The highest-end 24-inch iMac model received the largest update this round, receiving both a processor and graphics bump. The $2,199 model features a 3.06GHz Core 2 Duo chip and a 512MB Nvidia GeForce 8800 GS graphics card. One of the few complaints we had with last year's 24-inch iMac was the fact that the otherwise high-end configuration saddled you with a midrange graphics card. Now, you get a 512MB Nvidia GeForce 8800 GS, a more powerful graphics card than the 256MB ATI Radeon HD 2600 Pro it replaces. The GeForce card is a $150 upgrade option on the $1,799 model, while moving from the 2.8GHz CPU to the 3.06GHz Core 2 Duo is a $200 upgrade. You can also choose to double the RAM to 4GB for $200. Hard drive capacities go up to 1TB; it's a reasonable $300 upgrade from the 320GB drive and $250 from the 500GB drive.
| Model | 24-inch 2.8GHz | 24-inch 3.06GHz |
| Price | $1,799 | $2,199 |
| Processor | 2.8GHz Core 2 Duo | 3.06GHz Core 2 Duo |
| Memory | 2GB 800MHz DDR2 | 2GB 800MHz DDR2 |
| Hard drive | 320GB, 7,200rpm | 500GB, 7,200rpm |
| Graphics | 256MB ATI Radeon HD 2600 Pro | 512MB Nvidia GeForce 8800 GS |
| Screen size | 24 inches | 24 inches |
| Native resolution | 1,920x1,200 | 1,920x1,200 |
| Optical drive | SuperDrive | SuperDrive |
| Operating system | Mac OS X Leopard (10.5.2) | Mac OS X Leopard (10.5.2) |
Apple iMac currently ship with integrated draft 802.11n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.1 EDR, Mac OS X Leopard (version 10.5.2), and iLife '08.
