How do the "Mid-2010" Aluminum iMac models compare to the "Late 2009" models that preceded them?

Please note that all models mentioned in this Q&A have been discontinued. The "Mid-2010" iMac line was replaced by the "Mid-2011" iMac line on May 3, 2011.

The "Mid-2010" Aluminum iMac models -- the iMac "Core i3" 3.06 21.5-Inch, "Core i3" 3.2 21.5-Inch, "Core i3" 3.2 27-Inch and "Core i5" 2.8 27-Inch -- look identical to the "Late 2009" models that they replaced -- the iMac "Core 2 Duo" 3.06 21.5-Inch, "Core 2 Duo" 3.06 27-Inch, and "Core i5" 2.66 27-Inch -- because both lines use an "edge-to-edge" glass design and a "seamless all aluminum enclosure" with the entire computer tucked discreetly behind a 21.5" or 27" glossy flat-panel display.

Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (Late 2009 -- 21.5" - Left, 27" - Right)

The LCD displays used in both the "Mid-2010" and "Late 2009" models are 8-bit 16:9 LED-backlit TFT Active Matrix LCDs that use IPS (In-Plane Switching) technology, which provides more accurate color even at wider viewing angles (178 degrees both horizontal and vertical). The 27-Inch models in both lines essentially are the same, but the 21.5-Inch models in the "Mid-2010" line are brighter than those replaced (330 cd/m2 compared to 320 cd/m2). All have speakers mounted under the display and an integrated "iSight" webcam as well.

By default, all "Late 2009" and "Mid-2010" configurations ship, or shipped, with a compact aluminum wireless keyboard sans numeric keypad and a wireless "Magic Mouse," where the "entire top is a seamless multi-touch surface" that allows one to "navigate using intuitive finger gestures." As an optional US$69 upgrade, the "Mid-2010" models also can be configured with new a "Magic Trackpad" that provides multi-touch input like on a recent Apple notebook. An aluminum remote is offered for an additional US$19 as well.

Apart from one notable exception, connectivity between the lines is the same. All have four USB 2.0 ports, a Firewire "800" port, built-in AirPort Extreme (802.11a/b/g/n), Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, Gigabit Ethernet, a Mini DisplayPort (which supports an external display up to 30" - 2560x1600), and optical digital audio in and out ports. The 27-Inch models from both lines support input from external DisplayPort sources (so they can be used as an external display for another DisplayPort-equipped Mac, Blu-ray player, or other device). Both lines have an SD Card slot, but the "Mid-2010" models support the newer SDXC standard.

Internally, however, these lines are quite different with different architectures and graphics processors and different processors as well in most configurations. In particular, the "Mid-2010" models have faster processors, have a faster architecture with faster memory, and have faster graphics processors compared to the "Late 2009" model each replaced.

The major configuration differences between the "Mid-2010" models and the "Late 2009" Aluminum model that each immediately replaced are summarized below for your convenience. Please refer to the specs page for the model of interest for complete details.

The entry-level model gains a modestly brighter display, a faster processor, the faster architecture with faster RAM, and greatly improved dedicated graphics:

The low-middle range model gains a modestly brighter display, a faster processor, the faster architecture with faster RAM, and an improved graphics processor with twice as much VRAM:

The middle-high end model gains a faster processor, the faster architecture with faster RAM, and an improved graphics processor with twice as much VRAM:

The high-end model gains a faster processor, the faster architecture with faster RAM, and an improved graphics processor with twice as much VRAM:

Ultimately, most users likely would be quite happy with the faster processors, the faster architecture with faster RAM, and improved graphics processors provided by the "Mid-2010" iMac models when compared to the models each replaced, but the "Late 2009" iMac models remain well worth consideration, particularly given discount prices on the used market.

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