iMac Mid-2010

Initially available as a "configure-to-order" upgrade for the iMac "Core i5" 2.8 27-Inch (Mid-2010), the iMac "Core i7" 2.93 27-Inch (Mid-2010) was later sold as a standard configuration as well. Apart from the processor, these two models are identical.

This iMac is powered by a Quad Core 2.93 GHz Intel "Core i7" I7-870 (Lynnfield) processor, which features a dedicated 256k level 2 cache per core and an 8 MB shared level 3 cache. It uses a "Direct Media Interface" (DMI) that connects the processor and chipset at 2.5 GT/s, instead of a traditional system bus.

By default, it comes 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 ATI Radeon HD 5750 graphics with 1 GB of dedicated GDDR5 memory. It also includes an integrated iSight camera and stereo speakers under the 27" glossy 16:9 LED-backlit TFT Active Matrix LCD (2560x1440 native) with "IPS technology".

Connectivity consists of four USB 2.0 ports, a Firewire "800" port, built-in AirPort Extreme, and Gigabit Ethernet, plus an audio-capable Mini DisplayPort that supports an external display up to 30" (2560x1600).

Externally, the "Mid-2010" iMac line maintains the "edge-to-edge" glass design and "seamless all aluminum enclosure" of the "Late 2009" models they succeeded. Internally, however, the "Mid-2010" line is enhanced with faster processors, graphics, and memory, and adds support for the SDXC SD card format.

The "Mid-2010" iMacs were bundled with a compact aluminum Apple Wireless Keyboard and a multi-touch "Magic Mouse," with a US$69 option to upgrade to a "Magic Trackpad" for notebook-style gesture controls. An aluminum remote was also available for an additional US$19.

As the top-of-the-line 27-inch iMac, this machine earned high praise for its quad-core Core i7 processor with Hyper-Threading, delivering overwhelming multi-threaded performance. [18] It demonstrated a clear advantage over the Core i5 models in heavy tasks like video encoding. [2] The powerful ATI Radeon HD 5750 graphics also comfortably supported work on the beautiful 27-inch display. The option to add an SSD was another attractive feature for performance-seeking users. [18] It was truly an uncompromising all-in-one machine that met professional demands.