iMac 2.93GHz Intel Core 2 Duo 24-inch (Al)

Table 1: iMac 2.93GHz Intel Core 2 Duo 24-inch (MB419LL/A) Early 2009
Quick Facts 24-inch iMac Intel Al
Introduced March 3, 2009
Discontinued October 20, 2009
Part Number MB419LL/A
Processor 2.93GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
L2 Cache 6MB shared
Frontside Bus 1066MHz
Memory 4GB 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM
Hard drive 640GB Serial ATA, 7200 rpm
Optical drive 8x SuperDrive with 4x double-layer burning
Original Price $1,799 USD
View other iMacs in this series or return to The history of the iMac

Aluminum | 2.93GHz Intel | 24-inch

This is the middle 24-inch model of the Early 2009 iMac series. The four models in the series represent the third refresh of the aluminum iMac. It has been 309 days since the previous Early 2008 iMac arrived.

The new Mac Pro, announced on the same day, is powered by the Intel “Nehalem” Xeon processor but the iMac will have to make due with faster Intel Core 2 Duo processors for now.

Apple has dropped default ATI graphics for Nvidia graphics and chipsets. The last default Nvidia graphics were the original G5 iMac “Chin” models from August 31, 2004.

The 24-inch glossy widescreen TFT active-matrix LCD displays 1920 by 1200 pixels using a Nvidea GeForce GT 120 with 256MB of GDDR3 memory. There is a configure-to-order option for the Nvidea GeForce GT 130 or ATI Radeon HD 4850 with 512MB of GDDR3 Memory.

The 6MB L2 cache, 1066MHz frontside bus and 8x SuperDrive with 4x double-layer burning remains the same as the previous iMac series and all three 24-inch models in this series include 4GB memory (two 2GB SO-DIMMs) with support for up to 8GB of 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM.

The standard hard drive size is 640GB with an optional upgrade to 1TB available. An optional VESA mount adapter kit is also available for the 24-inch models.

Each model also includes a built-in iSight camera, Mini DisplayPort output with support for DVI, dual-link DVI, VGA video connections via adapter, one FireWire 800 port and six USB 2.0 ports (counting the two on the wired keyboard). All models also include built-in stereo speakers with 24-watt digital amplifier, built-in microphone, optical digital audio output/headphone out and optical digital audio input/output.

Wireless connectivity is provided with built-in with AirPort Extreme Wi-Fi (802.11n), Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR (Enhanced Data Rate) and IR receiver – and 10/100/1000BASE-T Gigabit Ethernet (RJ-45 connector) is also included.

The default keyboard is now the new compact, wired keyboard (sans the number pad) but buyers may still opt for the full size, if they prefer. The mismatched white Mighty Mouse is still included.

Mac OS X v10.5 Leopard and iLife ‘09 are installed, along with the usual plethora of Apple goodies and tools. Some of the included applications are iTunes, iPhoto, iMovie, iDVD, iWeb, GarageBand, Mail, iChat, Safari, Address Book, QuickTime, iCal, DVD Player, Photo Booth, Front Row and Xcode Developer Tools.

The iMac is rated EPEAT Gold and meets Energy Star 5.0 requirements, including arsenic-free display glass and highly recyclable aluminum and glass enclosures.

Besides this 24-inch 2.93GHz model, there is a 20-inch 2.66GHz iMac base model, the slightly slower clocked 24-inch 2.66GHz iMac and the high-end 3.06GHz iMac.

distinguishing features

Aluminum case with flush glass display and matching aluminum keyboard.

system software

Mac OS X v10.5.6 Leopard

etymology

[1] iMac: From Internet + Mac

[2] The “i” in iMac originally stood for Internet but eventually developed into a marketing symbol for a wide range of Apple products.

[3] The “Al” or “AL” often seen appended to models in this series denotes the aluminum case.

design

iMac 2009 Aluminum front

iMac 2009 Aluminum rear

Photo credit: Apple


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