Apple outlines port layout, RAM instructions for Core 2 Duo (Late 2006) iMacs

Apple has published two Knowledge Base documents detailing the differences between the iMac Core 2 Duo (Late 2006) and iMac Core Duo (Early and Mid-2006) models with regard to port layout and RAM installation.

Among the salient points:

• iMac (Late 2006) systems have two SDRAM slots in the bottom of the computer. Although these iMacs will accept up to a 2 GB SO-DIMM in each of the two memory slots, the iMac will only support 3 GB total memory. If you want to maximize the amount of SDRAM in your computer, install a 2 GB SO-DIMM in one slot and a 1GB SO-DIMM in the other (If you do install a 2 GB SO-DIMM in both the bottom and top memory slots of the computer, the About This Mac window and Apple System Profiler will both show that you have 4 GB of SDRAM installed. However, Activity Monitor and other similar applications will reveal that only 3 GB of SDRAM has been addressed for use by the computer.) -- Note that these items do not apply to the iMac 17-inch Late-2006, which has similar memory specifications to its predecessor.
• The 24" iMac (Late-2006) is the only Intel-based iMac that sports a FireWire 800 port.
• The Late-2006 iMacs feature optical audio input in SPDIF format and makes use of a standard Toslink cable with a Toslink mini-plug adapter, accepting up to 24-bit stereo and 44.1-96kHz sampling rate.
• Mini-DVI video output support is unchanged, with the Late-2006 iMacs using the same video output adapters as their predecessors.

Referenced Knowledge Base articles:

• iMac (Early 2006): External ports and connectors
• iMac (Late 2006): Memory Specifications

Feedback? Late-breakers@macfixit.com.

Resources