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"Tapered Edge" Aluminum iMac FAQ
Update Published April 16, 2022
Also see: iMac Specs | All Mac Q&As
EveryMac.com's "Tapered Edge" Aluminum iMac Q&A answers questions about the Aluminum iMac models sold between 2012 and 2022. These models have a sharp tapered edge around the display rather than flat sides and are sometimes called the iMac "Slim" models. Later models with higher resolution displays sometimes are called the iMac "Retina" or iMac "4K" or "5K" models. Models released between 2012 and 2017 can be identified collectively by model numbers A1418 and A1419 whereas models shipped between 2019 and 2022 can be identified collectively by model numbers A2116 and A2115.
Questions range from "What is the best USB 3.0 and USB-C hub for the 'Tapered Edge' Aluminum iMac models?" to "How do you upgrade the RAM in the 'Tapered Edge' Aluminum iMac systems? Is it even possible? How much RAM does each model actually support?" and everything in between.
Please note that all of these iMac models have been discontinued. This Q&A has been updated after the models were discontinued and can be quite helpful for anyone buying or selling on the used market.
Earlier Aluminum iMac models have flat sides that are approximately an inch thick around the display.
These systems with 20" and 24" screens and a black plastic back are model numbers A1224 and A1225. Those with 21.5" and 27" screens and an aluminum back are model numbers A1311 and A1312.
EveryMac.com offers a separate Aluminum iMac Q&A that covers these earlier iMacs.
Subsequent iMac models are powered by Apple Silicon processors and tend to use flat, colorful aluminum cases. EveryMac.com covers these iMac models in their own Colorful Apple Silicon iMac Q&A.
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Most Frequently Asked "Tapered Edge" Aluminum iMac Q&As:
How do you upgrade the RAM in the "Tapered Edge" Aluminum iMac models? Is it even possible? What type of RAM do they use? How much RAM does each model actually support?
What are all the differences between the final "2020" Aluminum iMac models?
How do you upgrade the hard drive or SSD in the "Tapered Edge" Aluminum iMac models? What type of storage do they support? Is it even possible to upgrade the storage?
What are all the differences between the final "2020" 27-Inch Aluminum iMac models and their "2019" predecessors?
How can you "force" or "hack" the iMac Retina 4K and iMac Retina 5K models to run at native resolution or otherwise fit more content on screen than by default?
How fast are the "2020" 27-Inch iMac models compared to one another? How fast are they compared to the "2019" iMac models and the iMac Pro?
What is the best USB 3.0 and USB-C hub for the "Tapered Edge" Aluminum iMac models?
What are the "pros and cons" of the "Tapered Edge" Aluminum iMac? Is one right for me?
What type of video processor is provided by the "Tapered Edge" Aluminum iMac systems? Which have dedicated memory? Which have integrated memory?
Can you wall mount the "Tapered Edge" Aluminum iMac models? Are they VESA compliant?
Software Compatibility Q&As:
What version of macOS is pre-installed on the "Tapered Edge" Aluminum iMac models?
Can the "Tapered Edge" Aluminum iMac run Mac OS X software written for the PowerPC processor?
How do you install software on the "Tapered Edge" Aluminum iMac without an optical drive?
How do you restore the operating system on the "Tapered Edge" Aluminum iMac models?
Can the "Tapered Edge" Aluminum iMac run Windows or Linux?
Comparison & Performance Q&As (2020 Models):
What are all the differences between the final "2020" Aluminum iMac models? Which is best for me?
What are all the differences between the final "2020" 27-Inch Aluminum iMac models and their "2019" predecessors?
What are all the differences between the "2020" 27-Inch iMac and iMac Pro models?
How fast are the "2020" 27-Inch iMac models compared to one another? How fast are they compared to the "2019" iMac models and the iMac Pro?
Comparison & Performance Q&As (21.5" 2019 Models):
What are all the differences between the "2019" Aluminum iMac models? Which is best for me?
What are all the differences between the "2019" Aluminum iMac models and their "Mid-2017" predecessors?
How fast are the "2019" iMac models compared to one another? How fast are they compared to the "Mid-2017" iMac models and the iMac Pro?
Comparison & Performance Q&As (Mid-2017 Models):
What are all the differences between the "Mid-2017" Aluminum iMac models?
What are all the differences between the "Mid-2017" Aluminum iMac models and the "Late 2015" models replaced?
How fast are the "Mid-2017" iMac models compared to one another? How fast are they compared to the "Late 2015" models replaced and the Mac Pro?
Comparison & Performance Q&As (Earlier Models):
What are all the differences between the "Late 2015" Aluminum iMac models? Which is best for me?
What are all the differences between the "Late 2015" Aluminum iMac models and the models replaced?
What are all the differences between the "Late 2014/Mid-2015 Retina 5K" Aluminum iMac models? What are all the differences between these models and the 27-Inch "Late 2013" iMac models?
How fast are the "Late 2014/Mid-2015" iMac models compared to one another and the "Late 2013" models? How fast are the "Late 2014/Mid-2015" iMac models compared to the Mac Pro?
What are all the differences between the "Late 2013" and entry-level "Mid-2014" Aluminum iMac models?
How much slower is the "Mid-2014" iMac than the "Late 2013" models? Is the cost savings enough to justify the performance decrease?
What are all the differences between the "Late 2013" Aluminum iMac models?
What are all the differences between the "Late 2013" Aluminum iMac models and the "Late 2012" models that they replaced?
How fast are the "Late 2013" Aluminum iMac models compared to one another? How much faster are the "Late 2013" models than the "Late 2012" models replaced?
What are all the differences between the "Late 2012" Aluminum iMac models?
What are all the differences between the "Late 2012" Aluminum iMac models and the "Mid-2011" models that they replaced?
How fast are the "Late 2012" Aluminum iMac models compared to one another? How much faster are the "Late 2012" models than the "Mid-2011" models replaced?
Upgrades, Expansion & Connectivity Q&As:
How do you upgrade the RAM in the "Tapered Edge" Aluminum iMac models? Is it even possible? What type of RAM do they use? How much RAM does each model actually support?
How do you upgrade the hard drive or SSD in the "Tapered Edge" Aluminum iMac models? What type of storage do they support? Is it even possible to upgrade the storage?
What type of video processor is provided by the "Tapered Edge" Aluminum iMac systems? Which have dedicated memory? Which have integrated memory?
What is "Thunderbolt"? Is it an industry standard? What advantages does it offer? Are there any disadvantages?
What is Thunderbolt 3? What is the difference between USB-C and Thunderbolt 3? What Thunderbolt 3 adapters and docks are available?
What is the best USB 3.0 and USB-C hub for the "Tapered Edge" Aluminum iMac models?
What is the best external storage for the "Tapered Edge" Aluminum iMac models? Should I buy a USB 3.0 (USB-A) or Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) drive?
What is 802.11n? How is it different from 802.11b, 802.11g, and 802.11a?
Video & Display Q&As:
What are the differences between the displays used in the "Tapered Edge" Aluminum iMac models?
What type of video processor is provided by the "Tapered Edge" Aluminum iMac systems? Which have dedicated memory? Which have integrated memory? Is it upgradable?
Do the "Tapered Edge" Aluminum iMac models support multiple displays? What is the maximum resolution for an external display?
Can you wall mount the "Tapered Edge" Aluminum iMac models? Are they VESA compliant?
How can you "force" or "hack" the iMac Retina 4K and iMac Retina 5K models to run at native resolution or otherwise fit more content on screen than by default?
Design, Configuration, & Purchasing Q&As:
Who designed the "Tapered Edge" Aluminum iMac?
Where can I buy a "Tapered Edge" Aluminum iMac model?
Where can I sell a "Tapered Edge" Aluminum iMac model?
How can I secure a "Tapered Edge" Aluminum iMac? Which security lock is best?
What is the best shipping box for a "Tapered Edge" Aluminum iMac?
What are the custom configuration options for the "Tapered Edge" Aluminum iMac models?
What are the "pros and cons" of the "Tapered Edge" Aluminum iMac? Is one right for me?
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