iMac 27-inch Retina 5K (Late 2014): Refurbished, Specs & Repairs

About This Model

The iMac 27-inch Retina 5K (Late 2014) combines a very high-resolution display, a quad-core Intel processor and upgradeable memory in an all-in-one desktop. It can be worth considering for steady desk-based work with compatible software, or repairing if you already own one and it still meets your needs.

Complete Mac Solutions supplies refurbished Apple Macs in Bristol for home users, students and businesses. We also offer iMac repairs and can help you compare the cost of repairing an older iMac with a suitable replacement.

Which 2014 27-inch iMac do you have?

This guide covers the Retina 5K, 27-inch, Late 2014 model. Apple also sold non-Retina 27-inch iMacs in earlier years, and those have a much lower screen resolution.

Choose About This Mac from the Apple menu to check the full model name. Its identifier is iMac15,1. The 5K iMacs from 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2020 look almost identical from the front, so check the complete model details rather than relying on the design or year of purchase alone. If yours is the next model, see our iMac 27-inch Retina 5K (2015) guide.

Specifications at a glance

Display	27-inch Retina 5K IPS display, 5120 × 2880 resolution
Processor options	3.5GHz quad-core Intel Core i5; optional 4.0GHz quad-core Core i7
Memory	8GB as standard, configurable to 16GB or 32GB; four user-accessible slots
Original storage options	1TB or 3TB Fusion Drive, or 256GB, 512GB or 1TB flash storage
Graphics	AMD Radeon R9 M290X with 2GB; optional R9 M295X with 4GB
Connections	Four USB 3 ports, two Thunderbolt 2 ports, Gigabit Ethernet, SDXC card slot and headphone socket
Wireless	802.11ac Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0
Weight	Approximately 9.54kg

Ask us to confirm the exact configuration of any refurbished machine available. Replacement storage and added memory may differ from the original factory specification.

What is the 2014 iMac like to use?

With an SSD fitted, the Late 2014 5K iMac handles documents, research, email, browsing and compatible photo software comfortably. The 5K screen is excellent for detailed images and fits a lot on screen at once, which helps with spreadsheets and side-by-side documents.

With its original Fusion Drive, it can feel slow to start up and open apps. Current professional software, large video projects and demanding creative work need careful consideration, as many of those applications now require a newer macOS release.

Macs for business in Bristol

Complete Mac Solutions supplies Macs for businesses as well as individuals. Tell us which applications, peripherals and working arrangements your team uses so we can help you choose a suitable machine.

A 2014 iMac may suit a reception desk, office administration or a dedicated machine for older software, and its built-in Ethernet is useful in an office. Check application support and your organisation’s security requirements before using it for sensitive work. A newer Mac may offer better value when reliability and a longer working life are priorities.

Is it suitable for Bristol students?

For a student who works at a desk, this iMac gives a very large, sharp screen for the money. It may suit essays and research when its software support and condition meet the demands of the course.

Check university requirements before choosing an older Mac, including examination software and specialist design, engineering or media applications. If you need a computer that will last several years of study, compare the total cost with a newer model such as the iMac 27-inch Retina 5K (2019). Students get 10% off with our student deals.

Storage and memory: important buying checks

Apple lists macOS Big Sur as the newest officially compatible operating system for this model. Current applications may require a newer macOS release, and compatibility with Big Sur does not mean it receives the security updates your work requires.

Storage makes the biggest difference to how this iMac feels. A Fusion Drive pairs a small flash drive with a traditional hard drive, and after this many years the hard drive part is slow and more likely to fail. An iMac that has been upgraded to an SSD is a much better buy. Fitting one means removing the glued-on display, so it is a workshop job.

Memory is far simpler. The door on the back gives access to four slots, and the iMac accepts up to 32GB. Ask us about iMac upgrades before deciding whether to upgrade or replace.

Repair issues and symptoms to check

Slow performance, freezing and drive problems

Very slow start-ups, long spinning beach balls, disk errors or a flashing question mark often point to the hard drive inside a Fusion Drive. Back up straight away if the Mac still starts. If it does not, ask us about data recovery before any work is done.

Display damage and image problems

Check the screen on plain white and grey backgrounds for dark patches, dust behind the glass, lines or faint ghost images left from earlier windows. Visible symptoms need assessment before quoting a repair.

Graphics faults and heat

Models with the higher-end R9 M295X graphics run hot under heavy load. Display glitches, crashes during games or video work, or a fan that runs loudly all the time deserve assessment. Describe when the problem began and whether it occurs during particular tasks.

No power, unexpected shutdowns and connection problems

An iMac that will not turn on, or shuts down by itself, can have a power supply or logic board fault. Ports that stop working, or Wi-Fi and Bluetooth dropping out, also need diagnosis rather than guesswork.

Repair your iMac or replace it?

An SSD upgrade and a memory boost can make a Late 2014 5K iMac feel much quicker, and the screen alone is worth keeping. A display or logic board fault is a bigger decision on a machine of this age. Complete Mac Solutions can discuss iMac repairs in Bristol and help you weigh the likely cost against the condition, usefulness and replacement value of the computer.

Buying a refurbished 2014 iMac

Confirm the model, processor, graphics, fitted memory and whether it has an SSD or a Fusion Drive. Inspect the screen and test the connections you intend to use. Most importantly, check that your essential software supports its operating system.

Complete Mac Solutions carries a large stock of refurbished Macs and has an extensive supplier network to help source suitable configurations. Many of our Macs come fully boxed, with all accessories and in fantastic condition. Packaging, accessories and condition vary between machines, so ask us to confirm what comes with the one you choose.

Explore our Apple Macs for sale or speak to us about a desktop for home, study or business. If you already own this model, we can help you consider whether repair, storage work or replacement offers the best value.

References and further reading

• Apple: iMac Retina 5K, 27-inch (Late 2014) specifications
• Apple: identify your iMac and its newest compatible macOS
• iFixit: iMac Intel 27-inch Retina 5K repair guides
• iFixit: 27-inch Retina 5K iMac hard drive replacement
• EveryMac: iMac Core i5 3.5 27-inch 5K (Late 2014) specifications

Compare the iMac 27-inch Retina 5K (2014) with similar models

The 2015 model brings faster processors and graphics on the same design, while the 2019 model adds six-core and eight-core processors and much longer macOS support. If you mainly want the large screen, compare the total cost carefully.

• iMac 27-inch Retina 5K (2015)
• iMac 27-inch Retina 5K (2019)
• iMac 21.5-inch (2015)
• iMac 21.5-inch Retina 4K (2019)

Buy or repair an iMac 27-inch Retina 5K (2014)

Want the 5K screen without the slow Fusion Drive? Ask about our current iMac stock, or let us quote for an SSD upgrade or repair on the iMac you already own.