion Drive upgrades are identical at the price of the "younger" model, but here it is added to the possibility of transition to 1-TB SSD for 840 euros. The faster AMD RADEON R9 M395X video card with 4 GB of video memory for 300 euros is also available.

Display 5K.

An outstanding iMac function with Retina 5K display, of course, is the display. Meanwhile, several manufacturers have offered external displays with similar resolution. You can note the same and. Of course, there is no avoiding issue of connecting such a display. As a rule, two DISPLAYPORT inputs are used.

Today there are no standards for connecting a display of 5K with a resolution of 60 Hz. DISPLAYPORT 1.2 standard can only work on 30 Hz. As in the case of the above-mentioned Dell and Philips monitors, two DisplayPort streams are used, which through MST (Multi Stream Transport) provide a solid picture. So the panel is used to connect DisplayPort 1.2. But for this connection inside, not standard DisplayPort connectors are used, and EDP, that is, Embedded DisplayPort. Also, Apple indicates the use of the TMU's own controller, but without details. So it is possible that Apple uses some kind of connection between the GPU and the display, or the displayport 1.2 is overclocked so that the bandwidth is enough for the display 5K. In any case, despite the implementation option, the system works - and this is the main thing.

The advantage of the IMAC with the Retina 5K display, which can also be called articles and disadvantage, can be called the sale of the finished Apple system with all components. Therefore, the upgrade of components is problematic. Apple allows only to add RAM. If you work yourself, you can replace both SSD. In general, the IMAC can be recommended to those users who need a ready system, and who is not going to upgrade it - at least until the next purchase is entirely.

For more details about the display, we recommend contacting. Display tests are presented below.

No changes to interfaces

Compared to the apple predecessor, the interfaces did not change. Thunderbolt 3 traces are still not that it is not entirely clear because Apple is quite actively promoting this interface. Rear can see the headphone output, SDHX memory slot, 4x USB 3.0, 2x Thunderbolt 2 and 1x Gigabit Ethernet.

The connector for connecting the power supply is located in the center behind the monitor stand, all cables are packed through the rack. On the back of the right is the power toggler, with which IMAC is translated into standby mode.

On the photo not to show wireless interfaces. But you will get support Bluetooth 4.0 (it is necessary for the CONTINUITY function in OS X 10.10 Yosemite), support for Wi-Fi 802.11ac, depending on the access point and the antenna configuration, the speed is between 433 Mbps and 6.77 Gb / s. But for the apple wireless module, the maximum speed is indicated at 1.3 Gb / s.

Today, in the era of developed high technologies, a separate product is very difficult to stand out among others, but IMAC Retina 5K easily copes with this task. To see such an incredible number of pixels, which simply does not fit in the head - only this fact varies many users from the Apple official website to the order page. You can create a good and even successful product by selecting components available from suppliers, but if you want to get out of others, and not just compete with them, you need to create your own components for your "special recipe". Therefore, Apple, the charter wait, when 5k-displays appear, creates them independently and using the IMAC design already familiar to us, turns them into something incredible.

Design and stuff

iMac magnificent monoblock and apple did not change anything in the design formula that was used in last model. Barely noticeable 5mm edges go to the mid-thickened housing that we see only looking at rear panel. It still remains unsurpassed by the quality of materials, the elegance of the design and care of the manufacture, without having equal among the PC.

The elegance of the design did not move all the ports and the IMAC connectors to the rear panel. As before, we have convenient access to headphones, an SD slot, a gigabit ethernet port, four USB 3.0, but instead of two Thunderbolt, we now have two Thunderbolt 2.

In fact, the connection of any periphery requires you to pairs of movements, even for 27 'imac, because it is almost an intention on its minimalistic stand and move it on your desktop simple enough. The power button is also hidden on the back of the aesthetics reasons, but its characteristic concave surface is very easy to find on the touch.

Dual microphones and FaceTime HD camera are located above the screen, while 20-watt stereo speakers are under it. Despite their focus, they are surprised by a sufficient number of low frequencies and may well voice your workspace.

As with the case with non-Retina iMac, there is a version without a stand with VESA-compatible wall mount. So you can do without a stand and get imac securing on your wall. Both IMAC continue the tradition of the impossibility of the user upgrade and allow you to replace only the RAM, the slots of which are hidden under a small panel hiding behind the foot stand.

Display

If you have previously dealt with aimaki, then many IMAC Retina 5K details will seem familiar to you, but these sensations will end, as soon as you enable it and face to face will come across a stunning desktop that you have ever seen in computers.

I no longer remember how incredible there were sensations after switching from the screen with a common resolution on Retina, but from IMAC 5K you will accurately captivate your breath. It shows the most smallest details, and the colors are stunningly natural. White color is very clean, without any shades, and black is ink and very homogeneous.

Nothing is easy. When you need to process 14.7 million pixels - 5k is not perceived as a great difference from 4k, but in fact, the last only 8.8 million pixels, and Full HD has a pitiful 2 million - you can't just take ready-made components from the shelf and use them.

Instead, Apple had to create multiple key parts from scratch. Good example - TIMING CONTROLLER (TCON), which is responsible for synchronizing signals from two DISPLAYPORT 1.2 tires to provide bandwidth up to 40 Gb / s. A higher pixel density causes the need for efficient backlight and Apple goes to highly efficient LEDs that not only provide a sufficient amount of light, but also reduce energy consumption by 30%.

Thanks to Oxide TFT, one of the layers of the display also increases its energy efficiency in comparison with previous generations of panels. In a pair with a new compensation film, this increases the viewing angles and significantly reduces the color inversion and contrast.

To improve the work of the IMAC Retina 5K display, Apple borrowed several tricks in the iPad. First of all, this is an organic passivation (Organic Passivation) that helps to avoid signal interference and tie from tightly packaged pixels. However, 217 ppi is less than 264 ppi in iPad Air 2 and 220 PPI in 15-inch MacBook Pro Retina.

This is associated with distances under which we look at the device screens. The new iMac Retina 5K has a smaller pixel density of all Retina displays, but since you usually work for it with a much larger distance than in iPad and MacBook Pro, the end result is the same - the picture is so clear that you cannot distinguish separate display pixels .

As in MacBook Pro Retina, we have several options to configure the resolution. You can work in a native resolution of 5120x2880 or select one of the scaling modes in which the windows and applications will be the same dimensions as on ordinary iMac, but will be displayed more clearly.

Most of the interface elements can be too tiny in native resolution, but all those pixels give a huge advantage with certain use scenarios. For example, photo editing is much easier when you can display original file In full resolution, without having to adjust the scale whenever you need to consider any item.

But in all its glory IMAC Retina 5K manifests itself in working with video. Running Final Cut Pro You can see previews in full resolution for 4K video and you still have a place to place the controls from the edges of the screen. Nothing overlaps and you do not need to move various items to see them - everything is in sight.

Shortly speaking, iMAC display Retina 5K in many respects is ahead of his time and in this, in fact, there is both advantages and some compromises.

The largest of them is the lack of Target Display mode, which was available on previous models and allowed to use IMAC as an external display by connecting MacBook or Mac Mini to it. Unfortunately, even despite the fact that Thunderbolt 2 has a much larger throughputThan its predecessor, it is still not enough to transmit 5K signal from another computer. Apparently you will have to wait for Thunderbolt 3, and at the same time, now there are no means to scale the signal from sources with a lower resolution.

For the same reason, even if you could connect a source with a 5K signal, you could not turn on the display of another 5k-display and use them in the bundle. Connecting external displays is available in resolution up to 3840x2160, but you will have only one 5K panel.

Specifications and performance

One of the things we expected to see in new IMAC were processors, but Apple was stuck on the fourth generation Intel Haswell, which can be found in existing models. The younger model of the IMAC Retina 5K is equipped with a Core i5 quad-core processor with a frequency of 3.5 GHz, which, if desired, can be replaced by Core I7 4.0 GHz, paying 250 $.

Now 8 gigabytes of memory is standard. It can be increased to 16 and 32 GB for $ 200 and $ 600, respectively. Concerning hard disk, All iMac Retina 5K is installed in 1 TB Fusion Drive, which is a conventional hard disk, combined with SSD for frequently used files and applications, which is a speed balance and volume.

For an additional $ 150, you can equip your IMAC to the Fusion Drive disk for 3 TB or without any additional charges to choose SSD to 256 GB instead.

From the moment of the first rumors about IMAC Retina, there were disputes about what video card will be charged with such a number of pixels. In the minimum configuration IMAC Retina 5K equipped radeon graphics R9 M290X with 2 GB GDDR5 memory, which for $ 250 can be replaced by R9 M295X c twice by large memory.

Like other components, these are mobile video cards, which caused some disputes about whether they will cope with the processing of resolution 5120x2880. Fortunately, for the most part, these fears and speculation turned out to be unreasonable.

Working with multiple applications and video playback is given iMac Retina 5K with ease. Adding different effects to the Final Cut Pro project in real time also did not cause any difficulties. However, in comparison with the Mac Pro, the Opports of the final video file, expected, took more time (and it was the only case when it was possible to hear the grinding coolers of the IMAC, the sound of which in the usual situation resembles a hoarse whisper).

Outside OS X Yosemite and standard Apple applications, you can encounter various roughness. It can be seen that some third-party applications are still not ready to resolve 5k. In third-party browsers, you can sometimes watch small twitchings that are missing on the same sites in Safari.

Conclusion

No doubt, now there is a lack of publicly available content that satisfies the resolution of IMAC Retina 5K. The usual 27-inch iMac can safely work with 1080p content, which is not enough for Retina. In iTunes, there is still no video in the resolution of 4K and the only streaming service that offers movies and serials in it is Netflix.

And yet, this computer is not designed to consume content (at least it is only a side function) - it is ideal for its creation. This is a tool for people who create Ultra HD video or process images with incredible resolution - content that ultimately bow the scales in favor of Retina displays.

With the initial price of $ 2500 IMAC Retina 5k only $ 500 cheaper than the younger Mac Pro model. Of these two, Mac Pro is undoubtedly more powerful, but on the other hand, you should also take into account the purchase price of a separate monitor. Selecting the IMAC you get a professional display with a computer, which emphasized Apple, at the presentation of the new flagship.

The new IMAC Retina 5K took a niche between the top IMAC of the previous generation and the initial Mac Pro. Its screen has no analogues not only in the line of products Apple, but also among the displays, and this state of affairs will persist a certain time. At the same time, it does not require additional financial investments for organizing a workplace, unlike Mac Pro.

In general, this is a combination of desires and needs that we have already seen in Apple products before. Part of the users will have a real need for the resolution of Retina, the other part will simply want to get it just because it is possible. In conjunction with exclusivity 5k, and despite the fact that competitors, no doubt, will soon show their analogues, IMAC Retina 5K is an excellent solution that combines elegance, productivity and innovation.