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ME089 versus MF885 VS MK462

B

botorosa

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Aug 13, 2013
20
1
Hi there!

I have in mind buying my first iMac. I have these three oprions:

1 - ME089 ( 1400 euros) - discintinued late 2013 - shop selling the last unit in the displaying in shop showroom.

2 - MF885 ( 1890 Euros) - descontinued last unit in shop display

3 - MK462 ( 2149 Euros) - recent model in box

All of these models are selling in my town but the first two options they just have few units and they are selling with pretty good prices to sell these units fast because they are discuntinued by apple, but they get full warranty from Apple.

I have been searching the specs of these three models and apparently they are the same apart form the 5K retina display in the last two modelo. The first have 2500 resolution.

I am going to us it to create content for the web such as editing fotos and videosand wod processing also.

So is the first one good enough to do this kind of work even if doesnt have the 5K display?

What are the pros and cons of these three models??

Thanks a lot for your help!
 
I had to google the model numbers, because they don't mean anything to me, plus I'm not sure what the exact configuration

Of the three, which ones have more ram, storage, SSD? Fusion?

Lack of any details of the models, I'd opt for the newest model.
 
Here are the specs of each model:


Model
1. ME089 - iMac i5 3.4 27 2013
2. MD885 - iMac i5 3.3 27 R5K 2015
3. MK462 - iMac i5 3.2 27 R L 2015



Introduction Date
September 24, 2013
May 19, 2015
October 13, 2015

Discontinued Date
May 19, 2015
October 13, 2015
N/A

Processors (Cores)
1 (4 Cores)
1 (4 Cores)
1 (4 Cores)

Geekbench 2 32
10280
10162
9645

Geekbench 2 64
11947
12103
11014

Geekbench 3 SC 32
3409
3320
3552

Geekbench 3 MC 32
10714
10589
10953

Geekbench 3 SC 64
3757
3694
3479

Geekbench 3 MC 64
11851
11785
11696

Processor Speed
3.4 GHz
3.3 GHz
3.2 GHz

Processor Type
Core i5 (I5-4670)
Core i5 (I5-4590)
Core i5 (I5-6500)

Turbo Boost
3.8 GHz
3.7 GHz
3.6 GHz

Custom Speeds
3.5 GHz (Core i7)
N/A
N/A

Architecture
64-Bit
64-Bit
64-Bit

Processor Upgrade
LGA 1150 (Socket H3)*
LGA 1150 (Socket H3)*
LGA 1151*

System Bus Speed
OPI*
5 GT/s (DMI2)*
8 GT/s*

Cache Bus Speed
3.4 GHz (Built-in)
3.3 GHz (Built-in)
3.2 GHz (Built-in)

ROM/Firmware
EFI
EFI
EFI

EFI Architecture
64-Bit
64-Bit
64-Bit

L1 Cache
32k/32k
32k/32k
32k/32k

L2 Cache
256k (x4), 6 MB
256k (x4), 6 MB
256k x4, 6 MB (on chip)

RAM Type
PC3-12800 DDR3
PC3-12800 DDR3
PC3-14900 DDR3

Min. RAM Speed
1600 MHz
1600 MHz
1867 MHz

Standard RAM
8 GB
8 GB
8 GB

Maximum RAM
32 GB
32 GB
64 GB*

Motherboard RAM
None
None
None

RAM Slots
4
4
4

Video Card
GeForce GTX 775M
Radeon R9 M290
Radeon R9 M380/M390*

VRAM Type
GDDR5
GDDR5
GDDR5

Standard VRAM
2 GB
2 GB
2 GB

Maximum VRAM
2 GB*
2 GB
2 GB

Display
27" 16:9 Widescreen
27" 16:9 Widescreen
27" 16:9 Widescreen

Resolution
2560x1440
5120x2880
5120x2880

2nd Disp Support
Dual/Mirroring*
Dual/Mirroring*
Dual/Mirroring*

2nd Max Res
2560x1600 (x2)
3840x2160*
5120x2880*

Video Port
2 (Thunderbolt)
2 (Thunderbolt 2)
2 (Thunderbolt 2)

Standard HD
1 TB (7200 RPM)
1 TB (7200 RPM)
1 TB*

Int HD Interface
Serial ATA (6 Gb/s)/PCIe*
Serial ATA (6 Gb/s)/PCIe*
Serial ATA (6 Gb/s)/PCIe*

Standard Optical
None*
None*
None*

Standard Ethernet
10/100/1000Base-T
10/100/1000Base-T
10/100/1000Base-T

Standard AirPort
802.11ac*
802.11ac*
802.11ac*

Standard Bluetooth
4
4
4

USB
4 (3.0)
4 (3.0)
4 (3.0)

Firewire
None
None
None

Expansion Slots
SDXC SD Card
SDXC SD Card
SDXC SD Card

Expansion Bays
None
None
None

Keyboard Type
Apple Wireless Keyboard
Apple Wireless Keyboard
Apple Magic Keyboard

Input Type
Magic Mouse/Trackpad
Magic Mouse/Trackpad
Magic Mouse 2*

Case Type
All-in-One
All-in-One
All-in-One

Form Factor
27" iMac Late 2012
27" iMac Late 2012
27" iMac Late 2012

Apple Subfamily
Late 2013
Retina 5K, Mid-2015
Retina 5K, Late 2015

Order Number
ME089LL/A
MF885LL/A
MK462LL/A*

Model Number
A1419
A1419
A1419

EMC Number
2639
2806
2834

Model Identifier
iMac14,2
iMac15,1
iMac17,1

Battery Type
N/A
N/A
N/A

Battery Life
N/A
N/A
N/A

Original OS
X 10.8.4 (12E4022)
X 10.10.2 (14C500)
X 10.11 (15A4310)

Maximum OS
Current
Current
Current

Minimum Windows
7 (64-Bit)*
7 (64-Bit)*
10 (64-Bit)*

Maximum Windows
10 (64-Bit)*
10 (64-Bit)*
10 (64-Bit)*

Mac OS 9
None
None
None

Windows
Boot/Virtualization
Boot/Virtualization
Boot/Virtualization

Dimensions
20.3 x 25.6 x 8
20.3 x 25.6 x 8
20.3 x 25.6 x 8

Avg Weight
21 lbs. (9.54 kg)
21 lbs. (9.54 kg)
21 lbs. (9.54 kg)

Original Price
US$1999
US$1999
US$1799, US$1999*

Est Current Retail
US$1800-US$1900
US$1800-US$1900
US$1799, US$1999*
 
The specs of these three machines are almoust identical that is difficult to choose a machine... the prices are also diffrente like 700 euros difference from the one late 2013 to the most recent 2015 imac.. but is there a reason to buy the most recent if the specs are almosut identical.? Whats the difference to the end user of the 2K and 5K resolution?? Is there a big difference?

None of these macinhes can be upgraded from what ive read.. I cant open it and put a SSD or have RAM increase...

So I would ask anyone t help me decide if theres a notable difference between these nachines.

I took the specs from everymac website.

Thanks




botorosa said:
Here are the specs of each model:


Model
1. ME089 - iMac i5 3.4 27 2013
2. MD885 - iMac i5 3.3 27 R5K 2015
3. MK462 - iMac i5 3.2 27 R L 2015



Introduction Date
September 24, 2013
May 19, 2015
October 13, 2015

Discontinued Date
May 19, 2015
October 13, 2015
N/A

Processors (Cores)
1 (4 Cores)
1 (4 Cores)
1 (4 Cores)

Geekbench 2 32
10280
10162
9645

Geekbench 2 64
11947
12103
11014

Geekbench 3 SC 32
3409
3320
3552

Geekbench 3 MC 32
10714
10589
10953

Geekbench 3 SC 64
3757
3694
3479

Geekbench 3 MC 64
11851
11785
11696

Processor Speed
3.4 GHz
3.3 GHz
3.2 GHz

Processor Type
Core i5 (I5-4670)
Core i5 (I5-4590)
Core i5 (I5-6500)

Turbo Boost
3.8 GHz
3.7 GHz
3.6 GHz

Custom Speeds
3.5 GHz (Core i7)
N/A
N/A

Architecture
64-Bit
64-Bit
64-Bit

Processor Upgrade
LGA 1150 (Socket H3)*
LGA 1150 (Socket H3)*
LGA 1151*

System Bus Speed
OPI*
5 GT/s (DMI2)*
8 GT/s*

Cache Bus Speed
3.4 GHz (Built-in)
3.3 GHz (Built-in)
3.2 GHz (Built-in)

ROM/Firmware
EFI
EFI
EFI

EFI Architecture
64-Bit
64-Bit
64-Bit

L1 Cache
32k/32k
32k/32k
32k/32k

L2 Cache
256k (x4), 6 MB
256k (x4), 6 MB
256k x4, 6 MB (on chip)

RAM Type
PC3-12800 DDR3
PC3-12800 DDR3
PC3-14900 DDR3

Min. RAM Speed
1600 MHz
1600 MHz
1867 MHz

Standard RAM
8 GB
8 GB
8 GB

Maximum RAM
32 GB
32 GB
64 GB*

Motherboard RAM
None
None
None

RAM Slots
4
4
4

Video Card
GeForce GTX 775M
Radeon R9 M290
Radeon R9 M380/M390*

VRAM Type
GDDR5
GDDR5
GDDR5

Standard VRAM
2 GB
2 GB
2 GB

Maximum VRAM
2 GB*
2 GB
2 GB

Display
27" 16:9 Widescreen
27" 16:9 Widescreen
27" 16:9 Widescreen

Resolution
2560x1440
5120x2880
5120x2880

2nd Disp Support
Dual/Mirroring*
Dual/Mirroring*
Dual/Mirroring*

2nd Max Res
2560x1600 (x2)
3840x2160*
5120x2880*

Video Port
2 (Thunderbolt)
2 (Thunderbolt 2)
2 (Thunderbolt 2)

Standard HD
1 TB (7200 RPM)
1 TB (7200 RPM)
1 TB*

Int HD Interface
Serial ATA (6 Gb/s)/PCIe*
Serial ATA (6 Gb/s)/PCIe*
Serial ATA (6 Gb/s)/PCIe*

Standard Optical
None*
None*
None*

Standard Ethernet
10/100/1000Base-T
10/100/1000Base-T
10/100/1000Base-T

Standard AirPort
802.11ac*
802.11ac*
802.11ac*

Standard Bluetooth
4
4
4

USB
4 (3.0)
4 (3.0)
4 (3.0)

Firewire
None
None
None

Expansion Slots
SDXC SD Card
SDXC SD Card
SDXC SD Card

Expansion Bays
None
None
None

Keyboard Type
Apple Wireless Keyboard
Apple Wireless Keyboard
Apple Magic Keyboard

Input Type
Magic Mouse/Trackpad
Magic Mouse/Trackpad
Magic Mouse 2*

Case Type
All-in-One
All-in-One
All-in-One

Form Factor
27" iMac Late 2012
27" iMac Late 2012
27" iMac Late 2012

Apple Subfamily
Late 2013
Retina 5K, Mid-2015
Retina 5K, Late 2015

Order Number
ME089LL/A
MF885LL/A
MK462LL/A*

Model Number
A1419
A1419
A1419

EMC Number
2639
2806
2834

Model Identifier
iMac14,2
iMac15,1
iMac17,1

Battery Type
N/A
N/A
N/A

Battery Life
N/A
N/A
N/A

Original OS
X 10.8.4 (12E4022)
X 10.10.2 (14C500)
X 10.11 (15A4310)

Maximum OS
Current
Current
Current

Minimum Windows
7 (64-Bit)*
7 (64-Bit)*
10 (64-Bit)*

Maximum Windows
10 (64-Bit)*
10 (64-Bit)*
10 (64-Bit)*

Mac OS 9
None
None
None

Windows
Boot/Virtualization
Boot/Virtualization
Boot/Virtualization

Dimensions
20.3 x 25.6 x 8
20.3 x 25.6 x 8
20.3 x 25.6 x 8

Avg Weight
21 lbs. (9.54 kg)
21 lbs. (9.54 kg)
21 lbs. (9.54 kg)

Original Price
US$1999
US$1999
US$1799, US$1999*

Est Current Retail
US$1800-US$1900
US$1800-US$1900
US$1799, US$1999*
Click to expand...
 
The 2013 model (ME089) doesn't have the 5K screen, but it does have very capable graphics card-- perhaps nice for gaming
The middle model is a pre-skylake 5K mac (MD885), released around half a year after the original r5k iMac to appeal to those with budgets. Apple cut down the graphics card slightly and replaced the "fusion drive" with an ordinary hard drive-- both bad moves in my opinion.
The latest model (MK462) is the entry level skylake retina imac. It has a better display than the MD885, but at it's lowest price point, it has the m380 graphics card, which is even more cut down. If has the m390, it's probably a better machine than the md885. If it has the m380, you're trading off the better screen for a video card that's half as powerful.

You can upgrade RAM in these machines.
 
So i have the chance to exchange my ME089 imac to another version. The shop allow me to do that.

The prices are higher so if the monitor is the issue and the ME089 imac is good in relation to the others is it worty pay more 1000 euros for the Imac that have the M390 graphic card that is the Mk472 model?...

Is the late 2013 ME089 a good imac even if dienst have the retina display? How do you compare it with the re ent imac versions??

In relation to apple warranty and labour and services it is covered with 2 years peace of mind..

I bought the ME089 imac in a retail big shop and this was the only unit displaying in the shop. Originaly it cost 2000 euros but now was only 1400 euros. When i switched on the imac all ok but then when i wanted to install El Capitan there was the shop password so i think not many people messed with it.. if theres something wrong they will have to replace it or repaire it..

So do you you think i should swap it tk a newer version and pay arround 1000 euros difference??

I will be using this imac to produce multimedia (images and videos) not heavy professional stuff but for the webpages as i run a company and quite often have to make some adverts, etc.





jerwin said:
The 2013 model (ME089) doesn't have the 5K screen, but it does have very capable graphics card-- perhaps nice for gaming
The middle model is a pre-skylake 5K mac (MD885), released around half a year after the original r5k iMac to appeal to those with budgets. Apple cut down the graphics card slightly and replaced the "fusion drive" with an ordinary hard drive-- both bad moves in my opinion.
The latest model (MK462) is the entry level skylake retina imac. It has a better display than the MD885, but at it's lowest price point, it has the m380 graphics card, which is even more cut down. If has the m390, it's probably a better machine than the md885. If it has the m380, you're trading off the better screen for a video card that's half as powerful.

You can upgrade RAM in these machines.
Click to expand...
 
Really, it comes down to the screen. Do you want something that's extra sharp, or does antialiased text not bother you? Do you want to see 4k video in all it's splendor, or does that not interest you?

Putting aside that consideration, the earliest machine may be the best one.

Now for the second consideration-- color gamut. The late 2015 imacs have wider color gamuts than the imacs that came before. If that's not important to you, but 5k is, pick the middle model.

PS, your use of codes to refer to imacs is a little confusing.

This is my personal machine: "late 2014 retina iMac, 3.5ghz, 1tb fusion, m290x"

The fusion drive gives macosx a sizable speed boost. I didn't buy the mid2015 imac because it had an ordinary hard drive.
 
Last edited:
Hi thanks!
To be honest iam quite naive to 5K retina display.. Never used it and have a macbook pro not retina.

What i know is thst when i switched on the ME089 imac i bought it look dark and blurry... Didnt seem right... I bought the imac in an open box as the imac was in the shop exibition hall where everyone were looking and probably trying it out..

For 700 euro difference is it worthy change it to the newest MK472 imac model with the M390 graphic card?

Iam not a video pro guy and dont watch so many videos (never watched a 4K video) or play high end games... The middle model MF885 today sold out the last unit...
 
Hi,

I went to the shop and paid extra 800 euros and got the MK472 model with this specs:

APPLE - iMac 27 -inch 5K Retina: Core i5 3.2GHz / 8GB / 1TB Fusion / AMD Radeon R9 M390 w / 2GB

Is this a better machine than the ME089??...
 
Today one guy from the shop told me if i wanted to change the imac to the MF885:

APPLE - iMac 27 -inch 5K Retina: Core i5 3.2GHz / 8GB / 1TB / AMD Radeon R9 M290 x / 2GB

Its 1000 euros cheaper than the one MK472 i bought...

How can you compare the graphics cards M390 w and M290x?
 
1000 euros cheaper? That's suspicious.

What are the actual prices?

also
MF885 has a m290 (no X). Probably the same speed as a m390. The m290x (which comes with the 3.5 GHz 2014 model) is somewhat faster. This ins't that big a deal, but some art programs do use openCL.

Whether that 1 TB drive is an SSD, a fusion drive, or a 7200 rpm hard drive makes a huge difference. Essentially, the slow speed of the 7200rpm hard drive slows the rest of the computer down... SSDs are fast but expensive. A "fusion drive" splits the difference.
 
Its that cheap because this major retailer want to sell the last unit that is already discontinued so thats why is sold 1356 euros.

I have paid 2200 eiros for the latest imac MK472 with 1TB fusion drive with M390 graphic card..

I think you recommend me to keep the one i have bought true?
 
  • Like
Reactions: jerwin
Hi Jerwin!

I have been doing some research into these two models MF885 and MK472 and the MF885 wins from reviews to personal statments from apple people from the spple stores i contacted.

Despite the MK472 is the newer imac version, the MF885 has an overall better configuration and has a better processor, a better graphics card the M290x but has a not so fast HDD the 1TB 7200rpm. The other specs and the same basically.

So the MF885 cost 1380 euros and the MK472 cost me 2200 euros... man theres a big $$$ difference gap between these two machines... If I exchange the MK472 that i bought to the MF885 I can upgrade for a 1TB fusion drive HDD and will cost me 300 euros with apple labour included. .. so thats a deal!! In the end with the HDD replacement the imac will cost 1680 euros even 600 less than what I paid for the MK472. with that money I can even upgrade the memory to 16GB and be with a great and fast MF885 iMac dont you agree?

I think this is wise.. I just cant spend so much on a machine if theres another with 90% same specs 1000 euros cheaper...
 
oh, I didn't know about the the possibility of upgrading machines after the fact.. Yeah, that sounds like a good option.
 
Ok i have been today in the shop... Apparently the MF885 model have the M290 and not the M290x graphics card... Is that a big difference??... How these two compare each other??

The real value of this MF885 imac is 1600 euros so i would save 600 euros if I replace it with the one i bought the MK472.. Thats a big difference...

The only differences between these to imac models is the HDD that is 1TB and Radeon M290 in the MF885 compared to thd 1TB Fusion drive and Radeon M390 in the MK472.

The MF885 even with these specs is still a good machine??
 
Apparently the MF885 model have the M290 and not the M290x graphics card... Is that a big difference??.
Click to expand...

The m290 offers 90% of what the m290x offers. The m390 is most likely the same speed as the m290-- the first digit is AMD's marketing fluff.

This is only a problem if you want or need all the graphics/opencl power that you can get. The m380 (the bargain basement model) offers maybe half the power of the m290.

You'll see a much larger difference with the hard drive versus the fusion-- although, for the late 2015 models, Apple skimped on the SSD component (24 GB of really fast flash versus 128 GB of fairly speedy flash).
 
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