The latest version of the 21.5-inch iMac, now sporting a new 4K-capable Retina display, has been
torn down by repair tool sellers iFixit and given an expected low score for repairability (1 out of 10) due to Apple's production techniques on the line. The examination revealed little in the way of new information, confirming that the new custom Retina-quality panel was made by LG and that the design of the Wi-Fi antenna had been secured and changed slightly.
The new consumer-oriented iMac also features a revised 1TB Fusion Drive that uses a smaller-capacity SSD component -- 24GB instead of 128GB as found on the larger 2TB and 3TB Fusion Drive options -- though this is not expected to materially impact real-world use for most users. As with the non-Retina 21.5-inch model still being offered, the display is fused to the glass panel, which complicates removal, and the CPU and RAM are still soldered on to the logic board, making upgrades to either impossible post-purchase.
Interestingly, Apple has recently focused on ways to allow both its own OS X operating system and apps to make better use of available RAM or to use less of it, making the non-upgradability of the RAM less of an issue than it has been in the past. That said, customers buying any Mac model with non-upgradeable RAM are well-advised to order it with as much as they can afford or believe they will need during its useful lifespan due to this limitation.
The iFixit team found that the antenna cables for Wi-Fi are now secured to the AirPort card with cable clamps, and that the RAM for the unit was made by Samsung. While the company gave the new iMac a low repairability rating, the recent iMacs and other low-repairability models are also marked by a sharp drop in the likelihood of needing a repair compared to models from a few years ago, barring user abuse or part defect.
Geekbench testing has shown that the latest 21.5-inch iMac is about 10 percent faster overall than its predecessor.
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