Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

TechCrunch Full 5k iMac Review..."the best desktop computer available"

bumfluff

bumfluff

macrumors regular
Original poster
Sep 21, 2014
152
55
http://techcrunch.com/2014/10/20/retina-imac-review/


as more and more professional reviews come in, its pretty clear that the gpu performance issues were overblown by some (most) on this forum:rolleyes:

would it be better with the nvidia set-up? probably, maybe, who knows. will it be better with the next-gen intel chips? yes, but those aren't available yet. at the end of the day :apple: did what :apple: does best...make beautiful products that work like they should
 
Last edited:
I would say it's the best all-in-one computer. Yes it is a desktop technically, but in a bit different way.

But in average desktop wise, iMac spec is just .. well .. average. Except of course for the built in display. No one else do a 5K yet except Dell (which is groggy at best with its connection).

As a whole package though (again, as an all-in-one) it is the best thing money can buy.
 
bumfluff said:
http://techcrunch.com/2014/10/20/retina-imac-review/


as more and more professional reviews come in, its pretty clear that the gpu performance issues were overblown by some (most) on this forum:rolleyes:

would it be better with the nvidia set-up? probably, maybe, who knows. will it be better with the next-gen intel chips? yes, but those aren't available yet. at the end of the day :apple: did what :apple: does best...make beautiful products that work like they should
Click to expand...

Yes, over the top negative hysteria about a product the person has never touched is generally going to be wrong. And while this forum has always had that as long as I can recall, it seems to be becoming more frequent, stronger, more bitter to the point where top comments on an article about iphone sales are all caps messages to tim cook about the specs of the new mac mini...
 
lk400 said:
Yes, over the top negative hysteria about a product the person has never touched is generally going to be wrong. And while this forum has always had that as long as I can recall, it seems to be becoming more frequent, stronger, more bitter to the point where top comments on an article about iphone sales are all caps messages to tim cook about the specs of the new mac mini...
Click to expand...

Your not wrong, the vitriol is getting worse on other sites too. Sheesh, the hatred people express over silicon! o_O

Thanks OP for the review, on the hunt for a top end mac next year. Not sure which way I will go, iMac retina sure is tempting :cool:
 
Has anyone seen benchmarks of the m295x? Is it worth upgrading to? I'm just unsure if the m290x can adequately power the display while using programs like photoshop...
 
kzhlin said:
Has anyone seen benchmarks of the m295x? Is it worth upgrading to? I'm just unsure if the m290x can adequately power the display while using programs like photoshop...
Click to expand...

Why not ?

Everybody and their mothers keep saying that, but nobody has any information on either card, let alone Apple's probable customisation of it. That, and all the other things that matter. The new TCON chip for one.

So it's all speculation at this point. So it comes down to, either we trust them, or we don't and wait for a few weeks. Even Benchmarks can be misleading.
 
kzhlin said:
Has anyone seen benchmarks of the m295x? Is it worth upgrading to? I'm just unsure if the m290x can adequately power the display while using programs like photoshop...
Click to expand...

you kinda missed the whole point of this thread, yes?
 
kzhlin said:
Has anyone seen benchmarks of the m295x? Is it worth upgrading to? I'm just unsure if the m290x can adequately power the display while using programs like photoshop...
Click to expand...

Photoshop will be fine. The thing that made the most difference to me on my imac with photoshop was ram (when working with multiple layers etc) and moving from mountain lion to mavericks.

I think the base assumption should be that apple are aware that driving a "5K" display needs a certain amount of GPU power, and have not overlooked this in designing the system (given that "5K" is the only major update to the system).
 
so you guys think the base model is fine for working with logic pro x and aperture?

(I'll update the RAM myself of course)
 
apfelmann said:
so you guys think the base model is fine for working with logic pro x and aperture?

(I'll update the RAM myself of course)
Click to expand...

Yes, it will be "fine", depending on what "fine" means to you, since it's a subjective term. ;)

But, to be more serious, yes, it will run them without too much issues, unless you are doing some amazing and professional stuff with logic pro x. I've never seen a 2012 rMBP struggle with Aperture, so the latest iMac won't have a problem with it.
 
It was a "leap of faith" to order the new iMac without seeing/touching/reading reviews first. Since my past Apple products have all lived up to their descriptions I went ahead and ordered mine.

Even though I was pretty sure the new 5k iMac would be something special it's good to start seeing reviews that not only confirm that, but go BEYOND what I was hoping to hear! And, the latest buzz that the m295x is going to be more powerful than the cynics assumed is also welcome news.

If all goes according to plan w/Fedex I'll be using mine tomorrow and then I'll know for sure. :D
 
karmamule said:
It was a "leap of faith" to order the new iMac without seeing/touching/reading reviews first. Since my past Apple products have all lived up to their descriptions I went ahead and ordered mine.

Even though I was pretty sure the new 5k iMac would be something special it's good to start seeing reviews that not only confirm that, but go BEYOND what I was hoping to hear! And, the latest buzz that the m295x is going to be more powerful than the cynics assumed is also welcome news.

If all goes according to plan w/Fedex I'll be using mine tomorrow and then I'll know for sure. :D
Click to expand...
Be sure to install Windows and 3dmark straight away and let us know.

295x is the real puzzle here, all else is known.

I'm slightly concerned with fan noise after reading that tech crunch review. That's what annoys me with my 2011 MBP. It gets really hot and noisy while playing Civ V.
 
omenatarhuri said:
Be sure to install Windows and 3dmark straight away and let us know.

295x is the real puzzle here, all else is known.

I'm slightly concerned with fan noise after reading that tech crunch review. That's what annoys me with my 2011 MBP. It gets really hot and noisy while playing Civ V.
Click to expand...

Not everyone is interested in installing Windows on their new iMac. It would be pretty far down my list, actually it would´t even be on my list.
So don´t get upset if karmamule won´t do you that favour;-)

I really want to replace my old MP with this machine. The display is exactly what I want. Finally being able to see my footage in it´s full resolution. Wondering how well/bad it will handle 5K footage.

I don´t expect it to compete with our HP820 workstation, I leave rendering to that

----------
OLDCODGER said:
Useless without a full matte option.
Click to expand...

USELESS!
Woaw, that is a pretty bold statement. I´m pretty sure I can put it to good use.
 
Honestly, I'm excited about this computer but this was such a fanboy piece. No serious testing, no benchmarks, barely any negatives listed, it felt like link bait to become the first iMac Retina Review.

I'm waiting for Anandtech or at least The Verge before purchasing.
 
pasadena said:
The new TCON chip for one.
Click to expand...

The TCON doesn't have anything to do with graphics performance. It's a timing controller that the display needs in order to properly display the image that the GPU has rendered.

Apple doesn't really customize GPUs aside from slightly under or overclocking them.

Either way, I want this new iMac. I'm just waiting for more reviews to roll in so I can decide which $250-300 upgrades are worth it, and which are not.
 
OLDCODGER said:
Perhaps you can, but I cannot. Glossy screen reflections give me a headache/eye strain.

As one gets older, eyes become much less forgiving.
Click to expand...

Yeah, well, good luck with that. And I mean it, because I love matte screens, but they're almost impossible to come by now. iMac or standalone. I'm currently working on a matte iiyama monitor - I bought it 5 years ago for the completely matte screen and the 16/10 form factor, even when it's not IPS.

Unfortunately it's in its last months of life.

I'm reaaaaaally looking forward to the riMac's screen and resolution, but I will sure miss the matte treatment.

But as I said, it's almost impossible to find a matte screen these days, except maybe in the pro ranges. So 99% of the existing monitors, iMac included, are "useless" for you.
 
Agree - wait for more reviews. The first few are quick and gushing over the screen. Not that's it's bad to gush over the screen. It's the main update.
Looks like all the review units are the base model.
 
pasadena said:
Yeah, well, good luck with that. And I mean it, because I love matte screens, but they're almost impossible to come by now. iMac or standalone. I'm currently working on a matte iiyama monitor - I bought it 5 years ago for the completely matte screen and the 16/10 form factor, even when it's not IPS.

Unfortunately it's in its last months of life.

I'm reaaaaaally looking forward to the riMac's screen and resolution, but I will sure miss the matte treatment.

But as I said, it's almost impossible to find a matte screen these days, except maybe in the pro ranges. So 99% of the existing monitors, iMac included, are "useless" for you.
Click to expand...

Using two Dell 22 inch EPS matte screens, which are ideal for my needs. Resolution beyond 1080p is of little use to me, so I hope to be able to renew as required (ten years should see me out).
 
omenatarhuri said:
Be sure to install Windows and 3dmark straight away and let us know.

295x is the real puzzle here, all else is known.

I'm slightly concerned with fan noise after reading that tech crunch review. That's what annoys me with my 2011 MBP. It gets really hot and noisy while playing Civ V.
Click to expand...


Unfortunately Yoak is right, I'm not planning on installing Windows anytime in the near future because (unlike when I got my last iMac) I have a recently purchased Falcon Northwest Fragbox that runs everything superbly so I have no need.

I still plan to do some gaming on my new iMac (ESO, some WoW, a few of my Steam games with Mac clients) so will let you know how that goes.
 
welp im picking my fully maxed riMac up this morning, ill let you know how it goes
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back