All-in-One Mac · Retina & Beyond · 2014
iMac (Retina 5K, 27")
Apple put a jaw-dropping 5K panel (more pixels than a 4K TV) into the iMac before standalone 5K monitors even existed. The dream machine for photographers.
First 5K display in any computer: 14.7 million pixels.
iMac Pro (2017)
iMac (Retina 5K, 27"): key facts
When was the iMac (Retina 5K, 27") released?
The iMac (Retina 5K, 27") arrived on October 16, 2014. Apple discontinued it in October 2015.
How much did the iMac (Retina 5K, 27") cost?
The iMac (Retina 5K, 27") launched at $2,499 in 2014, about $3,382 in today’s money (approximate, US CPI).
What specs stand out?
Key specs: Intel Core i5 at 3.50 GHz, 8 GB RAM, 976.6 GB storage, 27" Retina 5K, 5120×2880 display.
Why does the iMac (Retina 5K, 27") matter?
First 5K display in any computer: 14.7 million pixels.
Full specifications
| CPU | Intel Core i5 · 3.50 GHz |
|---|---|
| Cores | 4 |
| Memory (RAM) | 8 GB (up to 32 GB) |
| Storage | 976.6 GB |
| Display | 27" Retina 5K, 5120×2880 |
| GPU | AMD Radeon R9 M290X |
| Ports | USB 3, Thunderbolt 2, SD |
| Weight | 9.5 kg |
| Dimensions | 5 mm-edge all-in-one |
| Operating system | OS X 10.10 Yosemite |
| Released | October 16, 2014 |
| Discontinued | October 2015 |
| Launch price | $2,499 |
How the iMac (Retina 5K, 27") compares to today
A 16 GB Apple Silicon MacBook Pro has about 2.0× more memory than this device shipped with.
At 3.50 GHz, the clock is roughly 0.9× slower than a single performance core of a 16 GB Apple Silicon MacBook Pro, and that is before counting cores, width and IPC.
This held about 250,000 modern phone photos, a respectable library even today.
Launched at $2,499 in 2014, about $3,382 in today’s money (approx., US CPI).
Method note: clock comparisons use frequency only; price conversions use US CPI.
Sources
Specs checked against Apple technical specifications archive, EveryMac, Mactracker, Wikimedia Commons image credits.
Did you know?
Driving 14.7 million pixels required a custom Apple timing controller chip.
Related All-in-One Mac models
Open the iMac (Retina 5K, 27") in the interactive archive →
Last updated: 2026-08-11