Apple iMac (20-inch, Early 2009) vs Apple iMac (20-inch, Mid 2009)
Better figure, where one is clearly better
| AppleiMac (20-inch, Early 2009) | AppleiMac (20-inch, Mid 2009) | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Released | March 2009 | April 2009 |
| Performance | ||
| Processor | Intel Core 2 Duo E8135 | Intel Core 2 Duo 2 GHz (iMac Mid 2009) or Intel Core 2 Duo 2.26 GHz (iMac Mid 2009) |
| CPU cores | 2 | 2 |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce 9400M (256 MB shared DDR3) | NVIDIA GeForce 9400M (256 MB shared DDR3) |
| Memory | 2 GB, 4 GB or 8 GB (better) | 1 GB, 2 GB or 4 GB |
| Storage | 320 GB to 1 TB (better) | 160 GB to 320 GB |
| CPU | 2.66 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo E8135 with 6 MB shared L2 cache and 1066 MHz frontside bus; exact chip identity cross-checked with EveryMac | 2.0 or 2.26 GHz Core 2 Duo with 3 MB shared L2 cache and 1066 MHz frontside bus. The retained configuration table says 2.6 GHz, but its processor description and Apple's July 2011 education price list confirm 2.26 GHz; exact Intel SKU not established. |
| GPU | NVIDIA GeForce 9400M with at least 256 MB DDR3 shared with system memory; available system memory varies with graphics requirements | NVIDIA GeForce 9400M with 256 MB shared DDR3 according to the retained maker specification; contemporary EveryMac coverage describes 128 MB at launch, so the retained maker value is used. |
| Memory type | Two user-accessible SO-DIMM slots for 1066 MHz DDR3; 2 GB standard, factory upgrades to 4 or 8 GB | Two SO-DIMM slots for 1066 MHz DDR3; configurations A/B have 1 GB standard and C has 2 GB. Factory options are 2 or 4 GB; the retained specification supports up to 8 GB, which is not listed as a factory configuration. |
| Storage type | 320 GB 7200 rpm Serial ATA hard drive, configurable to 640 GB or 1 TB; slot-loading 8x SuperDrive with 4x double-layer DVD burning | 160 or 320 GB 7200 rpm Serial ATA hard drive; slot-loading 8x SuperDrive with 4x double-layer DVD burning. |
| Display | ||
| Screen size | 20″ | 20″ |
| Resolution | 1680 × 1050 | 1680 × 1050 |
| Brightness | 290 nits | 290 nits |
| Display type | Glossy widescreen TFT active-matrix LCD, millions of colours; maker typical brightness 290 cd/m², contrast 800:1 and 160° horizontal/vertical viewing angle. Panel technology and refresh rate unpublished and omitted. | Glossy TFT active-matrix LCD with millions of colours; typical contrast 800:1 and 160-degree horizontal and vertical viewing angles. Panel technology and refresh rate unpublished. |
| Connections | ||
| Ports | DisplayPort, 4 × USB-A, Ethernet, headphone jack | 4 × USB-A, Ethernet, headphone jack |
| Ethernet | 1 Gb/s | 1 Gb/s |
| External displays | Up to 1 | Up to 1 |
| Wi-Fi | 802.11n draft | 802.11n draft |
| Bluetooth | 2.1 + EDR | – |
| Camera | iSight camera | iSight camera |
| Back ports | Four USB 2.0 ports on the computer, plus two on the supplied wired keyboard; one FireWire 800 port at 7 W, Mini DisplayPort output, Gigabit Ethernet, headphone/optical digital output and line-in/optical digital input. FireWire and audio input described here; no SD slot. | Four USB 2.0 ports on the computer, plus two on the keyboard; FireWire 800 at 7 W, Mini DisplayPort, Gigabit Ethernet, headphone/optical digital output and line-in/optical digital input. Bluetooth is not published in this exact model specification. |
| External displays | Full built-in resolution and one external display up to 2560 × 1600 simultaneously; extended desktop and mirroring, optional DVI/VGA/dual-link DVI adapters | Built-in display and one external display up to 2560 × 1600 simultaneously; extended desktop or mirroring, with optional DVI, VGA or dual-link DVI adapters. |
| Speakers | Built-in stereo speakers with internal 24 W digital amplifier, microphone and support for Apple Stereo Headset microphones | Built-in stereo speakers and microphone; internal 24 W digital amplifier and support for Apple Stereo Headset microphones. |
| Keyboard and mouse | Apple Keyboard and Mighty Mouse; numeric-keypad keyboard, wireless keyboard or wireless Mighty Mouse available as options | Apple Keyboard and Mighty Mouse. |
| Design and power | ||
| Type | All-in-one | All-in-one |
| Weight | 9.1 kg | 9.1 kg |
| Width × depth × height | 485 × 189 × 469 mm | 485 × 189 × 469 mm |
| Operating system | macOS | macOS |
| Size and weight detail | – | Maker reference weight; actual weight varies with configuration and manufacturing process. |
| Power supply | Maximum continuous power 200 W; 100–240 V AC, 50–60 Hz single phase | Maximum continuous power 200 W; 100–240 V AC, 50–60 Hz. |
| Materials | Aluminium and glass enclosure with arsenic-free display glass, BFR-free components and PVC-free internal cables | – |
| In the box | iMac, Apple Keyboard, Mighty Mouse, cleaning cloth, power cord, install/restore DVDs and documentation; Mac OS X Leopard and iLife '09 | Education institution model. Contemporary EveryMac coverage records April 2009 release; a maker-confirmed first delivery day is unavailable. Launch configuration A includes Leopard and iLife ’09; later B/C specifications list Snow Leopard and iLife ’11, with their introduction dates unestablished. |
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