Apple · iMac

iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2012)

Released November 2012

A 21.5-inch Intel all-in-one with an IPS display, NVIDIA graphics and a slimmer aluminium enclosure.

Model history · 13 models, 2003–2012

2003iMac G4 (20-inch, USB 2.0)Compare
2004iMac G5 (20-inch, 2004)Compare
2005iMac G5 (20-inch, Ambient Light Sensor)Compare
2005iMac G5 (20-inch, iSight)Compare
2006iMac (20-inch, Early 2006)Compare
2006iMac (20-inch, Late 2006)Compare
2007iMac (20-inch, Mid 2007)Compare
2008iMac (20-inch, Early 2008)Compare
2009iMac (20-inch, Early 2009)Compare
2009iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2009)Compare
2010iMac (21.5-inch, Mid 2010)Compare
2011iMac (21.5-inch, Mid 2011)Compare
2012iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2012)

Type: All-in-one
Processor: Intel Core i5 or i7
Memory: 8 GB – 16 GB
Storage: 1 TB
Screen: 21.5″
Weight: 5.68 kg

All-in-one

What reviewers say

Reviewers liked the less reflective display, slim enclosure and quiet operation. The standard hard drive held back everyday responsiveness, and the smaller model's inaccessible memory and rear-facing ports reduced flexibility.

From arstechnica.com, macworld.com and theregister.com

Specifications

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Performance

Processor: Intel Core i5-3330S, Intel Core i5-3470S or Intel Core i7-3770S
CPU cores: 4
CPU threads: 4 or 8
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GT 640M (512 MB GDDR5) or NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M (512 MB GDDR5)
Memory: 8 GB or 16 GB
Storage: 1 TB
CPU: 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: 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: 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: 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: 21.5″
Resolution: 1920 × 1080
Panel: IPS LCD
Display type: LED-backlit display with IPS technology and support for millions of colours
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: 2 × Thunderbolt, 4 × USB-A, SD card slot, Ethernet, headphone jack
Ethernet: 1 Gb/s
External displays: Up to 1
Wi-Fi: 802.11n
Bluetooth: 4.0
Camera: FaceTime HD
Back ports: 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: Built-in display at native resolution alongside one external display up to 2560 × 1600; extended desktop and video mirroring
Speakers: Stereo speakers; supports Apple iPhone headset with microphone
Microphones: Dual microphones
Keyboard and mouse: Apple Wireless Keyboard and Magic Mouse; Magic Trackpad available as a configuration option

Design and power

Type: All-in-one
Weight: 5.68 kg
Width × depth × height: 528 × 175 × 450 mm
Operating system: macOS
Size and weight detail: Dimensions include the stand; weight varies by configuration and manufacturing process
Power supply: 100–240 V AC, 50–60 Hz, single phase
Materials: Recyclable aluminium and glass enclosure; arsenic-free display glass and mercury-free LED backlight
In the box: iMac, Apple Wireless Keyboard, Magic Mouse and power lead; OS X Mountain Lion and iLife were included at launch

Configurations

Processor	Memory	Storage	Storage type	Graphics
Intel Core i5-3330S	8 GB	1 TB	Hard drive	NVIDIA GeForce GT 640M (512 MB GDDR5)
Intel Core i5-3330S	16 GB	1 TB	Hard drive	NVIDIA GeForce GT 640M (512 MB GDDR5)
Intel Core i5-3470S	8 GB	1 TB	Hard drive	NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M (512 MB GDDR5)
Intel Core i5-3470S	8 GB	1 TB	Fusion Drive	NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M (512 MB GDDR5)
Intel Core i5-3470S	16 GB	1 TB	Hard drive	NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M (512 MB GDDR5)
Intel Core i5-3470S	16 GB	1 TB	Fusion Drive	NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M (512 MB GDDR5)
Intel Core i7-3770S	8 GB	1 TB	Hard drive	NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M (512 MB GDDR5)
Intel Core i7-3770S	8 GB	1 TB	Fusion Drive	NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M (512 MB GDDR5)
Intel Core i7-3770S	16 GB	1 TB	Hard drive	NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M (512 MB GDDR5)
Intel Core i7-3770S	16 GB	1 TB	Fusion Drive	NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M (512 MB GDDR5)

Pros and cons

Pros

IPS display with laminated glass and an anti-reflective coating
Four USB 3 ports and two Thunderbolt ports
Optional Core i7 and Fusion Drive on the upper configuration

Cons

Memory cannot be upgraded without dismantling the computer
Standard storage is a 5400-rpm hard drive
No built-in optical drive

Closest rivals

Model	Type	Processor	Memory	Storage	Screen	Weight	Released
AppleiMac (21.5-inch, Late 2013)	All-in-one	Intel Core i5 or i7	8 GB – 16 GB	256 GB – 1 TB	21.5″	5.68 kg	Sept 2013
AppleiMac (21.5-inch, Mid 2011)	All-in-one	Intel Core i5 or i7	4 GB – 16 GB	500 GB – 2 TB	21.5″	9.3 kg	May 2011
AppleiMac (27-inch, Mid 2011)	All-in-one	Intel Core i5 or i7	4 GB – 16 GB	1 TB – 2 TB	27″	13.8 kg	May 2011

Previous model: iMac (21.5-inch, Mid 2011). Newer model: iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2013).

Sources

Photo: cdsassets.apple.com

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