The iMac "Core 2 Extreme" 2.8 24-Inch (Aluminum) model is powered by a 2.8 GHz Intel "Core 2 Extreme" processor (X7900). This CPU contains two independent cores on a single chip, a 4 MB shared level 2 cache, and an 800 MHz system bus. It comes with 2 GB of RAM (667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM, PC2-5300), a 500 GB (7200 RPM) Serial ATA hard drive, and a vertically-mounted slot-loading DVD+R DL "SuperDrive". Graphics are handled by an ATI Radeon HD 2600 PRO accelerator with 256 MB of GDDR3 memory. The design also integrates an iSight camera and stereo speakers under the 24" glossy TFT Active Matrix LCD (1920x1200 native), engineered to "bounce sound off the desk below".
Connectivity includes three USB 2.0 ports, a Firewire "400" port, a Firewire "800" port, built-in AirPort Extreme, and Gigabit Ethernet, along with a mini-DVI port for an external display in "extended desktop" mode.
Externally, the "Aluminum" iMac "Core 2 Duo" models are distinguished by their "elegant" aluminum cases and a glass cover that "joins precisely to the aluminum enclosure creating a virtually seamless front surface," a departure from the white plastic cases of their predecessors. These systems also came with a "new ultra-thin aluminum" Apple Keyboard (0.33 inches thick at the front), inspired by the MacBook's keyboard design.
Internally, while some "Aluminum Core 2 Duo" models had faster processors, all featured an improved "Santa Rosa" motherboard design with a quicker 800 MHz frontside bus (up from 667 MHz), greater RAM capacity, and both Firewire "400" and Firewire "800" ports.
Although it was first presented as a "build-to-order" option for the iMac "Core 2 Duo" 2.4 24-Inch (Al), this model was also offered as a standard configuration directly from Apple and its authorized resellers.