I've been running my 27" 3.5 GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7 with 32gb RAM since 2013. I was really hoping to upgrade to an M1 or M2, but the fact that the RAM isn't upgradable on the Silicon, and the 2020 can take 128gb RAM with a simple back panel, makes me think I'll get the 2020 over the M1. Still, going from a 2013 to a 2020 model should be enough of an upgrade for a few more years.
This was an outstanding comparison and truly right on time. In May 2021, if buying an iMac today, I would 100 percent get a used discontinued 27-inch Intel iMac Pro model. Even with myself, not being a power user (no video editing, no audio editing, or graphics design, etc.) it is just the best way to go because an iMac Pro has it all.
Great review. Thank you! I really want a 27” iMac. Love all the ports - I’m not a fan of dongles and extra gadget clutter on my desk. (When I bought my first MacBook, after 20 years on Windows, I was so disappointed about having to buy a USB power-cabled hub, and it was a nuisance - I don’t want *thin*, I want *efficient*!) Plus the classic 27” is such a beautiful piece of art, superb design.
Amen on the not wanting thin! I am sick and tired of Apple acting like all they care about is seeing how flipping thin they can make a computer or iPhone! I have a dead cheese grater Mac Pro Tower sitting in my office that was supposed to never go out all I would have to do is upgrade components. Right! it's nothing but a pretty brushed aluminum boat anchor :(
Exactly, it's literally on your desk, give me all the ports I can get! And same for the design, I have a white iPhone SE, but ugh, white on a computer, no thank you.
It is interesting to me that they pared down the ports on the M1 iMac and yet on the Macbook Pro they are having to add the ports back because people hated that you needed a dongle for everything. I think for ports, screensize and backwards compatibility I will be sticking with the 27"
well yes both are still on sale..but the M1 pro/max are part of the new generation of apple and the M1 iMac is still part of the 13' M1 generation. the M1 pro/max are the beginning of a new chapter in apple
I still would get the 27imac by far, I prefer the design, the sound is better too, the only thing is the camera but that's it. Even though I own an m1 air. The next line of pro computers will be amazing for sure, but if I would be looking to be one desktop now, that would the old one, I still love the design and the 5k display.
@@Ivan-mt9kl Ofc I didn't get it. I got a Gaming PC for very cheap in this time. It has a i7-8700, 16GB RAM and a RTX 2060. Runs Windows 10, MacOS and Linux.
This was the best comparison video ever👍🏾 thank you.. thank you.. thank you🙏🏾, I canceled my 24inch IMac order last month. I really didn’t like the look or size but I was scared to get the 27inch because it’s a older last intel model. I’ve watched a ton of videos and everybody spoke in terms I couldn’t understand but your video was so informative.. I just ordered the 27inch❤️ from BestBuy( they have a $300 discount going on now). I really feel like I made the best decision for me, especially after watching your video😁
To my ears, the 27” sounds open with a wider range of harmonic presence, especially above 3k and below 100 hz. The 24” sounds squashed in terms of presence and dynamically flat. I’ve never thought of using speakers built into an iMac for music, but the 27 in this video sounds good!
I recently watched a video where a guy compared the m1 iMac to a fully speced out 2020 27" and concluded that the m1 was better/faster in every way. I knew that couldn't possibly be the case, thank you for a good high quality video!
I would like the older 27" over the newer 24" imacs, however I'm afraid that the newer upcoming OS in a year or two don't run on the intel based CPU vs Apple M1. What do you think?
The old one looks so much more premium and substantial. It's a Machine, whereas the 24 looks like a toy. Hopefully the redesigned 27 inch will speak the same design language as the old model.
I want to know why Apple won't make a 27’ Imac running the new chips. I have spoken to many people, and they have all complained about the smaller monitor and fewer ports.
I produce structural reports on buildings. The reports are up to 1000 pages documenting the structure. For 11 years using a core 2 mini then an i7 mini without a problem. In April bought an M1 mini 16gig 1 terabyte. With the M1 Preview stalls every time I try to merge files have had to revert to a 9 year old mini when compiling the reports as the M1 I cannot manage the simple task, wasted a day online and on phone with Apple without a fix. Asked for a refund which Apple denied as it was past their refund period which contravenes Australian consumer law
Thanks for the video. I use a 16-inch 2021 MacBook pro and also a 2019 13-inch MacBook pro. I am tempted to replace my 2019 MacBook for a M1 but I think I will wait for either a 27-inch iMac with M1 or a 16-inch M1 MacBook Pro. Big screens really make a big difference and it is not the same as using an external monitor. I really hope bigger M1s are released this 2021 🤘
I’ve never had a 27” iMac but I’ve had a white iMac g4, a 20” imac a 21.5 iMac and now the 24” mid tier iMac that I’m very happy with now. It’s very light and pretty snappy. All my computers are hooked up to a home stereo so the speakers don’t matter.
I have the entry level 5k iMac, sorry but for me comparison is a non-brainer. ..I take the beautiful 5k screen (people underestimate how much a comparable stand alone 5k screen would cost), upgradeable RAM (I have 80GB now), and eGPU option over a Tablet/Laptop CPU any day of the week (I think we have to remind ourselves, Apple put an iPad/Macbook Air CPU in the new iMac....why people are ok getting shortchanged like that, puzzles me.)
Almost 100% sure you are not even using the 5k resolution 😂😂most people don’t realise you need to change the settings to turn to actual 5k, out of the box standard settings the screen is close to 4k
@@MF_OXF thanks, I think we are mixing two things here. 1) the actual pixel resolution of the screen, 2) the magnification the OS does for text and other parts of the GUI for the user to read "bigger". Even at larger manigification, the actual pixel sharpness is the same. so even if I have larger fonts for icons, or menus, if I open Lightroom I can show a 4k photo or in Premiere a 4k video, pixel by pixel and have some (not much) pixels to show some tools or menus.
I really wish apple had gone with a slightly larger form factor to give us a display that was actually 24 inches rather than 23.5 inches. Wouldn't have made the iMac THAT much larger/heavier and would've been more of a substantial upgrade from the 21.5 inch display. I've been using the new m1 iMac for about a week and I don't mind the screen size, especially since I'm coming from a vintage 21.5 inch iMac. But depending on the pricing of the m1 successor to the 27 inch iMac, I'll probably be selling/trading my 23.5 inch iMac just for the display size. Also I suspect the display on the larger m1 iMac will be HDR capable like its predecessor, which I'm kinda disappointed isn't the case for the 23.5 inch iMac.
I understand all the comparison in all reviewers but again, it was never intended to be compared to the big 27', instead, it was meant to be compared to the old 21 inch iMac. The 24' is for home users, even tho that's the main purpose, actually in daily usage you can tell it outperform even the top 27 (which I have as well). Of course for Pro works, keep the 27 until they release the new one.
I was very lucky today to find on FB a 2020 27 inch iMac not even open brand new in BOX! specs are 3.8ghz cpu 32 gigs ram and a and 5700xt with a 2t ssd I pad 500 cash ! I even have apple care setup! very happy With this apple ! its crazy fast !
great review but I wish you would have reviewed it with the 27 inch, 2020, i7 model. I have the 8-core i7 with 40gb ram and the AMD Radeon Pro5500 XT 8GB. I also compared mine with the new 24inch and found that my 27 inch was all around better than the 24inch. test were done with Final Cut and Lightroom. Hoping that Apple with come with something in-between the 24inch and the Apple Studio desktop.
Exactly the comparison video I've been searching for! Thank you! I have a question that I don't know if anyone can answer - but here goes: If you were a prognosticator, do you think 5 years from now, the same two computer (the 2021 24" m1 and the 2020 27" intel) would still be comparable? Or do you think that Apple will somehow let the 2021 24" M1 adapt while the 2020 27" intel languishes in old technology? (will i still be happy with the 2020 27" iMac in 5 years or will I be using a betamax machine in a vhs world?)
Using history as a guide you could assume that Apple will give 2-3 years of major OS updates AFTER the transition is completed but will get security and app updates for a few years after that.
I’m a dance and yoga instructor who is planning on bringing my iMac to and from work as I don’t have a TV and home and have worked exclusively on an iPad Pro for years. The 27” seems to take the cake but for weight and camera needs. Really wish a larger and lighter pro model were here now. Business starts in 60 days though!
Just ordered a refurbished 2020 27 inch to replace my 2012 27 inch, ordered some 3 party ram, nice and cheep these days and I should be good for another 10 years.
Love the video! I have been debating purchasing the 27" 2020 iMac over the 24" M1 iMac. Would I be purchasing a dinosaur going with the 27" this late in the game? I love the 2020 display as well as the RAM upgradeability, but don't want to buy something that may be outdated in a couple years. Any thoughts?
I'm in the market for a new iMac as a work computer. I don't plan on doing any photo or video editing on it outside of the web apps I use. However, I have many apps open, so the CPU performance is definitely going to help with that. Audio isn't that big of a requirement for me, as I normally use headphones when working on my computer. I'm currently using a MacBook Pro 13" with Retina (mid-2013) that is still working just fine, but I feel is going to be on its way out soon. I was looking at the 27" model, but after hearing about how efficient the M1 is, I've been leaning to the 24" iMac. Your video dove into the performance aspect I needed to see and how it would fit my needs.
I’m just hoping Apple offers a 27” in an M1 version and not only the rumored 30/32” display. 27” seems to be the sweet spot. I’ve worked on larger monitors and it gets to be hassle with edge to edge navigation.
Thanks for confirming my doubts about the flashier 24. I’m using the 27 now at work, and it’s still not convincing enough as a product to take home. So, I’m holding out on the new 27 M1-2 iMac expected in late(?) 2022. Thanks for this review!
Good luck with that. Apple isn't going to release an Apple Silicon powered 27 inch iMac. They have replaced the 27 inch iMac with the 27 inch Studio Display and the Mac Studio.
if a 30"+ iMac (Pro) comes out until next march I'll go for it; with my 2012 27" iMac getting slower and making designing pretty annoying I'm looking forward to a big iMac which I will upgrade with at least 16 GB RAM and 1TB storage - that'll be great
Thanks just got the 27 for win compatibility reasons…. Gess it still rocks for many years to come like my old 2015 imac it replaces now after 7 years 👍🤩
I just got a 27" iMac and having it for the past 1 week it's a good machine for what I'm doing:D I like it more than the new design and also has bigger display ;)
Hi Jerry, thanks for the review. It is so good. I am going to by the imac 27" 2020, which model you suggest? 3.1GHz, 3,3GHz and 3.8GHz? will you suggest to upgrade the memory and SSD? thanks
I would add third party memory if needed and external storage since it is a desktop. I think the i7 is a great performer but definitely look at refurb and keep checking because the stock is updated many times per day.
When the new studio display came out (instead of a 27in M1 iMac) I was disappointed. So for the same price of the studio display (which is the same 5k display as the 2020 27in iMac) you can get both the display and an 8-core intel desktop all in one if you choose the 2020.
I think I'll wait for the 3/6/22 Apple Event and if the 27 in. comes with the new M2 processor, it will be hands down. My wife however will most likely get the 24 in iMac with the M2 processor. Thanks for all the information Mr. Schulze, and good luck to all your endeavors.
It's been a while since you posted this. We are at the M3 already and still the 2020 iMac keeps up well against the M series. For the screen size and upgradability of the ram I just bought myself one with 64 Gigs of ram.
I have found the perfect screen size with the new iMac. Not only is it aesthetically pleasing but it really is perfect for me to do everything I need. big but not too big and doesn’t feel small at all. I think it will really depend on the individual, for me I don’t do any video editing, and my need is for business and personal use. From the updated programs to the speed and everything in between I couldn’t be happier.
this video was made for me! I decided against the new 24" iMac all things considered. I upgraded my 2020 27" iMac RAM to 32GB and it's really a great machine! I may jump to a new machine if/when Apple releases a bigger screen.
I went ahead and ordered the 24" after Apple didn't announce anything on the 7th. The iMac I'm using now has lasted 8 years with no problems, but now that I can't run the latest version of MacOS, I had to upgrade. Considering I'll probably have this new iMac for at least 5-6 years, getting a deprecated Intel based version just doesn't make sense.
My 27 inch iMac is dying. the video fades over time and sometimes will not start. I am leagally blind and can only see a little bit as through a straw. The large display is notw almost too much. Is it better to go with the smaller Macbook Air M1 withthe smaller display and just use the voice over as my screen reader? or is ti better with the new iMac? Confused about this without trying it at home. Does Apple allow a trial at home? What do you suggest?
Apple has a great 15 day return period in many places. And If you decide in that 15 days to dater the return you actually have another 15 days or more to do the return.
Hello, Jerry. I'm a professional Portuguese/Italian/Spanish translator. Basically, I'm always working on texts, with two opened documents at the same time. I love my old iMac 27 (2013) but just right now it's almost a museum piece (of art). What do you think about the screen size differences? Could this 24 screen work for texts editions? Thank you for the content. Regards from Brazil.
I'd go for the 27-inch, simply because it's able to run Windows 10 and has an AMD Graphics Card. Not that I'm not a fan of the M1, I think it's a great new technology, but as it stands now, I wouldn't be able to use the 24-inch iMac as my main machine.
im first time mac user (i got apple products such as iphone and ipad ,but not when it comes to the pc, always had windows one) and i did the jump as a first timer with the 27 inch 2020 imac due to the big beautiful screen its my tv to watch netflix,movies etc,and the ports yeah im coming from a windows laptop with all the ports...and becuz i love big screens and the audio from the 27 is wow.....thank you for the comparison...yeah i love the upgrading option of the 27 again habits from my windows side....fantastic video
Great video Jerry, thanks. I’ve always bought apple refurb and it’s always been great. Including the 2017 iPad I’m writing this on. With the 2020 refurb macs I wonder if Apple replaces the SSD before selling as a refurb. I hope so, because 2-3 years of unknown stress put upon an ssd could be a worry. I think. If anyone cares to comment, please do!
My work flow requires that I use a single program, a quote system that requires Windows to run. So I chose the iMac 27" Intel. Now you could probably run Microsoft Remote Desktop, but there's going to be some lag you wouldn't get using the built in Bootcamp software.
I really enjoyed your video and I’m struggling with what desktop I should buy... the iMac 27” i7/i9 max graphics, or the m1 iMac 16gb ram, or just a pro xdr with the Mac mini?? Please help 😩.... I don’t really have a strict budget but I am planning on buying a desktop that will stand the test of time for the next 3-5 years min.... also I plan on doing Logic Pro and Final Cut Pro for music and UA-cam.... photo editing and school..... (I know it’s a lot) so if I could get your opinion that would be great
Wow…hmmm….I guess you are not in a hurry, maybe wait 2 weeks and see what wwdc brings. The most powerful of what you mentioned is the 27” imac and it will definitly do what you need and depending how how professional you are with FCP/Logic the Mini may work. I love the idea of a pro display xdr and change computer every few months.
That’s what I was thinking... because I think the pro xdr with a Mac mini is the most flexible option, I just never had a desktop computer sooo I’m all over the place lol 😂
Hi there! My iMac 27 I got in 2014 and it was a 2012 model. I’m totally due for an upgrade. My main goto’s are Final Cut Pro , Lightroom and Adobe Photoshop. I have 16 GB of Ram which I presume I could transfer over if I got a refurbished newer iMac 27. But I’m not sure if any new updates with those programs I mentioned would start rendering a newer iMac 27 as “vintage” sooner than later. I’ve thought about getting a Mac Pro and use my old 2012 screen as a display, but I also figure the more portable the device, the more risk of banging up, losing or theft. Any thoughts on the lifespan of the latest refurbished compared to a new iMac 24? I was headed towards the 24 but if the performance isn’t that tremendous I don’t see going for it.
Hi Jerry, thank you for sharing this clip. My iMac i5 27” 5K 2020 still works well. However, can I upgrade cpu to i9 10th gen too? And is there anyway to upgrade to ID touch keyboard. I9 Intel Macbook pro also has ID touch?
I have a 2019 iPad Pro that I use on-the-go and to bring with me everywhere. I’m dwelling between buying the M1 Mac or the 2020 iMac, I plan on using it at home, for school and video editing (as i want to post on UA-cam), nothing heavily edited), maybe some photo editing but nothing crazy. I don’t mind the screen size or volume. I want this next computer to last me a good 5-7 years without worrying about updates and storage. Should i get the M1?
First video that i like from all channels… you dont talk too much and straight to the point. Nice clean clear. Keep up the good job and please tell me how do you compare the maxed out 27inch imac with maxed out M1 imac?
Hi thanks so much!!! I would say it’s very similar to this video but tilted even more toward the 27”. However, I did have an i9 iMac and the fan was on super often. I think the i7 is the sweet spot for the 27 and that’s what I am still using today!
@@JerrySchulze i truly sincerely meant it. Please keep this simple style as more and more people try too hard to be attractive gain more followers not knowing its having reverse effect on ppl like me. So i really like your style... in all ways. First time im not annoyed😂 So the i9 maxed out GPU is not roasting M1?
@@sirpfa I have been a systems engineer for 13 years and I manage 13 server and storage engineers. I left the Mac for 7 years because I didn’t like where apple was headed and just came back to the Mac in 2020. FYI, I have a new video about the 27 iMac m.ua-cam.com/video/S5u3pWzJ6Ew/v-deo.html
Hi Jerry: I'm a photographer and want to know over time if the M1 chip will outperform the intel. I'm basically waiting for the new M1 chip with a larger screen rumoured to be coming out next year before pulling the trigger on a new iMac.
I'm expecting the 2022 iMac 30"(ish) to blow away the 2020 in virtually all performance categories. That expectation is making me wait to upgrade my 2019 i5 with 580x graphics. Looking at Apple's refurb site makes me think a 2020 i7 with a 1tb ssd is a screaming deal at $2100.
Very good video, thanks. I have a 10 year old 27", so I am in the need for a new one by the end of the year. For average home use, it looks like either would be fine. How much is that adaptor that you used with the 24" to get all the same ports? I do like the bigger screen, but a lighter weight model with a touch screen has some appeal to me also.
So I am looking to convert from PC to Mac in the coming weeks or so. I am torn after watching your videos. It would be for more basic home use/a light load of video/pic editing, Video conferencing and then content consumption. I have an iPad (2020) Pro and iPhone Pro Max and daughter has a Mac book air but wife and son have PCs. Most of the photos are going to iPhone based so no need to worry about a card reader. Suggestions? I am also unsure about the amount of RAM to get - especially if I go for the 24” iMac M1
Thanks for detail information. Now April 2024, still we can find New stock of iMac 27'' i5 2020 in our market, I woluld like to learn your opinion and your suggest offer with iMac 27'' i5 2020 vs iMac 24'' M1 2021. Which one is better at the moment ?
Unlimited Cloud Backup for Mac using Backblaze ua-cam.com/video/E04Qx8w8Sac/v-deo.html
idk what test you run but m1 crushes core i9 and you are comparing to core i5
@@zekirjaalidema7040 hi. My tests are clear at 2:28 and 2:48. Thanks for checking it out.
Hi wanted to ask which imac should I choose I need to get my coding work and also I do switch Linux os and my budget is 1800usd
I've been running my 27" 3.5 GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7 with 32gb RAM since 2013. I was really hoping to upgrade to an M1 or M2, but the fact that the RAM isn't upgradable on the Silicon, and the 2020 can take 128gb RAM with a simple back panel, makes me think I'll get the 2020 over the M1. Still, going from a 2013 to a 2020 model should be enough of an upgrade for a few more years.
For the screen size and the look, I'll definitely go for the Intel one.
This was an outstanding comparison and truly right on time. In May 2021, if buying an iMac today, I would 100 percent get a used discontinued 27-inch Intel iMac Pro model. Even with myself, not being a power user (no video editing, no audio editing, or graphics design, etc.) it is just the best way to go because an iMac Pro has it all.
Screen size is the reason I’m waiting for the upcoming iMac.
agree 24inch was ok in 2010
@@adredy 24" is a good replacement for the 21" iMacs.
is it possible to use dual screen?
Agree, 24" is too big.
A possible 27 inches in 2022 but certainly at an Apple price! 😱
Thanks for sharing, I have gone through many reviews hoping to find real comparison. Your comparison was amazing. I am going for 27" Imac
So glad it helped you.
I have a 2020 27” and I’m really glad I didn’t wait for the M1 iMacs.
Im glad I bought mine a few weeks ago.
Great review. Thank you! I really want a 27” iMac. Love all the ports - I’m not a fan of dongles and extra gadget clutter on my desk. (When I bought my first MacBook, after 20 years on Windows, I was so disappointed about having to buy a USB power-cabled hub, and it was a nuisance - I don’t want *thin*, I want *efficient*!) Plus the classic 27” is such a beautiful piece of art, superb design.
All great points!
We’ll Johnny Ive designed it so of course it’ll be great!
Amen on the not wanting thin! I am sick and tired of Apple acting like all they care about is seeing how flipping thin they can make a computer or iPhone! I have a dead cheese grater Mac Pro Tower sitting in my office that was supposed to never go out all I would have to do is upgrade components. Right! it's nothing but a pretty brushed aluminum boat anchor :(
Exactly, it's literally on your desk, give me all the ports I can get! And same for the design, I have a white iPhone SE, but ugh, white on a computer, no thank you.
I've got the 2020 27" with 64GB RAM and I just love it.Besides I still need backwards compatibility.
It is interesting to me that they pared down the ports on the M1 iMac and yet on the Macbook Pro they are having to add the ports back because people hated that you needed a dongle for everything. I think for ports, screensize and backwards compatibility I will be sticking with the 27"
well yes both are still on sale..but the M1 pro/max are part of the new generation of apple and the M1 iMac is still part of the 13' M1 generation. the M1 pro/max are the beginning of a new chapter in apple
I still would get the 27imac by far, I prefer the design, the sound is better too, the only thing is the camera but that's it. Even though I own an m1 air. The next line of pro computers will be amazing for sure, but if I would be looking to be one desktop now, that would the old one, I still love the design and the 5k display.
The design of the 5k stands up agains the new 24 in my opinion.
That makes literally no sense
@@elingrome5853 what doesn’t?
@@JerrySchulze I agree ☝️ with your statement .
27 inch is compatible with Windows 10 via bootcamp, I really like the M1 performance, but I would still get the 27 inch.
If you are gonna use windows on a imac why even bother? Just get a windows pc..
@@Ivan-mt9kl Ofc I didn't get it. I got a Gaming PC for very cheap in this time. It has a i7-8700, 16GB RAM and a RTX 2060.
Runs Windows 10, MacOS and Linux.
@@ota024 that's the smartest choice
this is a real review, all the other tech channels are blowing smoke.
This was the best comparison video ever👍🏾
thank you.. thank you.. thank you🙏🏾, I canceled my 24inch IMac order last month. I really didn’t like the look or size but I was scared to get the 27inch because it’s a older last intel model. I’ve watched a ton of videos and everybody spoke in terms I couldn’t understand but your video was so informative.. I just ordered the 27inch❤️ from BestBuy( they have a $300 discount going on now). I really feel like I made the best decision for me, especially after watching your video😁
Just in! Ive bought 27” Imac haha and found your video, and i still think it”s right for me now even a year late lol
To my ears, the 27” sounds open with a wider range of harmonic presence, especially above 3k and below 100 hz. The 24” sounds squashed in terms of presence and dynamically flat. I’ve never thought of using speakers built into an iMac for music, but the 27 in this video sounds good!
I recently watched a video where a guy compared the m1 iMac to a fully speced out 2020 27" and concluded that the m1 was better/faster in every way.
I knew that couldn't possibly be the case, thank you for a good high quality video!
Cool thanks for watching.
Finally one of the best comparison review
Wow, thanks!
I would like the older 27" over the newer 24" imacs, however I'm afraid that the newer upcoming OS in a year or two don't run on the intel based CPU vs Apple M1. What do you think?
I think, they will support it at minimul for about 5-6 years. So I suppose iMac 2020 will be getting an updates up to 2025/26 for sure.
Congrats on hitting the 20K mark in subs, Jerry! Keep ‘em coming!
Thanks so much!!!
The old one looks so much more premium and substantial. It's a Machine, whereas the 24 looks like a toy. Hopefully the redesigned 27 inch will speak the same design language as the old model.
Interesting comparison.
I want to know why Apple won't make a 27’ Imac running the new chips. I have spoken to many people, and they have all complained about the smaller monitor and fewer ports.
I'm on my 24 inch IMac! def don't regret it!! barely noticed the size difference after 10 minutes lol
Very good explanations with tests, thank you
You just helped me make up my mind after watching. I will go with the 27 IMac. Thank you
Awesome, I recently posted a new video about the 27” if interested. ua-cam.com/video/S5u3pWzJ6Ew/v-deo.html
I produce structural reports on buildings. The reports are up to 1000 pages documenting the structure. For 11 years using a core 2 mini then an i7 mini without a problem. In April bought an M1 mini 16gig 1 terabyte. With the M1 Preview stalls every time I try to merge files have had to revert to a 9 year old mini when compiling the reports as the M1 I cannot manage the simple task, wasted a day online and on phone with Apple without a fix. Asked for a refund which Apple denied as it was past their refund period which contravenes Australian consumer law
Thanks for the video. I use a 16-inch 2021 MacBook pro and also a 2019 13-inch MacBook pro. I am tempted to replace my 2019 MacBook for a M1 but I think I will wait for either a 27-inch iMac with M1 or a 16-inch M1 MacBook Pro.
Big screens really make a big difference and it is not the same as using an external monitor.
I really hope bigger M1s are released this 2021 🤘
I’ve never had a 27” iMac but I’ve had a white iMac g4, a 20” imac a 21.5 iMac and now the 24” mid tier iMac that I’m very happy with now. It’s very light and pretty snappy. All my computers are hooked up to a home stereo so the speakers don’t matter.
very nice!
Thank you! Just bought the 27"
I have the entry level 5k iMac, sorry but for me comparison is a non-brainer. ..I take the beautiful 5k screen (people underestimate how much a comparable stand alone 5k screen would cost), upgradeable RAM (I have 80GB now), and eGPU option over a Tablet/Laptop CPU any day of the week (I think we have to remind ourselves, Apple put an iPad/Macbook Air CPU in the new iMac....why people are ok getting shortchanged like that, puzzles me.)
Almost 100% sure you are not even using the 5k resolution 😂😂most people don’t realise you need to change the settings to turn to actual 5k, out of the box standard settings the screen is close to 4k
@@MF_OXF thanks, I think we are mixing two things here. 1) the actual pixel resolution of the screen, 2) the magnification the OS does for text and other parts of the GUI for the user to read "bigger". Even at larger manigification, the actual pixel sharpness is the same. so even if I have larger fonts for icons, or menus, if I open Lightroom I can show a 4k photo or in Premiere a 4k video, pixel by pixel and have some (not much) pixels to show some tools or menus.
I really wish apple had gone with a slightly larger form factor to give us a display that was actually 24 inches rather than 23.5 inches. Wouldn't have made the iMac THAT much larger/heavier and would've been more of a substantial upgrade from the 21.5 inch display. I've been using the new m1 iMac for about a week and I don't mind the screen size, especially since I'm coming from a vintage 21.5 inch iMac. But depending on the pricing of the m1 successor to the 27 inch iMac, I'll probably be selling/trading my 23.5 inch iMac just for the display size. Also I suspect the display on the larger m1 iMac will be HDR capable like its predecessor, which I'm kinda disappointed isn't the case for the 23.5 inch iMac.
Ya, surprised the 24 doesn’t match the display features of the 27 n
I understand all the comparison in all reviewers but again, it was never intended to be compared to the big 27', instead, it was meant to be compared to the old 21 inch iMac. The 24' is for home users, even tho that's the main purpose, actually in daily usage you can tell it outperform even the top 27 (which I have as well). Of course for Pro works, keep the 27 until they release the new one.
I said this in the first minute but also this is a comparison when they are the same price.
I was very lucky today to find on FB a 2020 27 inch iMac not even open brand new in BOX! specs are 3.8ghz cpu 32 gigs ram and a and 5700xt with a 2t ssd I pad 500 cash ! I even have apple care setup! very happy With this apple !
its crazy fast !
Great video. Clear, simple to follow. You killed it. THANK YOU
Awesome, thanks.
Hi! Million thanks for this comparison video, really help me a lot. Greetings from Malaysia 🇲🇾
Glad it was helpful!
great review but I wish you would have reviewed it with the 27 inch, 2020, i7 model. I have the 8-core i7 with 40gb ram and the AMD Radeon Pro5500 XT 8GB. I also compared mine with the new 24inch and found that my 27 inch was all around better than the 24inch. test were done with Final Cut and Lightroom. Hoping that Apple with come with something in-between the 24inch and the Apple Studio desktop.
Exactly the comparison video I've been searching for! Thank you! I have a question that I don't know if anyone can answer - but here goes: If you were a prognosticator, do you think 5 years from now, the same two computer (the 2021 24" m1 and the 2020 27" intel) would still be comparable? Or do you think that Apple will somehow let the 2021 24" M1 adapt while the 2020 27" intel languishes in old technology? (will i still be happy with the 2020 27" iMac in 5 years or will I be using a betamax machine in a vhs world?)
Using history as a guide you could assume that Apple will give 2-3 years of major OS updates AFTER the transition is completed but will get security and app updates for a few years after that.
Thank you for giving an intelligent comparison.
thank you for watching!
Got a refurbished 24 in iMac, love it won’t need another computer for another 9 years
Very nice!
I’m a dance and yoga instructor who is planning on bringing my iMac to and from work as I don’t have a TV and home and have worked exclusively on an iPad Pro for years. The 27” seems to take the cake but for weight and camera needs. Really wish a larger and lighter pro model were here now. Business starts in 60 days though!
There are plenty of straps in bags for the 27 inch iMac on Amazon I assume that there will be new ones for the new 24 inch.
Just ordered a refurbished 2020 27 inch to replace my 2012 27 inch, ordered some 3 party ram, nice and cheep these days and I should be good for another 10 years.
very nice!
As i bought a 2020 Intel 27’’ IMac I was wondering if I should have waited. I made the right call so thx for the video!
Cool glad it was helpful.
Same here
Love the video! I have been debating purchasing the 27" 2020 iMac over the 24" M1 iMac. Would I be purchasing a dinosaur going with the 27" this late in the game? I love the 2020 display as well as the RAM upgradeability, but don't want to buy something that may be outdated in a couple years. Any thoughts?
M1 for sure. in a few years time Apple might drop support for intel chips (look up Power Mac.)
Great vid, mate. You’re quickly becoming my fav Apple tech channel
Wow, thanks!
I'm in the market for a new iMac as a work computer. I don't plan on doing any photo or video editing on it outside of the web apps I use. However, I have many apps open, so the CPU performance is definitely going to help with that. Audio isn't that big of a requirement for me, as I normally use headphones when working on my computer. I'm currently using a MacBook Pro 13" with Retina (mid-2013) that is still working just fine, but I feel is going to be on its way out soon. I was looking at the 27" model, but after hearing about how efficient the M1 is, I've been leaning to the 24" iMac. Your video dove into the performance aspect I needed to see and how it would fit my needs.
That’s awesome! Thanks for checking it out.
I’m just hoping Apple offers a 27” in an M1 version and not only the rumored 30/32” display. 27” seems to be the sweet spot.
I’ve worked on larger monitors and it gets to be hassle with edge to edge navigation.
I think I agree about 27 being the sweet spot. Although, if I get a 32 that works without issue I may change my mind.
Screen size and sound is so important, i prefer 27 imac for sure. I cant buy it in my country, new imac is coming
Well, this was my first ever video watching from you. Guess what? You have a new sub! 😎
Welcome aboard! thanks!
@@JerrySchulze Your Welcome! A good and honest channel is rare to find these days ! I hope you always stay true to yourself! 💪🏻 😀
Thanks for confirming my doubts about the flashier 24. I’m using the 27 now at work, and it’s still not convincing enough as a product to take home. So, I’m holding out on the new 27 M1-2 iMac expected in late(?) 2022. Thanks for this review!
Good luck with that. Apple isn't going to release an Apple Silicon powered 27 inch iMac.
They have replaced the 27 inch iMac with the 27 inch Studio Display and the Mac Studio.
Just bought another 27inch for AUD 1899, normal price at $2999. Just love more USB ports, larger display, 5K, anti glare and etc…
Hi, can I know which website u buy? I'm intersted to buy 27 inch 2020
@@wayytiredd5992 Its officeworks, they were clearing Intel Imac in June/July
I'm thinking of getting the 27" iMac. Not having a normal USB on the new iMac and need to buy extra portal extension is definitely a No no.
I thought It’s got 2 USB 3 ports which is backwards compatible?
if a 30"+ iMac (Pro) comes out until next march I'll go for it; with my 2012 27" iMac getting slower and making designing pretty annoying I'm looking forward to a big iMac which I will upgrade with at least 16 GB RAM and 1TB storage - that'll be great
I'm looking to replace my 2007 iMac, but I don't have a lot of room for a big display. I think the new M1 iMac should be fine for my needs. 👍
awesome!
Thanks just got the 27 for win compatibility reasons…. Gess it still rocks for many years to come like my old 2015 imac it replaces now after 7 years 👍🤩
Absolutely!
Thank you I’m becoming more clear of what to buy 🙌👍
I just got a 27" iMac and having it for the past 1 week it's a good machine for what I'm doing:D I like it more than the new design and also has bigger display ;)
Great to hear!
Hi Jerry, thanks for the review. It is so good. I am going to by the imac 27" 2020, which model you suggest? 3.1GHz, 3,3GHz and 3.8GHz? will you suggest to upgrade the memory and SSD? thanks
I would add third party memory if needed and external storage since it is a desktop. I think the i7 is a great performer but definitely look at refurb and keep checking because the stock is updated many times per day.
24" sounds so much better than 27". Sure, there's more bottom end in 27" and it's louder but sound quality-wise 24" kicks 27"'s ass.
I really appreciate this video. Thank you!
Glad you enjoyed it!
When the new studio display came out (instead of a 27in M1 iMac) I was disappointed. So for the same price of the studio display (which is the same 5k display as the 2020 27in iMac) you can get both the display and an 8-core intel desktop all in one if you choose the 2020.
Very true and the 27 refurb from Apple is a great deal.
They need to come up with an M1 27 inch imac 24 to small
I think I'll wait for the 3/6/22 Apple Event and if the 27 in. comes with the new M2 processor, it will be hands down. My wife however will most likely get the 24 in iMac with the M2 processor. Thanks for all the information Mr. Schulze, and good luck to all your endeavors.
Should be exciting and thanks so much!
It's been a while since you posted this. We are at the M3 already and still the 2020 iMac keeps up well against the M series. For the screen size and upgradability of the ram I just bought myself one with 64 Gigs of ram.
I have found the perfect screen size with the new iMac. Not only is it aesthetically pleasing but it really is perfect for me to do everything I need. big but not too big and doesn’t feel small at all. I think it will really depend on the individual, for me I don’t do any video editing, and my need is for business and personal use. From the updated programs to the speed and everything in between I couldn’t be happier.
Very cool!
this video was made for me! I decided against the new 24" iMac all things considered. I upgraded my 2020 27" iMac RAM to 32GB and it's really a great machine! I may jump to a new machine if/when Apple releases a bigger screen.
I have been using the 24" for a few weeks and I am about ready to switch back to my 27".
I use an Old 2.1 Logitech 200 watt 2 speaker plus woofer/boom box on my iMac. Sound is awesome. Old style analogue sound.
awesome!
still cannot decide, also the new macbook pro 14 and 16 makes it very hard to decide. thanks for the great videos
Its nice to have options.
Yellow, sliver, orange and purple!! Oh dear, you are a very naughty man.
I don't do much intensive video editing so I pick the M1 24" iMac :)
nice!!
I'm repelled by the new models because of soldered-in components. Because I run Ubuntu, my i7 will probably serve my needs a long time.
I went ahead and ordered the 24" after Apple didn't announce anything on the 7th. The iMac I'm using now has lasted 8 years with no problems, but now that I can't run the latest version of MacOS, I had to upgrade. Considering I'll probably have this new iMac for at least 5-6 years, getting a deprecated Intel based version just doesn't make sense.
My 27 inch iMac is dying. the video fades over time and sometimes will not start. I am leagally blind and can only see a little bit as through a straw. The large display is notw almost too much. Is it better to go with the smaller Macbook Air M1 withthe smaller display and just use the voice over as my screen reader? or is ti better with the new iMac? Confused about this without trying it at home. Does Apple allow a trial at home? What do you suggest?
Apple has a great 15 day return period in many places. And If you decide in that 15 days to dater the return you actually have another 15 days or more to do the return.
This is a great and informative video. Thank you.
Glad it was helpful!
Hello, Jerry. I'm a professional Portuguese/Italian/Spanish translator. Basically, I'm always working on texts, with two opened documents at the same time. I love my old iMac 27 (2013) but just right now it's almost a museum piece (of art). What do you think about the screen size differences? Could this 24 screen work for texts editions? Thank you for the content. Regards from Brazil.
yep it will work just fine. if you need a bigger screen go for the 27.
I'd go for the 27-inch, simply because it's able to run Windows 10 and has an AMD Graphics Card. Not that I'm not a fan of the M1, I think it's a great new technology, but as it stands now, I wouldn't be able to use the 24-inch iMac as my main machine.
im first time mac user (i got apple products such as iphone and ipad ,but not when it comes to the pc, always had windows one) and i did the jump as a first timer with the 27 inch 2020 imac due to the big beautiful screen its my tv to watch netflix,movies etc,and the ports yeah im coming from a windows laptop with all the ports...and becuz i love big screens and the audio from the 27 is wow.....thank you for the comparison...yeah i love the upgrading option of the 27 again habits from my windows side....fantastic video
very cool and thanks so much.
Great job, Jerry. Congrats! I am a designer, I have a new iMac, green one and it is so good to me.
Very cool! what apps do you use?
@@JerrySchulze thank you. I use Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Indesign and After Effects and the new iMac does good job.
Great video Jerry, thanks. I’ve always bought apple refurb and it’s always been great. Including the 2017 iPad I’m writing this on. With the 2020 refurb macs I wonder if Apple replaces the SSD before selling as a refurb. I hope so, because 2-3 years of unknown stress put upon an ssd could be a worry. I think. If anyone cares to comment, please do!
My work flow requires that I use a single program, a quote system that requires Windows to run. So I chose the iMac 27" Intel. Now you could probably run Microsoft Remote Desktop, but there's going to be some lag you wouldn't get using the built in Bootcamp software.
great point!
24inch cool but I don't like the white bezels so the 27inch would be more my taste
Thank You I'll wait on the newM1 model to get the larger screen which I'm sure is coming!
I really enjoyed your video and I’m struggling with what desktop I should buy... the iMac 27” i7/i9 max graphics, or the m1 iMac 16gb ram, or just a pro xdr with the Mac mini?? Please help 😩.... I don’t really have a strict budget but I am planning on buying a desktop that will stand the test of time for the next 3-5 years min.... also I plan on doing Logic Pro and Final Cut Pro for music and UA-cam.... photo editing and school..... (I know it’s a lot) so if I could get your opinion that would be great
Wow…hmmm….I guess you are not in a hurry, maybe wait 2 weeks and see what wwdc brings. The most powerful of what you mentioned is the 27” imac and it will definitly do what you need and depending how how professional you are with FCP/Logic the Mini may work. I love the idea of a pro display xdr and change computer every few months.
That’s what I was thinking... because I think the pro xdr with a Mac mini is the most flexible option, I just never had a desktop computer sooo I’m all over the place lol 😂
Hi there! My iMac 27 I got in 2014 and it was a 2012 model. I’m totally due for an upgrade. My main goto’s are Final Cut Pro , Lightroom and Adobe Photoshop. I have 16 GB of Ram which I presume I could transfer over if I got a refurbished newer iMac 27. But I’m not sure if any new updates with those programs I mentioned would start rendering a newer iMac 27 as “vintage” sooner than later. I’ve thought about getting a Mac Pro and use my old 2012 screen as a display, but I also figure the more portable the device, the more risk of banging up, losing or theft. Any thoughts on the lifespan of the latest refurbished compared to a new iMac 24? I was headed towards the 24 but if the performance isn’t that tremendous I don’t see going for it.
I have just bought a 2020 27inch Imac for £263. Works fine on Sonama.
Hi Jerry, thank you for sharing this clip. My iMac i5 27” 5K 2020 still works well. However, can I upgrade cpu to i9 10th gen too? And is there anyway to upgrade to ID touch keyboard. I9 Intel Macbook pro also has ID touch?
Great comparison! I think I’ll hold out for an M1 iMac with a larger display.
I have a 2019 iPad Pro that I use on-the-go and to bring with me everywhere. I’m dwelling between buying the M1 Mac or the 2020 iMac, I plan on using it at home, for school and video editing (as i want to post on UA-cam), nothing heavily edited), maybe some photo editing but nothing crazy. I don’t mind the screen size or volume. I want this next computer to last me a good 5-7 years without worrying about updates and storage. Should i get the M1?
Yes, absolutely!
Those are not “two thunderbolt ports and two usb c ports.”
They are four usb-c ports, two with usb 4/thunderbolt and two with usb 3 support.
Doesn't seem I'm convinced to give up my 2017 27"... Size matters.
Very informative, Jerry. Thank you.😀
First video that i like from all channels… you dont talk too much and straight to the point. Nice clean clear. Keep up the good job and please tell me how do you compare the maxed out 27inch imac with maxed out M1 imac?
Hi thanks so much!!! I would say it’s very similar to this video but tilted even more toward the 27”. However, I did have an i9 iMac and the fan was on super often. I think the i7 is the sweet spot for the 27 and that’s what I am still using today!
@@JerrySchulze i truly sincerely meant it. Please keep this simple style as more and more people try too hard to be attractive gain more followers not knowing its having reverse effect on ppl like me. So i really like your style... in all ways. First time im not annoyed😂
So the i9 maxed out GPU is not roasting M1?
@@sirpfa oh, absolutely the 5700xt destroys the M1. I think like 4 or 5 times faster.
@@JerrySchulze yeap. Is your knowledge limited to mac products or your familiar with windows products too?
@@sirpfa I have been a systems engineer for 13 years and I manage 13 server and storage engineers. I left the Mac for 7 years because I didn’t like where apple was headed and just came back to the Mac in 2020. FYI, I have a new video about the 27 iMac m.ua-cam.com/video/S5u3pWzJ6Ew/v-deo.html
Hi Jerry: I'm a photographer and want to know over time if the M1 chip will outperform the intel. I'm basically waiting for the new M1 chip with a larger screen rumoured to be coming out next year before pulling the trigger on a new iMac.
What are you using now?
@@JerrySchulze imac 27' from 2012. sorry for the delay in response.
I will take the 27” 2020 iMac. I like the bigger screen on the 27”. The new 24” feel cheap. It is easy to tip over if you accidentally bump into it.
They removed the SD card reader. Thanks Apple, that really helps. JFC...
I'm expecting the 2022 iMac 30"(ish) to blow away the 2020 in virtually all performance categories. That expectation is making me wait to upgrade my 2019 i5 with 580x graphics. Looking at Apple's refurb site makes me think a 2020 i7 with a 1tb ssd is a screaming deal at $2100.
Never know how long before the next one. Refurb from apple is always a great deal.
Very good video, thanks. I have a 10 year old 27", so I am in the need for a new one by the end of the year.
For average home use, it looks like either would be fine. How much is that adaptor that you used with the 24" to get all the same ports? I do like the bigger screen, but a lighter weight model with a touch screen has some appeal to me also.
I think that will serve you well. there is a link in the description.
I don't think the 24" has a touch screen
So I am looking to convert from PC to Mac in the coming weeks or so. I am torn after watching your videos. It would be for more basic home use/a light load of video/pic editing, Video conferencing and then content consumption. I have an iPad (2020) Pro and iPhone Pro Max and daughter has a Mac book air but wife and son have PCs. Most of the photos are going to iPhone based so no need to worry about a card reader. Suggestions? I am also unsure about the amount of RAM to get - especially if I go for the 24” iMac M1
If you can afford 16 get it. That will ensure a longer lasting device.
I would still buy a new iMac 27". I have an iMac 27 2013 that I upgraded memory and to SSD and works great still.
I'm waiting for the iMac 27 replacement, I hear it may be 32"? I'm saving money because I know it will be expensive.
Thanks for detail information. Now April 2024, still we can find New stock of iMac 27'' i5 2020 in our market, I woluld like to learn your opinion and your suggest offer with iMac 27'' i5 2020 vs iMac 24'' M1 2021. Which one is better at the moment ?
Sticking with my old mac 27" with ssd. Waiting for a Lenovo Yoga a940 to replaced it. Period