The iMac "Core i7" 3.1 21.5-Inch Aluminum (Late 2013) technically is a "configure-to-order" configuration of the iMac "Core i5" 2.9 21.5-Inch Aluminum (Late 2013), but also is documented as a separate model for reader convenience. Other than processor (and the corresponding level 3 cache), these two models are identical.

The iMac "Core i7" 3.1 21.5-Inch Aluminum (Late 2013/Haswell) features a 22 nm "Haswell" Quad Core 3.1 GHz Intel "Core i7" (4770S) processor with four independent processor cores on a single chip, an 8 MB shared level 3 cache, 8 GB of 1600 MHz DDR3 SDRAM (which is not intended to be upgraded after purchase), a 1 TB (5400 RPM) hard drive, and a NVIDIA GeForce GT 750M graphics processor with 1 GB of dedicated GDDR5 memory. It also has a built-in "FaceTime HD" webcam and stereo speakers, but lacks an optical drive.

This model has a 21.5" 1920x1080 LED-backlit 16:9 widescreen IPS display with the "cover glass fully laminated to the LCD and anti-reflective coating." 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 ports, Gigabit Ethernet, 802.11ac Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n compatible), and Bluetooth 4.0.

Compared to its predecessor, this model essentially has the same external enclosure, but it has a much more efficient "Fourth Generation" processor and architecture, as well as faster graphics, faster Wi-Fi, and the option of faster storage.

The "Late 2013" iMac models shipped with a compact aluminum Apple Wireless Keyboard and the choice of either a multi-touch "Magic Mouse," a multi-touch "Magic Trackpad," or a traditional wired Apple mouse.