22 MACWORLD JUNE 2019
MACUSER REVIEW: 21.5-INCH IMAC RETINA 4KiMac with a 3.0GHz Core i5 processor. The
standard configuration of this iMac (go.
macworld.com/21in) is priced at $1,499 but
the model reviewed here has the graphics
card upgraded to the Radeon Pro Vega
20, which adds $350 to the price.
FASTER CPU, GRAPHICS,
AND RAM
Two of the 2019 21.5-inch iMacs are built
around Intel’s eighth-generation Core
processor, while the entry-level $1,099
iMac still uses a seventh-generation CPU.
Our review unit has a 3.0GHz Core i5
processor with six cores and Turbo Boost
support up to 4.1GHz. This is actually the
first 21.5-inch iMac model to sport a six-
core CPU. Previous 21.5-inch iMacs had
quad-core processors, and the model a
step below our review unit, the new $1,299
21.5-inch iMac, is still a quad-core
computer. The two additional processing
cores will benefit anyone who works in
apps that use multi-core processing—
usually creative professionals that use
high-end video, audio, and imaging
software, but many other professional-
level apps, as well.
If you’re one of those pros eying this
iMac, you’re probably interested in the
graphics card upgrade from the standard
4GB Radeon Pro 560X to the 4GB Radeon
Pro Vega 20. As for external display
support, the iMac can handle a single 5K
display, or a two 4K displays.
Apple decided to use faster RAM in the