iMac owners often wonder which SSD to choose for fast and correct hardware operation. Until recently, the 2.5 SATA standard was used, but now proprietary connectors are mostly used. Despite these problems, the solution is quite easy to find.
- Apple External Ssd
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OWC's step-by-step video of how to upgrade or install a PCIe SSD in a 21.5-inch Apple iMac (2017). Note: OWC Aura Pro X2 SSDs can only be installed in 21.5-inch iMac models that came with a factory-installed SSD or Fusion drive. Hard Drive (HDD) only machines can be upgraded with a OWC Mercury Extreme Pro 6G SSD or OWC Mercury Electra 6G SSD.
It’s worth noting that for iMacs, depending on their year of release, you need to buy the corresponding SSD models. These can be either external disks for the iMacs, or internal.
- OWC SSD Upgrade Bundle for 2012-2019 21.5' iMacs, OWC Mercury Electra 1.0TB 6G SSD, OWC Express 2.5' USB 3.0 HDD Enclosure, Installation Tools and iMac Screen Adhesive Tape Set 4.6 out of 5 stars 132 $149.75 $ 149.
- Crucial Memory and SSD upgrades - 100% Compatibility Guaranteed for apple iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2017) iMac18,3 - FREE US Delivery.
- .This iMac does not have an internal optical drive. Site sponsor Adorama offers the external Apple USB SuperDrive for US$79. It writes DVD+R DL and DVD-R DL at 4X, DVD-R and DVD+R at 8X, DVD-RW at 6X, DVD+RW at 8X, reads DVD at 8X, writes CD-R at 24X, writes CD-RW at 16X, and reads CD at 24X.
Which SSD should I choose for a 2012−2013 iMac?
In this case, just as for Air models, a SATA drive is used, although the connector here is not quite the standard one. These computers can support three formats at once:
- SSD;
- mSATA (used with an adapter);
- M2 SATA (also used with an adapter).
It’s worth paying special attention to the M2 and its adapter. They must support the SATA interface. The fact is that not all M2 SSDs are compatible with this standard. SATA 3 will always support the maximum data transfer rate of 6 Gbit/s. The same principle of selecting an SSD disk is used for iMac27.
Which SSD should I choose for iMac 2014−2017 and later?
As for this year’s models and the newer ones, things get even more complicated. You will need to connect the PCIe SSD strips for Mac, but they are very expensive and not every user can afford them. However, don’t fall into despair, because there is an alternative option.
First, you need to configure the system:
- Connect an external hard drive to your computer. Using any disk utility, format the disk in the GUID.
- After that, create a backup copy of the data from the iMac on any other drive. The backup copy should be equal to the volume of the SSD or less.
- Then install MacOS operating system on your external SSD.
- If after these manipulations your computer is booting from a standard hard drive, press the ALT key before the system starts to boot. Next, select an SSD. Then start the system and restore it from the backup copy.
- After that, run a system test. If there are no problems, you can safely use this SSD.
Replacing or installing SSDs for iMacs released in 2012, 2013, 2015, and 2017 follows the same procedure. When installing, please be careful and attentive.
Advantages of using an external SSD for iMac
At the moment, it’s best to install an SSD drive on iMac 27 2011 or other previously released models. You can also install an operating system on it, which will have the following advantages:
- improved performance in programs;
- acceleration of the OS;
- improved performance in games.
For these reasons, many iMac users use only external SSDS.
Apple iMac 21.5-Inch 'Core i5' 3.1 (4K, Late 2015) Specs
Identifiers: Retina 4K, Late 2015 - MK452LL/A - iMac16,2 - A1418 - 2833
All iMac 21.5-Inch Models | All 2015 Models | Dynamically Compare This Mac to Others
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The iMac 'Core i5' 3.1 21.5-Inch Aluminum (Retina 4K, Late 2015/Broadwell) features a 14-nm 'Broadwell' Quad Core 3.1 GHz Intel 'Core i5' processor (5675R) with four independent processor 'cores' on a single chip, a 4 MB shared level 3 cache, 8 GB of onboard 1867 MHz LPDDR3 SDRAM (which could be upgraded to 16 GB at the time of order, but cannot be upgraded after system purchase at all), a 1 TB (5400 RPM) hard drive, and an 'integrated' Intel Iris Pro 6200 graphics processor that shares system memory. It also has a built-in 'FaceTime HD' webcam and stereo speakers.
This model has a 21.5' 4096x2304 LED-backlit 16:9 widescreen IPS DCI-P3 'Retina 4K' display (that runs 'pixel doubled' to look like 2048x1152). The rear of the case is aluminum and is thicker in the middle and tapers to a razor thin 5 mm at the edges.
Connectivity includes four USB 3.0 ports, dual Thunderbolt 2 ports, Gigabit Ethernet, 802.11ac Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n compatible), and Bluetooth 4.0.
Compared to its predecessor, this model essentially has the same external enclosure, but it has a vastly higher quality and higher resolution 'Retina' display as well as a more advanced architecture and graphics architecture.
The 'Late 2015' iMac models shipped with a compact aluminum Apple Magic Keyboard and the choice of either a multi-touch 'Magic Mouse 2' or a traditional wired Apple mouse. For an additional US$50, one also could upgrade from the Magic Mouse 2 to the 'Magic Trackpad 2,' which provides multi-touch and pressure-sensitive 'Force Touch' capabilities.
Also see:
This model has a 21.5' 4096x2304 LED-backlit 16:9 widescreen IPS DCI-P3 'Retina 4K' display (that runs 'pixel doubled' to look like 2048x1152). The rear of the case is aluminum and is thicker in the middle and tapers to a razor thin 5 mm at the edges.
Connectivity includes four USB 3.0 ports, dual Thunderbolt 2 ports, Gigabit Ethernet, 802.11ac Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n compatible), and Bluetooth 4.0.
Compared to its predecessor, this model essentially has the same external enclosure, but it has a vastly higher quality and higher resolution 'Retina' display as well as a more advanced architecture and graphics architecture.
The 'Late 2015' iMac models shipped with a compact aluminum Apple Magic Keyboard and the choice of either a multi-touch 'Magic Mouse 2' or a traditional wired Apple mouse. For an additional US$50, one also could upgrade from the Magic Mouse 2 to the 'Magic Trackpad 2,' which provides multi-touch and pressure-sensitive 'Force Touch' capabilities.
Also see:
- What are all the differences between the 'Late 2015' Aluminum iMac models?
- What are all of the differences between the 'Late 2015' Aluminum iMac models and the models replaced?
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Introduction Date: | October 13, 2015 | Discontinued Date: | June 5, 2017 |
Details: | The 'Introduction Date' refers to the date a model was introduced via press release. The 'Discontinued Date' refers to the date a model either was replaced by a subsequent system or production otherwise ended. Also see: All Macs introduced in 2015. |
Details: | Also see: All models with a 64-Bit processor courtesy of EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Sort. |
Details: | Geekbench 2 benchmarks are in 32-bit and 64-bit modes, respectively. These numbers reflect an average of user provided 32-bit and 64-bit results as submitted to the Geekbench website. Higher numbers are better. You also might be interested in reviewing all 32-bit and 64-bit Geekbench 2 user submissions for Macs with the iMac16,2 Model Identifier, which may include multiple models. To dynamically compare Geekbench 2 results from different Macs side-by-side, see EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Comparison. |
Details: | These Geekbench 3 benchmarks are in 32-bit mode and are for a single processor core and all processor cores, respectively. Both numbers reflect an average of user provided results as submitted to the Geekbench website. Higher numbers are better. You also might be interested in reviewing all 32-bit single core and multicore Geekbench 3 user submissions for Macs with the iMac16,2 Model Identifier, which may include multiple models. To dynamically compare 32-bit Geekbench 3 results from different Macs side-by-side, see EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Comparison. |
Details: | These Geekbench 3 benchmarks are in 64-bit mode and are for a single processor core and all processor cores, respectively. Both numbers reflect an average of user provided results as submitted to the Geekbench website. Higher numbers are better. You also might be interested in reviewing all 64-bit single core and multicore Geekbench 3 user submissions for Macs with the iMac16,2 Model Identifier, which may include multiple models. To dynamically compare 64-bit Geekbench 3 results from different Macs side-by-side, see EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Comparison. |
Details: | These Geekbench 4 benchmarks are are for a single processor core and all processor cores, respectively. All Geekbench 4 benchmarks are 64-bit. Both numbers reflect an average of user provided results as submitted to the Geekbench website. Higher numbers are better. You also might be interested in reviewing all single core and multicore Geekbench 4 user submissions for Macs with the iMac16,2 Model Identifier, which may include multiple models. To dynamically compare Geekbench 4 results from different Macs side-by-side, see EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Comparison. |
Details: | These Geekbench 5 benchmarks are are for a single processor core and all processor cores, respectively. All Geekbench 5 benchmarks for the Mac are 64-bit. Both numbers reflect an average of user provided results as submitted to the Geekbench website. Higher numbers are better. You also might be interested in reviewing all single core and multicore Geekbench 5 user submissions for Macs with the iMac16,2 Model Identifier, which may include multiple models. To dynamically compare Geekbench 5 results from different Macs side-by-side, see EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Comparison. |
Processor Speed: | 3.1 GHz | Processor Type: | Core i5 (I5-5675R) |
Details: | This model is powered by a 14 nm, 64-bit 'Fifth Generation' Intel Mobile Core i5 'Broadwell' (I5-5675R) processor which includes four independent processor 'cores' on a single silicon chip. Each core has a dedicated 256k level 2 cache, shares 4 MB of level 3 cache, and has an integrated memory controller (dual channel). This system also supports 'Turbo Boost 2.0' -- which 'automatically increases the speed of the active cores' to improve performance when needed (up to 3.6 GHz for this model) -- and 'Hyper Threading' -- which enables four hardware processor cores and four 'threads' for software multitasking. Also see: How much faster are the 'Late 2015' iMac models than the models replaced? |
Details: | This model additionally can be configured with a 3.3 GHz Quad Core 'Core i7' processor (I7-5775R) for an extra US$200. This 'Core i7' processor supports Hyper-Threading (it has two threads per core for a total of eight threads for the system) as well as Turbo Boost 2.0 (the system can dynamically increase the processor clockspeed to 3.8 GHz when tasks demand). It has a larger 6 MB level 3 cache, too. As requested by readers, EveryMac.com also has documented this custom configuration as its own model. |
Details: | *Officially, Apple provides no information about whether or not the processor in this model can be upgraded. However, the processor in this model is soldered to the motherboard and cannot be upgraded. Also see: Is it possible to upgrade the processor in the 'Tapered Edge' Aluminum iMac models? |
System Bus Speed: | 5 GT/s* | Cache Bus Speed: | 3.1 GHz (Built-in) |
Details: | *This system has a 'Direct Media Interface' -- specifically DMI2 -- that 'connects between the processor and chipset' in lieu of a traditional system bus. Intel reports that it runs at 5 GT/s. |
Details: | N/A |
L1 Cache: | 32k/32k | L2/L3 Cache: | 256k x4, 4 MB (on chip) |
Details: | Each core has its own dedicated 256k level 2 cache and the system has 4 MB of shared level 3 cache. |
Details: | *Shipped standard with 8 GB of 1867 MHz 'Low Power' LPDDR3 SDRAM onboard. |
Details: | *8 GB of RAM is onboard. It could be upgraded to 16 GB at the time of purchase as an optional upgrade for US$200. As first confirmed by site sponsor Other World Computing, this RAM is soldered onboard and cannot be upgraded at all after the purchase of the system. Also see: Actual Max RAM of All G3 & Later Macs. |
Details: | There are no RAM slots. 8 GB of RAM is onboard by default. It can be upgraded to 16 GB, but only at the time of system purchase. It cannot be upgraded after system purchase at all. |
Details: | This model has an Intel Iris Pro 6200 graphics processor that shares memory with the system. Which 'Tapered Edge' iMac have video processors with dedicated memory? Which have integrated memory? |
Details: | The Intel Iris Pro 6200 graphics processor reserves up to 1.7 GB of system memory for video function. |
Built-in Display: | 21.5' 16:9 Widescreen | Native Resolution: | 4096x2304 |
Details: | This model has a 21.5' LED-backlit 16:9 widescreen TFT active matrix 'Retina 4K' display with IPS technology, a native resolution of 4096x2304, and an expanded DCI-P3 color gamut. By default, it runs 'pixel doubled' at 2048x1152, but also can run at scaled resolutions of 2304x1296 and 1560x1440. In the UK, site sponsor ALB Repair offers component-level logic board repair, display repair, and other repair services for this iMac. No fix, no fee! In Spain, site sponsor iRepairs provides affordable repair and data recovery services. In-person and by mail repair services include the display, graphics card, motherboard, power supply, and more for this iMac. In Singapore, site sponsor Esmond Service Centre provides highly regarded repairs for the display, graphics card, motherboard, power supply, and more, all with a free estimate and fast turnaround for this iMac. |
2nd Display Support: | Dual/Mirroring* | 2nd Max. Resolution: | 4096x2304 |
Details: | *This model can simultaneously support the internal display at full native resolution and up to 4096x2304 on an external display in both extended desktop (second workspace) and video mirroring (internal display duplicated on the external display) modes. |
Standard Storage: | 1 TB HDD | Std. Storage Speed: | 5400 RPM |
Details: | *This model has a Serial ATA (6 Gb/s) connector for a 2.5' hard drive. If configured with a 'Fusion' Drive or an SSD at the initial time of system purchase, it also has a PCIe connector (PCIe 2.0 x4 NVMexpress interface), but this connector is not present if the system only is configured with a hard drive at the time of purchase. At the time of purchase, Apple offered a 1 TB 'Fusion Drive' (which combines a 24 GB SSD and a 1 TB hard drive) for an extra US$100, a 2 TB 'Fusion Drive' (which combines a 128 GB SSD and a 2 TB hard drive) for an extra US$300, a 256 GB SSD for an extra US$200, or a 512 GB SSD for an extra US$500. Also see: How do you upgrade the hard drive in the 'Tapered Edge' Aluminum iMac models? What type of storage do they support? Is it even possible to upgrade these models? In the US (and many other countries), site sponsor Other World Computing sells storage upgrades for this iMac. In the UK, site sponsor Flexx sells storage upgrades for this iMac. In Australia, site sponsor Macfixit sells storage upgrades for this iMac. Also see: SSD Compatibility Guide for All G3 & Later Macs. |
Storage Dimensions: | 2.5' (7 mm)* | Storage Interface: | Serial ATA (6 Gb/s)* |
Details: | *This model has a SATA III (6 Gb/s) connector for a 2.5' hard drive or SSD. If the system is configured with an SSD or a 'Fusion Drive' at the time of initial purchase, it also has a dedicated PCIe connection. If it was not configured with an SSD or a 'Fusion Drive' initially, the PCIe connector is not present and it is not possible to install a second drive later. |
Details: | *This iMac does not have an internal optical drive. Site sponsor Adorama offers the external Apple USB SuperDrive for US$79. It writes DVD+R DL and DVD-R DL at 4X, DVD-R and DVD+R at 8X, DVD-RW at 6X, DVD+RW at 8X, reads DVD at 8X, writes CD-R at 24X, writes CD-RW at 16X, and reads CD at 24X. Site sponsor Other World Computing also has a variety of compact external optical drive options that may be of interest, including some with Blu-ray capability. Also see: What are the full capabilities of the external SuperDrive? Can it be used with other Macs? |
Standard Modem: | None | Standard Ethernet: | 10/100/1000Base-T |
Standard AirPort: | 802.11ac* | Standard Bluetooth: | 4.0 |
Details: | *802.11ac Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n backwards compatible) and Bluetooth 4.0 standard. |
Details: | Four USB 3.0 ports. |
Details: | In the US (and many other countries), site sponsor Other World Computing sells a wide variety of external expansion options and hand-picked accessories like external storage, stands, keyboards, cables, adapters, speakers, and more for this iMac. In Australia, site sponsor Macfixit offers an extensive selection of external expansion options and accessories like docks, stands, chargers, keyboards, security products, and more for this iMac. |
Incl. Keyboard: | Apple Magic Keyboard | Incl. Input: | Magic Mouse 2* |
Details: | *This model shipped with a small aluminum wireless compact keyboard (without a numeric keypad) with a rechargeable battery. By default, it also shipped with the wireless 'Magic Mouse 2' with multi-touch surface support although this could be substituted with a traditional Wired Apple Mouse at no extra charge. For an extra US$50, one could change the Magic Mouse 2 for an also wireless 'Magic Trackpad 2' that provides multi-touch input and Force Touch (which provides different options depending on the pressure and duration of a touch or press). For an additional US$129, one could have both a Magic Mouse 2 and a Magic Trackpad 2. |
Case Type: | All-in-One | Form Factor: | 21.5' iMac Late 2012 |
Details: | The 21.5-Inch 'Retina 4K, Late 2015' Aluminum iMac models use a case design that is effectively identical to the 'Late 2012,' 'Late 2013' and 'Mid-2014' models, but both the display and internals are different. Each of these lines have a glass front laminated directly to the LCD and an aluminum back that is thicker in the middle and tapers to a razor thin 5 mm edge. The entire system sits upon an aluminum 'foot' that is 6.9 inches (17.5 cm) deep. |
Apple Order No: | MK452LL/A | Apple Subfamily: | Retina 4K, Late 2015 |
Details: | The Apple order number should be unique to this system. |
Details: | Please note that these identifiers refer to more than one model. Also see: All Macs with the A1418 Model Number, the 2833 EMC Number, and the iMac16,2 Model Identifier. For more about these identifiers and how to locate them on each Mac, please refer to EveryMac.com's Mac Identification section. |
Details: | N/A |
Pre-Installed MacOS: | X 10.11 (15A2301) | Maximum MacOS: | Current* |
Details: | *This system fully supports the last version of OS X 10.11 'El Capitan' including Metal graphics acceleration. It is fully supported by the last version of macOS Sierra (10.12) and macOS High Sierra (10.13), also. Running macOS High Sierra (10.13), it supports HEVC (High-Efficiency Video Coding), but it does not support hardware accelerated HEVC. This model is compatible with the final version of macOS Mojave (10.14), the final version of macOS Catalina (10.15), and the current version of macOS Big Sur (macOS 11), as well. Also see: Which Macs are compatible with macOS Big Sur (macOS 11)? What are the system requirements? What are the major new features? |
Minimum Windows: | 10 (64-Bit)* | Maximum Windows: | 10 (64-Bit)* |
Details: | *The pre-installed version of Apple's Boot Camp 6 supports the 64-bit version of Windows 10. Earlier versions of Windows are not supported. |
MacOS 9 Support: | None | Windows Support: | Boot/Virtualization |
Details: | Also see: Are there any third-party programs to run Mac OS 9/Classic applications on Intel Macs? Site sponsor OHS specializes in heavily upgraded Macs capable of running both Mac OS X and Mac OS 9 applications. For more on running Windows on Intel Macs, please refer to the exhaustive Windows on Mac Q&A. |
Dimensions: | 17.7 x 20.8 x 6.9 | Avg. Weight: | 12.5 lbs. (5.68 kg) |
Details: | In inches - height by width by depth, (45.0 cm, 52.8 cm, 17.5 cm). |
Original Price (US): | US$1499 | Est. Current Retail: | US$650-US$900 |
Details: | Please note that on average the estimated current retail pricing of used systems is updated twice a year (please refer to the date on the bottom of the page for the date last updated). Photo Credit: Apple Computer. |
Click on a category for additional details. The most commonly needed info is 'open' by default, but all info is important. The icons correspond with the icons for each port on the computer.
Apple External Ssd
Video (Monitor): | 2 (Thunderbolt 2) | Floppy (Ext.): | None |
Details: | This model is equipped with two Thunderbolt 2 ports. Thunderbolt 2 is backwards-compatible with Mini DisplayPort-equipped displays as well as adapters that are compatible with Mini DisplayPort (DVI, VGA, dual-link DVI and HDMI). It also can support other peripherals that use the Thunderbolt 2 standard. |
Details: | N/A |
Details: | N/A |
Details: | Four USB 3.0 ports. |
Details: | Gigabit Ethernet, 802.11ac Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n backwards compatible) and Bluetooth 4.0 standard. |
Details: | N/A |
Details: | Single 'headphone/optical digital audio output (minijack).' |
Details: | Single 'headphone/optical digital audio output (minijack)' also supports the Apple iPhone headset with microphone. |
Details: | N/A |
Details: | 100V-240V (50 Hz to 60 Hz, single phase), Apple does not specify maximum wattage. |
Global original prices for the iMac 21.5-Inch 'Core i5' 3.1 (4K, Late 2015) in 34 different countries and territories follow; organized alphabetically by region.
For global original prices for Intel Macs in one particular country on a single page, please refer to EveryMac.com's Global Original Prices section.
Original Prices - North & South America
Mexico: | MXN $30,999 | United States: | US$1499 |
Imac With Ssd
Original Prices - Europe
Denmark: | DKK 12,999 | Finland: | €1749 |
Ireland: | €1749 | Italy: | €1729 |
Norway: | NOK 16.990 | Portugal: | €1749 |
Switzerland: | CHF 1'699 | United Kingdom: | £1199 |
Original Prices - Asia
India: | Rs 123,900 | Indonesia: | N/A |
Malaysia: | RM 6,899 | The Philippines: | PHP 77,990 |
Thailand: | THB 56,900 | Vietnam: | VND 36,880,000 |
Original Prices - Australia & New Zealand
If you have additional original prices for this model, please get in touch. Thank you.
Ten of the most popular Q&As about the iMac 21.5-Inch models follow.
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