The optional Upgrades for the Apple iMac 27 are not worth it

Apple's large all-in-one system gets regular performance updates, but this year, you also get a new webcam, a matte screen, and much more storage capacity. Most oft that is obviously optional. We reviewed the high-end spec with the Intel Core i9 processor, the AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT, and 32 GB RAM. The problem is that the cooling solution is not sufficient to get the most out of the components. When you look at the CPU performance, you also have to consider that modern AMD CPUs are just faster than Intel's offerings. The graphics card is also perform below its potential. All of this means the expensive upgrades are not worth it.

The 27-inch 5K screen is still very good and is now available as a matte panel for the first time. Apple calls this option nano-texture glass and it differs from typical matte or anti-reflective filters, because the nano-texture is etched directly into the glass. This is supposed to keep the brilliant picture you know from glossy panels. This is not quite the case, but the picture quality is still very good for a matte panel. You also notice a slight grain on bright surfaces when you look closely, but this not visible from a normal viewing distance. The price on the other hand is a problem, and only you can decide whether a matte panel is worth more than 600 Euros to you.

The Apple iMac 27 is still a very good all-in-one system with a great screen in 2020, but you should think about the optional upgrades and whether you really need the (limited) additional performance of the more expensive components. An upgrade for the RAM and/or the SSD is probably a better choice.

Please see our comprehensive review for more information about the Apple iMac 27:

• Apple iMac 27 Mid 2020 (Core i9, RX 5700 XT)