Apple iMac 27-Inch Desktop Computer Review
A hands-on look at the Apple iMac 27-inch 5K all-in-one, from the built-in swivel to the four USB ports that mean no external hub.
Reviewed by
Scott Ayres
Welcome to the Product Demo lab where I (Scott) demo products so you can make an educated buying decision. I keep it real, honest and laid back.
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I recently completed an Apple iMac 27 inch review, and every time someone walks up to our live-stream desk, I grab the stand and spin the 27-inch toward them, no reaching over cables, no tilting a monitor arm. That single gesture explains the swivel better than any spec sheet. When our church had to stand up a streaming rig fast, this was the thing I didn’t know I needed until I’d used it for a week. Check the current price on Amazon if a fixed desk setup is what you’re building.
Quick Verdict
The swivel that’s built into the stand sold me before the screen did. I run this iMac at our church for live streaming, and the four USB ports plus two Thunderbolt/USB-C ports mean I plug audio and video straight in with no tower and no hub.
Buy if you:
- Want a live-stream or media rig you can plug devices straight into
- Hate reaching around for an external hub on a laptop
- Need a big 27-inch 5K screen for editing and multimedia
- Want one clean all-in-one instead of a tower plus monitor
Skip if you:
- Want to swap parts later, since 8GB RAM and the Fusion Drive are what you’re stuck with unless you upgrade
- Only need a small screen, because 30 x 23.9 inches eats a desk
- Already live in the MacBook world and carry your machine everywhere
| Display | 27-inch 5120 x 2880 Retina 5K |
|---|---|
| Processor | 3.4 GHz quad-core Intel Core i5 |
| Memory | 8 GB DDR4 (up to 32 GB) |
| Storage | 1TB Fusion Drive |
| Ports | 4x USB, 2x Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C), headphone, SD |
| Weight | 21 lbs |
Apple iMac 27 Inch Review: The Game Changing Swivel
What’s Inside and On the Back
This is a 27-inch all-in-one running Mac OS on a 3.4 GHz quad-core Intel Core i5 with 8GB of RAM and a 1TB Fusion Drive. The display is the 5120-by-2880 Retina 5K panel, and the whole thing weighs 21 pounds. Out of the box you’ve got GarageBand ready for audio work and Siri baked in, the stuff that actually matters for a media desk is already there at first boot, no installs required.
We run it with an Apple mouse and an Apple Bluetooth keyboard. Both are Bluetooth, so the desk stays clean.
Ports Mean No Tower, No Hub
Four USB ports on the back eliminate the need for a tower or hub, that’s the whole reason this works for live streaming. Unlike a MacBook Pro where you can’t really plug anything in, the iMac has a couple different ports right there. You’ve got one, two, three, four USB ports, then two Thunderbolt/USB-C ports, a headphone jack, and an SD card slot. The power button sits right there too.
For our church stream that means a camera, an audio interface, and a USB capture card all plugged straight into the back, nothing sitting on the desk between me and the machine. A MacBook in the same role would need a $80, 150 hub just to get started.
The 8GB RAM Is the Ceiling to Watch
8GB ships as standard, and it fills up fast under streaming and multimedia loads, that’s the constraint worth planning around. For a machine running live streaming and multimedia, 8GB fills up fast once you stack a browser, streaming software, and audio tools together. The good news is it takes up to 32GB, so you can add more down the road. But out of the box, 8GB is the number that would make me hesitate if I planned to push it hard every day.
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Apple iMac 27-Inch 5K
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Who This iMac Is Really For
Anyone running a fixed desk setup that has to plug things in. That’s me at our church, where live streaming means audio and video going straight into the machine without a rat’s nest of adapters. If you’re a household or small team that wants one clean all-in-one instead of a tower plus a monitor plus a hub, this is the shape that fits. It’s also a solid pick for everyday use and multimedia when a big 5K screen matters more than portability.
iMac vs a MacBook Pro Setup
The iMac wins on ports, the MacBook wins on mobility. On a MacBook Pro you can’t plug much in directly, so you’re buying a dock or hub and hauling it around. The iMac skips all of that with four USB ports and two Thunderbolt/USB-C ports built into the back. The trade-off is obvious: the iMac stays on the desk. If you need to carry your machine between rooms or on the road, the MacBook is the better call. For a stationary streaming or editing station, I’d take the iMac every time.
Advice Before You Buy One
Check whether the listing is new or renewed, since this model shows up refurbished often. If you plan to lean on it for streaming or heavy multimedia, price out bumping the RAM toward that 32GB ceiling before it becomes a bottleneck. Clear the desk first too: at 30 inches wide it needs real space. And if you already own an Apple Bluetooth mouse and keyboard, you’re most of the way to a clean setup out of the gate.
Pros
- Built-in swivel makes changing the view effortless
- Four USB ports plus two Thunderbolt/USB-C ports, no hub needed
- Headphone jack and SD card slot right on the back
- Big 27-inch 5K screen, all-in-one with no tower
- Comes loaded with Siri, GarageBand and the usual Apple apps
Cons
- Ships with only 8GB RAM, which fills fast under streaming loads
- Big footprint at 30 x 23.9 inches
- Stays on the desk, so no portability like a MacBook
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I upgrade the RAM later?
Yes, this 27-inch iMac takes up to 32GB of DDR4. It ships with 8GB, so adding more is the smart move if you run streaming software and audio tools at the same time.
Does it come with a keyboard and mouse?
Apple iMacs typically include the Apple Bluetooth keyboard and mouse. I run mine with both, and since they’re Bluetooth the desk stays clear of cables. Confirm what’s bundled on the listing, especially on renewed units.
What can I plug into it?
Plenty. There are four USB ports, two Thunderbolt/USB-C ports, a headphone jack, and an SD card slot. That’s enough to run audio and video gear directly without a separate hub.
Is it good for live streaming?
Yes, that’s exactly what I use mine for at our church. The ports let me bring audio and video straight in, and the swivel makes repositioning the screen quick. Just budget for a RAM upgrade if you push it hard.
What’s a Fusion Drive?
It pairs a small fast SSD with a larger traditional drive so common files load quickly while you keep 1TB of total space. It’s not a pure SSD, so a full solid-state upgrade would be snappier if speed is everything to you.
Does it need a separate tower or hub?
No. Everything is built into the display, and the ports handle your devices directly. That’s the main reason I prefer it over a MacBook setup that forces you into an external hub.
How much desk space does it need?
Roughly 30 inches wide and 23.9 inches tall with the stand. Measure your desk before buying, because it’s a big presence compared to a laptop or a smaller all-in-one.
Is a renewed iMac worth it?
It can be, if you want the 5K screen and full port selection at a lower cost. Check the seller’s return window and warranty coverage before you buy, since renewed conditions vary.
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Apple iMac 27-Inch 5K
Get the best price on Amazon →This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
🛍️ Shop everything in this video
Every product mentioned, in one place — these are affiliate links, so I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
🛍️ Apple iMac Desktop Computer — check price on Amazon →
🛍️ Apple Mouse — check price on Amazon →
🛍️ Apple Wireless Bluetooth Keyboard — check price on Amazon →
About the reviewer
Scott Ayres
Welcome to the Product Demo lab where I (Scott) demo products so you can make an educated buying decision. I keep it real, honest and laid back.
