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

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

iMac (20-inch, Mid 2009) compared with iMac (24-inch, Early 2009)
AppleiMac (20-inch, Mid 2009)AppleiMac (24-inch, Early 2009)
Overview
ReleasedApril 2009March 2009
Performance
ProcessorIntel Core 2 Duo 2 GHz (iMac Mid 2009) or Intel Core 2 Duo 2.26 GHz (iMac Mid 2009)Intel Core 2 Duo E8135, Intel Core 2 Duo E8335 or Intel Core 2 Duo E8435
CPU cores22
GraphicsNVIDIA GeForce 9400M (256 MB shared DDR3)NVIDIA GeForce 9400M (256 MB shared DDR3), NVIDIA GeForce GT 120 (256 MB GDDR3), NVIDIA GeForce GT 130 (512 MB GDDR3) or ATI Radeon HD 4850 (512 MB GDDR3)
Memory1 GB, 2 GB or 4 GB4 GB or 8 GB (better)
Storage160 GB to 320 GB640 GB to 1 TB (better)
CPU2.0 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.2.66 GHz Core 2 Duo E8135, 2.93 GHz E8335 or 3.06 GHz E8435; all with 6 MB shared L2 cache and 1066 MHz frontside bus. Exact chip identities cross-checked with EveryMac.
GPUNVIDIA 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.2.66 GHz model has NVIDIA GeForce 9400M with 256 MB shared DDR3. 2.93 GHz model has GeForce GT 120 with 256 MB GDDR3, configurable to GT 130 or ATI Radeon HD 4850 with 512 MB GDDR3. Maker lists 3.06 GHz with GT 130 or HD 4850; unsupported 3.06 GHz/GT 120 combinations omitted.
Memory typeTwo 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 1066 MHz DDR3; 4 GB standard, factory upgrade to 8 GB
Storage type160 or 320 GB 7200 rpm Serial ATA hard drive; slot-loading 8x SuperDrive with 4x double-layer DVD burning.2.66 and 2.93 GHz models have 640 GB 7200 rpm Serial ATA drives, configurable to 1 TB; maker storage section lists 3.06 GHz with 1 TB. Conservative rows retain those explicit combinations; slot-loading 8x SuperDrive with 4x double-layer DVD burning
Display
Screen size20″24″
Resolution1680 × 10501920 × 1200 (better)
Brightness290 nits385 nits (better)
Display typeGlossy 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; maker typical brightness 385 cd/m², contrast 750:1 and 178° horizontal/vertical viewing angle. Panel technology and refresh rate unpublished and omitted.
Connections
Ports4 × USB-A, Ethernet, headphone jackDisplayPort, 4 × USB-A, Ethernet, headphone jack
Ethernet1 Gb/s1 Gb/s
External displaysUp to 1Up to 1
Wi-Fi802.11n draft802.11n draft
Bluetooth–2.1 + EDR
CameraiSight cameraiSight camera
Back portsFour 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.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.
External displaysBuilt-in display and one external display up to 2560 × 1600 simultaneously; extended desktop or mirroring, with optional DVI, VGA or dual-link DVI adapters.Full built-in resolution and one external display up to 2560 × 1600 simultaneously; extended desktop and mirroring, optional DVI/VGA/dual-link DVI adapters
SpeakersBuilt-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, microphone and support for Apple Stereo Headset microphones
Keyboard and mouseApple Keyboard and Mighty Mouse.Apple Keyboard and Mighty Mouse; numeric-keypad keyboard, wireless keyboard or wireless Mighty Mouse available as options
Design and power
TypeAll-in-oneAll-in-one
Weight9.1 kg (better)11.5 kg
Width × depth × height485 × 189 × 469 mm569 × 207 × 520 mm
Operating systemmacOSmacOS
Size and weight detailMaker reference weight; actual weight varies with configuration and manufacturing process.–
Power supplyMaximum 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
Materials–Aluminium and glass enclosure with arsenic-free display glass, BFR-free components and PVC-free internal cables
In the boxEducation 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, cleaning cloth, power cord, install/restore DVDs and documentation; Mac OS X Leopard and iLife '09

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