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Apple MHJY3LL/A 27
Apple MHJY3LL/A 27
Apple MHJY3LL/A 27
Apple MHJY3LL/A 27
Apple MHJY3LL/A 27
Apple MHJY3LL/A 27
Apple MHJY3LL/A 27
Apple

Apple MHJY3LL/A 27" iMac Retina 5K i9 512GB SSD

★★★★★3.6 (2 reviews)
5120 x 2880512GB SSD

A 10-core Intel i9 and AMD Radeon Pro 5700 8GB inside a 5K Retina display — the 27" iMac that still sets the benchmark for all-in-one workstation performance.

$1,599.00*
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*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated:Jun 08, 2026.Price and availability are subject to change.

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Overview

The Apple 27" iMac MHJY3LL/A represents the pinnacle of Intel-era iMac configuration: a 10-core i9 running at 3.6GHz base with Turbo Boost to 5.0GHz, paired with an AMD Radeon Pro 5700 carrying 8GB of GDDR6 VRAM, 8GB of base RAM (upgradeable at order to 128GB), and a 512GB all-flash SSD — all behind a 5120 x 2880 Retina display that covers the P3 wide color gamut. The 10-core CPU isn't just a marketing number: the jump from 4-core to 10-core configurations directly translates to proportionally faster render times in software that scales across cores, including Compressor, Handbrake, and most professional NLEs running background exports while you continue editing in the foreground.

This machine is built for creative professionals — video editors, motion graphics artists, photographers processing large RAW batches — who want a single-display workstation without a tower. The 10GbE Ethernet port is a genuinely useful differentiator for anyone connected to a NAS or RAID array, enabling the kind of sustained file throughput that previously required a Mac Pro. The trade-off is the non-upgradeable RAM post-purchase and the thermal constraints of a thin all-in-one chassis under sustained i9 loads. Buy it with the maximum RAM configuration you can justify — you cannot add more later.

Key Features

Dedicated Graphics Processor: Features an AMD Radeon Pro 5700 XT dedicated graphics card for enhanced performance.

High-Resolution Display: 27-inch iMac features a stunning Retina 5K display with 5120 x 2880 resolution for vivid colors and sharp details.

Quad-Core Processor: Equipped with an Intel Core i9 3.6GHz quad-core processor for fast and efficient performance.

Large Storage Capacity: Comes with a 1TB Fusion Drive for ample storage space and fast data access.

Built-in Microphone: Features a built-in microphone on the keyboard for hands-free audio recording and communication.

Specifications

Display
27" Retina 5K (5120 x 2880)
Processor
3.6GHz 10-Core Intel Core i9
RAM
8GB (upgradeable to 128GB)
Storage
512GB SSD
GPU
AMD Radeon Pro 5700 8GB GDDR6
Networking
10 Gigabit Ethernet
Color
Silver
Model Year
Mid 2020
Model Number
MHJY3LL/A

Pros & Cons

👍 Pros

  • 10-core Intel i9 delivers sustained multi-threaded throughput for video encoding and 3D rendering workflows that tax lesser all-in-ones
  • AMD Radeon Pro 5700 with 8GB GDDR6 VRAM handles GPU-accelerated 4K multi-stream editing in DaVinci Resolve and Premiere Pro without memory pressure
  • 512GB all-flash SSD eliminates the latency unpredictability of Fusion Drive configurations, with consistent sequential read/write performance
  • 5120 x 2880 Retina display covers the P3 wide color gamut with factory calibration, delivering accurate color rendition for professional creative work
  • Integrated 10 Gigabit Ethernet enables NAS-level transfer throughput exceeding 1GB/s on compatible network storage infrastructure

👎 Cons

  • RAM is soldered and not user-upgradeable post-purchase — 8GB base configuration is critically undersized for the i9's workload potential and must be configured at order time
  • 512GB internal SSD capacity fills quickly for video professionals; no tool-less internal expansion path exists in this chassis design
  • The i9 processor generates substantial heat under sustained load, and the iMac's thin chassis limits thermal headroom — extended rendering sessions can trigger sustained throttling
  • This is an Intel-generation iMac, predating Apple Silicon; single-threaded performance and power efficiency are significantly behind M-series successors
  • The all-in-one form factor means a display failure or logic board failure requires servicing the entire unit, with no option to swap components independently

Frequently Asked Questions

This iMac ships with a 10-core Intel Core i9 at 3.6GHz (Turbo Boost up to 5.0GHz). That 10-core configuration gives it genuine parallel processing muscle — sustained multi-threaded workloads like video encoding, 3D rendering, and large RAW photo batch processing run substantially faster than the quad-core configurations in earlier iMac generations.
The discrete GPU is an AMD Radeon Pro 5700 with 8GB of GDDR6 VRAM. For GPU-accelerated workflows in Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, or Final Cut Pro, that 8GB VRAM budget handles 4K multi-stream timelines without constant GPU memory throttling.
Yes — the all-flash 512GB SSD delivers consistent read/write speeds well above what the Fusion Drive's HDD portion provides. You'll notice the difference immediately in cold boot times, large file imports, and virtual memory swapping under heavy load. The Fusion Drive's spinning platter creates unpredictable latency; the SSD eliminates it entirely.
The 27" panel runs at 5120 x 2880 (218 PPI), covers the P3 wide color gamut, and supports True Tone. Apple factory-calibrates each panel, making it suitable for color-critical work straight out of the box — no third-party calibration required for most professional color workflows.
Yes — the Mid 2020 27" iMac includes a 10 Gigabit Ethernet port as a built-in option. For studios on a 10GbE NAS or SAN, this eliminates the bandwidth bottleneck that plagued the 1GbE iMacs — sustained transfer rates to a 10GbE storage array can exceed 1GB/s.

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