Apple iMac (20-inch, Early 2009) vs Apple iMac 24″ (M1)

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

iMac (20-inch, Early 2009) compared with iMac 24″ (M1)
AppleiMac (20-inch, Early 2009)AppleiMac 24″ (M1)
Overview
ReleasedMarch 2009May 2021
Performance
ProcessorIntel Core 2 Duo E8135Apple M1
CPU cores28
GraphicsNVIDIA GeForce 9400M (256 MB shared DDR3)7-core GPU or 8-core GPU
Memory2 GB, 4 GB or 8 GB8 GB or 16 GB (better)
Storage320 GB to 1 TB256 GB to 2 TB (better)
CPU2.66 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo E8135 with 6 MB shared L2 cache and 1066 MHz frontside bus; exact chip identity cross-checked with EveryMac8-core CPU with 4 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores
GPUNVIDIA GeForce 9400M with at least 256 MB DDR3 shared with system memory; available system memory varies with graphics requirements7-core GPU in the two-port model; 8-core GPU in the four-port model
AI engine–16-core Neural Engine
Memory typeTwo user-accessible SO-DIMM slots for 1066 MHz DDR3; 2 GB standard, factory upgrades to 4 or 8 GB–
Storage type320 GB 7200 rpm Serial ATA hard drive, configurable to 640 GB or 1 TB; slot-loading 8x SuperDrive with 4x double-layer DVD burningSSD; two-port model configurable to 512 GB or 1 TB, four-port model to 512 GB, 1 TB or 2 TB
Display
Screen size20″24″
Resolution1680 × 10504480 × 2520 (better)
Panel–IPS LCD
Refresh rate–60 Hz
Brightness290 nits500 nits (better)
Display typeGlossy 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 Panel technology and refresh rate unpublished and omitted.4.5K Retina display; actual diagonal 23.5 inches; IPS panel and 60 Hz refresh rate confirmed by Notebookcheck
Pixel density–218 ppi
Display features–1 billion colours; wide colour (P3); True Tone; anti-reflective coating
Connections
PortsDisplayPort, 4 × USB-A, Ethernet, headphone jack2 × USB4, headphone jack
Ethernet1 Gb/s–
External displaysUp to 1Up to 1
Wi-Fi802.11n draftWi-Fi 6
Bluetooth2.1 + EDR5.0
CameraiSight camera1080p FaceTime HD
Back portsFour 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.Two-port model: two Thunderbolt / USB 4 ports with DisplayPort, Thunderbolt 3 and USB 4 up to 40 Gb/s, and USB 3.1 Gen 2 up to 10 Gb/s; optional Gigabit Ethernet. Four-port model adds two USB 3 ports up to 10 Gb/s and includes Gigabit Ethernet. Both have a 3.5 mm headphone jack.
External displaysFull built-in resolution and one external display up to 2560 × 1600 simultaneously; extended desktop and mirroring, optional DVI/VGA/dual-link DVI adaptersOne external display up to 6K 60 Hz, alongside the built-in display at full resolution
Camera–1080p FaceTime HD camera; advanced image signal processor with computational video
SpeakersBuilt-in stereo speakers with internal 24 W digital amplifier, microphone and support for Apple Stereo Headset microphonesHigh-fidelity six-speaker system with force-cancelling woofers; wide stereo sound; spatial audio with Dolby Atmos
Microphones–Studio-quality three-mic array with high signal-to-noise ratio and directional beamforming; Hey Siri
Keyboard and mouseApple Keyboard and Mighty Mouse; numeric-keypad keyboard, wireless keyboard or wireless Mighty Mouse available as optionsMagic Mouse and Magic Keyboard; keyboard has Touch ID on the four-port model and optionally on the two-port model; Magic Trackpad and Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad available instead
Design and power
TypeAll-in-oneAll-in-one
Weight9.1 kg4.46 kg (better)
Width × depth × height485 × 189 × 469 mm547 × 147 × 461 mm
Operating systemmacOSmacOS
Power supplyMaximum continuous power 200 W; 100–240 V AC, 50–60 Hz single phase143 W external power adapter with magnetic connection; Gigabit Ethernet built into the adapter where fitted
Noise–7 dBA sound pressure at idle and during Apple's wireless web test (operator position)
MaterialsAluminium and glass enclosure with arsenic-free display glass, BFR-free components and PVC-free internal cablesRecyclable, low-carbon aluminium enclosure
Colours–Two-port model: Blue, Green, Pink, Silver. Four-port model also comes in Yellow, Orange and Purple.
In the boxiMac, Apple Keyboard, Mighty Mouse, cleaning cloth, power cord, install/restore DVDs and documentation; Mac OS X Leopard and iLife '09iMac, Magic Keyboard, Magic Mouse, 143 W power adapter, 2 m power lead, USB-C to Lightning cable

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