Apple iMac (20-inch, Early 2009)

Apple · iMac

iMac (20-inch, Early 2009)

Released March 2009

A compact aluminium all-in-one with a Core 2 Duo processor, shared NVIDIA graphics and a built-in DVD drive.

Model history · 9 models, 2003–2009
  1. 2003iMac G4 (20-inch, USB 2.0)Compare
  2. 2004iMac G5 (20-inch, 2004)Compare
  3. 2005iMac G5 (20-inch, Ambient Light Sensor)Compare
  4. 2005iMac G5 (20-inch, iSight)Compare
  5. 2006iMac (20-inch, Early 2006)Compare
  6. 2006iMac (20-inch, Late 2006)Compare
  7. 2007iMac (20-inch, Mid 2007)Compare
  8. 2008iMac (20-inch, Early 2008)Compare
  9. 2009iMac (20-inch, Early 2009)
Type
All-in-one
Processor
Intel Core 2
Memory
2 GB – 8 GB
Storage
320 GB – 1 TB
Screen
20″
Weight
9.1 kg

What reviewers say

Macworld found the performance improved but preferred the larger model's screen and value; its 20-inch panel shifted colour and contrast off-centre. ASCII's separate hands-on tests found the shared graphics trailed an older model with dedicated graphics, while the memory expansion offered useful headroom for creative applications.

From macworld.com, ascii.jp and ascii.jp

Performance

Processor
Intel Core 2 Duo E8135
CPU cores
2
Graphics
NVIDIA GeForce 9400M (256 MB shared DDR3)
Memory
2 GB, 4 GB or 8 GB
Storage
320 GB to 1 TB
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
GPU
NVIDIA GeForce 9400M with at least 256 MB DDR3 shared with system memory; available system memory varies with graphics requirements
Memory type
Two user-accessible SO-DIMM slots for 1066 MHz DDR3; 2 GB standard, factory upgrades to 4 or 8 GB
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

Display

Screen size
20″
Resolution
1680 × 1050
Brightness
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 Panel technology and refresh rate unpublished and omitted.

Connections

Ports
DisplayPort, 4 × USB-A, Ethernet, headphone jack
Ethernet
1 Gb/s
External displays
Up to 1
Wi-Fi
802.11n draft
Bluetooth
2.1 + EDR
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.
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
Speakers
Built-in stereo speakers with internal 24 W digital amplifier, microphone 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

Design and power

Type
All-in-one
Weight
9.1 kg
Width × depth × height
485 × 189 × 469 mm
Operating system
macOS
Power supply
Maximum continuous power 200 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 box
iMac, Apple Keyboard, Mighty Mouse, cleaning cloth, power cord, install/restore DVDs and documentation; Mac OS X Leopard and iLife '09

Configurations

ProcessorMemoryStorageStorage typeGraphics
Intel Core 2 Duo E81352 GB320 GBHard driveNVIDIA GeForce 9400M (256 MB shared DDR3)
Intel Core 2 Duo E81352 GB640 GBHard driveNVIDIA GeForce 9400M (256 MB shared DDR3)
Intel Core 2 Duo E81352 GB1 TBHard driveNVIDIA GeForce 9400M (256 MB shared DDR3)
Intel Core 2 Duo E81354 GB320 GBHard driveNVIDIA GeForce 9400M (256 MB shared DDR3)
Intel Core 2 Duo E81354 GB640 GBHard driveNVIDIA GeForce 9400M (256 MB shared DDR3)
Intel Core 2 Duo E81354 GB1 TBHard driveNVIDIA GeForce 9400M (256 MB shared DDR3)
Intel Core 2 Duo E81358 GB320 GBHard driveNVIDIA GeForce 9400M (256 MB shared DDR3)
Intel Core 2 Duo E81358 GB640 GBHard driveNVIDIA GeForce 9400M (256 MB shared DDR3)
Intel Core 2 Duo E81358 GB1 TBHard driveNVIDIA GeForce 9400M (256 MB shared DDR3)

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Camera, speakers and microphone built in
  • User-accessible memory slots
  • Keyboard and mouse included

Cons

  • Glossy screen with no matte option
  • USB ports are limited to USB 2.0
  • Graphics share system memory

Closest rivals

Model
TypeProcessorMemoryStorageScreenWeightReleased
All-in-oneIntel Core 24 GB – 8 GB500 GB – 2 TB21.5″9.3 kgOct 2009
All-in-oneIntel Core 24 GB – 8 GB640 GB – 1 TB24″11.5 kgMar 2009
All-in-oneIntel Core i3 or i54 GB – 8 GB500 GB – 2 TB21.5″9.3 kgJul 2010

Previous model: iMac (20-inch, Early 2008). Newer model: iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2009).

Sources

  1. support.apple.com/en-gb/112427
  2. apple.com/uk/newsroom/2009/03/03Apple-Updates-Consumer-Desktop-Line
  3. everymac.com/systems/apple/imac/index-imac.html

Photo: cdsassets.apple.com

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