The 21.5″ iMac All-in-One Desktop Computer from Apple is an all-in-one desktop computer with an ultra-slim unibody design. Measuring at just 5 mm at its edges, the iMac has 40% less volume than the 2011 iMac. The body of the iMac isn't the only thing that got thinner. The LCD display is now 5 mm thinner, and Apple also removed a 2 mm gap between the LCD panel and the glass to save even more space.
The 21.5″ widescreen display features LED backlighting for vibrant, accurate color. With in-plane switching (IPS) technology, the iMac has a wide 178° viewing angle. The screen has a 16:9 aspect ratio and Full HD 1920 x 1080 native resolution, supported by integrated Intel HD Graphics 5000.
Powered by a dual-core 1.4 GHz Intel Core i5 processor, the iMac takes advantage of each core to optimize performance. The 4th-gen Haswell Intel processor also allows for low voltage usage for better energy efficiency. The system also has 8GB of 1600 MHz DDR3 RAM, a 500GB 5400 rpm hard drive, 10/100/1000 Mbps Gigabit Ethernet, 802.11ac/a/b/g/n Wi-Fi, a FaceTime HD camera, dual microphones, and built-in stereo speakers.
For ports, the iMac has dual Thunderbolt ports (which also double as Mini DisplayPorts) and four USB 3.0 ports. You'll be able to connect with various compatible components. If you would rather go wireless with your peripherals, you can use Bluetooth 4.0 technology where compatible.
Please note that the Pages, Numbers, and Keynote apps are not preinstalled on the iMac. You will need to follow Apple's instructions on how to redeem them for free through the Mac App Store, which includes your iMac's serial number, purchase date, and an electronic copy of your receipt. Please refer to Apple's official website for step-by-step instructions.
Just a mere 5 mm at its edge, the iMac has up to 40 percent less volume than the 2011 iMac. Using an advanced welding method called friction-stir welding, Apple was able to join the front and the back of the iMac together directly.
The display on the iMac is no longer behind the cover glass, but it's actually right up against it. The LCD itself is 5 mm thinner than before and using an advanced process called full lamination, Apple was able to eliminate a 2 mm gap between the LCD and the glass. Full lamination has a second major benefit, that it eliminates reflection of light off the LCD panel and off the back of the display's cover glass. Apple also reduced reflection off the front of the glass without compromising color quality. Instead of applying an antireflective coating to the glass in the conventional way, Apple adapted a process commonly used on camera lenses called plasma deposition, which results in 75 percent reduction in reflectivity and vibrant, accurate colors.
None of these innovations would matter much if the iMac display didn't deliver vivid, true-to-life color. That is why Apple puts every single display through an exacting color-calibration process using three state-of-the-art spectroradiometers: one to measure gamma, one to measure white point, and one to check the work of the other two. This equipment is tuned to meet color standards recognized around the world for precision and accuracy.
The 21.5″ screen of the iMac features an innovative display design which reduces reflection by 75 percent. In addition, the LCD now sits right up against the glass allowing the picture so content looks crisp and clear. The display also uses in-plane switching (IPS) technology resulting in a bright picture with vivid, true-to-life color from a wide 178° viewing angle. The LED backlighting also offers instant-on, uniform brightness.
The iMac is energy efficient, using up to 50 percent less energy in the idle state with the display on. And, its hardware components work hand in hand with the operating system to conserve even more power. The environmentally friendly iMac design is free of many harmful toxins, including mercury, arsenic, BFRs, and PVC. It's also made from materials such as aluminum and glass, which are more likely to be recycled and reused.
The iMac houses a low voltage Intel Core i5 processor. Its dual cores can reach a stock speed of 1.4 GHz. It can also be overclocked up to 2.7 GHz, thanks to Intel Turbo Boost 2.0 technology. The Intel Core i5 processor uses low voltage for better energy efficiency while still providing fast performance.
Thunderbolt technology is phenomenally fast. It features two 10-Gbps channels for data transfer. That's up to 12 times faster than FireWire 800 and up to 20 times faster than USB 2.0. But beyond speed, Thunderbolt gives you unprecedented expansion capabilities. You can daisy-chain as many as six Thunderbolt devices – including two Apple Thunderbolt Displays – to a single port. And since Thunderbolt is based on DisplayPort technology, Mini DisplayPort devices like the Apple LED Cinema Display plug right in, too.
With USB 3.0, you can connect your external hard drive transfer large files in seconds instead of minutes. Every iMac comes with four USB 3.0 ports – with speeds up to 10 times faster than USB 2.0 – and you can connect all your USB-compatible devices, including your iPhone, iPad, iPod or digital camera.
The 802.11ac/a/b/g/n wireless technology automatically locates your Wi-Fi network, so you can connect and start surfing the web, printing, and streaming your music wirelessly. Bluetooth 4.0 wireless technology is also built in, so you can connect accessories such as a wireless keyboard and mouse.
Apple managed to include built-in speakers that deliver high-fidelity sound despite its thin bezel. So when you're listening to that new album, watching the latest flick, or playing your favorite action game, you'll get immersive sound and a surprisingly wide soundstage. The iMac has two built-in microphones that work together to focus on your voice and filter out the sounds around you. That means more accuracy when you're using Dictation and better clarity during FaceTime video calls. The built-in 720p FaceTime HD camera lets you make video calls that are so clear, it seems like everyone's in the same room. Make FaceTime calls from your iMac to any FaceTime-enabled Mac, iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.
Magic Mouse lets you perform simple gestures across its smooth, seamless top shell. Scroll in any direction with one finger, swipe through web pages and photos with two, and click and double-click anywhere.
The Dock is a handy place for all your favorite apps. From the Dock, you can launch apps quickly and switch between them easily. If an app isn't on the Dock, you'll find it in Launchpad. Go there to see all the apps on your Mac full screen and organize them however you like. And Mission Control gives you a bird's-eye view of all your open windows, so you can keep track of everything you're working on. OS X offers system-wide support for gorgeous, full-screen apps that use every inch of your display. You can have multiple full-screen apps open at once – along with multiple apps in windows. And it's easy to switch between full-screen and desktop views.
Making powerful things simple requires some seriously advanced technologies. OS X is loaded with them. It's built on a rock-solid, time-tested UNIX foundation that provides unparalleled stability and industry-leading support for Internet standards. And the incredible graphics performance in OS X allows applications like Aperture and Final Cut Pro to give you photo and video editing capabilities.
Sign in once with your Apple ID on your iMac and iCloud is automatically set up in all the apps that use it. So if you have iCloud set up on your iPad, iPhone or iPod touch, whatever you do on your Mac happens on those devices, too. And it works the other way around. Update something on another device, and the same update will be made on your Mac. So your mail, contacts, calendars, messages, documents, data, and more go wherever you go. From your Mac to your iPhone to your iPad and back to your Mac.
Every Mac is designed with powerful, advanced technologies that work together to constantly scrutinize, encrypt, update – and ultimately keep your Mac safer. For starters, OS X is built on a proven, secure UNIX foundation. It also includes a host of features designed to protect your Mac and the information on it. Gatekeeper makes it safer to download and install apps. FileVault safeguards data using powerful encryption. Find My Mac helps you locate your missing Mac on a map, set a passcode remotely, and more. Customizable privacy settings keep your personal information under your control. And the best way to keep your Mac up to date with the latest security features? Just install software updates with a click.
The versatility and power of OS X help a Mac fit in just about anywhere – including Windows networks. Want to transfer your files, photos, and other data from a Windows PC? OS X lets you do that easily. If you want to run Windows on your Mac, you can do that, too. OS X has built-in support for the latest version of Microsoft Exchange Server, so you can use your Mac at home and at work and keep all your messages, meetings, and contacts in one place. OS X works with virtually all of today's digital cameras, printers, and other peripherals without the need to manually download separate drivers. And it opens popular file types such as JPG, MP3, and PDF, as well as Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint documents.
OS X comes standard with a wide range of assistive technologies that help people with disabilities experience what the Mac has to offer, including many features you won't find in other operating systems – at any price. For example, built-in VoiceOver screen-reading technology, available in over 20 languages, makes it possible for those who are blind or have low vision to control their computers using key commands or gestures on a Multi-Touch trackpad (sold separately). OS X also offers out-of-the-box support for more than 40 Braille displays (including Bluetooth displays) and many other accessibility features, such as dynamic full-screen magnification, playback of closed captions, and a scalable screen.
iPhoto is an easy-to-use photo application that makes it fast and fun to organize and find your pictures, as well as make them look their absolute best. With features like Faces, Places, and Events, iPhoto helps you keep track of your photos by who's in them and when and where you took them – all in an immersive full-screen view. Quick and simple editing tools let you make so-so shots picture perfect with just a few clicks. Photo Stream in iCloud automatically pushes new photos to all your devices, so you're never without your latest shots. And if you feel like showing off what you've captured, iPhoto lets you share with beautiful photo books and letterpress cards or online via Facebook and Flickr.
Whether you're musically gifted or mostly curious, GarageBand is the application for you. Plug in your electric guitar or USB music keyboard and get ready to rock with virtual replicas of the most revered amps and stompboxes in the world, as well as over 100 software instruments. Just because you didn't grow up learning your A, B, and C sharp doesn't mean you can't. Basic Lessons teach you just that: the basics. Choose from 40 lessons that cover blues guitar, rock guitar, classical piano, pop piano, and more. Or get a private lesson from one of your musical heroes, like Sting or Death Cab for Cutie, with Artist Lessons. GarageBand even tells you how well you're playing in real time with a feature called "How Did I Play?".
Pages is a powerful word processor that allows you to choose fonts, styles, and character and line spacing for your document. Drop in a photo. Then resize it, rotate it, and remove the background.
Numbers helps you make spreadsheets more insightful. Drop your data into an Apple‑designed template or start with a blank canvas. Add in some quick calculations, then visualize the numbers with an interactive chart.
Start by choosing a polished Apple‑designed theme. Bring in photos and videos, and tweak them with powerful graphics tools. Spotlight crucial points with animated, interactive charts. Then cue up cinematic effects and transitions. It's all available from an intuitive interface.
Just like shopping the App Store on iPad, the Mac App Store offers endless possibilities to browse and purchase apps. New apps install in one step right to Launchpad. And the Mac App Store lets you know when app updates are available, so you always have the latest version.
Designed with the Mac in mind, Safari emphasizes browsing, not the browser. In full-screen view, the browser frame is only a pixel wide, and you can hide almost the entire interface if you choose. So there's nothing to distract you from an article, video, or photo album. Navigating web pages is easy with trackpad gestures; flip through web pages with a swipe, and double tap or pinch the trackpad to zoom in on text or images. Safari also features Reader, which lets you peruse articles sans annoying ads. Don't have time to finish what you've started? Reading List lets you save links to articles and other web pages for later, and iCloud keeps your Reading List up to date across all your devices. Since pages render fast in Safari, you won't miss a minute of the web.
Mail makes it easy to manage all your email from a single, ad-free inbox. It features powerful search capabilities, with search suggestions and tokens built in. It works with the free me.com email account you get when you sign up for iCloud, as well as most email standards – including POP3 and IMAP – and popular email services such as Gmail, Comcast, Time Warner, Charter, Cox, Yahoo! Mail, and AOL Mail. Mail supports Microsoft Exchange 2010, too. If you have more than one email account, no problem. Add your accounts to Mail and you'll be able to access all your email from one place. And Mail looks as great as it works. It makes full use of your display with a gorgeous widescreen view featuring a full-height message and a message list that includes snippets. With Conversations, messages from the same thread appear in an elegant timeline showing each communication as it was sent while hiding redundant text.
Keep track of your busy schedule and share it with others using Calendar. Create separate calendars – one for home, another for school, a third for work, and so on. See all your calendars in a single window or choose to see only the calendars you want. Calendar lets you create invitations using information from Contacts, update your guest list, keep track of responses, and receive the latest status information. When you or another Mac user receives a Calendar invitation via Mail, it's automatically added. Calendar also works with iCloud, Yahoo!, and Google. And when you use iCloud, every Calendar edit you make on your Mac automatically appears on your iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch. So no dinner dates are missed, no meeting goes unattended, and no anniversary is forgotten.
Contacts is a flexible and convenient place to store information for everyone you know. It's easy to import names, numbers, addresses, and photos from other applications. And it's designed for Facebook, too. Contacts automatically includes your friends' profile photos and information. And when friends update their information, Contacts updates your Mac. You can create smart groups for clubs, activities, and business purposes; print address labels and envelopes; and more. iCloud updates your contacts on your iPad, iPhone, iPod touch, and Mac – so when you enter someone's contact info once, you have it everywhere. And since Contacts is built on vCard, an industry standard for storing contact information, your friends can send you cards that you can add simply by dropping them into your contacts list – no typing required.
Messages on the Mac replaces iChat. It does everything iChat does, and so much more. For starters, it comes with iMessage. So you can send unlimited messages to anyone on a Mac – and on an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch running iOS 5 or later, too. You can even start a conversation on your Mac and pick it up on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. Send photos, videos, documents, and contacts, and send messages to a group. You can see when your message has been delivered and when someone's typing a reply. Turn on read receipts, and friends can see when you've read their messages. With end-to-end encryption, your messages stay safe and private.
Reminders helps you get all your to-dos done – on the Mac and on your iOS devices. Make as many to-do lists as you need and easily add to them. Set due dates and you'll get alerts as deadlines approach. Check items off your lists as you go and keep track of what you've completed. And to be sure you don't forget anything, iCloud keeps your reminders up to date on your Mac, iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch.
Time Machine works with your Mac and an external hard drive or Time Capsule (sold separately). Connect the drive, assign it to Time Machine, and start enjoying some peace of mind. Time Machine automatically backs up your entire Mac, including system files, applications, accounts, preferences, music, photos, movies, and documents. But what makes Time Machine different from other backup applications is that it not only keeps a spare copy of every file, it remembers how your system looked on any given day – so you can revisit your Mac as it appeared in the past.
FaceTime for Mac makes it possible to talk, smile, and laugh with anyone on an iPad, iPhone, iPod touch, or another Mac from your Mac. So you can catch up, hang out, and stay in touch with a click. Just find who you want to see in Contacts and start a FaceTime call. And when someone wants to reach you, the call rings through on every Mac you own, even if FaceTime isn't running. So you never have to worry about making yourself available. If you don't want to receive calls, just turn FaceTime off.
Take fun snapshots and make short videos in Photo Booth. Right from there, you can share what you shoot on Facebook and Twitter. Use photos as your Messages icons. Assign them to friends and family in Contacts. And add photos to your iPhoto library. But the real fun starts when you use the effects and backdrops. Snap a photo of yourself at the Eiffel Tower or in outer space. Choose from nine effects that use facial tracking technology so effects look great whether you're front and center – or left of center. Snap single photos or shoot multiples in a four-photo burst. You can even shoot and trim video clips, complete with effects, and see your Photo Booth photos full screen.