Apple iMac (21.5-inch, Mid 2010)

Apple · iMac

iMac (21.5-inch, Mid 2010)

Released July 2010

A Full HD all-in-one with dual-core Intel processors, dedicated Radeon graphics and a built-in DVD drive.

Model history · 11 models, 2003–2010
  1. 2003iMac G4 (20-inch, USB 2.0)Compare
  2. 2004iMac G5 (20-inch, 2004)Compare
  3. 2005iMac G5 (20-inch, Ambient Light Sensor)Compare
  4. 2005iMac G5 (20-inch, iSight)Compare
  5. 2006iMac (20-inch, Early 2006)Compare
  6. 2006iMac (20-inch, Late 2006)Compare
  7. 2007iMac (20-inch, Mid 2007)Compare
  8. 2008iMac (20-inch, Early 2008)Compare
  9. 2009iMac (20-inch, Early 2009)Compare
  10. 2009iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2009)Compare
  11. 2010iMac (21.5-inch, Mid 2010)
Type
All-in-one
Processor
Intel Core i3 or i5
Memory
4 GB – 8 GB
Storage
500 GB – 2 TB
Screen
21.5″
Weight
9.3 kg

What reviewers say

Reviewers praised the display, construction and improved everyday performance. Tech Advisor found demanding games stretched the base graphics; AppleInsider noted rear-facing connections and the lack of Blu-ray. Engadget liked the base model's value but disliked glare and the card-slot placement.

From engadget.com, techadvisor.com and appleinsider.com

Performance

Processor
Intel Core i3-540, Intel Core i3-550 or Intel Core i5-680
CPU cores
2
CPU threads
4
Graphics
ATI Radeon HD 4670 (256 MB GDDR3) or ATI Radeon HD 5670 (512 MB GDDR3)
Memory
4 GB or 8 GB
Storage
500 GB to 2 TB
CPU
3.06 GHz dual-core Core i3-540 or 3.2 GHz dual-core Core i3-550, both with Hyper-Threading and 4 MB L3 cache; the higher model offers a 3.6 GHz dual-core Core i5-680 with Hyper-Threading and Turbo Boost. Exact processor identities cross-checked with EveryMac; unpublished optional boost figures omitted.
GPU
3.06 GHz model has ATI Radeon HD 4670 with 256 MB GDDR3; 3.2 GHz and optional i5 models have ATI Radeon HD 5670 with 512 MB GDDR3
Memory type
4 GB standard as two 2 GB modules, with factory upgrade to 8 GB in the UK launch release. Four user-accessible SO-DIMM slots support up to 16 GB of 1333 MHz DDR3; the user maximum is distinct from the published factory options.
Storage type
Base model has a 500 GB 7200 rpm hard drive; higher model has 1 TB, configurable to 2 TB. Slot-loading 8x SuperDrive with double-layer DVD burning.

Display

Screen size
21.5″
Resolution
1920 × 1080
Panel
IPS LCD
Brightness
330 nits
Display type
Glossy LED-backlit IPS widescreen display, 1920 × 1080 pixels; maker typical brightness 330 cd/m². Refresh rate unpublished and omitted.

Connections

Ports
DisplayPort, 4 × USB-A, Ethernet, SD card slot, headphone jack
Ethernet
1 Gb/s
External displays
Up to 1
Wi-Fi
802.11n
Bluetooth
2.1 + EDR
Camera
iSight camera
Back ports
Mini DisplayPort audio/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 appear here because the main port list has no fields for them.
External displays
Full built-in resolution and one external display up to 2560 × 1600 simultaneously; extended desktop and mirroring, optional DVI/VGA/dual-link DVI adapters
Speakers
Built-in stereo speakers with two internal 17 W amplifiers, microphone and support for iPhone headset microphones
Keyboard and mouse
Apple Wireless Keyboard and Magic Mouse; Magic Trackpad available separately

Design and power

Type
All-in-one
Weight
9.3 kg
Width × depth × height
528 × 188.5 × 451 mm
Operating system
macOS
Power supply
Maximum continuous power 241 W; 100–240 V AC, 50–60 Hz single phase
Materials
Aluminium 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 box
iMac, Apple Wireless Keyboard, Magic Mouse, cleaning cloth, power cord, install/restore DVDs and documentation; Mac OS X Snow Leopard and iLife at launch

Configurations

ProcessorMemoryStorageStorage typeGraphics
Intel Core i3-5404 GB500 GBHard driveATI Radeon HD 4670 (256 MB GDDR3)
Intel Core i3-5408 GB500 GBHard driveATI Radeon HD 4670 (256 MB GDDR3)
Intel Core i3-5504 GB1 TBHard driveATI Radeon HD 5670 (512 MB GDDR3)
Intel Core i3-5504 GB2 TBHard driveATI Radeon HD 5670 (512 MB GDDR3)
Intel Core i3-5508 GB1 TBHard driveATI Radeon HD 5670 (512 MB GDDR3)
Intel Core i3-5508 GB2 TBHard driveATI Radeon HD 5670 (512 MB GDDR3)
Intel Core i5-6804 GB1 TBHard driveATI Radeon HD 5670 (512 MB GDDR3)
Intel Core i5-6804 GB2 TBHard driveATI Radeon HD 5670 (512 MB GDDR3)
Intel Core i5-6808 GB1 TBHard driveATI Radeon HD 5670 (512 MB GDDR3)
Intel Core i5-6808 GB2 TBHard driveATI Radeon HD 5670 (512 MB GDDR3)

Pros and cons

Pros

  • IPS display and iSight camera built in
  • User-accessible memory slots
  • Wireless keyboard and Magic Mouse included

Cons

  • Glossy screen with no matte option
  • USB ports are limited to USB 2.0
  • No Thunderbolt or HDMI connection

Closest rivals

Model
TypeProcessorMemoryStorageScreenWeightReleased
All-in-oneIntel Core 22 GB – 8 GB320 GB – 1 TB20″9.1 kgMar 2009
All-in-oneIntel Core 24 GB – 8 GB500 GB – 2 TB21.5″9.3 kgOct 2009
All-in-oneIntel Core i32 GB – 8 GB250 GB21.5″8.8 kgAug 2011

Previous model: iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2009). Newer model: iMac (21.5-inch, Mid 2011).

Sources

  1. support.apple.com/en-gb/112567
  2. apple.com/uk/newsroom/2010/07/27Apple-Updates-iMac-Line
  3. everymac.com/systems/apple/imac/index-imac.html

Photo: cdsassets.apple.com

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