iMac Retina 4K, 21.5-Inch, 2019

The iMac "Core i3" 3.6 21.5-Inch Aluminum (Retina 4K, 2019/Coffee Lake) is equipped with a 14-nm "Coffee Lake" 3.6 GHz Intel "Core i3" processor (I3-8100), featuring four independent cores on a single chip and a 6 MB shared level 3 cache. It includes 8 GB of 2400 MHz DDR4 SDRAM, which is reportedly "built into the computer" but can actually be upgraded later with significant difficulty. Storage is a 1 TB (5400 RPM) hard drive (though a 256 GB SSD became standard with an optional 1 TB "Fusion" Drive at the same price starting August 4, 2020). Graphics are handled by a Radeon Pro 555X processor with 2 GB of dedicated GDDR5 video memory. It also features a built-in "FaceTime HD" webcam and stereo speakers.

This model showcases a 21.5" 4096x2304 LED-backlit 16:9 widescreen IPS DCI-P3 "Retina 4K" display, which runs "pixel doubled" to an effective 2048x1152. The aluminum rear casing is thicker in the middle and tapers to a razor-thin 5 mm at its edges.

Connectivity consists of four USB 3.0 ports, dual Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports, Gigabit Ethernet, 802.11ac Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth 4.2. This model does not include a T2 chip.

In comparison to its predecessor, this model is physically and internally very similar, but it benefits from a more advanced processor, architecture, and graphics processor.

By default, the "2019" iMacs were bundled with a compact aluminum Apple Magic Keyboard and the multi-touch "Magic Mouse 2". For an additional US$30, customers could opt for the "Magic Keyboard with Numeric Keypad," and for an additional US$50, they could also switch the Magic Mouse 2 for the "Magic Trackpad 2," which offers multi-touch and pressure-sensitive "Force Touch" capabilities.

This model was positioned as the entry point to the beautiful 4K Retina display iMacs. The quad-core Core i3 processor and Radeon Pro 555X graphics provided sufficient performance for everyday tasks and photo editing. However, the standard 5400 RPM hard drive was a system bottleneck, and its slowness was pointed out in many reviews. The later move to a standard SSD configuration was a significant improvement that greatly enhanced the model's value. The difficulty of upgrading the RAM was also seen as a negative for users considering long-term use. While the stunning display was its main appeal, it was a model hampered by its storage performance.