Initially launched as a "configure-to-order" upgrade for the iMac "Core i5" 3.1 27-Inch Aluminum (Mid-2011), the iMac "Core i7" 3.4 27-Inch was later also sold as a standard configuration. The two models are identical, except for the processor and its corresponding L3 cache.
This iMac is powered by a Quad Core 3.4 GHz Intel "Core i7" I7-2600 (Sandy Bridge) processor with a dedicated 256k L2 cache per core and an 8 MB shared L3 cache. It utilizes a "Direct Media Interface" (DMI) connecting the processor and chipset at 5 GT/s, rather than a system bus.
If only the processor is customized, the configuration includes 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 6970M graphics with 1 GB of dedicated GDDR5 memory. It also features an integrated "FaceTime HD" 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, integrated 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 maintains the "edge-to-edge" glass design and "seamless all aluminum enclosure" of its "Mid-2010" predecessors. Internally, however, this series is upgraded with faster processors and graphics, plus external enhancements like a higher-resolution webcam and Thunderbolt.
The "Mid-2011" iMacs were shipped with a compact aluminum Apple Wireless Keyboard and a choice of a multi-touch "Magic Mouse" or a "Magic Trackpad" for gesture controls. An aluminum remote was also available as a US$19 add-on.