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Aluminum iMac Q&A - Revised May 3, 2008

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What are the differences between the original "Aluminum" iMac Core 2 Duo models?

Please note that all models mentioned in this Q&A have been discontinued. The "Aluminum" iMac Core 2 Duo systems were replaced by the "Early 2008/Penryn Aluminum" iMac Core 2 Duo line on April 28, 2008.

The original "Aluminum" iMac Core 2 Duo models feature "elegant" aluminum cases and have a glass cover that "joins precisely to the aluminum enclosure creating a virtually seamless front surface" -- compared to white plastic cases used by the models these replaced -- but with a similar overall design aesthetic with the entire computer tucked discreetly behind the flat-panel display.

Photo Credit: Apple, Inc.

All the original "Aluminum" iMac Core 2 Duo models -- the iMac "Core 2 Duo" 2.0 20-Inch (Al), "Core 2 Duo" 2.4 20-Inch (Al), "Core 2 Duo" 2.4 24-Inch (Al), and "Core 2 Extreme" 2.8 24-Inch (Al) -- have glossy displays, Intel "Core 2 Duo" or "Core 2 Extreme" processors -- with two independent processor "cores" on a single silicon chip and a 4 MB shared level 2 cache -- an 800 MHz system bus, and support for 4 GB of 667 MHz PC2-5300 DDR SDRAM.

These systems also share vertically mounted slot-loading DVD+R DL "SuperDrives," built-in iSight video cameras, three USB 2.0 ports, a Firewire "400" port, and a Firewire "800" port, built-in AirPort Extreme (802.11n), Bluetooth 2.0+EDR, and Gigabit Ethernet, as well as mini-DVI. Each system has a 7200 RPM hard drive as well.

Additionally, the "Aluminum" systems are paired with a "new ultra-thin aluminum" Apple Keyboard (0.33 inches at the front edge) based on the polarizing keyboard design introduced with the MacBook.

All differences between the standard configurations of the systems are summarized in this handy chart:

iMac Core 2 Duo (Al) 2.0 20" 2.4 20" 2.4 24" 2.8 24"
Intel Processor: T7300 T7700 T7700† X7900
Processor Speed: 2.0 GHz 2.4 GHz 2.4 GHz† 2.8 GHz
Hard Drive Size: 250 GB 320 GB 320 GB 500 GB
Standard RAM: 1 GB* 1 GB* 1 GB* 2 GB
Video System: HD 2400 XT HD 2600 PRO HD 2600 PRO HD 2600 PRO
Video Type: GDDR3 GDDR3 GDDR3 GDDR3
Video Memory: 128 MB 256 MB 256 MB 256 MB
Optical Drive: DVD+R DL DVD+R DL DVD+R DL DVD+R DL
Display Size: 20-Inch 20-Inch 24-Inch 24-Inch
Native Resolution: 1680x1050 1680x1050 1920x1200 1920x1200
Apple Model No: MA876LL MA877LL MA878LL N/A
Price: US$1199 US$1499 US$1799 US$2299

† A 2.8 GHz "Core 2 Extreme" processor was also available as a build-to-order option for US$250.

* Installed as a single 1 GB module by default. Maximum capacity of 4 GB.

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