21.5-Inch iMac Currently Unavailable to Order With Upgraded 512GB or 1TB SSD - MacRumors
Skip to Content

21.5-Inch iMac Currently Unavailable to Order With Upgraded 512GB or 1TB SSD

For the past few days, the 21.5-inch 4K iMac with either 512GB or 1TB of SSD storage configuration has been unavailable for order on Apple's website. Other configurations, such as the lowest-end 256GB SSD option or 1TB Fusion Drive storage option remain available, however.

Screen Shot 2021 02 25 at 7

While there are rumors of an updated ‌iMac‌ launching this year, the current lack of availability for the higher-end storage options is likely due to a component shortage rather than a sign of an imminent launch. Both the 512GB and 1TB SSD storage options are popular upgrade items as well, which makes for a significant inconvenience for buyers looking to purchase an ‌iMac‌ right now.

Timing for a launch of the redesigned ‌iMac‌ remains unclear, so we'll have to hold tight to see whether we get an update or Apple's component shortage is resolved for the current models. It's quite rare for Mac configurations to be completely unavailable for ordering, with Apple usually just pushing shipping estimates out significantly in cases of component shortages or stock drawdowns ahead of updates.

Related Roundup: iMac
Buyer's Guide: iMac (Don't Buy)
Related Forum: iMac

Popular Stories

Apple iMac M4 hero feature

Apple's Next Big iMac Upgrade Revealed

Tuesday April 14, 2026 8:48 am PDT by
Apple's next major iMac upgrade will be an OLED panel, according to ZDNet Korea, though it won't arrive until 2029 or 2030. Apple has apparently asked Samsung Display, LG Display, and other suppliers to produce 24-inch OLED panel samples on their mass-production lines, targeting 600 nits of brightness and around 218 pixels-per-inch (PPI). The current iMac's 24-inch LCD offers 500 nits at the ...
imac new purple

Major iMac Upgrade Coming in 2029

Tuesday April 28, 2026 5:46 am PDT by
Apple is planning a major upgrade to the iMac in 2029, adopting an OLED panel for the first time, according to ZDNet Korea. Apple has apparently asked Samsung Display, LG Display, and other suppliers to produce 24-inch OLED panel samples on their mass-production lines, targeting 600 nits of brightness and around 218 pixels-per-inch (PPI). The current iMac's 24-inch LCD offers 500 nits at the ...
Apple Event Logo

Apple Just Released a New Accessory

Monday May 4, 2026 8:13 am PDT by
Apple today released a new Pride Edition Sport Loop for the Apple Watch. The band features a rainbow design with 11 colors of woven nylon yarns. The new Pride Edition Sport Loop is available to order now on Apple.com and in the Apple Store app in 40mm, 42mm, and 46mm sizes, and it will be available at Apple Store locations starting later this week. In the U.S., the band costs $49. There...

Top Rated Comments

carrrrrlos Avatar
68 months ago
If only one could buy the base model and upgrade the storage themselves.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jz0309 Avatar
68 months ago
there is a semiconductor shortage that affects a lot of industries, eg automotive and also gaming consoles ...
so it's a component shortage imho ...
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
68 months ago
Please please please please please please please please please please please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I need an iMac. I love my iPad Pro, but it’s just not cutting it. And my 2016 MacBook Pro had to go, because it took like 3 1/2 minutes just to login and get the thing started.
so I refuse to buy the iMac 21.5 inch that was last updated almost 2 years ago, and is using years old Intel processors.
So please, keep the same design if you have to, and just stick a regular M1 in there for now, but I just need some kind of upgrade.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
68 months ago

Get a Mac Mini and a screen instead.
well let’s see.
The Mac mini would probably end up being about $1000 once I factor in upgrades and taxes.
then I don’t have an Apple keyboard, or any keyboard at all, so that’s about another 130 bucks.
The magic trackpad is another 130 bucks.
A nice set of speakers is probably another hundred dollars.
A nice Display is probably another thousand dollars or so.
Before you know it, I’m close to $2500, with a messy and complicated set up, with Limited I/O.
webcam is another $100.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
LeeTom Avatar
68 months ago
I know three people ready to buy iMacs once they move over to Apple Silicon... c'monnnnn Apple do your thing...
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mr. Dee Avatar
68 months ago
I was at Best Buy today and checked out the iMac 27 inch and was really considering as a potential backup to prolong my x86 legacy VMs and a larger screen Mac for watching videos. But gosh those bezels were too much on top of that chin; such a distraction! It’s a really dated design and Big Sur really shows it. Apple needs to go 32 inch XDR design or bust.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)