Apple iMac "Core i5" 2.66 27-Inch (Late 2009) Specs (MB953LL/A)
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The iMac "Core i5" 2.66 27-Inch Aluminum (Late 2009) is powered by a 2.66 GHz Quad Core Intel "Core i5" I5-750 (Lynnfield/Nehalem) processor, with a dedicated 256k level 2 cache for each core and an 8 MB shared level 3 cache.
By default, it is configured with 4 GB of RAM (1066 MHz PC3-8500 DDR3 SDRAM), a 1 TB (7200 RPM) hard drive, a vertically-mounted slot-loading DVD±R DL "SuperDrive", and ATI Radeon HD 4850 graphics with 512 MB of dedicated GDDR3 memory.
It also has a built-in iSight video camera and built-in stereo speakers underneath the 27" glossy 16:9 LED-backlit TFT Active Matrix LCD (2560x1440 native) display "with IPS technology".
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 up to 30" (2560x1600). This model also "supports input from external DisplayPort sources" with adapters, so it can be used as an external display for DisplayPort-equipped devices as well as a computer.
The "Late 2009" iMac line looks similar to earlier Aluminum iMac models but have an "edge-to-edge" glass design and a "seamless all aluminum enclosure" (previous aluminum models have a modest aluminum border around the display and a plastic back).
Externally, the displays are enhanced with LED-backlighting and "IPS technology" for improved quality, and internally, each has four RAM slots supporting up to 16 GB of RAM (rather than two slots and 8 GB of RAM for earlier models). All "Late 2009" models also include an SD Card slot and redesigned speakers that promise "louder, clearer sound with better bass response and less distortion".
The "Late 2009" iMac models ship with a compact aluminum Apple Wireless Keyboard and a new multi-touch "Magic Mouse" where the "entire top is a seamless multi-touch surface" that allows one to "navigate using intuitive finger gestures". A new aluminum remote is offered for an additional US$19 as well.
Also see:
- What are the differences between the "Late 2009" Aluminum iMac models?
- How do the "Late 2009" Aluminum iMac models compare to the "Early 2009" models that preceded them?
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: |
October 20, 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 i5 (I5-750) |
Processor Speed: |
2.66 GHz |
| Details: |
This model is powered by a 64-bit "Lynnfield/Nehalem" Intel "Core i5" processor with quad cores -- four independent processor cores on a single silicon chip. Each core has a dedicated 256k level 2 cache, shares 8 MB of level 3 cache, and has an integrated memory controller (dual channel). It also supports "Turbo Boost" -- which "automatically boosts the processor speed based on workload" (so if an application is only using one of the four cores it will automatically increase the speed of the core in use and turn off the unused cores). It does not support Hyper Threading.
This model additionally can be configured with a 2.8 GHz "Core i7" processor (I7-860) for an additional US$200. The "Core i7" processor does support Hyper Threading. |
| Processor Upgrade: |
LGA 1156 Socket H |
FPU: |
Integrated |
| Details: |
As first noted by iFixit, this model's processor uses an LGA 1156 Socket H. |
| System Bus Speed: |
DMI* |
Cache Bus Speed: |
2.66 GHz (Built-in) |
| Details: |
*This system has a "Direct Media Interface" (DMI) that "connects between the processor and chipset" in lieu of a traditional system bus. |
| ROM/Firmware Type: |
EFI |
ROM/Firmware Size: |
N/A |
| L1 Cache: |
32k/32k x4 |
L2/L3 Cache: |
256k (x 4), 8 MB |
| Details: |
Each core has its own dedicated 256k level 2 cache and the system has 8 MB of shared level 3 cache. |
| 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 models? How much RAM of what type do these systems support? |
| Standard RAM: |
4 GB |
Maximum RAM: |
16 GB |
| Details: |
By default, 4 GB of RAM is installed as two 2 GB SO-DIMM modules. Two slots free.
Site sponsor Other World Computing sells iMac memory, as well as hard drives, accessories, and other upgrades. |
| Motherboard RAM: |
None |
RAM Slots: |
4 |
| Details: |
This model supports four 4 GB modules -- one in each slot for a maximum of 16 GB of memory. |
| Video Card: |
Radeon HD 4850 |
VRAM Type: |
GDDR3 |
| Details: |
This model has an ATI Radeon HD 4850 graphics processor with 512 MB of dedicated GDDR3 memory.
Also see: What type of video processor is provided by the Aluminum iMac systems? Is it upgradable? |
| Standard VRAM: |
512 MB |
Maximum VRAM: |
512 MB |
| Details: |
512 MB of dedicated GDDR3 video memory. |
| Built-in Display: |
27" 16:9 Widescreen |
Native Resolution: |
2560x1440 |
| Details: |
This model has a 27" glossy LED-backlit 16:9 widescreen TFT active matrix display with "IPS technology" and a native resolution of 2560x1440. Apple also reports a "typical" brightness of 375 cd/m2, and viewing angle of 178 degrees horizontal and 178 degrees vertical. The contrast ratio is 1000:1 and the PPI is 109.
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: |
1 TB (7200 RPM) |
Int. HD Interface: |
Serial ATA |
| Details: |
This model also can be equipped with a 2 TB hard drive for an additional US$250. |
| 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 |
| Standard AirPort: |
802.11a/b/g/n |
Standard Bluetooth: |
2.1+EDR |
| Details: |
AirPort Extreme (802.11a/b/g/n) and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR standard.
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).
Also see: Complete Ports. |
| Expansion Slots: |
SD Card |
Expansion Bays: |
None |
| Incl. Keyboard: |
Apple Wireless Keyboard |
Incl. Input: |
Magic Mouse |
| Details: |
This model ships with a small aluminum "ultrathin, compact wireless keyboard" (no numeric keypad) and a new wireless "Magic Mouse", where the "entire top is a seamless multi-touch surface" that allows one to "navigate using intuitive finger gestures". |
| Case Type: |
All-in-One |
Form Factor: |
iMac (Late 2009) |
| Details: |
The cases used by the "Late 2009" iMac models look similar to the one used by previous "Aluminum" models, but the "Late 2009" design has "edge-to-edge glass" for the display and a "seamless all aluminum enclosure" (the earlier models had a plastic back). |
| Apple Order No: |
MB953LL/A |
Apple Subfamily: |
Late 2009 |
| Details: |
The Apple order number should be unique to this system. |
| Apple Model No: |
N/A |
Machine Model: |
iMac11,1 |
| Details: |
Please note that these identifiers often refer to more than one model. |
| Battery Type: |
N/A |
Battery Life: |
N/A |
| Pre-Installed MacOS: |
X 10.6.1 (10A2155) |
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: |
20.4 x 25.6 x 8.15 |
Avg. Weight: |
30.5 lbs. (13.8 kg) |
| Details: |
In inches - height by width by depth, (51.7 cm, 65.0 cm, 20.7 cm). |
| Original Price: |
US$1999 |
Est. Current Retail: |
US$1999 |
| Details: |
To purchase a new Intel iMac, free of sales tax, please visit site sponsor PowerMax.
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. |
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