Hosting and bandwidth provided by MacAce.net.




Apple iMac "Core i3" 3.1 21.5-Inch (Late 2011) Specs

Identifiers: Late 2011 (Edu) - MC978LL/A - iMac12,1 - A1311 - 2496

All iMac Models | All 2011 Models | Dynamically Compare This Mac to Others

Distribute This Page: Bookmark & Share | Download: PDF Manual


Apple iMac Intel AluminumQuietly introduced without a press release, the iMac "Core i3" 3.1 21.5-Inch Aluminum (Late 2011/Education Only) -- which only was available for sale originally to educational institutions -- is powered by a Dual Core 3.1 GHz Intel "Core i3" I3-2100 (Sandy Bridge) processor with a dedicated 256k level 2 cache for each core and a 3 MB shared level 3 cache. In lieu of a system bus, it has a "Direct Media Interface" (DMI) that "connects between the processor and chipset" at 5 GT/s.

By default, it is configured with 2 GB of RAM (1333 MHz PC3-10600 DDR3 SDRAM), a 250 GB hard drive, a vertically-mounted slot-loading DVD±R DL "SuperDrive", and AMD Radeon HD 6750M graphics with 256 MB of dedicated GDDR5 memory.

It also has a built-in "FaceTime HD" video camera and built-in stereo speakers underneath the 21.5" glossy 16:9 LED-backlit TFT Active Matrix LCD (1920x1080 native) display "with IPS technology".

Connectivity includes four USB 2.0 ports, a Firewire "800" port, built-in 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi, Gigabit Ethernet, and an SDXC card slot as well as a single Mini DisplayPort. It does not support internal Bluetooth.

Externally, the "Late 2011" iMac uses the same "edge-to-edge" glass design and "seamless all aluminum enclosure" as the "Mid-2011" models. Internally, however, the education-only "Late 2011" iMac is equipped with a slower processor with half the number of cores, less standard RAM (and lower maximum RAM capacity), less VRAM, a smaller hard drive as well as no support for Thunderbolt or internal Bluetooth. It also shipped with a less capable Apple Mouse.

Also see:

  • What are all the differences between the education-only "Late 2011" Aluminum iMac and the regular "Mid-2011" iMac models?

Buy This Mac or Trade-in Yours at site sponsor PowerMax. No sales tax.

Sell This Mac for fast cash at site sponsor BuyBackWorld. Instant quote & more.

Upgrade This Mac at site sponsor Other World Computing. Memory, drives & more.



  • Tech Specs
  • Ports
  • Global Original Prices
  • Popular Q&As

Click on the category for related details. The most commonly needed info is "open" by default, but all info is important.


August 8, 2011 March 5, 2013
Details: The "Introduction Date" typically refers to the date a model was introduced via press release, although no press release was issued for this model. The "Discontinued Date" refers to the date a model either was replaced by a subsequent system or production otherwise ended.

Also see: All Macs introduced in 2011.
1 (2 Cores) 64-Bit
Details: Also see: All models with a 64-Bit processor courtesy of EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Sort.
6665 7211
Details: Geekbench 2 benchmarks are in 32-bit and 64-bit modes, respectively. These numbers reflect an average of user provided 32-bit and 64-bit results as submitted to the Geekbench website. Higher numbers are better.

You also might be interested in reviewing all 32-bit and 64-bit Geekbench 2 user submissions for Macs with the iMac12,1 Model Identifier, which may include multiple models.

To dynamically compare Geekbench 2 results from different Macs side-by-side, see EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Comparison.
2239 4680
Details: These Geekbench 3 benchmarks are in 32-bit mode and are for a single processor core and all processor cores, respectively. Both numbers reflect an average of user provided results as submitted to the Geekbench website. Higher numbers are better.

You also might be interested in reviewing all 32-bit single core and multicore Geekbench 3 user submissions for Macs with the iMac12,1 Model Identifier, which may include multiple models.

To dynamically compare 32-bit Geekbench 3 results from different Macs side-by-side, see EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Comparison.
2408 5119
Details: These Geekbench 3 benchmarks are in 64-bit mode and are for a single processor core and all processor cores, respectively. Both numbers reflect an average of user provided results as submitted to the Geekbench website. Higher numbers are better.

You also might be interested in reviewing all 64-bit single core and multicore Geekbench 3 user submissions for Macs with the iMac12,1 Model Identifier, which may include multiple models.

To dynamically compare 64-bit Geekbench 3 results from different Macs side-by-side, see EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Comparison.
3.1 GHz Core i3 (I3-2100)
Details: This model is powered by a 32 nm, 64-bit Intel Core i3 "Sandy Bridge" processor with dual cores (two independent processor cores on a single silicon chip, each with two threads). Each core has a dedicated 256k level 2 cache and both processor cores share a single 3 MB level 3 cache. It does not support Turbo Boost.
N/A N/A
Details: N/A
LGA 1155 (Socket H2)* Integrated
Details: *Officially, Apple provides no information about whether or not the processor in this model can be upgraded and the company does not intend for one to upgrade the processor either. However, this processor supports an LGA 1155 (H2) socket and it is likely to be possible to upgrade the processor to some extent.

Also see: Is it possible to upgrade the processor in the Aluminum iMac models?
5 GT/s* 3.1 GHz (Built-in)
Details: *This system has a "Direct Media Interface" (DMI) that "connects between the processor and chipset" in lieu of a traditional system bus. Intel reports that it runs at 5 GT/s.
EFI 64-Bit
Details: N/A
32k/32k 256k (x 2), 3 MB
Details: Each core has its own dedicated 256k level 2 cache and the system has 3 MB of shared level 3 cache.
PC3-10600 DDR3 1333 MHz
Details: Supports 1333 MHz PC3-10600 DDR3 SO-DIMMs (204-pin).

Also see: How do you upgrade the RAM in this Aluminum iMac model? How much RAM does it actually support?
2 GB 16 GB*
Details: By default, 2 GB of RAM is installed as one 2 GB SO-DIMM module.

*This model officially supports 8 GB of RAM, but third-parties have discovered that it actually supports 16 GB of RAM.

In the US (and many other countries), site sponsor Other World Computing sells memory -- as well as other upgrades -- for this iMac.

In the UK, site sponsor Flexx sells memory and other upgrades for this iMac.

In Australia, site sponsor RamCity sells memory and other upgrades for this iMac.

In Southeast Asia, site sponsor SimplyMac.sg sells memory and other upgrades for this iMac.

Also see: Actual Max RAM of All G3 & Later Macs.
None 4
Details: N/A
Radeon HD 6750M GDDR5
Details: This model has an AMD Radeon HD 6750M graphics processor with 256 MB of dedicated GDDR5 memory.

Also see: What type of video processor is provided by the Aluminum iMac systems? Is it upgradable?
256 MB 256 MB
Details: This model has 256 MB of dedicated GDDR5 video memory.
21.5" 16:9 Widescreen 1920x1080
Details: This model has a 21.5" glossy LED-backlit 16:9 widescreen TFT active matrix display with "IPS technology" and a native resolution of 1920x1080. Apple also reports a viewing angle of 178 degrees horizontal and 178 degrees vertical. The contrast ratio is 1000:1.
Dual/Mirroring 2560x1600
Details: Apple reports that this model simultaneously supports the native resolution of the built-in display and up-to a 30-inch external display (2560x1600).
250 GB Serial ATA (6 Gb/s*)
Details: *This model has one 6 Gb/s SATA connection for a hard drive or SSD. It does not support a second 2.5" SSD in addition to the standard hard drive.

Also see: How do you upgrade the hard drive in the "Late 2011" Aluminum iMac models? What type of storage do they support? Is it even possible to upgrade these models?

In the US (and many other countries), site sponsor Other World Computing sells storage upgrades for this iMac.

In Australia, site sponsor RamCity sells storage upgrades for this iMac.
8X DL "SuperDrive" None
Details: Apple reports that the slot-loading 8X "SuperDrive" with 4X double-layer burning (DVD+R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW) "writes DVD+R DL discs at up to 4x speed, writes DVD-R and DVD+R discs at up to 8x speed, writes DVD-RW at up to 6x and DVD+RW discs at up to 8x speed, reads DVDs at up to 8x speed, writes CD-R discs at up to 24x speed, writes CD-RW discs at up to 16x speed, [and] reads CDs at up to 24x speed."
None 10/100/1000Base-T
Details: N/A
802.11a/b/g/n None
Details: 802.11a/b/g/n wireless networking supported. It does not support internal Bluetooth.
4 (2.0) 1 (800)
Details: Four USB 2.0 ports and one Firewire "800" port (7 watts).
SDXC SD Card None
Details: In the US (and many other countries), site sponsor Other World Computing sells a wide variety of external expansion options and hand-picked accessories like external storage, stands, keyboards, cables, adapters, speakers, and more for this iMac.

In Australia, site sponsor Macfixit offers an extensive selection of external expansion options and accessories like docks, stands, chargers, keyboards, security products, and more for this iMac.
Apple Keyboard Apple Mouse
Details: This model shipped with a small aluminum "ultrathin, compact wired keyboard" (no numeric keypad) and an Apple Mouse.

Also see: How does the "ultra thin" keyboard provided with the "Aluminum" iMac models compare to a more traditional desktop keyboard? How does it feel?
All-in-One iMac (Late 2009)
Details: The external case used by the "Late 2011" iMac essentially is identical to the one first introduced by the "Late 2009" line with "edge-to-edge glass" for the display and a "seamless all aluminum enclosure."
MC978LL/A Late 2011 (Edu)
Details: The Apple order number should be unique to this system.
A1311 (EMC 2496) iMac12,1
Details: Please note that these identifiers often refer to more than one model.

Also see: All Macs with the A1311 Model Number, the 2496 EMC Number, and the iMac12,1 Model Identifier.

For more about these identifiers and how to locate them on each Mac, please refer to EveryMac.com's Mac Identification section.
N/A N/A
Details: N/A
X 10.7.2 (11C40) Current*
Details: *This system fully supports the last version of OS X 10.8 "Mountain Lion", OS X 10.9 "Mavericks", and OS X 10.11 "Yosemite" except for Power Nap functionality. It also supports the last version of OS X 10.11 "El Capitan" -- including Mac-to-Mac AirDrop and AirPlay Mirroring capability -- but no other advanced features are supported including Metal graphics acceleration. It is capable of running macOS Sierra (10.12) as well, although it does not support the Universal Clipboard, Auto Unlock, or Apple Pay features.

Also see: Which Macs are compatible with macOS Sierra (10.12)? What are the system requirements? Which Macs support which features?
7 (32-Bit)* 8.1 (64-Bit)*
Details: *Apple's Boot Camp 4 supports the 32-bit version of Windows 7 on this model and Boot Camp 5 supports the 64-bit versions of Windows 7 and Windows 8. Earlier versions of Windows are not supported.

Although Apple does not support Windows 10 via Boot Camp 5 (officially or otherwise), this system meets Microsoft's hardware requirements and it very well may be possible to boot Windows 10 on this Mac. If you have installed Windows 10 on this system (successfully or unsuccessfully), please share the results of your experiment. Thank you.
None Boot/Virtualization
Details: Also see: Are there any third-party programs to run Mac OS 9/Classic applications on Intel Macs?

Site sponsor OHS specializes in heavily upgraded Macs capable of running both Mac OS X and Mac OS 9 applications.

For more on running Windows on Intel Macs, please refer to the exhaustive Windows on Mac Q&A.
17.75 x 20.8 x 7.42 20.5 lbs. (9.3 kg)
Details: In inches - height by width by depth, (45.1 cm, 52.8 cm, 18.85 cm).
US$999 US$850-US$950
Details: Please note that on average the estimated current retail pricing of used systems is updated twice a year (please refer to the date on the bottom of the page for the date last updated).

Photo Credit: Apple, Inc.


Click on a category for additional details. The most commonly needed info is "open" by default, but all info is important. The icons correspond with the icons for each port on the computer.


1 (Mini DisplayPort w/ Audio*) None
Details: Supports external display in dual display and mirroring modes. Mini DisplayPort also supports DVI, VGA, and dual-link DVI with optional adapters.

*Note that the Mini DisplayPort on this system passes audio signals as well as video.
None None
Details: N/A
None None
Details: N/A
4 (2.0) 1 (800)
Details: Four USB 2.0 ports and one Firewire "800" port (7 watts).
None 1 (RJ-45)
Details: No internal modem. Gigabit Ethernet and 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi standard. This model does not support internal Bluetooth.
None None
Details: N/A
1 (Built-in) 1
Details: Single "audio line in" port.
1 1
Details: Single "audio line out" port also can be used for headphones.
1 None
Details: N/A
1 None
Details: 100V-240V, 205W maximum.

Global original prices for the iMac "Core i3" 3.1 21.5-Inch (Late 2011) in 34 different countries and territories follow; organized alphabetically by region.

For global original prices for Intel Macs in one particular country on a single page, please refer to EveryMac.com's Global Original Prices section.

Original Prices - North & South America

N/A N/A
N/A US$999

Original Prices - Europe

N/A N/A
N/A N/A
N/A N/A
N/A N/A
N/A N/A
N/A N/A
N/A N/A
N/A N/A

Original Prices - Asia

N/A N/A
N/A N/A
N/A N/A
N/A N/A
N/A N/A
N/A N/A

Original Prices - Australia & New Zealand

N/A N/A

If you have additional original prices for this model, please get in touch. Thank you.


Ten of the most popular Q&As about the iMac models follow.


Permalink | E-mail a Friend | Bookmark & Share | Report an Error/Typo

Suggest an Addition | Sign Up for Bimonthly Site Update Notices



<< iMac (Home) | Also see: iMac FAQ




EveryMac.com is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind whatsoever. EveryMac.com, and the author thereof, shall not be held responsible or liable, under any circumstances, for any damages resulting from the use or inability to use the information within. For complete disclaimer and copyright information please read and understand the Terms of Use and the Privacy Policy before using EveryMac.com. Use of any content or images without expressed permission is not allowed, although links to any page are welcomed and appreciated.