Why do newer imacs have slower processors?

Question

Why do newer imacs have slower processors?

I was researching imacs and came across these two different models. One is from 2012 and the other from 2014. What has me confused the most is why the 2012 imac has a faster processor than the 2014 one? The 2014 has a quad-core 1.4Ghz i5 processor compared to the 2012 quad-core 2.7Ghz i5 processor?! Both have 1080p FHD and 8GB of ram and are the same screen size.

Here are the links:

1. 2014: https://support.apple.com/kb/SP701?locale=en_US

2. 2012: iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2012) - Technical Specifications

Posted on Dec 28, 2017 12:44 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

SweetPrincess Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 28, 2017 4:14 PM in response to SweetPrincess

Ok so just read this "Somewhat unusually, rather than "refresh" the entire iMac line with an across the board upgrade of all models, Apple decided to release a new lower-end, cheaper entry-level "Mid-2014" iMac -- the iMac "Core i5" 1.4 21.5-Inch (Mid-2014) -- and sell it alongside the previously introduced "Late 2013" iMac models."

Which makes more sense now and what Malcolm said earlier. It's a cheaper version and actually only duel core. Don't know how I misread it ion the specs page. I haven't looked at the later ones yet so I'll take a look at them.

Reply

Answer 2

Dec 28, 2017 1:50 AM in response to SweetPrincess

2014 is when retina iMacs were introduced. The small non-retina model was configured for lowest cost as an entry level computer. For more performance you had to get the retina display versions.

Reply

Answer 3

Yer_Man

Level 10

165,960 points

Dec 28, 2017 4:10 AM in response to SweetPrincess

It depends on what you mean by "better". I have no doubt that the experience of using the later one would be better, even if the older one might be "faster" in some respects.

Click speeds are no real judge of a computer, really, as your compute rarely runs that fast. What you want to know is if the apps you use on the machine will run well. That's a more important question than whether this chip or that chip is "faster" as most apps never come near using the full capability of the hardware.

Reply

Answer 4

Rudegar

Level 10

180,342 points

Dec 28, 2017 6:58 AM in response to SweetPrincess

the first intel cpu with 1.4Ghz was released in 2003

the first intel quad-core cpu was released in 2007

a 1.4Ghz quad-core intel cpu from 2014 would not run the same pace as a 1.4Ghz quad-core intel cpu from 2007

Reply

Answer 5

Dec 28, 2017 3:51 PM in response to Yer_Man

what would be a good judge then? clock speeds are how fast a computer can process information pretty sure that's a pretty good standard. Clock speeds are everything when rendering images and those apps like Autodesk Maya and Pixar's Renderman use the full capacity of the CPU. So knowing which is faster is kind of important. I get the feeling that the older version is faster at this point. The CPU's are called the exact same in the apple descriptions except the older version has higher GHz so apple is ripping people off with the newer one. And to top things off the older one has 1TB hard drive compared to 500GB in the newer one.

Reply

Answer 6

Yer_Man

Level 10

165,960 points

Dec 29, 2017 12:17 AM in response to SweetPrincess

and those apps like Autodesk Maya and Pixar's Renderman use the full capacity of the CPU

So, if you're using those apps then clock speed means something. If you're web-surfing and sending emails then not so much. It's a bit like the speedometer in the car says this thing can go 160mph, which is of no interest at all if all you're doing is driving the kids to school. Knowing the thing can do 160 is of little interest if you're on roads that only allow 40.

So, again, it depends on what apps you use and in general, what you use the computer for.

Reply

Answer 7

Dec 28, 2017 3:54 PM in response to Rudegar

Again I don't see how that is the case? I am reading the specs and 1.4Ghz is 1.4Ghz not faster not slower. I don't understand. I come from PC (windows) and have bought and installed replacement parts for my PC. I would not choose a 1.4GHz quad core over a 2.7Ghz quad core if I were looking for a better PC.

Reply

Answer 8

Dec 28, 2017 3:49 AM in response to Malcolm J. Rayfield

so If I were buying a used imac then getting an older version would be better than?

Reply