Apple Updates iMac with Haswell and Faster PCIe Flash Storage

In something of a surprise move, Apple today announced the launch of updated iMacs based on Intel's Haswell processors, faster PCI Express-based flash storage options, and 802.11ac Wi-Fi.

“iMac continues to be the example that proves how beautiful, fast and fun a desktop computer can be,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. “Inside its ultra-thin aluminum enclosure, the new iMac has the latest Intel processors, faster graphics, next generation 802.11ac Wi-Fi and faster PCIe flash storage.”

New models include:

21.5-inch
- $1299: 2.7 GHz quad-core i5 and Intel Iris Pro graphics
- $1499: 2.9 GHz quad-core Intel i5 and NVIDIA GeForce GT 750M with 1 GB video memory

27-inch
- $1799: 3.2 GHz quad-core Intel Core i5 and NVIDIA GeForce GT 755M with 1 GB video memory
- $1999: 3.4 GHz quad-core Intel Core i5 and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 775M with 2 GB video memory

All standard configurations come with 8 GB of RAM and a 1 TB traditional hard drive.

imac_2013_specs
Build-to-order options include a 3.1 GHz Core i7 processor and 16 GB of RAM on the 21.5-inch model and a 3.5 GHz Core i7 processor and up to 32 GB of RAM on the 27-inch model. Storage options of up to 3 TB traditional hard drive, 3 TB Fusion Drive, and 1 TB flash storage are also available depending on model. The high-end 27-inch model also has an available graphics upgrade to NVIDIA's GeForce GTX 780M with 4GB of GDDR5 memory.

The new iMac is available today through Apple's online store with all standard configurations with the exception of the high-end 21.5-inch model showing availability of "within 24 hours". The high-end 21.5-inch model is currently showing a shipping estimate of 2-3 weeks.

Related Roundup: iMac
Buyer's Guide: iMac (Caution)
Related Forum: iMac

Popular Stories

Aston Martin CarPlay Ultra Screen

Apple's CarPlay Ultra to Expand to These Vehicle Brands Later This Year

Sunday February 1, 2026 10:08 am PST by
Last year, Apple launched CarPlay Ultra, the long-awaited next-generation version of its CarPlay software system for vehicles. Nearly nine months later, CarPlay Ultra is still limited to Aston Martin's latest luxury vehicles, but that should change fairly soon. In May 2025, Apple said many other vehicle brands planned to offer CarPlay Ultra, including Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis. In his Powe...
Apple Logo Black

Apple Just Made Its Second-Biggest Acquisition Ever After Beats

Thursday January 29, 2026 10:07 am PST by
Apple today confirmed to Reuters that it has acquired Q.ai, an Israeli startup that is working on artificial intelligence technology for audio. Apple paid close to $2 billion for Q.ai, according to sources cited by the Financial Times. That would make this Apple's second-biggest acquisition ever, after it paid $3 billion for the popular headphone and audio brand Beats in 2014. Q.ai has...
Apple Logo Black

Apple's Next Launch is 'Imminent'

Sunday February 1, 2026 12:31 pm PST by
The calendar has turned to February, and a new report indicates that Apple's next product launch is "imminent," in the form of new MacBook Pro models. "All signs point to an imminent launch of next-generation MacBook Pros that retain the current form factor but deliver faster chips," Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said on Sunday. "I'm told the new models — code-named J714 and J716 — are slated...
14 inch MacBook Pro Keyboard

Apple Changes How You Order a Mac

Saturday January 31, 2026 10:51 am PST by
Apple recently updated its online store with a new ordering process for Macs, including the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, Mac mini, Mac Studio, and Mac Pro. There used to be a handful of standard configurations available for each Mac, but now you must configure a Mac entirely from scratch on a feature-by-feature basis. In other words, ordering a new Mac now works much like ordering an...
Apple MacBook Pro M4 hero

New MacBook Pros Reportedly Launching Alongside macOS 26.3

Sunday February 1, 2026 5:42 am PST by
Apple is planning to launch new MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips alongside macOS 26.3, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. "Apple's faster MacBook Pros are planned for the macOS 26.3 release cycle," wrote Gurman, in his Power On newsletter today. "I'm told the new models — code-named J714 and J716 — are slated for the macOS 26.3 software cycle, which runs from...

Top Rated Comments

notjustjay Avatar
161 months ago
Woohoo! Improved battery life!

;)
Score: 60 Votes (Like | Disagree)
musika Avatar
161 months ago
still no Retina Display so still won't be getting one :-(

Would you buy one with a Retina Display for 2x the cost?
Score: 37 Votes (Like | Disagree)
InfinitiG Avatar
161 months ago
macbook pros next
Score: 37 Votes (Like | Disagree)
theanimala Avatar
161 months ago
This is how things should be done more often. Not every little incremental upgrade needs to have a grand announcement during some keynote speech.
Score: 24 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Krazy Bill Avatar
161 months ago
I wish Apple had a summer upgrade cycle so that we could get the newer machines for the start of the semester. The iMacs we purchased have 512 mb. Now 1 gb seems to be standard, along with 8 gb of RAM. By the time we can afford to upgrade the labs again, we'll probably once again end up behind the curve....
People like you is precisely why changes aren't introduced until after school starts. Apple thanks you for depleting old stock.
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
musika Avatar
161 months ago
Woah! Didn't see that coming today. :D:apple:
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)