What are all the differences between the "Late 2017" iMac Pro models? Which is best for me? Is the iMac Pro right for me at all?

There originally was one standard iMac Pro model -- the iMac Pro "8-Core" 3.2 27-Inch (5K, Late 2017) -- and three custom processor options, the iMac Pro "10-Core" 3.0 27-Inch (5K, Late 2017), "14-Core" 2.5 27-Inch (5K, Late 2017), and "18-Core" 2.3 27-Inch (5K, Late 2017).

On August 4, 2020, Apple discontinued the iMac Pro "8-Core" 3.2 27-Inch (5K, Late 2017) and made the iMac Pro "10-Core" 3.0 27-Inch (5K, Late 2017) the standard option, cutting its price. The company continued to offer the iMac Pro "14-Core" 2.5 27-Inch (5K, Late 2017) and "18-Core" 2.3 27-Inch (5K, Late 2017) as custom configurations at reduced prices.

With the exception of the processors, these models can be identical, but the processor differences are important to understand and it is worthwhile to understand the similarities, as well.

Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (iMac Pro)

External & Connectivity Similarities

All "Late 2017" iMac Pro models use a VESA compliant, dark "Space Gray" colored all aluminum case design that tapers sharply to the edge at the sides of the 27" 16:9 widescreen display. The IPS DCI-P3 display panel is LED-backlit and has a 5120x2880 resolution but looks like 2560x1440 at twice the density.

Each "Late 2017" iMac Pro also has an integrated 720p "FaceTime HD" webcam embedded in the upper display bezel, stereo speakers integrated at the bottom edge of the display, and four integrated microphones.

Connectivity consists of four USB 3 (USB-A) ports, four Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports, an Nbase-T Ethernet port, an SDXC card slot, and a 3.5 mm headphone jack as well as 802.11ac Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.2.

Finally, by default, the "Late 2017" iMac Pro models all ship with a dark gray Magic Keyboard with Numeric Keypad and a Magic Mouse 2. For an extra US$50, you can substitute the Magic Mouse 2 for a color matched Magic Trackpad 2 (which provides multi-touch input and Force Touch support). Alternately, you can get a color matched Magic Mouse 2 and a Magic Trackpad 2 for an additional US$149.

Identification Differences

At the moment, collectively identifying the "Late 2017" iMac Pro models is straightforward because of their dark gray color, but further identification details may be helpful for greater precision.

The "Late 2017" iMac Pro Model Number is A1862. Although it is common for Model Numbers to be shared by multiple models, it is likely that this one will be unique to this iMac Pro line.

The original "Late 2017" iMac Pro models also can be spotted by the iMacPro1,1 Model Identifier in software and externally by the 3144 EMC Number.

Additionally, EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Lookup feature -- as well as the EveryMac app -- also can uniquely identify each of the "Late 2017" iMac Pro models by their serial numbers.

Internal & Processor Differences

The "Late 2017" iMac Pro models internally are the same with the exception of the specific processor (and graphics processor unless it is upgraded from its default at the time of system purchase). Each iMac Pro is powered by an Intel Xeon W processor along with a secondary "T2" processor for "enhanced security and integration," which includes secure boot and encrypted storage capabilities as well as enhanced image processing.

The "Late 2017" iMac Pro uses 2666 MHz DDR4 ECC SDRAM memory that is difficult to upgrade; an SSD that is removable, but difficult if not impossible to upgrade; and a Radeon Pro Vega 56 graphics processor with 8 GB of dedicated HBM2 video memory that is soldered in place and that cannot be upgraded after the initial purchase of the system. The system can be custom configured with an AMD Radeon Pro Vega 64 with 16 GB of dedicated HBM2 video memory at the time of system purchase at additional cost.

The original processor options for the "Late 2017" iMac Pro were:

On August 4, 2020, Apple reconfigured the lineup accordingly:

It is physically possible to remove the processor after purchase, but it is difficult, and upgrades still may not be possible.

So, which iMac Pro is best for me? Is it right for me at all?

The more pressing question for most users definitely is if an iMac Pro is best for you rather than which one. The iMac Pro is best suited for someone who uses software that can take advantage of multiple cores and who does not need internal upgrades.

Software that can use multiple cores includes video editing, audio editing, and 3D production software like Final Cut Pro X, Logic Pro X, Autodesk Maya, AutoCAD, and other high-end visualization and scientific software. For applications that only can use a single core, there may be little to no difference in performance between the iMac Pro and recent non-Pro iMac models that cost much less. Expensive, high-end iMac Pro models with lower individual clockspeeds in particular even can be slower than some non-Pro iMac models that have higher clockspeeds.

For those who have the right software, the iMac Pro can be a solid choice assuming that the you are not troubled by the general lack of internal upgrade options and the high price tag. Because this is a brand new design, EveryMac.com originally opined that there was no shame in sitting out this model and waiting for the next one to ensure higher odds of long-term reliability as well as performance. With an update to this Q&A three years later, it seems that the design is well tested, but it remains quite expensive and a relatively poor value for many users compared to the non-Pro iMac.

In the US, site sponsor Adorama sells new iMac Pro models. Adorama always has free shipping and often has deep discounts on recently discontinued and open box models, too. For used iMac and iMac Pro models, try site sponsor OWC for sales to individuals and Evertek for sales to US businesses (as well as bulk orders shipped worldwide).

In the UK, site sponsor Hoxton Macs has a good selection of used and refurbished iMac Pro models with a one-year warranty and free next day delivery throughout the UK. Delivery across Europe also is available starting at just £9.99 for two-day delivery to France and Germany.