Apple iMac (21.5-inch, Early 2013) vs Apple iMac (21.5-inch, Mid 2014)
Better figure, where one is clearly better
| AppleiMac (21.5-inch, Early 2013) | AppleiMac (21.5-inch, Mid 2014) | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Released | March 2013 | June 2014 |
| Performance | ||
| Processor | Intel Core i3 3.3 GHz (iMac Early 2013) | Intel Core i5-4260U |
| CPU cores | 2 | 2 |
| CPU threads | – | 4 |
| Graphics | Intel HD Graphics 4000 | Intel HD Graphics 5000 |
| Memory | 4 GB | 8 GB (better) |
| Storage | 500 GB | 256 GB to 1 TB (better) |
| 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. | 1.4 GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 with Turbo Boost up to 2.7 GHz and 3 MB shared L3 cache; Ars Technica identifies the exact processor as Core i5-4260U |
| GPU | Intel HD Graphics 4000, sharing system memory; maker price list confirms the graphics model. | Integrated Intel HD Graphics 5000 |
| 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. | 8 GB of 1600 MHz LPDDR3 onboard memory; no memory configuration or upgrade option |
| 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. | 500 GB 5400-rpm hard drive; configurable to a 1 TB hard drive, 1 TB Fusion Drive or 256 GB PCIe-based flash storage |
| Display | ||
| Screen size | 21.5″ | 21.5″ |
| Resolution | 1920 × 1080 | 1920 × 1080 |
| Panel | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| 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 Brightness and refresh rate are unpublished.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 | – | Fully laminated glass and anti-reflective coating; Target Display Mode via a separately sold Thunderbolt cable. Apple does not publish brightness or refresh rate in the model's specification sheet. |
| Connections | ||
| Ports | 4 × USB-A, 2 × Thunderbolt, Ethernet, SD card slot, headphone jack | 2 × Thunderbolt, 4 × USB-A, SD card slot, Ethernet, headphone jack |
| Ethernet | 1 Gb/s | 1 Gb/s |
| External displays | – | Up to 1 |
| Wi-Fi | 802.11n (EveryMac) | 802.11ac |
| Bluetooth | 4.0 (EveryMac) | 4.0 |
| Camera | FaceTime HD camera (EveryMac) | FaceTime HD |
| 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; Kensington lock slot. DVI, VGA and dual-link DVI need separately sold adapters. |
| External displays | – | Built-in display at native resolution alongside one external display up to 2560 × 1600; extended desktop and video mirroring |
| Speakers | Built-in stereo speakers and dual microphones, according to EveryMac. | Stereo speakers; supports Apple iPhone headset with microphone |
| Microphones | – | Dual microphones |
| Keyboard and mouse | Wired Apple Keyboard with Numeric Keypad and traditional Apple Mouse, according to EveryMac. | Apple Wireless Keyboard and Magic Mouse; optional Magic Trackpad |
| Design and power | ||
| Type | All-in-one | All-in-one |
| Weight | – | 5.68 kg |
| Width × depth × height | – | 528 × 175 × 450 mm |
| Operating system | macOS | macOS |
| Size and weight detail | – | Dimensions include the stand; weight varies by configuration and manufacturing process. A built-in VESA mount version was also available. |
| Power supply | – | 100–240 V AC, 50–60 Hz, single phase |
| Noise | – | Apple's operator-position sound pressure is 11 dB at idle, during hard-drive seek and during its wireless-web test |
| Materials | – | Recyclable aluminium and glass enclosure; arsenic-free display glass and mercury-free LED backlight |
| 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 Mavericks and the listed iLife apps were included |
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