| Quick Facts | 24-inch iMac Intel Al |
|---|---|
| Introduced | March 3, 2009 |
| Discontinued | October 20, 2009 |
| Part Number | MB420LL/A |
| Processor | 3.06GHz Intel Core 2 Duo |
| L2 Cache | 6MB shared |
| Frontside Bus | 1066MHz |
| Memory | 4GB 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM |
| Hard drive | 1TB Serial ATA, 7200 rpm |
| Optical drive | 8x SuperDrive with 4x double-layer burning |
| Original Price | $2,199 USD |
Aluminum | 3.06GHz Intel | 24-inch
This is the flagship model of the Early 2009 iMac series. This series is the third refresh of the aluminum iMac and it comes 309 days since the previous Early 2008 iMac update.
The new Mac Pro, announced on the same day, is powered by the Intel “Nehalem” Xeon processor but even this top-of-the-line iMac will have to make due with faster Intel Core 2 Duo processors instead of Intel Core i7 for now.
Apple has dropped default graphics by ATI for Nvidia graphics and chipsets. The last default Nvidia graphics in the iMac were the original G5 iMac “Chin” models, which debuted back on August 31, 2004.
The 24-inch glossy widescreen TFT active-matrix LCD displays 1920 by 1200 pixels using a Nvidea GeForce GT 130 with 512MB of GDDR3 memory. There is a configure-to-order option for the ATI Radeon HD 4850 with 512MB GDDR3 of Memory. An optional VESA mount adapter kit is available for the 24-inch models.
The 6MB L2 cache, 1066MHz frontside bus and 8x SuperDrive with 4x double-layer burning remains the same as the previous iMac series. 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. Being the high-end model, it comes standard with a whopping 1TB hard drive.
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 that comes without a number pad. Buyers may still opt for the full size with the number pad, if they prefer. The mismatched white Mighty Mouse is still with us.
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 3.06GHz model, there is a 20-inch 2.66GHz iMac base model and two other 24-inch models — the 2.66GHz iMac and 2.93GHz 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
Photo credit: Apple
