Apple iMac "Core 2 Duo" 3.06 21.5" (Late 2009) Specs

Identifiers: Late 2009 - MB950LL/A* - iMac10,1 - A1311 - 2308

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The iMac "Core 2 Duo" 3.06 21.5-Inch Aluminum (Late 2009) features a 3.06 GHz Intel "Core 2 Duo" processor (E7600), with two independent processor "cores" on a single silicon chip, a 3 MB shared level 2 cache, a 1066 MHz system bus, 4 GB of RAM (1066 MHz PC3-8500 DDR3 SDRAM), a 500 GB or 1 TB (7200 RPM) hard drive, a vertically-mounted slot-loading DVD±R DL "SuperDrive", and NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics with 256 MB of shared memory or ATI Radeon HD 4670 graphics with 256 MB of dedicated GDDR3 memory.

It also has a built-in iSight video camera and built-in stereo speakers underneath the 21.5" glossy 16:9 LED-backlit TFT Active Matrix LCD (1920x1080 native) display "with IPS technology".

Connectivity includes four USB 2.0 ports, a Firewire "800" port, built-in AirPort Extreme, and Gigabit Ethernet, as well as a Mini DisplayPort, which supports an external display up to 30" (2560x1600).

The "Late 2009" iMac line looks similar to earlier Aluminum iMac models but have an "edge-to-edge" glass design and a "seamless all aluminum enclosure" (previous aluminum models have a modest aluminum border around the display and a plastic back).

Externally, the displays are enhanced with LED-backlighting and "IPS technology" for improved quality, and internally, each has four RAM slots supporting up to 16 GB of RAM (rather than two slots and 8 GB of RAM for earlier models). All "Late 2009" models also include an SD Card slot and redesigned speakers that promise "louder, clearer sound with better bass response and less distortion".

The "Late 2009" iMac models shipped with a compact aluminum Apple Wireless Keyboard and a new multi-touch "Magic Mouse" where the "entire top is a seamless multi-touch surface" that allows one to "navigate using intuitive finger gestures". A new aluminum remote was offered for an additional US$19 as well.

Also see:

• What are the differences between the "Late 2009" Aluminum iMac models?
• How do the "Late 2009" Aluminum iMac models compare to the "Early 2009" models that preceded them?

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• Tech Specs
• Ports
• Global Original Prices
• Popular Q&As

Tech Specs

Click on a category for related details. The most commonly needed info is "open" by default, but all info is important. Asterisks (*) reference data in details fields.

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Introduction Date:

October 20, 2009

Discontinued Date:

July 27, 2010

Details:

The "Introduction Date" refers to the date a model was introduced via press release. The "Discontinued Date" refers to the date a model either was replaced by a subsequent system or production otherwise ended. Also see: All Macs introduced in 2009.

Processors:

1 (2 Cores)

Architecture:

64-Bit

Details:

Also see: All models with a 64-Bit processor courtesy of EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Sort.

Geekbench 2 (32):

4221

Geekbench 2 (64):

4628

Details:

Geekbench 2 benchmarks are in 32-bit and 64-bit modes, respectively. These numbers reflect an average of user provided 32-bit and 64-bit results as submitted to the Geekbench website. Higher numbers are better. You also might be interested in reviewing all 32-bit and 64-bit Geekbench 2 user submissions for Macs with the iMac10,1 Model Identifier, which may include multiple models. To dynamically compare Geekbench 2 results from different Macs side-by-side, see EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Comparison.

Geekbench 3 (32):

1641

Geekbench 3 (32):

2882

Details:

These Geekbench 3 benchmarks are in 32-bit mode and are for a single processor core and all processor cores, respectively. Both numbers reflect an average of user provided results as submitted to the Geekbench website. Higher numbers are better. You also might be interested in reviewing all 32-bit single core and multicore Geekbench 3 user submissions for Macs with the iMac10,1 Model Identifier, which may include multiple models. To dynamically compare 32-bit Geekbench 3 results from different Macs side-by-side, see EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Comparison.

Geekbench 3 (64):

1782

Geekbench 3 (64):

3128

Details:

These Geekbench 3 benchmarks are in 64-bit mode and are for a single processor core and all processor cores, respectively. Both numbers reflect an average of user provided results as submitted to the Geekbench website. Higher numbers are better. You also might be interested in reviewing all 64-bit single core and multicore Geekbench 3 user submissions for Macs with the iMac10,1 Model Identifier, which may include multiple models. To dynamically compare 64-bit Geekbench 3 results from different Macs side-by-side, see EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Comparison.

Geekbench 4 (SC):

1867

Geekbench 4 (MC):

3098

Details:

These Geekbench 4 benchmarks are are for a single processor core and all processor cores, respectively. All Geekbench 4 benchmarks are 64-bit. Both numbers reflect an average of user provided results as submitted to the Geekbench website. Higher numbers are better. You also might be interested in reviewing all single core and multicore Geekbench 4 user submissions for Macs with the iMac10,1 Model Identifier, which may include multiple models. To dynamically compare Geekbench 4 results from different Macs side-by-side, see EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Comparison.

Geekbench 5 (SC):

382

Geekbench 5 (MC):

673

Details:

These Geekbench 5 benchmarks are are for a single processor core and all processor cores, respectively. All Geekbench 5 benchmarks for the Mac are 64-bit. Both numbers reflect an average of user provided results as submitted to the Geekbench website. Higher numbers are better. You also might be interested in reviewing all single core and multicore Geekbench 5 user submissions for Macs with the iMac10,1 Model Identifier, which may include multiple models. To dynamically compare Geekbench 5 results from different Macs side-by-side, see EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Comparison.

Processor Speed:

3.06 GHz

Processor Type:

Core 2 Duo (E7600)

Details:

All Intel "Core 2 Duo" processors include two independent processor "cores" on a single silicon chip. Also see: How much faster are the 3.06 GHz Core 2 Duo-powered "Late 2009" Aluminum iMac models than the "Early 2009" models?

Turbo Boost:

N/A

Custom Speeds:

3.33 GHz

Details:

This model additionally could be configured with a 3.33 GHz Core 2 Duo processor for an extra US$200. As requested by readers, EveryMac.com also has documented this custom configuration as its own model.

Processor Upgrade:

LGA 775 (Socket T)

FPU:

Integrated

Details:

This model's processor uses an LGA 775 Socket T. Also see: Is it possible to upgrade the processor in the Aluminum iMac models?

System Bus Speed:

1066 MHz

Cache Bus Speed:

3.06 GHz (Built-in)

Details:

1066 MHz frontside bus.

ROM/Firmware Type:

EFI

EFI Architecture:

64-Bit

Details:

N/A

L1 Cache:

32k/32k

L2/L3 Cache:

3 MB (on chip)

Details:

Includes a 3 MB shared "on chip" level 2 cache that runs at processor speed.

RAM Type:

PC3-8500 DDR3

Min. RAM Speed:

1066 MHz

Details:

Supports 1066 MHz PC3-8500 DDR3 SO-DIMMs (204-pin). Also see: How do you upgrade the RAM in this Aluminum iMac model? How much RAM does it actually support?

Standard RAM:

4 GB

Maximum RAM:

16 GB

Details:

By default, 4 GB of RAM was installed as two 2 GB SO-DIMM modules. Two slots free. In the US (and many other countries), site sponsor Other World Computing sells memory -- as well as other upgrades -- for this iMac. In the UK, site sponsor Flexx sells memory and other upgrades for this iMac. In Germany, site sponsor CompuRAM sells memory and other upgrades for this iMac. In Australia, site sponsor Upgradeable sells memory and other upgrades for this iMac. Also see: Actual Max RAM of All G3 & Later Macs.

Motherboard RAM:

None

RAM Slots:

4

Details:

This model supports four 4 GB modules -- one in each slot for a maximum of 16 GB of memory.

Video Card:

GeForce 9400M*

VRAM Type:

Integrated*

Details:

There are two configurations of this model -- MB950LL/A, which has a NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics processor that shares memory with the system and MC413LL/A, which has an ATI Radeon HD 4670 with 256 MB of dedicated GDDR3 memory. Also see: What type of video processor is provided by the Aluminum iMac systems? Is it upgradable?

Standard VRAM:

256 MB

Maximum VRAM:

256 MB

Details:

In the MB950LL/A configuration, the NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics processor shares 256 MB of memory with the system. Apple reports that "memory available to Mac OS X may vary depending on graphics needs" and that the minimum graphics usage is 256 MB with this model. The MC413LL/A configuration, on the other hand, has 256 MB of dedicated GDDR3 video memory.

Built-in Display:

21.5" 16:9 Widescreen

Native Resolution:

1920x1080

Details:

This model has a 21.5" glossy LED-backlit 16:9 widescreen TFT active matrix display with "IPS technology" and a native resolution of 1920x1080. Apple also reports a "typical" brightness of 320 cd/m2, and viewing angle of 178 degrees horizontal and 178 degrees vertical. The contrast ratio is 1000:1 and the PPI is 102. Also see: How does the display quality of the 21.5-Inch and 27-Inch "Late 2009" Aluminum iMac models compare to previous Aluminum iMac models? In the UK, site sponsor ALB Repair offers component-level logic board repair, display repair, and other repair services for this iMac. No fix, no fee! In Spain, site sponsor iRepairs provides affordable repair and data recovery services. In-person and by mail repair services include the display, graphics card, motherboard, power supply, and more for this iMac. In Hong Kong, site sponsor iCertified provides well-reviewed repair services for the display, logic board, water damage, and more, all with a 180-day warranty; free diagnostics and estimates; and optional pickup and delivery for this iMac.

2nd Display Support:

Dual/Mirroring

2nd Max. Resolution:

2560x1600

Details:

Apple reports that this model simultaneously supports the native resolution of the built-in display and up-to a 30-inch external display (2560x1600).

Standard Storage:

500 GB, 1 TB HDD

Std. Storage Speed:

7200 RPM

Details:

MB950LL/A is configured with a 500 GB hard drive and MC413LL/A is configured with a 1 TB hard drive. Also see: How do you upgrade the hard drive in the Aluminum iMac models? What type of hard drive do they support? Can you swap the hard drive for an SSD? In the US (and many other countries), site sponsor Other World Computing sells storage upgrades for this iMac. In the UK, site sponsor Flexx sells storage upgrades for this iMac. In Australia, site sponsor Upgradeable sells storage upgrades for this iMac. Also see: SSD Compatibility Guide for All G3 & Later Macs.

Storage Dimensions:

3.5" (26.10 mm)

Storage Interface:

Serial ATA (3 Gb/s)

Details:

This model holds a single 3.5" SATA II (3 Gb/s) hard drive or SSD.

Standard Optical:

8X DL "SuperDrive"

Standard Disk:

None

Details:

Apple reports that the slot-loading 8X "SuperDrive" with 4X double-layer burning (DVD+R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW) "writes DVD+R DL discs at up to 4x speed, writes DVD-R and DVD+R discs at up to 8x speed, writes DVD-RW at up to 6x and DVD+RW discs at up to 8x speed, reads DVDs at up to 8x speed, writes CD-R discs at up to 24x speed, writes CD-RW discs at up to 16x speed, [and] reads CDs at up to 24x speed." Site sponsor Other World Computing offers a "Data Doubler" mounting kit that may be of interest. It makes it simple to install a second hard drive or SSD in the optical drive bay of this iMac.

Standard Modem:

None

Standard Ethernet:

10/100/1000Base-T

Details:

N/A

Standard AirPort:

802.11a/b/g/n

Standard Bluetooth:

2.1+EDR

Details:

AirPort Extreme (802.11a/b/g/n) and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR standard. Also see: What is 802.11n? How is it different from 802.11b, 802.11g, and 802.11a?

USB Ports:

4 (2.0)

Firewire Ports:

1 (800)

Details:

Four USB 2.0 ports and one Firewire "800" port (7 watts).

Expansion Slots:

SD Card

Expansion Bays:

None

Details:

In the US (and many other countries), site sponsor Other World Computing sells a wide variety of external expansion options and hand-picked accessories like external storage, stands, keyboards, cables, adapters, speakers, and more for this iMac.

Incl. Keyboard:

Apple Wireless Keyboard

Incl. Input:

Magic Mouse

Details:

This model shipped with a small aluminum "ultrathin, compact wireless keyboard" (no numeric keypad) and a new wireless "Magic Mouse", where the "entire top is a seamless multi-touch surface" that allows one to "navigate using intuitive finger gestures". Also see: How does the "ultra thin" keyboard provided with the "Aluminum" iMac models compare to a more traditional desktop keyboard? How does it feel?

Case Type:

All-in-One

Form Factor:

iMac (Late 2009)

Details:

The cases used by the "Late 2009" iMac models look similar to the one used by previous "Aluminum" models, but the "Late 2009" design has "edge-to-edge glass" for the display and a "seamless all aluminum enclosure" (the earlier models had a plastic back).

Apple Order No:

MB950LL/A*

Apple Subfamily:

Late 2009

Details:

*MB950LL/A refers to the configuration with a 500 GB hard drive and NVIDIA GeForce 9400M "integrated" graphics. MC413LL/A refers to the configuration with a 1 TB hard drive and ATI Radeon HD 4670 graphics with 256 MB of dedicated GDDR3 VRAM.

Apple Model No:

A1311 (EMC 2308)

Model ID:

iMac10,1

Details:

Please note that these identifiers refer to more than one model. Also see: All Macs with the A1311 Model Number, the 2308 EMC Number, and the iMac10,1 Model Identifier. For more about these identifiers and how to locate them on each Mac, please refer to EveryMac.com's Mac Identification section.

Battery Type:

N/A

Battery Life:

N/A

Details:

N/A

Pre-Installed MacOS:

X 10.6.1 (10A2155)

Maximum MacOS:

X 10.13.x*

Details:

*This system fully supports the last version of OS X 10.8 "Mountain Lion," OS X 10.9 "Mavericks," and OS X 10.10 "Yosemite" except for Power Nap and AirPlay Mirroring functionality (which also requires an Apple TV 2nd Gen or later). It also supports the last version of OS X 10.11 "El Capitan" -- including Mac-to-Mac AirDrop capability -- but no other advanced features are supported like Metal graphics acceleration. It is capable of running macOS Sierra (10.12) as well, although it does not support the Universal Clipboard, Auto Unlock, or Apple Pay features. Finally, this model is capable of running macOS High Sierra (10.13), and it supports HEVC (High-Efficiency Video Coding), but it does not support hardware accelerated HEVC. It is not compatible with macOS Mojave (10.14) or later versions of the operating system. Additionally, please note that OS X "Lion" 10.7 and subsequent versions of OS X are not capable of running Mac OS X apps originally written for the PowerPC processor as these operating systems do not support the "Rosetta" environment. To run PowerPC applications on this Mac, it will be necessary to use Mac OS X 10.6 "Snow Leopard". Also see: Which Macs are compatible with macOS High Sierra (10.13)? What are the system requirements? Which Macs support HEVC?

Minimum Windows:

XP SP2 (32-Bit)*

Maximum Windows:

7 (64-Bit)*

Details:

*Apple's Boot Camp 4 formally supports the 32-bit version of Windows XP SP2 as well as the 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows Vista and Windows 7. However, the system does meet Microsoft's minimum requirements for Windows 8 and readers have reported successfully running the 32-bit and 64-bit versions of this operating system with appropriate drivers.

MacOS 9 Support:

None

Windows Support:

Boot/Virtualization

Details:

Also see: Are there any third-party programs to run Mac OS 9/Classic applications on Intel Macs? For more on running Windows on Intel Macs, please refer to the exhaustive Windows on Mac Q&A.

Dimensions:

17.75 x 20.8 x 7.42

Avg. Weight:

20.5 lbs. (9.3 kg)

Details:

In inches - height by width by depth, (45.1 cm, 52.8 cm, 18.85 cm).

Original Price (US):

US$1199, $1499*

Est. Current Retail:

US$50-US$100

Details:

*The configuration with a 500 GB hard drive and NVIDIA GeForce 9400M "integrated" graphics originally was US$1199 (MB950LL/A). The configuration with a 1 TB hard drive and ATI Radeon HD 4670 graphics with 256 MB of dedicated GDDR3 VRAM originally was US$1499 (MC413LL/A). Photo Credit: Apple, Inc.

Ports

Click on a category for additional details. The most commonly needed info is "open" by default, but all info is important. The icons correspond with the icons for each port on the computer.

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Video (Monitor):

1* (Mini DisplayPort w/ Audio)

Floppy (Ext.):

None

Details:

Supports external display in dual display and mirroring modes. Mini DisplayPort also supports DVI, VGA, and dual-link DVI with optional adapters. The 27-Inch models also accept "input from external DisplayPort sources" with an adapter, so it is possible to use these models as an external display for a DisplayPort-equipped Mac or Blu-ray player, for example. *Note that unlike earlier iMac models, the Mini DisplayPort on this system passes audio signals as well as video.

ADB:

None

SCSI:

None

Details:

N/A

Serial (Standard):

None

Serial (Geoport):

None

Details:

N/A

USB:

4 (2.0)

Firewire:

1 (800)

Details:

Four USB 2.0 ports and one Firewire "800" port (7 watts).

Modem:

None

Ethernet:

1 (RJ-45)

Details:

No internal modem. Gigabit Ethernet, AirPort Extreme (802.11g/n) and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR standard.

S-Video Input:

None

S-Video Output:

None

Details:

N/A

Microphone:

1 (Built-in)

Sound In:

1

Details:

Combined "audio line in/optical digital audio input (minijack)."

Sound Out:

1

Headphone:

1

Details:

Single shared "headphone/optical digital audio output (minijack)".

Security (Lock):

1

Joystick (PC):

None

Details:

N/A

Power:

1

Power Adapter:

None

Details:

100V-240V, 241W maximum for 21.5-Inch models, 365W maximum for 27-Inch models.

Global Original Prices

Global original prices for the iMac "Core 2 Duo" 3.06 21.5" (Late 2009) in 34 different countries and territories follow; organized alphabetically by region.

For global original prices for Intel Macs in one particular country on a single page, please refer to EveryMac.com's Global Original Prices section.

Original Prices - North & South America

Canada:

C$1299, C$1599

Brazil:

R$4.699, R$5.599

Mexico:

N/A

United States:

US$1199, $1499*

Original Prices - Europe

Austria:

€1099, €1349

Belgium:

€1099, €1349

Denmark:

DKK 8,299, 10,299

Finland:

€1099, €1349

France:

€1099, €1349

Germany:

€1099, €1349

Ireland:

€1099, €1349

Italy:

€1099, €1349

Luxembourg:

N/A

Netherlands:

€1099, €1349

Norway:

NOK 9.490, 11.490

Portugal:

€1099, €1349

Spain:

€1049, €1299

Sweden:

SEK 11.495, 14.495

Switzerland:

CHF 1'449, 1'799

United Kingdom:

£949, £1199

Original Prices - Asia

China:

RMB 9,598, RMB 11,998

Hong Kong:

HK$9,388, HK$11,688

India:

Rs 64,900, 79,900

Indonesia:

N/A

Japan:

¥118,800, ¥148,800

Korea:

KRW 1,650,000, 1,990,000

Malaysia:

N/A

The Philippines:

N/A

Singapore:

N/A

Taiwan:

NT$41,900, NT$52,900

Thailand:

N/A

Vietnam:

N/A

Original Prices - Australia & New Zealand

Australia:

A$1599, A$1999

New Zealand:

NZ$1999, NZ$2499

If you have additional original prices for this model, please get in touch. Thank you.

Popular Q&As

Ten of the most popular Q&As about the iMac models follow.

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