Apple launches 21.5″ iMac with Retina 4K display, all 27″ models now have Retina 5K display
Christian Zibreg on October 13, 2015
As suspected, Apple today announced a refresh to its all-in-one desktop, refreshing the 21.5-inch model with a brand spanking new screen with 4K resolution versus a 1080p screen on the previous-generation model.
In addition, the Retina 5K display is now available on every 27-inch iMac as Apple has removed the non-Retina 27-inch models from sale.
The updated all-in-ones come outfitted with more powerful processors and graphics, two Thunderbolt 2 ports and new storage options that make the high-performance Fusion Drive even more affordable.
Last but not least, the Cupertino firm has refreshed its keyboard, mouse and trackpad accessories with rechargeable batteries, Bluetooth 4.0 networking and more, with the Magic Trackpad 2 featuring Force Touch technology.
"From the first iMac to today, the spirit of iMac has never wavered — deliver the ultimate desktop experience with the latest technologies, gorgeous displays and cutting-edge designs," said Philip Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing.
"These are the most stunning iMacs we've ever made. With our gorgeous new Retina displays, more powerful processors and graphics and all-new Magic accessories, the new iMac continues to redefine the ultimate desktop experience."
Faster chips
In addition to improved screen technology, the refreshed iMacs run faster chips for even smoother performance than before.
The new 21.5-incher with Retina 4K display features a fifth-generation Intel Core processor and enhanced Intel Iris Pro Graphics.
The 27-inch iMac with Retina 5K display is powered by Intel's sixth-generation Core processors (the latest "Skylake" platform) and the latest AMD Radeon R9 discreet graphics that deliver up to 3.7 teraflops of compute power.
Both models now feature a pair of Thunderbolt 2 ports by default and 802.11ac Wi-Fi networking supporting a theoretical maximum of up to 1.3Gbps wireless data transfer speeds.
Fusion Drive changes
In addition, customers can now configure their Fusion Drive with a 1 TB hard drive and 24 GB of flash storage or a 2TB/3TB HDD with 128 GB flash storage. Previously, Apple's 1TB Fusion Drive was a 1TB hard drive with a 128GB SSD. All-flash 256GB and 512GB storage options are available as build-to-order choices through the Apple Online Store.
21.5-inch iMac with Retina 4K display
The new 21.5-inch iMac with Retina 4K display has a screen resolution of 4,096-by-2,304 pixels, resulting in a total of 9.4 million pixels. That's 4.5 times more than the standard 21.5-inch iMac display.
By comparison, the previous-generation 21.5-incher had a 1080p screen maxing out at 1,920-by-1,080 pixels, which works out to a little more than two megapixels.
On the downside, the standard $1,499 model has a 5,400 RPM 1TB Serial ATA hard drive. Upgrades to a 1TB or 2TB Fusion Drive are available for $100 and $300, respectively.
Retina 5K display on every 27-inch iMac
Its bigger sibling, the 27-inch iMac, now features a Retina 5K display across all models. As before, the Retina 5K screen maxes out at 5,120-by-2,880 pixels resulting in a stunning 14.7 million pixels, or seven times more pixels than an HD display.
Better screens
These new Retina screens feature even more advanced technology than before, offering a wider P3-based color gamut that provides a 25 percent larger color space. As a result, the new iMacs have more available colors to render than standard sRGB screens, resulting in images that are more vivid, with greater detail and more lifelike colors.
Both the 21.5-inch iMac with Retina 4K display and 27-inch iMac with Retina 5K display are available today at Apple.com, Apple's retail stores and select Apple Authorized Resellers.
The 21.5-inch iMac is available in $1,099 and $1,299 flavors, while the new model with Retina 4K display is priced at $1,499. The 27-inch iMac comes in three models starting at $1,799, $1,999 and $2,299.
Every new iMac comes standard with the new $99 Magic Keyboard and the $79 Magic Mouse 2. The new $129 Magic Trackpad 2 is an optional purchase.
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