Are iMac 5k 2017 and iMac 5k 2019 interchangeable?

[oKUtItyp]

Saw a few screen broken 2019 listed at eBay at very low price, and I have a working 2017 upgraded with ssd and memory.

Thinking of buy the screen broken 2019, take out logicboard, upgrade ssd, and then put it in my 2017 case. Doable? Exact match and direct replacement? Case match prefect?

Thanks,

 

[TwoH]

Yeah it’s doable, only real difference is the backlight cable being at an angle on the 2019 LCD compared to straight on the 2017. But you can just angle it into place and forcefully push the screen back for it to be okay, or just swap the backlight cable over if you wish.

Cases are identical

 

[oKUtItyp]

Yeah it’s doable, only real difference is the backlight cable being at an angle on the 2019 LCD compared to straight on the 2017. But you can just angle it into place and forcefully push the screen back for it to be okay, or just swap the backlight cable over if you wish.

Cases are identical

Thanks! Do you by chance know is iMac Pro 5k 2017 also interchangeable with iMac 5k 2017?

 

[TwoH]

Thanks! Do you by chance know is iMac Pro 5k 2017 also interchangeable with iMac 5k 2017?

Nah, there’s a plastic mount where the camera is on the iMac Pro screen that will get in the way on any other iMac (excluding 2020, as both these machines have the camera attached to the screen itself.)

 

[realeoin]

Nah, there’s a plastic mount where the camera is on the iMac Pro screen that will get in the way on any other iMac (excluding 2020, as both these machines have the camera attached to the screen itself.)

I'll be that guy and say nobody mentioned iMac Pro

But yeah I'm looking to do the same thing here more or less

I have a damaged 2019 iMac 5K that I ant to house in a old 2017 iMac 5K

 

[PaulD-UK]

The backlight cable of a 5K iMac screen (all years) is fixed to the screen electronics. There is no detaching it.
FWIW the iMac Pro backlight cable (fixed) and eDP cable (removable) are in totally different positions.

 

[TwoH]

The backlight cable of a 5K iMac screen (all years) is fixed to the screen electronics. There is no detaching it.
FWIW the iMac Pro backlight cable (fixed) and eDP cable (removable) are in totally different positions.

Untrue, they all can be removed

 

[PaulD-UK]

Maybe 😉
By breaking the seal and dismantling the screen pcb protective cover?
Please link to a repair guide - google shows nothing.

On a device notorious for dust ingress problems us amateurs don’t venture so far.
I ‘ll take your word.

 

[TwoH]

I’m not entirely sure what you mean.

The backlight cable is that black cable, which is stuck down with adhesive to the assembly, you can easily pry it off. Then it is simply connected in both bottom corners which can be lifted up after removing small bits of tape.

I don’t have any pictures on hand of the process

 

[mikas]

Looking for a replacement screen for iMac 2017 27". According to this thread 5K 2019 is not entirely compatible regarding the cable, how about 5K 2015, 5K 2014. Are they identical to 2017?

I'm thinking of buying a used/damaged iMac with a known working screen, replacement screens seem to cost the same or more than a working 27" iMac.

 

[leapp]

Any answer to the 2017 2015 compatiblit’s? I’m in a similar situation.

 

[PaulD-UK]

The LG specifications for both these monitors are identical.

When using these panels to make 5K monitors there is NO difference between the LM270QQ1 SD(B1) panel from the 2015 iMac, and the LM270QQ1 SD(C1) panel from the 2017 iMac.
They are interchangeable when used with the new monitor electronics.

But:
Apple may? have changed the handshake/control protocols in the screen panels electronics between 2015 and 2017.
But there is no indication that they did this...

I haven't done this, and can't say with certainty that it will work.
But I can't see any reason why it shouldn't.

 

[TwoH]

Any answer to the 2017 2015 compatiblit’s? I’m in a similar situation.

27" 5ks - these two are compatible. There might be brightness difference on the backlight, I'm unsure? But the screens are compatible.

Just be aware if you are putting a 2017 screen on a 2015 machine, I would not advise it if yours is a Mid-2015, as these machines seem to downscale to 4k resolution using a Late-2015 and newer screen.