target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="#ulink_b7748dd9-3d2a-5c8b-a85b-151fd014ca6f">FIGURE 1-2: Only slightly less sexy — it’s the back end of a standard Intel iMac.
Each of these stellar holes is identified by an icon. Here’s a list of what you’ll find as well as a quick rundown on what these ports do:
USB: Short for Universal Serial Bus, the familiar USB port is the jack-of-all-trades in today’s world of computer add-ons. Most external devices (such as portable drives, scanners, and digital cameras) that you want to connect to your iMac use a USB port. Both current Intel iMac models sport four USB 3.0 ports on the back, and the M1 iMac can be ordered with two USB 3.0 ports if you desire. USB 3.0 connections are much faster than the old USB 2.0 standard, but you can still use your USB 2.0 devices with the faster ports (at the slower speed, of course).For the specs on connecting your keyboard and mouse, see the upcoming section “Absolutely essential connections.” For more on USB ports, get the lowdown in Chapter 21.
Ethernet: The standard iMac includes a standard 10/100/1000 (1Gb) Ethernet port, so it’s ready to join your existing wired Ethernet network. (Alternatively, you can go wireless for your network connection; find more on that in the next section and in Chapter 11.) On the iMac Pro side, hold onto your hat: The Pro also supports 2.5GB, 5GB and even an amazing 10GB Ethernet connection! (Apple knows that professionals are more likely to use a superfast network between computers.)
Thunderbolt 3: Yes, I know, it’s a dumb name, but it really is that fast. Thunderbolt 3 (also called USB-C) ports offer the absolute speediest connection between external devices and your iMac, including the fastest (and most expensive) external drives and storage systems. Thunderbolt 3’s appeal doesn’t end there, though: In case that splendid screen isn’t quite big enough, you can add an adapter or cable to this port and send the video signal from your iMac to an Apple Thunderbolt monitor, a standard LCD/LED monitor, or a flat-screen TV. (Apple also offers different adapters that can connect your iMac to standard VGA monitors and projectors.) All current iMac models sport two Thunderbolt 3 ports.
Connections for external audio
Important hidden stuff
When you bought your new digital pride and joy, you probably noticed a number of subtle differences between the standard 21.5″ iMac, the 27″ iMac, and the faster top-end 24″ M1 iMac. I call these differences the Important Hidden Stuff (or IHS, in case you prefer acronyms), and they’re just as important as the parts and ports that you can see:
Internal drive: The current iMac can be equipped with flash storage (also called a solid-state drive, or SSD). Apple also offers a Fusion Drive, which is essentially a combination of a traditional magnetic drive and flash storage (offering the larger capacity of a magnetic drive and the improved performance of flash storage). As I type these words, the iMac product line offers several different storage capacities, depending on the processor speed and screen size you choose: anywhere from a standard 256GB solid-state drive to an immense 8TB SSD. (Yes, friends and neighbors, TB means terabyte, or 1,000GB.) The bigger, the better. (Remember, though, that the iMac has room for only one internal drive.)
Wireless Ethernet: “Look, Ma, no wires!” As I mention earlier, your iMac can join an existing wireless Ethernet network with its built-in wireless hardware. With wireless connectivity, you can share documents with another computer in another room, share a single high-speed Internet connection among several computers, or enjoy wireless printing. Truly sassy! You can use your iMac with any standard 802.11g, 802.11n, or 802.11ac wireless network. (The M1 iMac adds support for 802.11ax as well.) And yes, PCs and Macs can intermingle on the same wireless network without a hitch. (Scandalous, ain’t it?) Apple’s AirPort wireless devices have been discontinued, however, so you’ll have to do some searching online to locate an Apple wireless network device.
Bluetooth: Let’s get the old “digital pirate” joke out of the way: “Arrgh, matey, I needs me a wireless parrot.” (Engineers again … sheesh.) Although strangely named, Bluetooth is actually another form of wireless connectivity. This time, however, the standard was designed for accessories like your keyboard and mouse, and devices like your tablet and smartphone. Bluetooth is built into every iMac.
SDXC card slot: As I mention earlier, this slot allows your Intel iMac to read photos and video directly from standard SD memory cards. Photographers and video fans, rejoice!
FaceTime HD camera: The iMac built-in video and still camera appears as a tiny lens and activity light at the top of your computer.
Video card: You’ll be pleased as punch to find that your Intel iMac comes equipped with either Intel Iris Plus or fast AMD Radeon Pro graphics hardware. The AMD Radeon Pro cards are well suited for entry-level 3D applications, and … well, honestly, blasting the enemy into small, smoking pieces with aplomb. On the Apple Silicon side, proud owners of M1 iMac models can choose from either a 7-core or 8-core graphics system, offering blazing speed (the 8-core version offers significantly faster performance). Both built-in M1 graphics platforms are worthy of Hollywood-quality video editing and the most demanding 3D applications.
Choosing a Home for Your New Pet
If you pick the wrong spot to park your new iMac, I can guarantee that you’ll regret it later. Some domiciles and office cubicles obviously don’t offer a choice — you’ve got but one desk at work, for example, and nobody’s going to hand over another one — but if you can select a home for your iMac, consider the important placement points in this section.
Picking the right location
You know the mantra: Location, location, location.
There’s always the wall. Your Intel iMac Pro (or a specially-ordered M1 iMac) can disguise itself as a particularly interesting digital picture frame. With the right mounting adapter, you can hang your computer right on the wall and snub your desk altogether. This wall-mounted solution has three big problems:Your VESA mounting plate must be installed safely and correctly (for example, using the studs within your walls).The iMac is slim and trim, but it’s no lightweight, and it doesn’t bounce well. You don’t want it to take a high dive!You may have to remove your iMac from the wall mount to connect or disconnect cables from the ports on the back.External peripherals aren’t happy campers with a wall-mounted iMac — that includes Thunderbolt and USB devices, which must either sit on the floor or on a nearby (and conspicuous) shelf. (Personally, I think the cables for external devices tend to spoil the appearance of a wall-mounted computer, so if you’re using a wall mount, I recommend using a wireless Apple Time Capsule device for your backups!) Your M1 iMac or iMac Pro must
