iMac Mid-2009 (Edu)

Exclusively available to educational institutions, the iMac "Core 2 Duo" 2.0 20-Inch Aluminum (Mid-2009/Education Only) is built around a 2.0 GHz Intel "Core 2 Duo" processor. This CPU has two independent "cores" on a single chip, a 3 MB shared level 2 cache, and a 1066 MHz system bus. The system is configured with 1 GB of 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM, a 160 GB (7200 RPM) hard drive, and a vertically-mounted slot-loading DVD±R DL "SuperDrive". It features NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics, which share 128 MB of memory with the system, an integrated iSight video camera, and built-in stereo speakers under the 20" glossy TFT Active Matrix LCD (1680x1050 native) display.

Its connectivity suite includes four USB 2.0 ports, one Firewire "800" port, integrated AirPort Extreme, and Gigabit Ethernet. It also has a Mini DisplayPort for connecting an external display in "extended desktop" mode.

This model differs from the higher-end iMac "Core 2 Duo" (Early 2009) versions by having a slower processor with half the shared L2 cache, a smaller hard drive, less default RAM (and a lower maximum capacity), reduced shared video memory, and no built-in Bluetooth support. It came standard with a non-numeric keypad keyboard, though an upgrade to a full keyboard was available at no additional cost.

This education-only model, designed to be cost-effective, was deemed adequate for basic computing despite several specification reductions compared to higher-end versions. The aluminum enclosure and 20-inch glossy display were attractive features even in an educational setting. However, the reduced L2 cache and limitations on RAM and storage were pointed out as potential performance bottlenecks when running multiple applications simultaneously. The lack of built-in Bluetooth was also noted as an inconvenience as wireless peripherals became more common. Overall, it was reviewed as a reasonable choice for budget-constrained educational institutions.