From the outside, the new iMacs look pretty much the same as they’ve looked since 2012, yet this newest generation looks to focus on improved processing speeds and performance, which is always welcome news to video editors and filmmakers.

Apple has announced their new 21.5-inch iMac and 27-inch iMac which are available now. Let’s take a look at the updated stats, specs and performance to see how they could help your workflow.

Introducing the 2019 iMacs

New iMacs

Let’s start with the biggest news, the updated processors for both iMacs. The 21.5-inch iMac can include up to a 3.2GHz six-core 8th-gen Core i7 processor (and Turbo Boost up to 4.6Ghz), while the more powerful 27-incher can push up to a 3.6GHz eight-core 9th-gen Core i9 processor (with Turbo Boost up to 5.0GHz).

According to Apple, these represent up to 60% faster CPU performance and up to 80% faster graphics for the 21.5-inch model and up to  2.4x faster CPU performance and 50% faster graphics for the 27-inch model.

Improved Graphics

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Perhaps just as big of a concern for video editors is the updates to the graphics cards for the new iMacs. Both now offer some impressive workstation-class Vega-graphics options. The iMacs feature a new Radeon Pro 500X series graphic card (which Apple reports up to a 50% performance over the previous Radeon Pro 580s).

The 21.5-inch 4K Retina display can be loaded with up to 4GBs of dedicated VRAM while the 27-inch 5K Retina display can be loaded with up to 8GBs.

Increased Storage and Memory

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As with most computer updates, both storage and memory are getting an increase. And while storage isn’t often the biggest concern for video editors who often work with an army of externals, the Fusion or SSD options which come standard with both iMacs is solid but mute.

SSD upgrades are available though at up to 1TB for the 12.5-inch iMac and up to 2TBs for the 27-inch option.

Memory options are offered with up to 32GB for faster 2,666MHz DDR4 for the 21.5-inch and up to 64GB for the 27-inch.

Full Specs and Prices

While the cosmetics stay the same, these are definitely some updated machines which could spark interest for the right editors or video professionals. And, unlike their Pro counterparts, the prices remain reasonable (or at least on-brand) for iMacs. Here are the full specs and pricing.

21.5 Inch Retina 4K iMac

  • 3.6GHz quad-core 8th-generation Intel Core i3 processor

  • 8GB 2666MHz DDR4 memory, configurable to 32GB

  • 1TB hard drive1

  • Radeon Pro 555X with 2GB of GDDR5 memory

  • Two Thunderbolt 3 ports

  • Retina 4K 4096-by-2304 P3 display

Price: $1,299.00

27 Inch Retina 5K

  • 3.0GHz 6-core 8th-generation Intel Core i5 processor

  • Turbo Boost up to 4.1GHz

  • 8GB 2666MHz DDR4 memory, configurable up to 32GB

  • 1TB Fusion Drive1

  • Radeon Pro 570X with 4GB of GDDR5 memory

  • Two Thunderbolt 3 ports

  • Retina 4K 4096-by-2304 P3 display

Price: $1,799.00

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Editing & Post-Production