How I Got a 5K Retina Apple Display for $400

How I was able to create a 5K retina Apple Display for $400 using an old 5K iMac.

[ansoncall]

Probably the best value of those 5k iMacs was the screen. Awesome that you were able to reuse it so neatly.

[ducksauz]

As I've got a 2017 5k iMac, I'll do this in a few years when it stops getting security updates.
I've been checking out a bunch of folks videos for doing this and yours is by far the best. So nice to see you use the speakers, built in power connector, and use a grommit on the ram door for a super clean look. Also, major props on the lead weights. All told this is a great build. 👏

[LifeofBrinc]

This was one of the cleanest retrofits I’ve seen. Great job.

[TadGilliland]

I've been thinking about a full kit to provide faster or easier install or even a fully done option for a few years now. But.... Time.... And... Money.... When I did my 1st in 2021 I did the power cable and the power button the same way. I mounted the power supply in the same spot but the board above the hinge and that required no extra weight. I also wired an IR sensor to the button board and had it peek through where the oem camera lives so remote was easy to use.

Lastly, I've never used the crossover kit, but I have seen that some are shipped with some of the wires reverse polarity so that can cause highs to sound rough. As for the buzz it can come from being so close to the other components like the board and especially the power supply. A ferrite bead around the wire coming off the main board could help. There are other isolation methods, including a separate digital amp, but most importantly distancing from the other electronics and creating some actual shielding. If anyone wants to chat about the possibilities of all this I'm open!

[Jordas]

I like that you made the original power port and power button that’s a huge difference and having a remote to adjust settings not having to make holes for buttons. Nice build great way to upcycle products for the long term.

[guyg]

You did the best job on you tube that I’ve seen. Wish I could just use my late 2015 27” iMac with the new 4M Mac Mini without all the conversions.

[DanielCortezi]

I've just finished mine using your video for the instructions, and it worked like a charm! The only thing I haven't managed to do it is the hole to pass the cables into the RAM cover. Also my logic board doesn't have a remote so I had to keep the controls outside. Great video and thanks for all the details!

[nopnop]

This is awesome. Thank you for sharing.

It would be great if you could integrate the camera also.

[michaelfields]

Awesome! When I was 13, in 1967, I first saw headphones at a department store. It wasn't long until I ripped the speakers from 2 transister radios, hard wired them to a record player, stuck them in a couple of ashtrays, and strapped them to my head with a belt. Would have been nice to post it on a YouTube channel back then! I tip my hat to you sir!

[Pascal.]

Would be really interesting to get the panel inside of the old Thunderbolt display housing. THAT would be AWESOME

[artofalfenito]

This would be cool to them also convert to a vesa mount.

[nycx]

I’ve been considering this! Looks really great, nice job! Using the original power button was nice. Maybe you could add a led color strip on the back to make it “next level”

[iminacatsuit]

This has been by far the most clean iMac standalone display i’ve ever seen, the back is so clean and pristine, barely looked modified-wow

Great job!!
I’m tempted in doing this too

[romanlchnr]

Awesome build, especially with the original power button. But how did you know which cables you had to solder to the button?

[deathstrike]

My iMac 2015 is still running great but this video is great for me to see that the screen will have life for a long time.

[moeskido]

This was impressive. I never expect a power brick to be shielded well enough to avoid magnetically distorting the display in some way. I guess that's naïve. :)

[george_taylor]

Very professional job! I've watched a few videos on this conversion and this was more detailed, clear and well executed than anyone elses. Nice job!

[RemyZeee]

Very helpful video, I think I might do this with old 27inch retina display

[risley.ogembo]

Have this exact iMac, Late 2014 27 inch. Thinking of doing this conversion + replacing the camera for a smaller, higher resolution Arduino camera for robotics. Easily could get another 4-5 years of use out of the display, insane value for the price. High quality video man! Hopefully you were able to sell some of the parts.

[MrDesignosaur]

Hi very nice video, can you tell me the pinout - the exact cables you connected from the board to the imac power button for it to work? Great video!!!