iMac Mid-2014

The iMac "Core i5" 1.4 21.5-Inch Aluminum (Mid-2014/Haswell) is equipped with a 22-nm "Haswell" 1.4 GHz Intel "Core i5" processor (4260U). This CPU has two independent cores on a single chip, a 3 MB shared level 3 cache, 8 GB of onboard 1600 MHz LPDDR3 SDRAM (which is not upgradeable), a 500 GB (5400 RPM) hard drive, and an integrated Intel HD Graphics 5000 processor that shares system memory. It also includes a built-in "FaceTime HD" webcam and stereo speakers.

This model features a 21.5" 1920x1080 LED-backlit 16:9 widescreen IPS display, with "cover glass fully laminated to the LCD and anti-reflective coating." The aluminum rear casing is thicker in the middle and tapers down to a razor-thin 5 mm at the edges.

Connectivity options consist of four USB 3.0 ports, dual Thunderbolt ports, Gigabit Ethernet, 802.11ac Wi-Fi (compatible with 802.11a/b/g/n), and Bluetooth 4.0.

The "Mid-2014" iMac was supplied with a compact aluminum Apple Wireless Keyboard and a choice of a multi-touch "Magic Mouse," a multi-touch "Magic Trackpad," or a traditional wired Apple mouse.

Introduced as a lower-cost entry model, this iMac sparked mixed reviews regarding its performance. The low 1.4 GHz clock speed processor, equivalent to that found in the MacBook Air, was criticized by users expecting desktop-level performance as being underpowered. The non-upgradable onboard RAM also raised concerns about its future viability. However, for users whose primary tasks were light activities like web browsing, email, and document creation, it was an attractive option to get the beautiful iMac design at an affordable price. It was a model accepted by those who prioritized the iMac's design and ecosystem over raw performance.