Apple iMac "Core 2 Duo" 2.0 20-Inch (Early 2009) Specs (MC015LL/A)
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The iMac "Core 2 Duo" 2.0 20-Inch Aluminum (Early 2009/Education Only) -- only available for sale to educational institutions -- features a 2.0 GHz Intel "Core 2 Duo" processor, with two independent processor "cores" on a single silicon chip, a 3 MB shared level 2 cache, a 1066 MHz system bus, 1 GB of RAM (1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM), a 160 GB (7200 RPM) hard drive, a vertically-mounted slot-loading DVD±R DL "SuperDrive", NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics with 128 MB of memory shared with the system, a built-in iSight video camera, and built-in stereo speakers underneath the 20" glossy TFT Active Matrix LCD (1680x1050 native) display.
Connectivity includes four USB 2.0 ports, a Firewire "800" port, built-in AirPort Extreme, and Gigabit Ethernet, as well as a Mini DisplayPort, which supports an external display in "extended desktop" mode.
Compared to the higher-end iMac "Core 2 Duo" (Early 2009) models, this model has a slower processor and half the shared level 2 cache, a smaller hard drive, less RAM (and half the maximum RAM capacity), less shared DDR3 video memory, and no support for internal Bluetooth. By default, it ships with a keyboard without the numeric keypad but can be upgraded to one with a numeric keypad at no extra cost.
Also see:
- What are the differences between the education-only "Early 2009" Aluminum iMac Core 2 Duo and the "White" model it replaced?
- What are the differences between the education-only "Early 2009" Aluminum iMac Core 2 Duo and the "regular" 20-Inch "Early 2009" iMac?
Buy This Mac -- and all other new & used Macs -- at site sponsor PowerMax!
Upgrade This Mac at site sponsor Other World Computing. Memory, drives, & more!
Click on the underlined category text for related details. The most commonly needed info is "open" by default, but all info is important.
| Introduction Date: |
April 7, 2009 |
Discontinued Date: |
N/A |
| Details: |
The "Introduction Date" refers to the date a model was introduced via press release. The "Discontinued Date" refers to the date a model either was replaced by a subsequent system or production otherwise ended. |
| Processor Type: |
Core 2 Duo (P7350) |
Processor Speed: |
2.0 GHz |
| Details: |
All Intel "Core 2 Duo" processors include two independent processor "cores" on a single silicon chip. |
| Processor Upgrade: |
Soldered* |
FPU: |
Integrated |
| Details: |
*Officially, Apple provides no support for upgrading the processor in any Intel-based iMac models, but many models have the processor socket-mounted which makes upgrading the processor feasible. As this model has much in common with the "Early 2009" Mac mini, which has the processor soldered to the motherboard, it seems probable that this model does as well. However, please note that this information is speculative, and may be subject to change. |
| System Bus Speed: |
1066 MHz |
Cache Bus Speed: |
2.0 GHz (Built-in) |
| Details: |
1066 MHz frontside bus. |
| ROM/Firmware Type: |
EFI |
ROM/Firmware Size: |
N/A |
| L1 Cache: |
32k/32k |
L2/L3 Cache: |
3 MB (on chip) |
| Details: |
Includes a 3 MB shared "on chip" level 2 cache that runs at processor speed. |
| RAM Type: |
PC3-8500 DDR3 |
Min. RAM Speed: |
1066 MHz |
| Details: |
Supports 1066 MHz PC3-8500 DDR3 SO-DIMMs. Also see: How do you upgrade the RAM in the "Aluminum" iMac Core 2 Duo models? How much RAM of what type do these systems support? |
| Standard RAM: |
1 GB |
Maximum RAM: |
4 GB |
| Details: |
By default, 1 GB of RAM is installed as a single 1 GB SO-DIMM module. One slot free.
Site sponsor Other World Computing sells iMac memory, as well as hard drives, accessories, and other upgrades. |
| Motherboard RAM: |
None |
RAM Slots: |
2 |
| Details: |
This model supports two 2 GB modules -- one in each slot for a maximum of 4 GB of memory. |
| Video Card: |
GeForce 9400M |
VRAM Type: |
Integrated |
| Details: |
This model has a NVIDIA GeForce 9400M that shares memory with the system.
Also see: What type of video processor is provided by the Aluminum iMac systems? Is it upgradable? |
| Standard VRAM: |
128 MB |
Maximum VRAM: |
128 MB |
| Details: |
Apple reports that "memory available to Mac OS X may vary depending on graphics needs" and that the minimum graphics usage is 128 MB with this model.
Also see: How does the gaming performance of the "Early 2009" Aluminum iMac Core 2 Duo models compare to earlier Aluminum iMac models? How much faster are the graphics? |
| Built-in Display: |
20.0" Widescreen |
Native Resolution: |
1680x1050 |
| Details: |
This model has a 20.0" "glossy" TFT widescreen active matrix display with a native resolution of 1680x1050. Apple also reports a "typical" brightness of 290 cd/m2, contrast ratio of 800:1, and viewing angle of 160 degrees horizontal and 160 degrees vertical.
Also see: What are the differences between the displays used in the Intel-based "Aluminum" and "White" iMac models? What is the viewable angle and the brightness of each? |
| 2nd Display Support: |
Dual/Mirroring |
2nd Max. Resolution: |
2560x1600 |
| Details: |
Apple reports that this model simultaneously supports the native resolution of the built-in display and up-to a 30-inch external display (2560x1600). |
| Standard Hard Drive: |
160 GB |
Int. HD Interface: |
Serial ATA |
| Details: |
Also see: How do you upgrade the hard drive in the Aluminum iMac models? What type of hard drive do they support? |
| Standard Optical: |
8X DL "SuperDrive" |
Standard Disk: |
None |
| Details: |
Apple reports that the slot-loading 8X "SuperDrive" with 4X double-layer burning (DVD+R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW) "writes DVD+R DL discs at up to 4x speed, writes DVD-R and DVD+R discs at up to 8x speed, writes DVD-RW at up to 6x and DVD+RW discs at up to 8x speed, reads DVDs at up to 8x speed, writes CD-R discs at up to 24x speed, writes CD-RW discs at up to 16x speed, [and] reads CDs at up to 24x speed." |
| Standard Modem: |
None |
Standard Ethernet: |
10/100/1000Base-T |
| Details: |
External Apple USB Modem offered for US$49. |
| Standard AirPort: |
802.11a/b/g/n |
Standard Bluetooth: |
None |
| Details: |
AirPort Extreme (802.11a/b/g/n) standard. This model does not support internal Bluetooth.
Also see: What is 802.11n? How is it different from 802.11b, 802.11g, and 802.11a? |
| USB Ports: |
4 (2.0) |
Firewire Ports: |
1 (800) |
| Details: |
Four USB 2.0 ports and one Firewire "800" port (7 watts). Apple advertises that this system has "six" USB 2.0 ports, counting four on the system and two on the keyboard.
Also see: Complete Ports. |
| Expansion Slots: |
None |
Expansion Bays: |
None |
| Incl. Keyboard: |
Apple Keyboard* |
Incl. Input: |
Mighty Mouse |
| Details: |
*By default, this model comes with a small aluminum "ultrathin, compact wired keyboard" that lacks the numerical keypad.
Also see: How does the "ultra thin" keyboard provided with the "Aluminum" iMac Core 2 Duo models compare to a more traditional desktop keyboard? How does it feel? |
| Case Type: |
All-in-One |
Form Factor: |
iMac Core 2 Duo (2009) |
| Details: |
The "Early 2009" iMac "Core 2 Duo" models use an all-in-one "aluminum and glass" enclosure on an aluminum stand that is essentially the same as the previous "Aluminum" iMac models, but the "supporting foot" is tapered toward the front rather than squared off. |
| Apple Order No: |
MC015LL/A |
Apple Subfamily: |
Early 2009/Edu Only |
| Details: |
The Apple order number should be unique to this system. |
| Apple Model No: |
A1224 |
Machine Model: |
iMac9,1 |
| Details: |
Please note that these identifiers refer to more than one model. |
| Battery Type: |
N/A |
Battery Life: |
N/A |
| Pre-Installed MacOS: |
X 10.5.7 |
Maximum MacOS: |
Current |
| Details: |
Please note that this system can run the current version of MacOS X 10.6 "Snow Leopard" including booting in 64-bit mode as well as OpenCL and Grand Central Dispatch support. |
| MacOS 9 Support: |
None |
Windows Support: |
Boot/Virtualization |
| Details: |
Also see: Are there any third-party programs to run MacOS 9/Classic applications on Intel Macs?
Site sponsor OHS specializes in heavily upgraded Macs capable of running both MacOS X and MacOS 9 applications.
For more on running Windows on Intel Macs, please refer to the exhaustive Windows on Mac Q&A. |
| Dimensions: |
18.5 x 19.1 x 7.4 |
Avg. Weight: |
20 lbs. (9.1 kg) |
| Details: |
In inches - height by width by depth, (46.9 cm, 48.5 cm, 18.9 cm). |
| Original Price: |
US$899* |
Est. Current Retail: |
US$899* |
| Details: |
*Please note that this model is limited to purchase by educational institutions only and cannot be purchased by individuals, even those entitled to make educational purchases.
To purchase other new Intel iMacs, free of sales tax, please visit site-sponsor PowerMax.
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. |
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