After almost 10 years, I still run this computer with a 32 Gb upgraded RAM, now with 12.7.6 macOS, Lightroom and Premiere Pro often use and sometimes Photoshop. Especially with video editing while using proxies, it's still ok although I'm getting impatient sometimes. I'm now thinking about getting a new machine but I must admit the 5K iMac 27" served me well until now. I agree with all being said here. Great work @Terry
I just sold a 2015 5K 27" iMac with 32GB RAM & 1TB HDD for $240...if you look around, you can snag really good deals on these. If you always wanted one but couldn't afford one... now is your time!
@@wakinguptothetruth.2566 You probably noticed in time a very common problem on 4 and 5k displays provided by monitor supplier LG, before it becomes very obvious and the problem is the appearance of blurred light pink edges around the monitor.
@@pedrocalderon9058 Does the blurred pink edges mean the display/monitor will get even worse over time or is about to fail completely? Thanks in advance for your reply.
Image retention or ghosts on the Retina 5K display is a perfectly normal operational aspects in the way the display was designed to work for wider angle viewing. These ghosts disappear after a short time and won't interfere with work flows. And I would definitely recommend OCLP for updating the macOS to later versions.
I’ve seen a few where yes, it technically goes away, but you can put a still object on screen and it comes back in a few seconds. That’s actually a problem.
i bought the original in 2015 for 3k.. crazy that i found one online for 280 shipped to my house. will arrive tommorow and am excited to get a "fresh new' computer.
Thank you, for this nice video on the usability of a 2015, 27-inch iMac now in 2024. Later this year, I might pick-up a used "space gray" 27-inch iMac Pro to add to my collection (smile...smile). Currently, the iMac's in my collection are the "glossy white" 20-inch G5 iMac and the "glossy white" 24-inch Intel iMac. If, I owned this model from 2015, I would use it as a Linux computer (smile...smile).
I bought one new back in the day. Given the hardware issues the 2014 and 2015 5k models are known to develop as they age (especially the display panel failure) I would recommend getting a 2017 model or newer instead. Speaking from experience, the image retention issue can go from non-existent to unusably bad in the span of a few weeks.
Yeah the image retention is something I noticed too. I had an ultimo 2014 5K iMac. It had bad retention Issues but only in the corners of the screen. Now I have a 2019 iMac it doesnt really have that issue. Sometimes after a long time icons from the dock are visible for a very short time. Much better than the 2014/15 models. So if you want to buy an 5K iMac you should probably go for the 2017 or 2019 or even 2020 models. 2019 and 2020 are still supported with the newest MacOS version which is also a good benefit. (OpenCore will bring the 2015 and 2017 to Sonoma just fine though)
It’s insanely hard and upsettling to believe that a 5K screen device is gonna be obsolete in a few months when macOS Monterey is out of support. No matter if it is from 2015 and nearly out of support, it still holds up very well. 😢
@@stevenrobertson4190 I never owned a mac before but I did own an ipad mini 2 that was stuck on ios 12. The last security update was from January 2023. TH-cam and minecraft were still usable while some other apps like Angrybirds 2 and Angrybirds friends lost support in the same year. In early 2024 youtube and minecraft dropped support from ios 12 and it became unusable. Despite I owned an ipad pro since 2019 I continued to use this device until it became unusable for me and in March 2024 I stopped using it completely. I am aware that google chrome dropped support from MacOS 10.15 Catalina in May 2024 so in that case I think it will be (somewhat) usable until the beginning of 2026.
@@stevenrobertson4190 you can use opencore legacy patcher and that will allow you to run the newest operating systems on outdated macs, so the 2015 still has many years of use still.
Yep, that is what I have. 32 GB of memory and 1 terabyte of storage. Love the screen and been waiting on Apple for a new 27" iMac with the new M4 chips. The 24" iMac just doesn't cut it.
Thanks for your review, Terry. My 2015 27" iMac has exactly the same specifications as yours. I bought it brand new on Black Friday, 2015. I still edit 1080P videos in FCPX but can't upgrade beyond 10.6.8. I have run into a few glitches and my computer is definitely slower than it used to be. I'm holding out for a new iMac Pro (where is it, Apple?) but I may have to go another route before too long.
I also want to see Apple, Inc., come out with a new "space gray" 27-inch M2/M-3/M-4 iMac Pro. Because, I am sure this will cause the older 27-inch Intel iMac Pro prices to drop like a rock. Then, I will be able to add one to my collection for under $1,000 (smile...smile).
I bought the exact same model for video and graphic editing for € 470, even with a thirty-month warranty; It's great; Why do I need to pay two thousand euros for the 2024 model when I can have excellent work quality for a few hundred euros?! I upgraded the RAM to 32 GB and the hard disk to 1 TB
So? What has that got to do with this video. This is about a late 2015, 27 inch imac! Do you just post random stuff on TH-cam videos that have nothing to do with the video. Like on a iPhone 15 pro max TH-cam video, you post, I just bought a iPhone 13 pro max and it works great! Some weird people on TH-cam man 😂😂😂😂😂
I'm typing this on my main computer, iMac Retina 5K, 27", Late 2015, used daily since release. I have exactly the same model as you except I have the 3TB Fusion Drive instead of the 1TB SSD. The SSD is far superior - the Fusion Drive causes the iMac to take a long but variable amount of time to wake from sleep. The iMac is unusable without AdGuard, but in my experience all Macs are. I have 40 Windows open in Chrome and 60 in Safari all the time - I watch a lot of TH-cam videos in 4K - and other apps running. I do not experience any delays. The screen is very bright and sharp (although NITS are below HDR minimum). I have brightness turned down to just above half during the day and 3 ticks lower at night. The Late 2015 model does support the Cinema gamut and it is gorgeous. Regarding display failure, that was a serious issue on my iMac 2010 but I have had zero issues on my 2012 27" iMac and the 2015. I have no image retention issues. Do not use screen savers but screen sleeps after awhile. This is not a powerful computer. I can not use it for games since 2017. For that I have an i9 13900K w/64GB, RTX 4090 and UW monitor. But the screen on the 2015 iMac is so much nicer than anything I can get for PC I use the iMac for everything except games.
Does your Late 2015 model have the pink hue around the edges which you can see on a completely white screen? If so is this a problem that gets worse or is a sign that the computer is about to fail?
just bought this model, but it has no usbC thunderbolt, which is an easy speed upgrade for external ssd nvme, better to get 2017 version which has thunderbolt 3
I got one from a university surplus store with just a chip in the corner for $150. Turns out it has bad image retention issue, which makes it practically worthless. I will try to build a open air case setup which will allow the panel to be away from the hot computer components and I will install fans and radiators to it because I heard that cooling an LCD down can mitigate image retention issues.
Interesting? That’s kinda the same story with the one I was reviewing in the video. Originally it was owned by a university and probably was the max configuration at the time, but has an image retention issue.
Thanks for review. I'm considering buying this exact same model from a local computer store. They want $400 out the door. Is that a fair price? Also, it has a new hard drive. I am not a tech person and plan on light use so what should I ask or make sure about the new hard drive? I appreciate any thoughts.
@@TerryBrennanTechHello thanks for your post I have a question there was mentioned ssd hard drive what do I need to make sure I have a iMac 2015 computer to last me at least another 4 years? Planning on buying one
I still using my imac 27 late 2012... I dont game, edit image or video. Just work and wacth streaming... For that i will use this model until 2026 or 2027. 15 year.... Do that in today apple computers......
Has anybody worked out how /are using their 2015 iMac 5K retina as simply a display for more a modern MacBook m1 or m2? Is this achievable? I don't need dual screens, mirroring would be fine.
Google "Target Display Mode" to see all the options for using iMacs as displays. It was supported for a few years prior to 2015 but not this model or later because 5K bandwidth was too much of a technical challenge.
You will need to buy a 5k driver board (about $200) open and gut out the 5k iMac, and replace it with the driver board. It will work as just a brilliant 5k monitor
@Terry Brennan My brother kindly gave me his Late 2015 27" iMac that he bought new in 2016 which has been upgraded with 24 GB of Ram. Is the Late 2015 iMac better than an earlier 2015 model? Did it get updates/improvements over the earlier model and if so what are the improvements? It is running OS Monterey so how much longer will it work for browsing the internet, TH-cam and MS Office like Word, Excel, Outlook and Powerpoint? Thanks in advance for your reply.
I would think your Microsoft stuff will be supported for another 2 years. I don’t know the differences off the top of my head because they are minor. The late 2015 likely used a newer or better processor.
@@TerryBrennanTech Thank you, Terry. Do you think it will work okay for browsing the web, FB, IG etc for another 2 years as well? It's in mint condition as my brother hardly used it. I don't think even a M3 iMac would be any better for what I use the computer for and also has a fantastic 27" 5K screen.
After almost 10 years, I still run this computer with a 32 Gb upgraded RAM, now with 12.7.6 macOS, Lightroom and Premiere Pro often use and sometimes Photoshop. Especially with video editing while using proxies, it's still ok although I'm getting impatient sometimes. I'm now thinking about getting a new machine but I must admit the 5K iMac 27" served me well until now. I agree with all being said here. Great work @Terry
I just sold a 2015 5K 27" iMac with 32GB RAM & 1TB HDD for $240...if you look around, you can snag really good deals on these. If you always wanted one but couldn't afford one... now is your time!
240$ brooooooo💀
The lowest offer in my country is about 600$
You sold it way to cheap, you coy have got at least $400 for it easily.
Why did you sell it that cheap?
Long live America, in Germany 470 euros is about 500 dollars, But in excellent condition and with a thirty-month warranty! 😂
@@wakinguptothetruth.2566 You probably noticed in time a very common problem on 4 and 5k displays provided by monitor supplier LG, before it becomes very obvious and the problem is the appearance of blurred light pink edges around the monitor.
@@pedrocalderon9058 Does the blurred pink edges mean the display/monitor will get even worse over time or is about to fail completely? Thanks in advance for your reply.
Im using right now an imac from 2011. Still rocks. I installed the OS on a external SSD.
I still have my Imac 2011 27" with 1tb ssd. working flawless. on daily basis I use the 2015 with 250 ssd. So for now I am happy
Image retention or ghosts on the Retina 5K display is a perfectly normal operational aspects in the way the display was designed to work for wider angle viewing. These ghosts disappear after a short time and won't interfere with work flows. And I would definitely recommend OCLP for updating the macOS to later versions.
I’ve seen a few where yes, it technically goes away, but you can put a still object on screen and it comes back in a few seconds. That’s actually a problem.
i bought the original in 2015 for 3k.. crazy that i found one online for 280 shipped to my house. will arrive tommorow and am excited to get a "fresh new' computer.
Thank you, for this nice video on the usability of a 2015, 27-inch iMac now in 2024. Later this year, I might pick-up a used "space gray" 27-inch iMac Pro to add to my collection (smile...smile). Currently, the iMac's in my collection are the "glossy white" 20-inch G5 iMac and the "glossy white" 24-inch Intel iMac. If, I owned this model from 2015, I would use it as a Linux computer (smile...smile).
I bought one new back in the day. Given the hardware issues the 2014 and 2015 5k models are known to develop as they age (especially the display panel failure) I would recommend getting a 2017 model or newer instead. Speaking from experience, the image retention issue can go from non-existent to unusably bad in the span of a few weeks.
I’ve had 2 of these with image retention issues. Amazing display, but it sucks.
I'm still using my late 2013 Imac for working graphics, I don't use internet on it. I use external HDs .
I just got mine from my church for $50 ! but they said it can't do any new uploads sooooo......still gonna use this beauty !!!!
You can use this thing called open core legacy patcher to install a newer OS.
Yeah the image retention is something I noticed too. I had an ultimo 2014 5K iMac. It had bad retention Issues but only in the corners of the screen. Now I have a 2019 iMac it doesnt really have that issue. Sometimes after a long time icons from the dock are visible for a very short time. Much better than the 2014/15 models. So if you want to buy an 5K iMac you should probably go for the 2017 or 2019 or even 2020 models. 2019 and 2020 are still supported with the newest MacOS version which is also a good benefit. (OpenCore will bring the 2015 and 2017 to Sonoma just fine though)
It’s insanely hard and upsettling to believe that a 5K screen device is gonna be obsolete in a few months when macOS Monterey is out of support. No matter if it is from 2015 and nearly out of support, it still holds up very well. 😢
How much longer do you think the late 2015 model will be usable for after the update support ends in a few months? Thanks in advance for your reply.
@@stevenrobertson4190 I never owned a mac before but I did own an ipad mini 2 that was stuck on ios 12. The last security update was from January 2023. TH-cam and minecraft were still usable while some other apps like Angrybirds 2 and Angrybirds friends lost support in the same year. In early 2024 youtube and minecraft dropped support from ios 12 and it became unusable. Despite I owned an ipad pro since 2019 I continued to use this device until it became unusable for me and in March 2024 I stopped using it completely. I am aware that google chrome dropped support from MacOS 10.15 Catalina in May 2024 so in that case I think it will be (somewhat) usable until the beginning of 2026.
@@stevenrobertson4190 you can use opencore legacy patcher and that will allow you to run the newest operating systems on outdated macs, so the 2015 still has many years of use still.
@@stevenrobertson4190Use OpenCore Legacy Patcher. I have a 2014 5K running flawlessly with Sequoia now. Absolutely no issues and super fast.
It is hard to believe a 9 year old IMac still works.
Yep, that is what I have. 32 GB of memory and 1 terabyte of storage. Love the screen and been waiting on Apple for a new 27" iMac with the new M4 chips. The 24" iMac just doesn't cut it.
Thanks for your review, Terry. My 2015 27" iMac has exactly the same specifications as yours. I bought it brand new on Black Friday, 2015. I still edit 1080P videos in FCPX but can't upgrade beyond 10.6.8. I have run into a few glitches and my computer is definitely slower than it used to be. I'm holding out for a new iMac Pro (where is it, Apple?) but I may have to go another route before too long.
Oh wow! I think Apple is trying to move people into buying a MacBook Pro and studio display route.
@@TerryBrennanTech I think you meant to say "Mac Studio" and "Studio Display" (smile...smile).
I also want to see Apple, Inc., come out with a new "space gray" 27-inch M2/M-3/M-4 iMac Pro. Because, I am sure this will cause the older 27-inch Intel iMac Pro prices to drop like a rock. Then, I will be able to add one to my collection for under $1,000 (smile...smile).
How good is this for FL studio ? Does anyone know?
Thank you
Hello! I bought this one back in 2015. Still works😊 how can I use it as a monitor for my ipad? Is there a way?
Change HDD to sąd drive and use opencore patcher to install newest os
I bought the exact same model for video and graphic editing for € 470, even with a thirty-month warranty; It's great; Why do I need to pay two thousand euros for the 2024 model when I can have excellent work quality for a few hundred euros?! I upgraded the RAM to 32 GB and the hard disk to 1 TB
i bought a macbook pro 2010 for $49 and replaced the ssd and it works great
So? What has that got to do with this video. This is about a late 2015, 27 inch imac!
Do you just post random stuff on TH-cam videos that have nothing to do with the video.
Like on a iPhone 15 pro max TH-cam video, you post, I just bought a iPhone 13 pro max and it works great!
Some weird people on TH-cam man 😂😂😂😂😂
just wanted to say older computers work fine. same shit. both are computers.
he liked my comment so it can't be that bad
som haters on youtube man😂😂😂😂
@@wakinguptothetruth.2566😂 u didn’t have to go off on them like that 😵💫
It does everything a 2023 iMac just a little slower.
I'm typing this on my main computer, iMac Retina 5K, 27", Late 2015, used daily since release. I have exactly the same model as you except I have the 3TB Fusion Drive instead of the 1TB SSD. The SSD is far superior - the Fusion Drive causes the iMac to take a long but variable amount of time to wake from sleep.
The iMac is unusable without AdGuard, but in my experience all Macs are. I have 40 Windows open in Chrome and 60 in Safari all the time - I watch a lot of TH-cam videos in 4K - and other apps running. I do not experience any delays.
The screen is very bright and sharp (although NITS are below HDR minimum). I have brightness turned down to just above half during the day and 3 ticks lower at night. The Late 2015 model does support the Cinema gamut and it is gorgeous.
Regarding display failure, that was a serious issue on my iMac 2010 but I have had zero issues on my 2012 27" iMac and the 2015. I have no image retention issues. Do not use screen savers but screen sleeps after awhile.
This is not a powerful computer. I can not use it for games since 2017. For that I have an i9 13900K w/64GB, RTX 4090 and UW monitor. But the screen on the 2015 iMac is so much nicer than anything I can get for PC I use the iMac for everything except games.
Does your Late 2015 model have the pink hue around the edges which you can see on a completely white screen? If so is this a problem that gets worse or is a sign that the computer is about to fail?
just bought this model, but it has no usbC thunderbolt, which is an easy speed upgrade for external ssd nvme, better to get 2017 version which has thunderbolt 3
I got one from a university surplus store with just a chip in the corner for $150. Turns out it has bad image retention issue, which makes it practically worthless. I will try to build a open air case setup which will allow the panel to be away from the hot computer components and I will install fans and radiators to it because I heard that cooling an LCD down can mitigate image retention issues.
Interesting? That’s kinda the same story with the one I was reviewing in the video. Originally it was owned by a university and probably was the max configuration at the time, but has an image retention issue.
Thanks for review. I'm considering buying this exact same model from a local computer store. They want $400 out the door. Is that a fair price? Also, it has a new hard drive. I am not a tech person and plan on light use so what should I ask or make sure about the new hard drive? I appreciate any thoughts.
I would make sure they put an SSD hard drive in it. For what you’re doing it’s a great computer.
@@TerryBrennanTechHello thanks for your post I have a question there was mentioned ssd hard drive what do I need to make sure I have a iMac 2015 computer to last me at least another 4 years? Planning on buying one
I am currently using a 2015 imac 5k, 16gb ram, 3.2ghz i5, 2gb m95 video card ... I really need to replace it .. waiting for updated mac studio
Thanks for the info
You be better off installing Sonoma with open core patcher, i have it running on my late 2013 iMac no issues and it just has 8gb ram 128gb SSD.
Could you play call of duty on it ?
I still using my imac 27 late 2012... I dont game, edit image or video. Just work and wacth streaming... For that i will use this model until 2026 or 2027. 15 year.... Do that in today apple computers......
Even still you can cloud game.....
Has anybody worked out how /are using their 2015 iMac 5K retina as simply a display for more a modern MacBook m1 or m2? Is this achievable? I don't need dual screens, mirroring would be fine.
Google "Target Display Mode" to see all the options for using iMacs as displays. It was supported for a few years prior to 2015 but not this model or later because 5K bandwidth was too much of a technical challenge.
You will need to buy a 5k driver board (about $200) open and gut out the 5k iMac, and replace it with the driver board. It will work as just a brilliant 5k monitor
@Terry Brennan My brother kindly gave me his Late 2015 27" iMac that he bought new in 2016 which has been upgraded with 24 GB of Ram. Is the Late 2015 iMac better than an earlier 2015 model? Did it get updates/improvements over the earlier model and if so what are the improvements? It is running OS Monterey so how much longer will it work for browsing the internet, TH-cam and MS Office like Word, Excel, Outlook and Powerpoint? Thanks in advance for your reply.
I would think your Microsoft stuff will be supported for another 2 years. I don’t know the differences off the top of my head because they are minor. The late 2015 likely used a newer or better processor.
@@TerryBrennanTech Thank you, Terry. Do you think it will work okay for browsing the web, FB, IG etc for another 2 years as well? It's in mint condition as my brother hardly used it. I don't think even a M3 iMac would be any better for what I use the computer for and also has a fantastic 27" 5K screen.
Hi I want help I see iMac 30$ put I don’t learn any year make and no accessories and power cable
Yes. ✊
For game building is it worth it ? For example running unity
To be honest I don’t know. I used to have a 2014 one and it ran Minecraft with shaders very well.
This is assuming the screen hasn’t turned pink around the edges like many (including mine) have.
What happens next when the edges of the screen turns pink? Is this a sign it's about to fail completely or will it still be usable for some time?
TOP 2015
Mine goes to Big Sur and no further. How did you get to Monterey?
Opencore patcher. I’’ using sequoia on my old MacBook Pro 2014 thanks to that patcher.
Can I plug my ps5 to it? Through like a converter?
Unfortunately no, they don’t want people to be able to use these as a monitor.
has this anything to filter the blue light?
It may have something in the display settings called night shift to add an orangish tint for blue light.
You could just airdrop iMovie from another Mac that already has it ;)
If it’s from a Mac with a newer operating system it won’t work.
Apple products are made to last for years . The quality is great.