iMac Early 2009

The iMac "Core 2 Duo" 3.06 24-Inch Aluminum (Early 2009) is equipped with a 3.06 GHz Intel "Core 2 Duo" processor (E8435), with two independent cores on a single chip, a 6 MB shared level 2 cache, and a 1066 MHz system bus. It comes with 4 GB of RAM (1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM), a 1 TB (7200 RPM) hard drive, and a vertically-mounted slot-loading DVD±R DL "SuperDrive". Graphics are powered by an NVIDIA GeForce GT 130 with 512 MB of dedicated GDDR3 memory. The system also features an integrated iSight video camera and built-in stereo speakers beneath the 24" glossy TFT Active Matrix LCD (1920x1200 native) display.

Connectivity options include four USB 2.0 ports, a Firewire "800" port, integrated AirPort Extreme, and Gigabit Ethernet, along with a Mini DisplayPort for an external display in "extended desktop" mode.

The iMac "Core 2 Duo" (Early 2009) models are very similar to the "Early 2008" models they replaced, sharing similar external enclosures—differentiated only by a "tapered foot"—and the same glass cover that "joins precisely to the aluminum enclosure creating a virtually seamless front surface."

Despite similar clock speeds and configurations, there are key differences: the Firewire "400" port on the Early 2008 models was swapped for an extra USB 2.0 port on the Early 2009 models, Mini-DVI was updated to Mini DisplayPort, and the 2009 models feature DDR3 memory (up from DDR2) with double the official capacity, superior graphics on higher-end configurations like this one, and by default, shipped with a smaller keyboard that lacks a numeric keypad.

As the top-of-the-line model in the Early 2009 iMac series, this machine boasted powerful performance in both processing and graphics. The NVIDIA GeForce GT 130 was reviewed as capable of handling demanding 3D games and professional graphics work. [4, 13] Its configuration of 4GB of DDR3 memory and a 1TB hard drive was top-tier for an all-in-one PC at the time, promising smooth operation across all applications. [2] While the adoption of Mini DisplayPort was forward-looking, some users lamented the removal of the Firewire 400 port. [10] Overall, it received high praise as an exceptionally well-rounded machine that balanced performance and expandability.