The iMac "Core i5" 2.5 21.5-Inch Aluminum (Mid-2011) is driven by a Quad Core 2.5 GHz Intel "Core i5" I5-2400S (Sandy Bridge) processor, which features a dedicated 256k level 2 cache per core and a 6 MB shared level 3 cache. Instead of a system bus, it utilizes a "Direct Media Interface" (DMI) that links the processor and chipset at 5 GT/s.
It is configured by default with 4 GB of RAM (1333 MHz PC3-10600 DDR3 SDRAM), a 500 GB (7200 RPM) hard drive, a vertical slot-loading DVD±R DL "SuperDrive", and AMD Radeon HD 6750M graphics with 512 MB of dedicated GDDR5 memory.
This model also includes a built-in "FaceTime HD" video camera and stereo speakers located under the 21.5" glossy 16:9 LED-backlit TFT Active Matrix LCD (1920x1080 native) display with "IPS technology".
Connectivity comprises four USB 2.0 ports, a Firewire "800" port, integrated AirPort Extreme, Gigabit Ethernet, and an SDXC card slot. It also has a single "Thunderbolt" port, which is backward compatible with Mini DisplayPort and supports an external display up to 30" (2560x1600). Thunderbolt also supports other high-speed peripherals, providing up to 10 Gbps of bandwidth in both directions.
Externally, the "Mid-2011" iMac line uses the same "edge-to-edge" glass and "seamless all aluminum enclosure" as the preceding "Mid-2010" models. Internally, however, the "Mid-2011" line boasts faster processors and graphics, along with the external upgrades of a higher-resolution webcam and a Thunderbolt port.
The "Mid-2011" iMacs were bundled with a compact aluminum Apple Wireless Keyboard and offered a choice between a multi-touch "Magic Mouse" or a "Magic Trackpad," which provided notebook-style gesture controls. An aluminum remote was also available for an additional US$19.