Apple iMac (21.5-inch, Early 2013) vs Apple iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2012)

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iMac (21.5-inch, Early 2013) compared with iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2012)

	AppleiMac (21.5-inch, Early 2013)	AppleiMac (21.5-inch, Late 2012)
Overview
Released
Released	March 2013	November 2012
Performance
Processor
Processor	Intel Core i3 3.3 GHz (iMac Early 2013)	Intel Core i5-3330S, Intel Core i5-3470S or Intel Core i7-3770S
CPU cores
CPU cores	2	4
CPU threads
CPU threads	–	4 or 8
Graphics
Graphics	Intel HD Graphics 4000	NVIDIA GeForce GT 640M (512 MB GDDR5) or NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M (512 MB GDDR5)
Memory
Memory	4 GB	8 GB or 16 GB (better)
Storage
Storage	500 GB	1 TB (better)
CPU
CPU	3.3 GHz dual-core Core i3 confirmed by the US maker education price list and contemporary Apple-store coverage. A conflicting New York state price-list row says 3.1 GHz; the corroborated US maker row is used. Exact secondary EveryMac identifies i3-3225, but the chip record retains the maker clock name.	2.7 GHz quad-core Core i5 (Turbo Boost up to 3.2 GHz), or 2.9 GHz quad-core Core i5 (up to 3.6 GHz); the 2.9 GHz model can be configured with a 3.1 GHz quad-core Core i7 (up to 3.9 GHz). iFixit's teardown identifies the base processor as i5-3330S; Geekbench reports i5-3335S on other units, an unresolved component suffix difference.
GPU
GPU	Intel HD Graphics 4000, sharing system memory; maker price list confirms the graphics model.	NVIDIA GeForce GT 640M on the 2.7 GHz configuration, or GT 650M on the 2.9 GHz and optional Core i7 configurations; each has 512 MB GDDR5
Memory type
Memory type	4 GB in two 2 GB modules confirmed by the maker price list; 1600 MHz DDR3 and internal-only memory access according to EveryMac. Secondary reports of higher memory options are not expanded into an unverified factory matrix.	1600 MHz DDR3; 8 GB (two 4 GB modules), configurable to 16 GB (two 8 GB modules) at purchase. Memory access requires dismantling the computer.
Storage type
Storage type	500 GB hard drive confirmed by the maker price list; EveryMac specifies 5400 rpm Serial ATA. No built-in optical drive. Unspecified alternative storage capacities are omitted.	1 TB 5400-rpm hard drive; the upper 2.9 GHz configuration and its Core i7 option support a 1 TB Fusion Drive. This matrix follows Apple's published specification sheet; Ars Technica later reported Fusion Drive becoming available on the 2.7 GHz model.
Display
Screen size
Screen size	21.5″	21.5″
Resolution
Resolution	1920 × 1080	1920 × 1080
Panel
Panel	IPS LCD	IPS LCD
Display type
Display type	EveryMac specifies an IPS LED-backlit display with laminated cover glass and antireflective coating. No retained exact maker technical sheet was found; panel technology comes from this named exact-model secondary source. Brightness and refresh rate are unpublished.	LED-backlit display with IPS technology and support for millions of colours
Display features
Display features	–	Fully laminated glass with anti-reflective coating; Apple does not publish brightness or refresh rate in the model's specification sheet
Connections
Ports
Ports	4 × USB-A, 2 × Thunderbolt, Ethernet, SD card slot, headphone jack	2 × Thunderbolt, 4 × USB-A, SD card slot, Ethernet, headphone jack
Ethernet
Ethernet	1 Gb/s	1 Gb/s
External displays
External displays	–	Up to 1
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi	802.11n (EveryMac)	802.11n
Bluetooth
Bluetooth	4.0 (EveryMac)	4.0
Camera
Camera	FaceTime HD camera (EveryMac)	FaceTime HD
Back ports
Back ports	According to EveryMac: four USB 3 ports, two first-generation Thunderbolt ports, SDXC card slot, Gigabit Ethernet and headphone/optical digital output with iPhone headset microphone support.	Four USB 3 ports, two Thunderbolt ports with Mini DisplayPort output, SDXC card slot, Gigabit Ethernet, headphone and optical digital audio output; DVI, VGA and dual-link DVI need separately sold adapters
External displays
External displays	–	Built-in display at native resolution alongside one external display up to 2560 × 1600; extended desktop and video mirroring
Speakers
Speakers	Built-in stereo speakers and dual microphones, according to EveryMac.	Stereo speakers; supports Apple iPhone headset with microphone
Microphones
Microphones	–	Dual microphones
Keyboard and mouse
Keyboard and mouse	Wired Apple Keyboard with Numeric Keypad and traditional Apple Mouse, according to EveryMac.	Apple Wireless Keyboard and Magic Mouse; Magic Trackpad available as a configuration option
Design and power
Type
Type	All-in-one	All-in-one
Weight
Weight	–	5.68 kg
Width × depth × height
Width × depth × height	–	528 × 175 × 450 mm
Operating system
Operating system	macOS	macOS
Size and weight detail
Size and weight detail	–	Dimensions include the stand; weight varies by configuration and manufacturing process
Power supply
Power supply	–	100–240 V AC, 50–60 Hz, single phase
Materials
Materials	–	Recyclable aluminium and glass enclosure; arsenic-free display glass and mercury-free LED backlight
In the box
In the box	Education-only model confirmed by Apple documentation. Maker price list confirms the stock 3.3 GHz/4 GB/500 GB configuration; other detailed figures come from the named exact-model EveryMac source. March 2013 month precision follows contemporary Apple-store coverage and maker pricing; initial orders quoted 5–7 business days, not confirmed delivery on 5 March.	iMac, Apple Wireless Keyboard, Magic Mouse and power lead; OS X Mountain Lion and iLife were included at launch