Is it worth getting the 2017 27” 5k iMac in 2024? (Review)

The 2017 27 inch 5k imac is one of the best imacs apple has made, however Is it worth getting the 2017 27” 5k iMac in 2024? In this review we check and see if the 2017 imac is still good and if you should get a newer 2019 5k imac.
Someone’s bootable external hard drive tutorial (Hold down option when you start up the computer to select a hard drive to boot from): • How to Install and Run...
I couldn't find a good deal on a 2017 27" 5k iMac on Amazon. You may want to check out a 2019 if you plan on buying from online.
2017 4k 21.5” iMac - amzn.to/49PqMlI
2017 2k 21.5” iMac - amzn.to/3JAKGpD
2019 4k 21.5” iMac - amzn.to/3JzoMTG
2019 5k 27” iMac - amzn.to/4b9s9Nb
M1 iMac 24” - amzn.to/3Jsillk
M3 iMac 24” - amzn.to/44cCIg1
Shop other Macs & accessories: amzn.to/3Juvx9q
My thoughts and opinions on these products are my own. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases which helps grow the channel and support me financially. Thank you :D
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2017 4k 21.5" iMac Review: • 2017 21.5” 4k iMac in ...

[@MRB96]

I got this as an extremely generous gift from my mom when I graduated college in 2018. I recently discovered how easy it is to install more RAM so I upgraded it to 40 GB. I adore this computer.

[@jimsimpson1006]

I was considering buying a 2017 reconditioned iMac. Thanks for a ton of useful info to help me decide!

[@gogrape9716]

I bought a 2020 27inch refurbished iMac . The 5K Retinal display is why I am in love and saved a bundle...

[@Roy_v_D]

Today I had my harddisk exchanged for an 1TD SSD in my 2017 27" iMac (€ 275,-). The iMac feels like new!

[@anthonysullivan5197]

I’m a proud owner a 2017 iMac purchased-mine’s the 21.5” Retina 4K with a HDD. Still does the job for me even though I mainly use a M1 Air a lot these days.

[@RoyPetrie]

Thank you so much! Your video was so informative!

[@jerryhubbard4461]

I have a 2017 27 inch iMac and it is running Sonoma 14.2.1.

[@mohammadamedshyz]

loved the content

[@ajamesmcdermott]

Thanksh for the advice on saving a lot of dollarsh on buying a 2017 imacsh.👍👍

[@RobertFixit]

Great quality video. I am just getting back into the mac after 3 years of non use. I bought a 2014 recently, but the 2017 looks interesting for the display alone as you mentioned.

[@TerrysTechTips]

The 2014 and 2017 27" imacs are both 5k displays. Cool that your getting back to mac computers.

[@RobertFixit]

@TerrysTechTips I am a little confused on the 2017. I see 4k and 5k mentioned in several videos. I picked up the 2017 today and I am so excited! It says 4k retina display. I assumed from the limited research that I did, that the 21” was 4k and the 27” was 5k. I will review the 2017 soon after I review the 2014 that it will replace.

[@TerrysTechTips]

Yep, theres a 2017 21.5" with a 2k display, a 2017 21.5" with a 4k display, and a 27" 5k one.

[@ILLAILLS]

Still have mine. Will keep it for basic use

[@jeandou]

i still use this imac (intel i7) to this day, bought when it released and i have no reason to sell it, or upgrade. only 8gb ram nd like with storage, still have 250gb available. its crazy that it cost 1/3 of what i paid now. This realization helped me decide to buy the macbook pro m1 pro instead of the m3, just because there are new version of the current year doesnt mean a computer 2-3 years old is bad

[@craigw.scribner6490]

Good job, Terry. I'm watching you on a 2015 27" iMac with 32 GB or RAM and a 1TB SSD. I bought it brand new 8 years ago and edit 4K video on FCPX nearly daily. I can't update the operating system or latest FCPX version, but it still works great and I'm holding out until Apple (maybe) releases an iMac "Pro" model, hopefully in the next year or two! Keep up the good work and I'm a subscriber to your channel now.

[@TerrysTechTips]

Thank you so much! That's a very nice computer you got there!

[@stpworld]

I still use my 2017 imac 21 inch it was the last year they offered the littile one with amd graphics I have alot of ram and an hdd and and ssd that someone put in. None of the new imacs have a direct sd card slot. We also still need the intel version of windows ive tried the arm versions of windows but some of are software does not run on it. @@TerrysTechTips I still use the apple one from 2005 that shipped with the g4 imacs that keyboard.

[@Guitar6ty]

Excellent presentation.

[@xollawool]

Hi Terry! Thanks for this review! Will it works with Premiere Pro? I'm considering buying a refurbished 2017 27" 1TB SSD 32G RAM iMac. I own a 2011 MacBook Pro (500G SSD 8G RAM) and I actually use it for editing videos on Premiere Pro. But it is just toooo slow... Do you think I would notice a considerable improvement? Thanks in advance!

[@TerrysTechTips]

Yes, it will definitely be a lot better. You should be able to get the latest updates for adobe Premiere for about 2 years on that computer you’re thinking of getting. helpx.adobe.com/premiere-pro/system-requirements.html#macos

[@lucasbeaglemixwithdcm5798]

Hi ! Great video! I have a question! Can you do editing on iMovie on this computer ok? I am probably getting one for a really good price , another question is all of the 2017 iMac are 5K? This one is 27” just like the one you have in the video , Thank you

[@TerrysTechTips]

All 27" iMacs made after 2014 have a 5k display. Imovie will last you for about a year on this computer, but then I don't think Apple is going to continue to update imovie after that even though it runs well on here. I would recommend looking into another video editing software like capcut instead.

[@blainefire4588]

I'm so sad that you only have 1k followers you need more i definately see a future for you

[@lionelgarcia2386]

This is still our main desk top. Purchased in 2017. It has a one TB drive, and eight MB memory. I am going to upgrade the memory via Amazon probably to 24 MB. I could go higher but why I suppose. It is still in beautiful shape. I lost track of computer improvements. So for what we do we are probably not missing anything. But it would probably be good to upgrade a bit as possible. We would like to edit photos and videos. Have any software recommendation? Oh, we do have a problem screen videoing via QuickTime Player. The system always shoots me an error message when attempting to save. Maybe it doesn’t like the length, or maybe a memory issue. But the fixes on KZbin don’t seem to work. So we handle with our MacBook Pro. Anyway that was just a side note. Thank you .

[@TerrysTechTips]

That’s interesting? If your doing screen recordings I would look into getting a software called “OBS”

[@lionelgarcia2386]

Super. I will seek it out. Not sure why the MacBook Pro handles and the iMac does not? Hope I can get the iMac to allow video save. Have any software for photo editing? Thank you.

[@Lingling92035]

Great pc🙌🔥

[@scokim]

I still have this iMac but the fan goes crazy when playing 4k youtube videos.

[@sarahpeixoto9317]

HELP NEEDED 🙏 Can I use this model as a second monitor for my Mackbook air as well as my windows laptop? Thank you!!!

[@TerrysTechTips]

Unfortunately you can’t use any iMac as a monitor now. You may be able to buy apples studio display from apple’s refurbished store. It’s going to cost about 3x more, but I would think it will hold its value fairly well. You can also try to get by with a 4k monitor.

[@HERculeZ333]

Bro I like the castle like thing on your table. Were did you get that?

[@TerrysTechTips]

I got it at Target. Its called Lego Apartment Building

[@transitengineer]

In 2023, I am making this same comparison right now but with the 2017 “space gray” iMac Pro. Some models are now as low as $1,000 and, you get more ports and a 1080p web camera Smile…smile).

[@michaelspear5016]

I have a 2017 27" iMac with 1TB SSD and 64MB of RAM. It works great with Photoshop and Adobe Creative Cloud. I have been using my 27" 2015 iMac as a second monitor. The setup looks great on my desk! Life has been good. However, as a photographer and graphic designer, I am planning on buying a new MacBook Pro and two 24" or 27" monitors as my main system. I have maxed out on my mac OS, so my hand is forced. Do you have any suggestions on what might be a good setup for me? Someone out there will be happy to own my 2017 iMac, but I've got to do what I have to do. Thanks.

[@TerrysTechTips]

Probably a used or refurbished 14” or 16” MacBook Pro M1 Pro or M2 Pro with 16Gb of ram and 1Tb of storage would be a good value. Also you could pick up an open box Apple studio display for $~1300 each if you really want the same display quality.

[@iskandermakhmudov]

Thanks

[@ugiampaolo]

i9 32ram 1tb bootcamp windows 11 and high framerate rendering speed video card (not less I 'm looking for, perhaps 24 or 16 ram gb)

[@stevejohnson1321]

I bought a 2010 imac with i7. Ubuntu doesn't care what year the processor is, so long as it's 64-bit.

[@justwatchingnothingmore]

I prefer the 18 Cores iMac pro. Works very well and gets the latest OS.

[@tonigarcia7787]

Mientras trabajo con mi iMac me gusta escuchar musica lo junto con un HomePod original y me crea un sonido estereo junto con los altavoces del iMac.

[@et187]

I used Microsoft word for work do your recommend this iMac for 400 price tag? I’m thinking about buying it.

[@TerrysTechTips]

It will work now, but in 2-3 years Microsoft will probably drop support.

[@JasonTech77]

Thinking of buying one since they’re $362 right now.

[@TerrysTechTips]

Be careful if you see one going for that.

[@LetsGoLook1]

I just scored one with an SSD for $200🎉

[@TerrysTechTips]

Wow ok.

[@nontrickpony]

Would £425 be reasonable for 2017 Apple iMac 4K 21.5-inch Intel i5 3.0 GHz 4-core 16GB 500GB 555X 2GB with Magic Mouse and a keyboard? I haven’t bought a new Mac or MacBook since 2014 😂

[@TerrysTechTips]

I would try to negotiate it to £400

[@tekiro]

I got this version on eBay from a Refurbish company with a one year warranty for $188.

[@fabiankowalski3356]

Will run Lightroom and photoshop?

[@TerrysTechTips]

Yes, but in 2-3 years it may not be able to run the latest versions.

[@ymatT601]

Why can’t you use it as a monitor?

[@TerrysTechTips]

Its their software. They want you to buy their $1,600 studio display.

[@mattstone8878]

OMG! I gotta poop and I am at a party. I'm making tons of fart noises. Everyone can hear the noises. But that's ok. I'm a proud party pooper! 🥳 💩

[@bassyey]

Not more than $200, yes it's worth.

[@merickstad]

I think it’s a solid $350-$475 value depending on ram and proc spec.

[@TerrysTechTips]

I don't know if you can even find a useable one for that price

[@mattstone8878]

I just got one for $375 on FB Marketplace. Fully maxed out specs too.

[@bigshoe84]

@@mattstone8878dang that’s a deal! I just got a 2019 with the I9 and Vega 48 with 64 gigs of ram for $750 and thought that was a good deal.

[@Sudoakado]

Install Linux…

[@mccoomer]

If you have the 27" model with upgradeable RAM, Linux can't use the full resolution. Basically there's two displays behind the glass and Apple has only made available drivers for Windows 10. The Linux community has never been able to make this screen work at 5k.

[@PJ....]

I work with audio (independent/freelance), my system/audio interface (at base level) has 34 Analog Inputs/Outputs, I run a lot of software instruments, a lot of processing plugins, Multiple External Controllers (Hardware that Controls/Integrates with Software), External Synths, Sequencers & Outboard gear etc ... Sadly my current (Late 2014) iMac is no longer in ♥ with me or the werk ... So after some research (Over many months (many many months)) I've now currently got my finger on the button for the following: Near Maxed Out/Upgraded 2017 iMac Retina 5K, 27-Inch / 4.2 GHz Quad Core / 32 GB Ram / 2TB Storage (am still waiting to hear back for the seller to clarify if it is a 2TB SSD or a 2TB Fusion, Drive. If it is the latter, I will break the iMac down & upgrade the 128GB Flash Drive to 1TB or 2TB Flash, & replace the 2TB HHD with a 4TB SSD in the 2.5" Bay...If it already has a 2TB SSD (Eliminating the Fusion/HDD) then I am undecided, as this upgrade may not be needed, I can certainly run with it for a time & then make that determination at a later date)....Because of my line of work, & the way I work, I actually 'will' Max Out the Ram to 64 GB (Most of my projects are Ram intensive)... So with the before-mentioned purchase/upgrades, by my calculation, on the books (so far), this will run me just shy of US$700 (Fortunately, I already purchased a 4TB SSD some time ago) .. With the work Im doing, & my somewhat unique hybrid workflow, I'm not quite ready to jump to Silicon just yet (although I did almost buy a Apple Studio M1 Max a few weeks back... The deal breaker being the 32GB 'Unified Ram', with no (Ram or HD) upgrades available post purchase ... & as we all know, at time of purchase, things get EXPENSIVE fast!) So I just want to observe the silicone market for another year or two & see what happens (with Apple Silicon/Pro Audio ... & with the second hand market)... My thoughts are; this Maxed Out 2017 iMac will be like a bridging/tie over system for a couple of years ... *I'm currently running on a Upgraded iMac Retina 5K, 27-Inch, Late 2014: 4.0 GHz Quad Core / 32 GB Ram / 1TB Fusion Storage (128 Flash / 1TB HDD) But it is on its last legs with what I am asking of it. I am also running a couple of external displays, well, actually a single Phillips 45" Curved Ultrawide Display 5120 x 1440 (running as Dual QHD 2560 X 1440), but my 2014 iMac via ThunderBolt 2 & Belkin Dock will only allow for a single external display, so as a werk-around, I am using 2 seperate inputs on the Philips Ultrawide Display, USB-C for one & the other via a Startech Display Link Ext Card USB 3.0 - HDMI). I have everything on external drives; Session Audio Files, VST Instrument Libraries etc ... I am really hoping the improvements on the Maxed iMac 2017 will be notable e.g Later-Faster Processor/ Faster & Doubled Ram / Complete SSD Internal Drive System (with use of Externals SSDs to job share). Eliminating the Fusion (HDD) & the extra 32 GB Ram should help with heavier tasks/sessions) The Graphics Card in 2017 iMac via DisplayPort output over USB‑C eliminates my current external dual display werk-around ... So have my fingers crossed for a much more streamlined, functional werk-horse with this purchase ... Is not finalised yet as day of this post, so PLEASE any thoughts or ADVICE is welcomed...

[@TerrysTechTips]

I’m not super familiar with what’s best for that type of music production, but one thing you may want to consider doing if you want to replace the hard drive with an SSD is to create a bootable external one. You’re likely not going to get your money back by upgrading it internally and you risk breaking the display. I have a tutorial uploaded that shows you how to create one. You would install MacOS Ventura instead of MacOS Sonoma. How to Install MacOS Sonoma on a External Hard Drive kzbin.info/www/bejne/oYnaqaaEZcernbs

[@PJ....]

@@TerrysTechTips Thank you Terry, this is very helpful advice...