Apple iMac (24-inch, 3.06GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, Winter 2009)

Description: This configuration of the Apple iMAC is a Core 2 Duo-based, performance personal computer.Compared to other performance desktops on the market, it is relatively expensive at around $2,185.This PC also comes with a 24-inch LCD display supporting a 1920 x 1200 resolution.This desktop comes with 4 GB RAM, and a 1 TB hard drive.

Pros: Has a nVidia GeForce 100 series graphics card, which is considerably more favorable than some similarly priced desktops.Also, this desktop Has been awarded the EPEAT gold environmantal standard, which is considerably more power efficient than some similarly priced desktops.Also, the 1 TB drive installed on this machine is bigger when compared to the average desktop.Furthermore, this machine's Core 2 Duo based CPU is powerful enough to handle demanding applications, such as digital video.

Cons: None noted, given available product data.

Suitability: Suited for those who want a powerful computer for multimedia or power-hungry applications.The nVidia GeForce 100 series based graphics on this desktop should be fine for web-browsing and general purpose computing.

Value: In general, this desktop's price seems hard to justify, with respect to its features.However, this PC combines fast processing with plenty of storage.If you were to judge strictly by CPU speed, however, the price of a high-end computers with comparable speed is about 20% lower.Also, note that the purchase price includes a monitor.

CNET's Product Briefs are generated by a software tool that combines product specifications with knowledge of our editorial experts. They do not reflect hands-on assessment or labs testing. For more information about how we create Product Briefs, contact us.

• Manufacturer: Apple
• Part Number: MB420LL/A

• General

• Type Personal computer
• Product Form Factor All-in-one
• Built-in Devices Camera, Antenna, Stereo speakers, Infrared receiver
• Width 22.4 in
• Depth 8.1 in
• Height 20.5 in
• Weight 25.4 lbs
• Desktop type All-in-one desktop system, Monitor included

• Processor

• Type Intel Core 2 Duo 3.06 GHz
• Multi-Core processor technology Dual-Core
• 64-bit processor Yes
• Installed Qty 1
• Max processors supported 1

• Cache Memory

• Type L2 cache
• Installed Size 6 MB
• Cache Per Processor 6 MB

• Mainboard

• Data bus speed 1066 MHz

• Environmental Parameters

• Environmental standards EPA Energy Star, EPEAT Gold
• Min operating temperature 50 °F
• Max operating temperature 95 °F
• Operating humidity range 5 - 95%

• RAM

• Installed Size 4 GB / 8 GB (max)
• Technology DDR3 SDRAM
• Memory Speed 1066 MHz
• Memory Specification Compliance PC3-8500
• Form Factor SO DIMM 204-pin
• Configuration Features 2 x 2 GB

• Storage Controller

• Type 1 x Serial ATA - Integrated
• Controller interface type Serial ATA-300

• Storage

• Floppy drive type None
• Hard Drive 1 x 1 TB - Standard - Serial ATA-300 - 7200 rpm
• Hard Drive (2nd) None
• Hard Drive (3rd) None

• Optical Storage

• Type DVD±RW (±R DL)
• CD / DVD read speed 24x (CD) / 8x (DVD)
• CD / DVD write speed 24x (CD) / 8x (DVD±R) / 4x (DVD±R DL)
• CD / DVD rewrite speed 16x (CD) / 6x (DVD-RW) / 8x (DVD+RW)

• Optical Storage (2nd)

• Type None

• Storage Removable

• Type None

• Monitor

• Monitor Type LCD display - TFT active matrix
• Diagonal Size 24 in
• Max Resolution 1920 x 1200
• Widescreen Display Yes
• Image Brightness 385 cd/m2
• Image Contrast Ratio 750:1

• Graphics Controller

• Type PCI Express x16
• Graphics Processor / Vendor NVIDIA GeForce GT 130
• Video Memory 512 MB GDDR3 SDRAM
• Digital Video Standard Digital Visual Interface (DVI)

• Audio Output

• Type Sound card - Integrated
• Sound output mode Stereo
• Speaker(s) 2 x Right / left channel

• Keyboard

• Keyboard interface USB
• Keyboard features Built-in two USB 2.0 ports

• Input Device

• Type Mouse, Keyboard

• Mouse

• Mouse technology Optical
• Mouse interface USB

• Telecom

• Modem None

• Audio Input

• Type Microphone

• Networking

• Networking Network adapter - Integrated
• Wireless LAN Supported Yes
• Data Link Protocol Ethernet, IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, Bluetooth 2.1 EDR, IEEE 802.11n (draft)
• Features AirPort Extreme ready
• Compliant Standards IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, Bluetooth 2.1, IEEE 802.11n (draft)

• Expansion / Connectivity

• Expansion Slots Total (Free) 2 ( 0 ) x Memory - SO DIMM 204-pin
• Interfaces 1 x Display / video - Apple mini-DisplayPort, 1 x IEEE 1394b (FireWire 800) - 9 pin FireWire 800, 4 x Hi-Speed USB - 4 pin USB Type A, 1 x Audio - SPDIF output/headphones - Mini-phone 3.5 mm / TOSLINK, 1 x Audio - SPDIF input/line-in - Mini-phone 3.5 mm / TOSLINK, 1 x Network - Ethernet 10Base-T/100Base-TX/1000Base-T - RJ-45, 1 x Remote control - Infrared

• Printer

• Type None

• Miscellaneous

• Included Accessories Cleaning cloth
• Features 802.11a/b/g/n Wireless LAN, Camera, Bluetooth 2.1

• Power

• Power device type Power supply
• Voltage Required AC 120/230 V
• Power provided 280 Watt

• Operating System / Software

• OS Provided Apple MacOS X 10.5
• Software Front Row, Apple iCal, Apple iChat, Photo Booth, Apple Safari, Apple Spaces, Apple iTunes, Apple Dashboard, Apple QuickTime, Apple Spotlight, Apple iLife '09, Apple DVD Player, Apple Quick Look, Apple Address Book, Apple Time Machine, Apple Mac OS X Mail, Apple XCode Developer Tools

• Manufacturer Warranty

• Service & Support 1 year warranty
• Service & Support Details Limited warranty - 1 year, Technical support - Phone consulting - 90 days

• Sustainability

• EPA Energy Star Compliant Yes
• EPEAT Compliant EPEAT Gold
• Greenpeace policy rating (Sept 2009) 4.9

• 

  Apple iMac (24-inch, 3.06GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, Winter 2009)

  Price: $1,499.00

  Manufacturer: Apple

  Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo (3.06 GHz), 4 GB DDR3 SDRAM, 1 TB Standard, NVIDIA GeForce GT 130, EPA Energy Star, EPEAT Gold, Apple MacOS X 10.5, Personal computer

• 

  Apple iMac (24-inch, 2.93GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, Winter 2009)

  Price: $1,429.95 - $1,599.95

  Manufacturer: Apple

  Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo (2.93 GHz), 4 GB DDR3 SDRAM, 640 GB Standard, NVIDIA GeForce GT 120, EPA Energy Star, EPEAT Gold, Apple MacOS X 10.5, Personal computer

• 

  Apple iMac (24-inch, 2.66GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, Winter 2009)

  Price: $1,269.95

  Manufacturer: Apple

  Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo (2.66 GHz), 4 GB DDR3 SDRAM, 640 GB Standard, NVIDIA GeForce 9400M, EPA Energy Star, EPEAT Gold, Apple MacOS X 10.5, Personal computer

• 

  Apple iMac (20-inch, 2.66GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, Winter 2009)

  Manufacturer: Apple

  Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo (2.66 GHz), 2 GB DDR3 SDRAM, 320 GB Standard, NVIDIA GeForce 9400M, EPA Energy Star, EPEAT Gold, Apple MacOS X 10.5, Personal computer

Apple

Manufacturer profile

• Website: http://www.apple.com
• Address: 1 Infinite Loop, Cupertino, CA. 95014
• Phone: 1-408-996-1010