iMac Late 2006 - 24"

Though technically a "build-to-order" configuration of the iMac "Core 2 Duo" 2.16 24-Inch (Late 2006), the iMac "Core 2 Duo" 2.33 24-Inch is also documented as a standalone model for easier reference. The two are identical apart from the processor.

This iMac model is powered by a 2.33 GHz Intel "Core 2 Duo" processor (T7600), which integrates two independent "cores" on a single silicon chip, a 4 MB shared level 2 cache, and a 667 MHz system bus. Its specifications include 1 GB of RAM (667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM, PC2-5300), a 250 GB (7200 RPM) Serial ATA hard drive, and a vertical slot-loading DVD+R DL "SuperDrive". Graphics are driven by an NVIDIA GeForce 7300GT graphics accelerator on a PCI-Express bus, equipped with 128 MB of GDDR3 memory. The system also features a built-in iSight video camera and stereo speakers located beneath the 24" TFT Active Matrix LCD (1920x1200 native) display, which is designed to "bounce sound off the desk below".

For I/O, it includes three USB 2.0 ports, a Firewire "400" port, a Firewire "800" port, built-in AirPort Extreme, and Gigabit Ethernet. It also has a mini-DVI port, which enables an external display in "extended desktop" mode rather than just "mirrored mode".

As the top-tier build-to-order option for the 24-inch model, this 2.33 GHz version was the choice for prosumers and users who prioritized performance above all else. The combination of a massive display and the fastest processor available in an iMac at the time proved its worth in demanding tasks like video editing and graphic design. While the standard graphics card was the GeForce 7300GT, the option to upgrade to the more powerful GeForce 7600GT transformed the iMac into an even more serious creative machine. Though expensive, its performance and large screen were deemed a worthy investment by many professionals and users.