iMac Retina 5K Display Hands-on: Jaw-Dropping Screen

[gc9]

There are few 4K (4096×2160, digital film standard) screens available.
Many imposters are actually UHD (3840×2160, ultra high definition television standard).
UHD might satisfy many consumers who want to watch UHD TV and don't mind a lightly cropped 4K film, but digital film makers need 4K or larger to critique and edit every pixel.

 

[Richard Ricardo]

Now all we need is 5k pornography and we're all set.

 

[Solandri]

At first I thought why 5K, but then realised that its actually very well strategically positioned for those that need to edit 4K video content, which is getting more and more common. This machine will allow you to play 4K at full res and still have the timeline and other tools on the sides.

That's true for monitors which are slightly bigger at only slightly more cost. e.g. A 1920x1200 monitor for editing 1920x1080 video.

In this case though, I'd argue you're better off with a standalone 4k monitor for displaying video, and a second monitor for the controls. See, the main problem is they put it on an iMac. Most computers used for high-end tasks such as this are obsolete after 3-5 years. A good monitor however can last you 10-15 years. So for this particular application, you'd be better off with a regular PC/Mac/iMac with a modest resolution display. Add a second 4k monitor for the video playback. In 5 years when the computer is obsolete, just replace the computer and continue using both monitors..

This particular product appeals to 4k video editors who want a single screen on their desk. i.e. people who prioritize form over function (and cost). Which is par for the course for buyers of Apple products.

 

[iam2thecrowe]

My GTX980 can't even game properly at 4k and then Ubisoft can't even properly code past 900p. So what's the point of having 5k on a mac?

Clearly not gaming..... Noone buys a mac for gaming. Artsy fartsy types use macs for video editing and graphic arts type stuff. Apple is a niche market for those who want to use it and want to pay the price for the logo, all the best to them.Most of us pc users wil lnever understand the intrigue of macs. But i can say, for the people who will use it, ot edit a full screen 4k movie with room around the edges to work isnt a bad idea. Of course you could just run a 4k monitor with one or two 1080p monitors next to it for tools and desktop access for less $$$.....

 

[arctic23]

I will have to see the picture for my self to post my opinion. From that picture it looks a little like 1980's design. How about thinner frame?

 

[eklipz330]

i welcome it! if the industry follows apple, that ONLY means good news!

 

[Cons29]

i don't like apple. but i try to give credit where it's due and to be honest i like their monitors, almost bought one. it looks nice, good quality, good display. however, the price, man, it's just too much.
and here we go again trying to one-up the others, coming up with 5k.
if i remember correctly, they have an ipad.. ipad mini2 i think, that has a ppi higher than 1, yep one, against the nexus i believe.

 

[billgatez]

Nice display. To bad they stuck a mobile GFX chip in there.

 

[billgatez]

Nice display. To bad they stuck a mobile GFX chip in there.

 

[CaptainTom]

LOL 5K is not a "Tiny" bit more than 4K, it is nearly double it. The difference between this screen and a 4K screen is the same difference between a 1080p and 1440p screen. I WANT ONE!

 

[TheMentalist]

My jaw dropped from yawning.

 

[jasonelmore]

"how is apple still a thing?"

probably because they sell half a billion devices every year. Multiply that by at least $650 each, and you get why apple is still a thing.

 

[Jess Castro]

Pretty sure your viewport/ui peformance would be awful at native 4k raw editing....its laptop parts....not even top of the line parts....and a quadcore cpu when 6core desktop varients are easily had. I want the monitor, I don't want the trash components they force you to pair with it. It would be like offering you a car with a Ferrari body...but then forcing you to have a ford escort engine/interior with it.

 

[MagicPants]

But what size is it?

 

[ohim]

Are you guys mentally challanged here ? Why do gamers come and complain about the specs of this Mac? Macs are not designed for gameplay, they won`t have the latest GPUs since i bet this was designed long before Maxwell arrived and god knows what are the contracts between Apple and Nvidia/AMD ... PS. i don`t fancy Apple .. but sometimes you haters don`t even think before posting. Furthermore ... for desktop use i also believe 5k is indeed jaw dropping, a photo editor couldn`t ask for more, as for the pannel itself is not clear what Hz does it run .. is it 30 or 60?

 

[ohim]

And why ask for G-sync in a system made with AMD GPU ? .. And for the guys who complain about mobile grade parts.. iMacs have always used mobile grade parts .. the Mac Pro`s have desktop grade parts.

 

[AndrewJacksonZA]

It must suck to be Dell. They announced this a month ago & no one cared:
http/www.macrumors.com/2014/09/05/dell-5k-display/

via @rmaclean - https/twitter.com/rmaclean/status/522847063286218752

 

[fil333]

Don't forget that jaw-dropping price tag!

 

[natoco]

That thing sounds wicked. I reckon a lot of professionals in the movie and photography industry have there orders in already. People love to bag apple but here in plain sight to see is technological advancement from last years model that can only be achieved if they know they are going to get the money invested back. I for one have not even seen a 4k monitor on display in any store across my whole state, even QHD is not common yet cause all the businesses I see are trying to part with there 1080p panels still. Some of these comments raise an eyebrow and made me chuckle so cheers. The minute you don't like it was the exact minute it was not meant for you.

 

[tom71]

Some of you don't do your research before you post, do you?

Just to let you know, I'm not an Apple fan. I use both Wintel and OS X platforms.

First of all, Apple use DESKTOP CPU's in their iMac's and in the new 5K iMac, these are top of the range intel CPU's: core i7 they use is Haswell 4790K, or core i5 4690 in base config. They've always used desktop CPU's in iMac's.

They do use mobile GPU's, but these are high-end models, which are good for gaming too. But, you have to bear in mind that you can't use a desktop GPU in a case this small, because of heat it produces. Besides, there's no need for a desktop GPU. A mid- to high-end mobile GPU can handle photo and video editing, plus mild gaming just fine. If you want a gaming machine, build a Windows one yourself.

nVidia vs AMD: Apple will use whatever processor can meet their requirements better. If Radeon handles 5K better than GeForce, whilst being power-efficient, they'll pick that.

Apple almost picked an AMD CPU for their original MacBook air, if AMD could only meet the demand.

Now, onto the (OS X) platform in general... I've used Windows for years and have recently switched to OS X for home use.

Windows is great, because there's a ton of apps for it and majority of PC games are made for Windows only. So, for software choice/compatibility Windows is great. But, in order to make it work with every config conceivable, it's not perfect. I'm sure you know about compatibilty issues, OS slowing down over time, the OS corrupting over time etc. Personally, as I work in IT, so I had enough of messing around with Windows at home all the time.

Now, OS X. From the above comments, I presume many people aren't aware of what OS X is and what real (architectural) diffence between that and Windows is. It's based on UNIX (freeBSD to be precisE), so it's STABLE and secure. It won't crash with BSOD, because you installed some movie codecs etc.

In terms of stability, between Windows and OS X there are light years. In the last year that I've owned my Macbook, I only had to reboot it 5-6 times (OS updates and once for fun). OS X doesn't crash, slow down, or hang. It's UNIX OS, so it's super stable.

I understand that Windows is build to work on everything, hence it's not perfect. However, OS X is purpose-built, and so it works very well.

This is the main reason a lot of pro's go for it. They don't to mess around with the computer, trying to get it to work properly. They want it to just work, and OS X delivers.