Apple · iMac

iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2015)

Released October 2015

A 21.5-inch Full HD Intel all-in-one with dual-core or quad-core processors, integrated graphics and rechargeable Magic accessories.

Model history · 16 models, 2003–2015

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)Compare
2013iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2013)Compare
2014iMac (21.5-inch, Mid 2014)Compare
2015iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2015)

Type: All-in-one
Processor: Intel Core i5
Memory: 8 GB – 16 GB
Storage: 256 GB – 2 TB
Screen: 21.5″
Weight: 5.68 kg

All-in-one

What reviewers say

Reviewers liked the enclosure, capable Full HD display and speakers for everyday use. They criticised sluggish hard-drive storage, limited performance for demanding work on the entry model, awkward rear ports and restricted upgrades. Faster storage was widely recommended, while the Retina alternative offered a sharper screen.

From expertreviews.co.uk, alphr.com, techradar.com and techradar.com

Specifications

Report a wrong or missing spec

Performance

Processor: Intel Core i5-5250U or Intel Core i5-5575R
CPU cores: 2 or 4
Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 6000 or Intel Iris Pro Graphics 6200
Memory: 8 GB or 16 GB
Storage: 256 GB to 2 TB
CPU: 1.6 GHz dual-core Core i5 with Turbo Boost up to 2.7 GHz or 2.8 GHz quad-core Core i5 with Turbo Boost up to 3.3 GHz; Geekbench identifies the processors as Core i5-5250U and Core i5-5575R, respectively
GPU: Intel HD Graphics 6000 in the 1.6 GHz model and Intel Iris Pro Graphics 6200 in the 2.8 GHz model; no discrete graphics option
Memory type: 8 GB of 1867 MHz LPDDR3 onboard memory, configurable to 16 GB; soldered memory cannot be upgraded after purchase (Expert Reviews and Alphr)
Storage type: 1 TB 5400-rpm hard drive on both models; the 1.6 GHz model can have a 1 TB Fusion Drive or 256 GB SSD, and the 2.8 GHz model can have a 1 TB or 2 TB Fusion Drive or 256 GB SSD. Apple specifies 24 GB of flash for the 1 TB Fusion Drive and 128 GB for the 2 TB Fusion Drive.

Display

Screen size: 21.5″
Resolution: 1920 × 1080
Panel: IPS LCD
Display type: 21.5-inch LED-backlit display with IPS technology; 1920 × 1080 with support for millions of colours. This is the non-Retina model.

Connections

Ports: 2 × Thunderbolt 2, 4 × USB-A, SD card slot, Ethernet, headphone jack
Ethernet: 1 Gb/s
External displays: Up to 1
Wi-Fi: 802.11ac
Bluetooth: 4.0
Camera: FaceTime HD
Back ports: Four USB 3 ports, two Thunderbolt 2 ports with Mini DisplayPort output, SDXC card slot, Gigabit Ethernet, headphone and optical digital audio output; Kensington lock slot. HDMI, DVI, VGA and dual-link DVI need separately sold adapters.
External displays: Built-in display at native resolution alongside one external display up to 3840 × 2160 on the 1.6 GHz model or 4096 × 2304 on the 2.8 GHz model; extended desktop and video mirroring
Speakers: Stereo speakers; supports Apple iPhone headset with microphone
Microphones: Dual microphones
Keyboard and mouse: Magic Keyboard, Magic Mouse 2 and Lightning to USB cable; optional Magic Trackpad 2

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. A built-in VESA mount version was available, but its listed height in inches conflicts with the metric value and is omitted.
Power supply: 100–240 V AC, 50–60 Hz, single phase
Noise: Apple reports operator-position sound pressure of 11.5 dB at idle and during wireless web, and 12 dB during hard-drive seek, tested on the 1.6 GHz Core i5 with 8 GB memory and 1 TB hard drive
Materials: Recyclable aluminium enclosure; arsenic-free display glass and mercury-free LED backlight; speaker enclosures contain 35 percent post-consumer recycled plastic
In the box: iMac, Magic Keyboard, Magic Mouse 2, Lightning to USB cable and power lead; OS X El Capitan at launch. The support sheet's macOS Sierra wording reflects a later software update.

Configurations

Processor	Memory	Storage	Storage type
Intel Core i5-5250U	8 GB	1 TB	Hard drive
Intel Core i5-5250U	8 GB	1 TB	Fusion Drive
Intel Core i5-5250U	8 GB	256 GB	SSD
Intel Core i5-5250U	16 GB	1 TB	Hard drive
Intel Core i5-5250U	16 GB	1 TB	Fusion Drive
Intel Core i5-5250U	16 GB	256 GB	SSD
Intel Core i5-5575R	8 GB	1 TB	Hard drive
Intel Core i5-5575R	8 GB	1 TB	Fusion Drive
Intel Core i5-5575R	8 GB	2 TB	Fusion Drive
Intel Core i5-5575R	8 GB	256 GB	SSD
Intel Core i5-5575R	16 GB	1 TB	Hard drive
Intel Core i5-5575R	16 GB	1 TB	Fusion Drive
Intel Core i5-5575R	16 GB	2 TB	Fusion Drive
Intel Core i5-5575R	16 GB	256 GB	SSD

Pros and cons

Pros

IPS display and built-in stereo speakers
Optional quad-core processor and Fusion Drive storage
Rechargeable keyboard and mouse included

Cons

Memory cannot be upgraded after purchase
Standard storage is a 5400-rpm hard drive
Integrated graphics limit demanding gaming

Closest rivals

Model	Type	Processor	Memory	Storage	Screen	Weight	Released
AppleiMac (Retina 4K, 21.5-inch, Late 2015)	All-in-one	Intel Core i5 or i7	8 GB – 16 GB	256 GB – 2 TB	21.5″	5.68 kg	Oct 2015
AppleiMac (21.5-inch, 2017)	All-in-one	Intel Core i5	8 GB – 16 GB	256 GB – 1 TB	21.5″	5.44 kg	Jun 2017
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

Previous model: iMac (21.5-inch, Mid 2014). Newer model: iMac (21.5-inch, 2017).

Sources

Photo: cdsassets.apple.com

Spot a mistake? Tell us