iMac Mid-2011

The iMac "Core i5" 2.7 27-Inch Aluminum (Mid-2011) is equipped with a Quad Core 2.7 GHz Intel "Core i5" I5-2500S (Sandy Bridge) processor, which has a dedicated 256k level 2 cache per core and a 6 MB shared level 3 cache. Instead of a traditional system bus, it uses a "Direct Media Interface" (DMI) connecting the processor and chipset at 5 GT/s.

By default, it is configured with 4 GB of RAM (1333 MHz PC3-10600 DDR3 SDRAM), a 1 TB (7200 RPM) hard drive, a vertical slot-loading DVD±R DL "SuperDrive", and AMD Radeon HD 6770M graphics with 512 MB of dedicated GDDR5 memory.

It also features a built-in "FaceTime HD" video camera and stereo speakers located under the 27" glossy 16:9 LED-backlit TFT Active Matrix LCD (2560x1440 native) display with "IPS technology".

Connectivity includes four USB 2.0 ports, a Firewire "800" port, built-in AirPort Extreme, Gigabit Ethernet, an SDXC card slot, and dual "Thunderbolt" ports. These ports are backward compatible with Mini DisplayPort, each supporting an external display up to 30" (2560x1600), and also support other Thunderbolt peripherals with up to 10 Gbps of bidirectional bandwidth.

Externally, the "Mid-2011" iMac line uses the same "edge-to-edge" glass and "seamless all aluminum enclosure" as the "Mid-2010" models. Internally, however, the "Mid-2011" series features faster processors and graphics, plus external enhancements like a higher-resolution webcam and Thunderbolt connectivity.

The "Mid-2011" iMacs came with a compact aluminum Apple Wireless Keyboard and the choice of either a multi-touch "Magic Mouse" or a "Magic Trackpad" for gesture-based control. An aluminum remote was also available for an extra US$19.

As the entry-level 27-inch model, this machine offered quad-core performance and a massive display at a relatively accessible price point. The Sandy Bridge Core i5 processor provided more than enough power for most users. However, what complicated its reception slightly was the change to Target Display Mode, which now only worked with other Thunderbolt-equipped devices. Users familiar with the versatility of previous models lamented this change. Nevertheless, the inclusion of two Thunderbolt ports, offering significant expandability, was a major draw for future-focused users.