
Apple
The 2013 21.5‑inch iMac (ME086LL/A) pairs a 2.7 GHz quad‑core Haswell i5 with a Full HD IPS display in Apple’s ultra‑slim all‑in‑one chassis. It offers solid everyday performance, good graphics for its class, and upgrade paths for RAM and storage, but the CPU is soldered and the base HDD is slow.
Pros
Cons
Current
$382.00
Average
$356.34
Lowest
$282.99
Highest
$449.00
Lower = better sales rank
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From Expert Reviews
Praised by Experts
Criticized by Experts
From User Reviews
Users Love
Users Complain About
Best For
Users who want a stylish all‑in‑one desktop for general productivity, media consumption, light photo editing, and who value a high‑quality built‑in display with minimal desk clutter.
Not Ideal For
Power users needing high‑end graphics, Retina‑level resolution, fast native storage, or a CPU that can be upgraded; also not suited for modern AAA gaming or heavy video rendering.
Expert Opinion
Professional reviewers praised the iMac’s sleek design, energy‑efficient Haswell CPU, and the Iris Pro 5200 graphics that delivered respectable integrated performance. They highlighted the vibrant Full HD IPS panel and strong Wi‑Fi as positives, while criticizing the lack of a Retina display and the fact that the machine offered only incremental improvements over previous models.
What Users Say
Everyday users appreciate the iMac’s elegant look, high‑quality display, and the simplicity of an all‑in‑one setup. Many report that after upgrading the storage to an SSD and adding more RAM, the machine remains responsive even a decade later. Common complaints focus on the slow stock HDD, the soldered CPU, and the difficulty of opening the chassis for upgrades.
Common Complaints
Slow 5400 RPM hard drive bottleneck. Soldered CPU prevents processor upgrades. No Retina display limits visual fidelity. Opening the iMac is challenging and may void warranty. Early Fusion Drive units experienced reliability problems
How It Compares
Compared to Windows‑based all‑in‑one PCs of the same era, the iMac offers a superior IPS display, a more refined aluminum design, and better Wi‑Fi, but it falls short on screen resolution, internal upgrade flexibility, and price‑to‑performance when a higher‑resolution or more powerful GPU is required.