Request a product

Apple iMac (21.5-inch, Mid 2011) vs Apple iMac (27-inch, Mid 2011)

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

AppleiMac (21.5-inch, Mid 2011)AppleiMac (27-inch, Mid 2011)
Overview
ReleasedMay 2011May 2011
Performance
ProcessorIntel Core i5-2400S, Intel Core i5-2500S or Intel Core i7-2600SIntel Core i5-2500S, Intel Core i5-2400 or Intel Core i7-2600
CPU cores44
GraphicsAMD Radeon HD 6750M (512 MB GDDR5) or AMD Radeon HD 6770M (512 MB GDDR5)AMD Radeon HD 6770M (512 MB GDDR5), AMD Radeon HD 6970M (1 GB GDDR5) or AMD Radeon HD 6970M (2 GB GDDR5)
Memory4 GB, 8 GB or 16 GB4 GB, 8 GB or 16 GB
Storage500 GB to 2 TB1 TB to 2 TB
CPU2.5 GHz quad-core Core i5-2400S or 2.7 GHz quad-core Core i5-2500S; the higher model offers a 2.8 GHz quad-core Core i7-2600S upgrade. Exact model identities cross-checked with EveryMac; the i5 has 6 MB shared L3 cache. Intel confirms the i7 has eight threads and up to 3.8 GHz Turbo Boost.2.7 GHz quad-core Core i5-2500S or 3.1 GHz quad-core Core i5-2400; the higher model offers a 3.4 GHz quad-core Core i7-2600. Exact identities cross-checked with EveryMac; i5 models have 6 MB shared L3 cache. Intel confirms four threads and up to 3.4 GHz for i5-2400, eight threads and up to 3.8 GHz for i7-2600.
GPU2.5 GHz model has AMD Radeon HD 6750M with 512 MB GDDR5; 2.7 GHz and optional i7 models have Radeon HD 6770M with 512 MB GDDR5Lower model has AMD Radeon HD 6770M with 512 MB GDDR5; higher model and optional i7 have Radeon HD 6970M with 1 GB GDDR5, configurable to 2 GB
Memory typeFour SO-DIMM slots, 1333 MHz DDR3; 4 GB standard as two 2 GB modules. Base model offers an 8 GB factory upgrade; higher model offers 8 or 16 GB. Memory is user accessible.Four SO-DIMM slots for 1333 MHz DDR3, with 4 GB standard as two 2 GB modules; 8 or 16 GB factory upgrades. Memory is user accessible.
Storage typeBase model has a 500 GB 7200 rpm hard drive. Higher model has a 1 TB 7200 rpm drive, configurable to 2 TB and a 256 GB solid-state second drive. Mixed hard-drive-plus-SSD options are described here rather than labelled Fusion Drive or presented as a single SSD; no standalone 256 GB row is inferred from the support sheet's second-drive wording. Slot-loading 8x SuperDrive with 4x double-layer DVD burning.Both base models have a 1 TB 7200 rpm hard drive, configurable to 2 TB and a 256 GB solid-state second drive. Mixed hard-drive-plus-SSD options are described here rather than labelled Fusion Drive or presented as a single SSD; no standalone 256 GB row is inferred from the support sheet's second-drive wording. Slot-loading 8x SuperDrive with 4x double-layer DVD burning.
Display
Screen size21.5″27″
Resolution1920 × 10802560 × 1440
PanelIPS LCDIPS LCD
Display typeGlossy LED-backlit IPS widescreen display, millions of colours; optional unpublished refresh rate and brightness omittedGlossy LED-backlit IPS widescreen display, millions of colours; optional unpublished refresh rate and brightness omitted
Connections
PortsThunderbolt, 4 × USB-A, Ethernet, SD card slot, headphone jack2 × Thunderbolt, 4 × USB-A, Ethernet, SD card slot, headphone jack
Ethernet1 Gb/s1 Gb/s
External displaysUp to 1Up to 1
Wi-Fi802.11n802.11n
Bluetooth2.1 + EDR2.1 + EDR
CameraFaceTime HD cameraFaceTime HD camera
Back portsOne Thunderbolt port also provides Mini DisplayPort video output; four USB 2.0 ports, FireWire 800 at 7 W, Gigabit Ethernet, SDXC slot, headphone/optical digital output and line-in/optical digital input. FireWire and audio input are described here because the main port list has no fields for them; IR receiver built in.Two Thunderbolt ports also provide Mini DisplayPort video output; four USB 2.0 ports, FireWire 800 at 7 W, Gigabit Ethernet, SDXC slot, headphone/optical digital output and line-in/optical digital input. FireWire and audio input are described here because the main port list has no fields for them; IR receiver built in.
External displaysFull built-in resolution and one external display up to 2560 × 1600 simultaneously; extended desktop and mirroring, optional DVI/VGA/dual-link DVI adaptersApple publishes full built-in resolution and one external display up to 2560 × 1600 simultaneously; the main count follows that maker statement rather than a higher count tested by Engadget; extended desktop and mirroring, optional DVI/VGA/dual-link DVI adapters
SpeakersStereo speakers with two internal 17 W amplifiers, built-in microphone and support for iPhone headset microphonesStereo speakers with two internal 17 W amplifiers, built-in microphone and support for iPhone headset microphones
Keyboard and mouseApple Wireless Keyboard and Magic Mouse, with Magic Trackpad substitution available from the online storeApple Wireless Keyboard and Magic Mouse, with Magic Trackpad substitution available from the online store
Design and power
TypeAll-in-oneAll-in-one
Weight9.3 kg13.8 kg
Width × depth × height528 × 188.5 × 451 mm650 × 207 × 517 mm
Operating systemmacOSmacOS
Power supplyMaximum continuous power 205 W; 100–240 V AC, 50–60 Hz single phaseMaximum continuous power 310 W; 100–240 V AC, 50–60 Hz single phase
MaterialsAluminium and glass enclosure, arsenic-free display glass and mercury-free LED backlight; BFR-free and PVC-free components, with PVC-free AC cord availability limited to named regionsAluminium and glass enclosure, arsenic-free display glass and mercury-free LED backlight; BFR-free and PVC-free components, with PVC-free AC cord availability limited to named regions
In the boxiMac, Apple Wireless Keyboard, Magic Mouse, power cord, install/restore DVDs and documentation. Launch press specifies Mac OS X Snow Leopard and iLife '11; the later support sheet lists OS X Lion, reflecting the software update rather than launch software.iMac, Apple Wireless Keyboard, Magic Mouse, power cord, install/restore DVDs and documentation. Launch press specifies Mac OS X Snow Leopard and iLife '11; the later support sheet lists OS X Lion, reflecting the software update rather than launch software.

More comparisons