All-in-One Mac · Retina & Beyond · 2012
iMac (Slim, 2012)
A stunning redesign with a 5 mm-thin edge (achieved by friction-stir welding) and a laminated screen, plus the hybrid Fusion Drive blending SSD speed with hard-disk capacity.
Tapered to a dramatic 5 mm edge and introduced the Fusion Drive.
iMac (Retina 5K, 27") (2014)
iMac (Slim, 2012): key facts
When was the iMac (Slim, 2012) released?
The iMac (Slim, 2012) arrived on November 30, 2012. Apple discontinued it in September 2013.
How much did the iMac (Slim, 2012) cost?
The iMac (Slim, 2012) launched at $1,299 in 2012, about $1,819 in today’s money (approximate, US CPI).
What specs stand out?
Key specs: Intel Core i5 at 2.90 GHz, 8 GB RAM, 976.6 GB storage, 21.5" or 27" LED LCD display.
Why does the iMac (Slim, 2012) matter?
Tapered to a dramatic 5 mm edge and introduced the Fusion Drive.
Full specifications
| CPU | Intel Core i5 · 2.90 GHz |
|---|---|
| Cores | 4 |
| Memory (RAM) | 8 GB (up to 32 GB) |
| Storage | 976.6 GB |
| Display | 21.5" or 27" LED LCD |
| GPU | NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M |
| Ports | USB 3, Thunderbolt, SD |
| Weight | 9.5 kg |
| Dimensions | 5 mm-edge all-in-one |
| Operating system | OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion |
| Released | November 30, 2012 |
| Discontinued | September 2013 |
| Launch price | $1,299 |
How the iMac (Slim, 2012) compares to today
A 16 GB Apple Silicon MacBook Pro has about 2.0× more memory than this device shipped with.
At 2.90 GHz, the clock is roughly 1.1× slower than a single performance core of a 16 GB Apple Silicon MacBook Pro, and that is before counting cores, width and IPC.
This held about 250,000 modern phone photos, a respectable library even today.
Launched at $1,299 in 2012, about $1,819 in today’s money (approx., US CPI).
Method note: clock comparisons use frequency only; price conversions use US CPI.
Sources
Specs checked against Apple technical specifications archive, EveryMac, Mactracker, Wikimedia Commons image credits.
Did you know?
The knife-thin edge was largely illusion; the back still bulged to fit the guts.
Related All-in-One Mac models
Open the iMac (Slim, 2012) in the interactive archive →
Last updated: 2026-08-11