Apple iMac (20-inch, Mid 2009) vs Apple iMac (24-inch, Early 2008)
Better figure, where one is clearly better
| AppleiMac (20-inch, Mid 2009) | AppleiMac (24-inch, Early 2008) | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Released | April 2009 | April 2008 |
| Performance | ||
| Processor | Intel Core 2 Duo 2 GHz (iMac Mid 2009) or Intel Core 2 Duo 2.26 GHz (iMac Mid 2009) | Intel Core 2 Duo E8235 or Intel Core 2 Duo E8435 |
| CPU cores | 2 | 2 |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce 9400M (256 MB shared DDR3) | ATI Radeon HD 2600 PRO (256 MB GDDR3) or NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GS (512 MB GDDR3) |
| Memory | 1 GB, 2 GB or 4 GB | 2 GB or 4 GB |
| Storage | 160 GB to 320 GB | 320 GB to 1 TB (better) |
| CPU | 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. | 2.8 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo E8235, configurable to 3.06 GHz E8435; 6 MB shared L2 cache and 1066 MHz frontside bus. Exact processor identities cross-checked with EveryMac. |
| GPU | 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. | Either processor supports ATI Radeon HD 2600 PRO with 256 MB GDDR3 or optional NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GS with 512 MB GDDR3 |
| Memory type | 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. | Two user-accessible SO-DIMM slots for 800 MHz DDR2 SDRAM; 2 GB standard, configurable to 4 GB |
| Storage type | 160 or 320 GB 7200 rpm Serial ATA hard drive; slot-loading 8x SuperDrive with 4x double-layer DVD burning. | 320 GB 7200 rpm Serial ATA hard drive with either processor, configurable to 500 GB, 750 GB or 1 TB; slot-loading 8x SuperDrive with 4x double-layer DVD burning |
| Display | ||
| Screen size | 20″ | 24″ |
| Resolution | 1680 × 1050 | 1920 × 1200 (better) |
| Brightness | 290 nits | 385 nits (better) |
| Display type | 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 Panel technology and refresh rate unpublished. | Glossy widescreen TFT active-matrix LCD, millions of colours; typical contrast 750:1 and 178° horizontal and vertical viewing angles. Panel technology and refresh rate unpublished and omitted. |
| Display features | – | Optional 24-inch VESA Mount Adapter kit |
| Connections | ||
| Ports | 4 × USB-A, Ethernet, headphone jack | 3 × 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; compatible with 802.11a/b/g |
| Bluetooth | – | 2.1 + EDR |
| Camera | iSight camera | iSight camera |
| Back ports | 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. | Three USB 2.0 ports on the computer, plus two on the supplied keyboard; one FireWire 400 and one FireWire 800 port, each rated 7 W; mini-DVI output, Gigabit Ethernet, headphone/optical digital output and line-in/optical digital input. FireWire, mini-DVI and audio input described here. |
| External displays | 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. | One external display in extended desktop or mirroring mode; digital resolutions up to 1920 × 1200 and analogue up to 2048 × 1536. DVI, VGA, S-video and composite adapters sold separately. |
| Speakers | Built-in stereo speakers and microphone; internal 24 W digital amplifier and support for Apple Stereo Headset microphones. | Built-in stereo speakers with internal 24 W digital amplifier and built-in microphone |
| Keyboard and mouse | Apple Keyboard and Mighty Mouse. | Apple Keyboard, Mighty Mouse and infrared Apple Remote; optional wireless keyboard and wireless Mighty Mouse |
| Design and power | ||
| Type | All-in-one | All-in-one |
| Weight | 9.1 kg | – |
| Width × depth × height | 485 × 189 × 469 mm | 569 × 207 × 520 mm |
| Operating system | macOS | macOS |
| Size and weight detail | Maker reference weight; actual weight varies with configuration and manufacturing process. | Maker weight 25.4 pounds (11.5 kg), varying by configuration and manufacturing process; shared scalar weight omitted |
| Power supply | Maximum continuous power 200 W; 100–240 V AC, 50–60 Hz. | Maximum continuous power 280 W; 100–240 V AC, 50–60 Hz single phase |
| Power use | – | Apple environmental report for MB325 at 230 V records 1.65 W off, 2.58 W sleep and 36.2 W idle with display off or 113.2 W with display on; display on means full brightness |
| Materials | – | Recyclable aluminium and glass enclosure; arsenic-free display glass, majority of circuit-board laminates free of brominated flame retardants and PVC-free internal cables |
| In the box | 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. | iMac, Apple Keyboard, Mighty Mouse, Apple Remote, cleaning cloth, power cord, install/restore DVDs and documentation; Mac OS X Leopard and iLife '08 |
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