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Apple iMac (27-inch, Late 2012) 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 (27-inch, Late 2012)AppleiMac (27-inch, Mid 2011)
Overview
ReleasedDecember 2012May 2011
Performance
ProcessorIntel Core i5-3470S, Intel Core i5-3470 or Intel Core i7-3770Intel Core i5-2500S, Intel Core i5-2400 or Intel Core i7-2600
CPU cores44
CPU threads4 or 8–
GraphicsNVIDIA GeForce GTX 660M (512 MB GDDR5), NVIDIA GeForce GTX 675MX (1 GB GDDR5) or NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680MX (2 GB GDDR5)AMD Radeon HD 6770M (512 MB GDDR5), AMD Radeon HD 6970M (1 GB GDDR5) or AMD Radeon HD 6970M (2 GB GDDR5)
Memory8 GB, 16 GB or 32 GB4 GB, 8 GB or 16 GB
Storage768 GB to 3 TB1 TB to 2 TB
CPU2.9 GHz quad-core Core i5 or 3.2 GHz quad-core Core i5, both with Turbo Boost up to 3.6 GHz; the upper model supports a 3.4 GHz quad-core Core i7 with Turbo Boost up to 3.9 GHz2.7 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.
GPUNVIDIA GeForce GTX 660M with 512 MB GDDR5 on the 2.9 GHz model; GTX 675MX with 1 GB GDDR5 on the upper model, configurable to GTX 680MX with 2 GB 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 type1600 MHz DDR3; 8 GB (two 4 GB modules), configurable to 16 GB (two 8 GB) or 32 GB (four 8 GB); four user-accessible SO-DIMM slotsFour 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 type1 TB or 3 TB 7200-rpm hard drive, 1 TB or 3 TB Fusion Drive, or 768 GB flash storage; all storage options are available with either base processorBoth 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 size27″27″
Resolution2560 × 14402560 × 1440
PanelIPS LCDIPS LCD
Display typeLED-backlit display with IPS technology and support for millions of coloursGlossy LED-backlit IPS widescreen display, millions of colours; optional unpublished refresh rate and brightness omitted
Display featuresFully laminated glass and anti-reflective coating; Apple does not publish brightness or refresh rate in this model's specification sheet–
Connections
Ports2 × Thunderbolt, 4 × USB-A, SD card slot, Ethernet, 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
Bluetooth4.02.1 + EDR
CameraFaceTime HDFaceTime HD camera
Back portsFour 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 require separately sold adaptersTwo 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 displaysBuilt-in display at full native resolution alongside one external display up to 2560 × 1600; extended desktop and video mirroringApple 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; supports Apple iPhone headset with microphoneStereo speakers with two internal 17 W amplifiers, built-in microphone and support for iPhone headset microphones
MicrophonesDual microphones–
Keyboard and mouseApple Wireless Keyboard and Magic Mouse; optional Magic TrackpadApple Wireless Keyboard and Magic Mouse, with Magic Trackpad substitution available from the online store
Design and power
TypeAll-in-oneAll-in-one
Weight9.54 kg13.8 kg
Width × depth × height650 × 203 × 516 mm650 × 207 × 517 mm
Operating systemmacOSmacOS
Size and weight detailDimensions include the stand; weight varies by configuration and manufacturing process–
Power supply100–240 V AC, 50–60 Hz, single phaseMaximum continuous power 310 W; 100–240 V AC, 50–60 Hz single phase
NoiseApple's operator-position sound pressure: 15 dB at idle on the 2.9 GHz model, 14 dB on the 3.2 GHz model; 15 dB during hard-drive access on both–
MaterialsRecyclable aluminium and glass enclosure; arsenic-free display glass and mercury-free LED backlightAluminium 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 and power lead; OS X Mountain Lion and iLife were included at launchiMac, 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.

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