The iMac "Core i7" 3.2 21.5-Inch Aluminum (Retina 4K, 2019/Coffee Lake) technically is a "configure-to-order" configuration of the iMac "Core i3" 3.6 21.5-Inch (4K, Early 2019) or iMac "Core i5" 3.0 21.5-Inch (4K, Early 2019), but also is documented as a separate model for reader convenience. Other than processor (and the corresponding level 3 cache), this model can be configured identically to its standard issue brethren.

The iMac "Core i7" 3.2 21.5-Inch Aluminum (Retina 4K, Early 2019/Coffee Lake) features a 14-nm "Coffee Lake" 3.2 GHz Intel "Core i7" processor (I7-8700) with six independent processor "cores" on a single chip, a 12 MB shared level 3 cache, 8 GB of 2666 MHz DDR4 SDRAM that is reportedly "built into the computer" -- but it actually can be upgraded later, it is just needlessly difficult -- a default 1 TB 5400 RM hard drive or 1 TB Fusion Drive (default 256 GB SSD starting on August 4, 2020), and a Radeon Pro 555X or Radeon Pro 560X graphics processor with 2 GB or 4 GB of dedicated GDDR5 video memory, respectively. It also has a built-in "FaceTime HD" webcam and stereo speakers.

This model has a 21.5" 4096x2304 LED-backlit 16:9 widescreen IPS DCI-P3 "Retina 4K" display (that runs "pixel doubled" to look like 2048x1152). The rear of the case is aluminum and is thicker in the middle and tapers to a razor thin 5 mm at the edges.

Connectivity includes four USB 3.0 ports, dual Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports, Gigabit Ethernet, 802.11ac Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth 4.2. It does not have a T2 chip.

Compared to its predecessor, this model is very similar externally and internally, but it has a more advanced processor and architecture as well as graphics processor.

By default, the "2019" iMac models ship with a compact aluminum Apple Magic Keyboard and the multi-touch "Magic Mouse 2". For an additional US$30, you can upgrade from the default keyboard to the "Magic Keyboard with Numeric Keypad" and for an additional US$50, you also can upgrade from the Magic Mouse 2 to the "Magic Trackpad 2," which provides multi-touch and pressure-sensitive "Force Touch" capabilities.