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"Tapered Edge" Aluminum iMac Q&A

Update Published April 13, 2022

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Who designed the "Tapered Edge" Aluminum iMac?

Like all earlier iMac models, the "Tapered Edge" Aluminum iMac series was designed in-house by Apple's Industrial Design Group, headed by Jonathan Ive.

Where can I buy a "Tapered Edge" Aluminum iMac model?

All "Tapered Edge" Aluminum iMac models have been discontinued, but they are available for sale on the used market.

In the US, for used and refurbished iMac models, try site sponsor Other World Computing and JemJem for bargain prices with free shipping.

In the UK, site sponsor Hoxton Macs has a good selection of used and refurbished iMac models with a one-year warranty and free next day delivery throughout the UK. Delivery across Europe also is available starting at just £9.99 for two-day delivery to France and Germany.

In Australia, site sponsor Mac City likewise has a variety of used iMac models sold at low prices and available with a free warranty and fast shipping across Australia.

Where can I sell a "Tapered Edge" Aluminum iMac?

Like selling anything else, you generally can make the most money by selling a "Tapered Edge" iMac directly on an online auction or classifieds site, but doing so is time consuming and may or may not be worth the trouble for you.

If you need to sell an iMac, consider A+ BBB-rated site sponsor Cash for Your Mac. Cash for Your Mac provides an instant cash offer and free and insured FedEx shipping.

What are the custom configuration options for the "Tapered Edge" Aluminum iMac models?

EveryMac.com provides both the default configuration and lists many custom configuration options on the individual specs pages for each "Tapered Edge" Aluminum iMac.

However, the primary custom configuration upgrade options (rather than the stock configurations) at the time of purchase -- processor, graphics processor, RAM, and storage for each of the "Tapered Edge" Aluminum iMac models -- when applicable -- also are listed below. All of these models now have been discontinued.

21.5 Inch and 27 Inch Retina iMac Models
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (21.5" & 27" Tapered Edge iMac Models)

Mid-2012 Aluminum iMac Custom Configuration Options

iMac (Mid-2012)

Processor

Graphics

RAM

Storage

"i5" 2.7 21.5"

N/A

N/A

16 GB

1 TB Fusion

"i5" 2.9 21.5"

3.1 GHz Quad Core Core i7

N/A

16 GB

1 TB Fusion

"i5" 2.9 27"

N/A

N/A

16 GB
32 GB

1 TB HD
3 TB HD
1 TB Fusion
3 TB Fusion
768 GD SSD

"i5" 3.2 27"

3.4 GHz Quad Core Core i7

2 GB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680MX

16 GB
32 GB

1 TB HD
3 TB HD
1 TB Fusion
3 TB Fusion
768 GD SSD

Mid-2013 Aluminum iMac Custom Configuration Options

iMac (Mid-2013)

Processor

Graphics

RAM

Storage

"i5" 2.7 21.5"

N/A

N/A

16 GB

1 TB Fusion
256 GB SSD
512 GB SSD

"i5" 2.9 21.5"

3.1 GHz Quad Core Core i7

N/A

16 GB

1 TB Fusion
256 GB SSD
512 GB SSD

"i5" 3.2 27"

N/A

N/A

16 GB
32 GB

3 TB HD
1 TB Fusion
3 TB Fusion
256 GB SSD
512 GB SSD
1 TB SSD

"i5" 3.4 27"

3.5 GHz Quad Core Core i7

4 GB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 780M

16 GB
32 GB

3 TB HD
1 TB Fusion
3 TB Fusion
256 GB SSD
512 GB SSD
1 TB SSD

Mid-2014 Aluminum iMac Custom Configuration Options

iMac (Mid-2014)

Processor

Graphics

RAM

Storage

"i5" 1.4 21.5"

N/A

N/A

Soldered

1 TB HD
1 TB Fusion
256 GB SSD

Late 2014 Aluminum iMac Custom Configuration Options

iMac (Late 2014)

Processor

Graphics

RAM

Storage

"i5" 3.5 27"

4.0 GHz Quad Core Core i7

4 GB AMD Radeon R9 M295X

16 GB
32 GB

3 TB Fusion
256 GB SSD
512 GB SSD
1 TB SSD

Mid-2015 Aluminum iMac Custom Configuration Options

iMac (Mid-2015)

Processor

Graphics

RAM

Storage

"i5" 3.3 27"

N/A

N/A

16 GB
32 GB

3 TB HD
1 TB Fusion
3 TB Fusion
256 GB SSD
512 GB SSD
1 TB SSD

Late 2015 Aluminum iMac Custom Configuration Options

iMac (Late 2015)

Processor

Graphics

RAM

Storage

"i5" 1.6 21.5"

N/A

N/A

16 GB

1 TB Fusion
256 GB SSD

"i5" 2.8 21.5"

N/A

N/A

16 GB

1 TB Fusion
2 TB
Fusion
256 GB SSD

"i5" 3.1 21.5" (4K)

3.3 GHz Quad Core
Core i7

N/A

16 GB

1 TB Fusion
2 TB Fusion
256 GB SSD
512 GB SSD

"i5" 3.2 27" (5K)

4.0 GHz Quad Core
Core i7

N/A

16 GB
32 GB

2 TB Fusion
3 TB Fusion
256 GB SSD
512 GB SSD
1 TB SSD

"i5" 3.3 27" (5K)

4.0 GHz Quad Core
Core i7

4 GB
AMD Radeon R9 M395X

16 GB
32 GB

3 TB Fusion
256 GB SSD
512 GB SSD
1 TB SSD

Mid-2017 Aluminum iMac Custom Configuration Options

iMac (Mid-2017)

Processor

Graphics

RAM

Storage

"i5" 2.3 21.5"*

N/A

N/A

16 GB

1 TB Fusion
256 GB SSD

"i5" 3.0 21.5" (4K)

3.6 GHz Quad Core
Core i7

N/A

16 GB

1 TB Fusion
256 GB SSD
512 GB SSD

"i5" 3.4 21.5" (4K)

3.6 GHz Quad Core
Core i7

N/A

16 GB
32 GB

256 GB SSD
512 GB SSD
1 TB SSD

"i5" 3.4 27" (5K)

N/A

N/A

16 GB
32 GB

2 TB Fusion
256 GB SSD
512 GB SSD
1 TB SSD

"i5" 3.5 27" (5K)

4.2 GHz Quad Core
Core i7

N/A

16 GB
32 GB
64 GB

2 TB Fusion
3 TB Fusion
256 GB SSD
512 GB SSD
1 TB SSD

"i5" 3.8 27" (5K)

4.2 GHz Quad Core
Core i7

N/A

16 GB
32 GB
64 GB

3 TB Fusion
512 GB SSD
1 TB SSD
2 TB SSD

2019 Aluminum iMac Custom Configuration Options

iMac (2019)

Processor

Graphics

RAM

Storage

"i3" 3.6 21.5" (4K)

3.2 GHz
6-Core
Core i7

N/A

16 GB
32 GB

1 TB Fusion
256 GB SSD
512 GB SSD
1 TB SSD

"i5" 3.0 21.5" (4K)

3.2 GHz
6-Core
Core i7

4 GB
AMD Radeon Pro Vega 20

16 GB
32 GB

256 GB SSD
512 GB SSD
1 TB SSD

"i5" 3.0 27" (5K)

N/A

N/A

16 GB
32 GB

2 TB Fusion
256 GB SSD
512 GB SSD
1 TB SSD

"i5" 3.1 27" (5K)

3.6 GHz
8-Core
Core i9

N/A

16 GB
32 GB
64 GB

2 TB Fusion
3 TB Fusion
256 GB SSD
512 GB SSD
1 TB SSD

"i5" 3.7 27" (5K)

3.6 GHz
8-Core
Core i9

8 GB
AMD Radeon Pro Vega 48

16 GB
32 GB
64 GB

3 TB Fusion
512 GB SSD
1 TB SSD
2 TB SSD

2020 Aluminum iMac Custom Configuration Options

iMac (2020)

Processor

Graphics

RAM

Storage

"i5" 3.1 27" (5K)

N/A

N/A

16 GB
32 GB
64 GB
128 GB

N/A

"i5" 3.3 27" (5K)

3.6 GHz
10-Core
Core i9

N/A

16 GB
32 GB
64 GB
128 GB

1 TB SSD
2 TB SSD

"i7" 3.8 27" (5K)

3.6 GHz
10-Core
Core i9

8 GB
AMD Radeon Pro 5700
16 GB
AMD Radeon Pro 5700 XT

16 GB
32 GB
64 GB
128 GB

1 TB SSD
2 TB SSD
4 TB SSD
8 TB SSD

"i9" 3.6 27" (5K)

N/A

N/A

16 GB
32 GB
64 GB
128 GB

1 TB SSD
2 TB SSD
4 TB SSD
8 TB SSD

"i7" 3.8 27" (5K XT)

3.6 GHz
10-Core
Core i9

N/A

16 GB
32 GB
64 GB
128 GB

1 TB SSD
2 TB SSD
4 TB SSD
8 TB SSD

"i9" 3.6 27" (5K XT)

N/A

N/A

16 GB
32 GB
64 GB
128 GB

1 TB SSD
2 TB SSD
4 TB SSD
8 TB SSD


It is possible to upgrade the RAM as well as the storage after purchase in all models except for the 21.5-Inch "Mid-2014" and "Late 2015" iMac models, which have the RAM soldered in place. It is simple to upgrade the RAM in the 27-Inch models, but difficult for applicable 21.5-Inch models. It is complicated to upgrade the storage after purchase in all of the "Tapered Edge" Aluminum iMac systems, and the upgrade capability varies between lines, as well.

Third-Party Upgrade Purchase & Professional Installation Options

In the US (and many other countries), site sponsor Other World Computing sells memory and storage compatible with all iMac models (and all other Macs).

In the UK and Ireland, site sponsor Flexx sells iMac compatible memory, hard drives, and SSDs with free shipping. The company provides flat rate shipping to France, Germany, and Switzerland and inexpensive shipping for all of Europe, too.

In Germany, site sponsor CompuRAM sells quality memory for all iMac models with affordable delivery country-wide and in person pick up and professional installation service available in Munich.

In Australia, site sponsor Upgradeable sells iMac compatible memory and storage with fast shipping, a money-back guarantee, and more.

In New Zealand, site sponsor Upgradeable New Zealand sells iMac memory and storage with fast delivery to all corners of the country, precise compatibility, a lifetime warranty, and a money-back guarantee.



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