iMac Core2 Duo (Late 2006)

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Overview

Details

• introduced 2006.09.06 at US$999 (17" 1.83 GHz), US$1,199 (2.0 GHz), US$1,499 (20" 2.16 GHz), and US$1,999 (24" 2.16 GHz); replaced by faster model 2007.08.07.
• requires Mac OS X 10.4.7 or later
• CPU: 1.83/2.0/2.16 GHz Intel Core2 Duo, Socket 479 makes upgrades possible
• bus: 677 MHz
• performance:
• Geekbench 2 (Leopard): 2867 (2.33 GHz), 2773 (2.16 GHz), 2596 (2.0 GHz), 2373 (1.83 GHz)
• Geekbench 2 (Tiger): 3058 (2.33 GHz), 2862 (2.16 GHz), 2649 (2.0 GHz), 2392 (1.83 GHz)
• RAM: 512/1024 MB, expandable to 3 GB using two PC2-5300 DDR2 SODIMMs
• Graphics, 17" 1.83 GHz: Intel GMA 950, supports up to 1920 x 1200 external digital display, 2048 x 1536 analog display, and monitor spanning
• Graphics, 17" 2.0 GHz and 20" 2.16 GHz: ATI Radeon X1600 with 128 MB RAM (256 MB optional), supports up to 1920 x 1200 external digital display, 2048 x 1536 analog display, and monitor spanning
• Graphics, 24" 2.16 GHz: nVidia GeForce 7300GT with 128 MB RAM (GeForce 7600GT with 256 MB optional), supports up to 1920 x 1200 external digital display, 2048 x 1536 analog display, and monitor spanning
• monitor:
  • 17" 1440 x 900 flat panel display
  • 20" 1680 x 1050 flat panel display
  • 24" 1920 x 1280 flat panel display
• video out: mini-DVI, VGA, S-video, composite (requires adapter)
• L2 cache: 2/4 MB shared cache on CPU
• hard drive: 160/250 GB 7200 rpm Serial ATA drive
• Combo drive: reads DVD at up to 8x speed, writes CD-R at 24x, CD-RW at 16x; reads CDs at 24x
• SuperDrive: writes DVD±R discs at up to 8x speed, dual layer at up to 2.4x; DVD±RW at up to 4x; reads DVDs at up to 8x, writes CD-R discs at up to 24x, writes CD-RW discs at up to 8x, reads CDs at up to 24x
• USB: 3 USB 2.0 ports
• FireWire 400: 2 ports on 17" and 20", 8W shared output
• FireWire 800: 1 port on 24" model only, 15W shared output with single FireWire 400 port
• Optional 56 kbps USB modem supports v.92 standard
• ethernet: 10/100/gigabit
• WiFi: 802.11g AirPort Extreme included
• Bluetooth 2.0: included on all but 17" 1.83 GHz model
• Microphone: internal
• power: 180W
• H x W x D (17"): 16.9 x 16.8 x 6.8 in/43 x 42.6 x 17.3 cm
• H x W x D (20"): 18.6 x 19.4 x 7.4 in/47.2 x 49.3 x 18.9 cm
• H x W x D (4"): 20.6 x 22.6 x 8.1 in/52.3 x 57.4 x 20.7 cm
• weight (17"): 15.5 lb/7 kg
• weight (20"): 22 lb/10 kg
• weight (24"): 24.7 lb/11.2 kg
• upgrade path: none
• Part no.: MA710 (17" 1.83 GHz), MA590 (17" 2.0 GHz), MA589 (20"), MA456 (24")

Upgrades

• none at present

Online Resources

• Best online iMac Core Duo deals, updated biweekly.
• Best Mac OS X 10.4 'Tiger' deals. Best online prices for Mac OS X 10.4.
• Best Mac OS X 10.5 'Leopard' deals. Best online prices for Mac OS X 10.5.
• What's the best version of OS X for my Mac?, Ian R Campbell, The Sensible Mac, 2008.02.28. Which version of Mac OS X is best for your hardware depends on several factors.
• The 2008 Penryn iMac value equation, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2008.04.29. Comparing prices, features, and performance, three of four new models are value champions, and there are some surprising refurb values as well.
• Restore stability to a troubled Mac with a clean system install, Keith Winston, Linux to Mac, 2008.01.15. If your Mac is misbehaving, the best fix just might be a fresh reinstallation of Mac OS X - don't forget to backup first.
• Mac hits 6.8% share on Net, Intel iMac screen problems, Classic on Leopard, and more, Mac News Review, 2007.12.07. Also adding hierarchical menus to the Leopard Dock, speeding up Leopard with less colors, a new OS X email client, and Parallels Premium Edition.
• Merely adequate: Why you want to avoid integrated graphics, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2007.11.10. A couple years ago, Apple laughingly pointed at Windows PCs with 'integrated Intel graphics' as substandard. Today low-end Macs all suffer from those barely adequate graphics processors.
• Beyond Google, 10 years on the G3, the Cube is not a Road Apple, and more, Dan Knight, Low End Mac Mailbag, 2007.11.13. Also the 64-bit advantage of Core2, OS 9 on a USB flash drive, sound problems since switching to Leopard, and 7200 rpm in an eMac.
• Proof Macs cost less, Leopard spanks Vista, Mac pride pins, Arabic OS X 10.4.10, and more, Mac News Review, 2007.11.09. Also the pitfalls of Macintel recovery, waiting for the 10.5.1 update, QuickTime 7.3 released, new Leopard books, and more.
• Refurb 17" Intel iMac deals, PowerBook 540 on Compact Flash, Newton as a mobile phone, and more, Dan Knight, Low End Mac Mailbag, 2007.11.07. Also PCI cards for older Macs, no such thing as a 933 MHz Digital Audio Power Mac, Mac OS longevity, and prospects for XPostFacto 5.
• Faster flash memory makes a big difference, more RAM or a faster CPU?, OS X 10.4.10 problems, and more, Dan Knight, Low End Mac Mailbag, 2007.10.16. Also Level 2 vs. Level 3 cache, the 64-bitness of Mac OS X, another Road Apple nomination, and gaming on Macs.
• External $100 Sony DVD burner likes Macs, Brian Gray, Fruitful Editing, 2007.10.10. The box and manual say nothing about Mac compatibility, but this 18x USB 2.0 DVD burner is plug-and-play (at least with Tiger).
• FastMac 8x SuperDrive and BurnAgain DVD: Fast and easy multisession disc burning, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2007.10.08. FastMac's 8x SuperDrive upgrade is remarkably fast compared with older PowerBook burners, and BurnAgain DVD makes it easy to append files to a previously burned CD or DVD.
• New Macs expected August 7, Apple keyboard repair tutorial, Linux vs. Mac vs. Widows, and more, Mac News Review, 2007.08.03. Also new Apple keyboard inspired by MacBook?, Logitech's new Wave keyboard, iNeck lets G5 and Intel iMacs pivot, TechTool Pro updated for latest Macs, and more.
• Does a college freshman need to run Windows on a MacBook?, Al Poulin, My Turn, 2007.07.24. While you can run Windows on today's Intel-based Macs, is there any reason most college students would want to or need to?
• Software to darken iMac display, columnist returns iPhone, Logitech introduces air mouse, and more, Mac News Review, 2007.07.20. Also a USB turntable for turning your record albums into MP3s, a retractable thumb drive, iPhone: The Missing Manual, Parallels Desktop 3 a major update, and more.
• The gaping hole in Apple's desktop line, Tommy Thomas, Welcome to Macintosh, 2007.07.13. $599 for a Mac mini with very limited expadability, $999 for an iMac with limited expadability, or $2,200 for a the very expandable Mac Pro.
• iMac update in June?, OS 9/X file sharing fixed, Apple offers free recycling to schools, and more, Mac News Review, 2007.05.25. Also an iChat headset, a happy Apple service story, new technology for future Intel CPUs, 802.11n for 24" iMac, and more.
• VMware Fusion beta 3 adds new features, takes a giant step toward release, Alan Zisman, Mac2Windows, 2007.04.11. Looking for a virtualization solution for your Intel Mac? The latest beta of VMWare Fusion makes several improvements and includes some unique features.
• 1 core, 2 cores, 4 cores, 8: How much difference does it make?, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2007.04.10. Geekbench scores make it possible to compare the newest 3 GHz 8-core Mac Pro with the 1.5 GHz Core Solo Mac mini - and all the models in between.
• 11 ways to optimize your Mac's performance, Ed Eubanks Jr, The Efficient Mac User, 2007.03.12. If your Mac is getting sluggish, here are 11 tips that can help restore its original performance.
• DST fixes & info for OS X, Classic Mac OS; Maynor demos WiFi hack; Samsung's hybrid drive; and more, The 'Book Review, 2007.03.09. Also glossy vs. matte displays, troubleshooting slot-loading drives, 802.11n upgrade for MacBooks and Intel iMacs, bargain 'Books from $209 to $2,299, and more.
• CrossOver: Run Windows apps on Intel Macs without Windows, Alan Zisman, Mac2Windows, 2007.02.28. If you need to run Windows apps on your Intel Mac once in a while, CrossOver may be the least expensive way to do so since it eliminates the need to buy a copy of Windows.
• The annoying white iMac, Andrew J Fishkin, Best Tools for the Job, 2007.02.15. From a design standpoint, the iMac is brilliant, but the massive amounts of white plastic can distract you from what's on the display.
• Which Intel Macs take CPU upgrades?, $2 802.11n enabler, USB drive adapter, and more, Mac News Review, 2007.02.02. Also a DST fix for Panther, Logos coming to Macs, Intel's chip breakthrough, iConnect iPod integration for GM vehicles, a waterproof iPod, and more.
• 'Poor boy' .mac alternatives, Mac Pro ruled in 2006, Apple closing on HP, and more, Mac News Review, 2007.01.05. Also Mac mini in a Subaru, frugal Mighty Mouse, what to do when your 2006 iMac won't start, compact Pentax scanner, wireless USB extender, new drive enclosures, and more.
• Parallels revisited: Release version far more polished than beta, Alan Zisman, Mac2Windows, 2006.11.21. Parallels lets you run Windows or Linux without rebooting your Intel-based Mac, and it's made great strides since the beta came out earlier this year.
• To AppleCare or not to AppleCare?, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2006.11.20. Consumer Reports, which generally recommends against extended warranties, says AppleCare makes sense. But does it?
• Mac Pro blows away competition, extended warranties crummy deals, firmware updates for Intel mini and iMac, more, Mac News Review, 2006.11.17. Also 7 free Mac maintenance utilities, dual LCD monitors, a vacuum tube amp for the iPod, and more.
• Pre-2006 software: The big reason you shouldn't buy an Intel Mac today, Ted Hodges, Vintage Mac Living, 2006.11.09. If you work with software that predates the Intel transition, you may be better off sticking with PowerPC Macs. And if you use classic apps, you definitely want to avoid Intel.
• New iMacs have 802.11n, Apple may go AMD, Japan's PM uses a Mac, a germ free mouse, and more, Mac News Review, 2006.09.29. Also Intel offers a million dollars for a Mac mini killer, 24" iMac 'a great system', a new ergonomic keyboard, and Windows-to-Mac migration software from Laplink.
• Apple II greatest PC ever, Core2 in a Mac mini, iMac Core2 Duo 'ultimate Mac value', and more, Mac News Review, 2006.09.22. Also firmware restoration for Intel Macs, Mac Pro firmware updates, iron on iPod nano cases, Boot Camp beta 1.1.1, and more.
• Core2 iMac praise, MS Vista 'a pile of crap', Cube redux?, high capacity iPod battery, and more, Mac News Review, 2006.09.15. Also the Mac Pro's 'pure, unadulterated power', Parallels now runs on the Mac Pro, iMac Core2 specs, dual G4 upgrade for MDD and Xserve G4, and more.
• Region free DVD viewing options for Intel and PowerPC Macs, Andrew J Fishkin, The Mobile Mac, 2006.09.12. Several hardware and software options that will let your view 'wrong region' DVDs on your PowerPC or Intel Mac.
• Core2 7% faster, iMac goes Core2, G4/1.6 GHz dual, SAFE drive secures data, wireless headphones, and more, Mac News Review, 2006.09.08. Also how to share a printer with OS 9, more praise for Logitech Revolution mouse, CrossOver lets you run Windows apps without Windows, a USB car charger for the iPod, and more.
• The iMac Core2 value equation: Practically perfect pricing, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2006.09.06. The new iMacs, build with Core2 Duo processors, are a great value - and refurbished prices on the older Core Duo models are right where they should be.
• Is 512 MB enough?, Macs gain share in business, wireless Mighty Mouse, Toast adds Blu-ray support, and more, Mac News Review, 2006.07.28. Also OWC's FireWire 400 & 800/USB 2.0/eSATA drives, miniXpress 160 GB drive, Jeep flash drives, SteerMouse supports up to 8 buttons plus vertical and horizontal scrolling, and miniStat2 system monitor.
• Edu-iMac too compromised, Mac Portables return to mothership, SheepShaver unstable, and more, Dan Knight, Low End Mac Mailbag, 2006.07.12. Thoughts on the education iMac, the Mac Portable, and the value of a Mac Plus in 2006. Also SheepShaver feedback, OS X ligature problems, and MP3 software for OS 8.
• Is the new edu-iMac a good value or simply too compromised?, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2006.07.10. The new education-only iMac is mostly the same as the consumer model, but how big an impact will the Intel graphics have on performance?
• Symantec says buy a Mac, SheepShaver supports Classic on Macintel, painted minis, and more, Mac News Review, 2006.05.19. Also email on a Mac Plus, firmware updates for Intel iMac and mini, $159 G4/933 MHz upgrade, FW800/USB 2.0 to SATA bridge board, and more.
• Apple joins 'Win on Mac' army with Boot Camp, Alan Zisman, Mac2Windows, 2006.04.07. The hackers did it first, but Apple's Boot Camp is a much more elegant solution to putting Windows XP on Macintel hardware.
• Boot Camp: Apple officially supports Windows XP booting on Macintel hardware, The Macintel Report, 2006.04.06. No more need to do any hacks to get WinXP booting on Apple's Intel-based Macs. Apple's new Boot Camp software fully supports it.
• Windows XP on Macintel a reality, Alan Zisman, Mac2Windows, 2006.03.23. It took a while, but it's now possible to boot Windows XP on the new Intel-based Macs.
• WinXP boots on Macintel, real world thinking about Rosetta performance, and Intel's impact on future Macs, The Macintel Report, 2006.03.23. If you want to run Windows XP on Macintel hardware, it's now possible. Also, common sense thinking about Rosetta speed and how Intel's future CPU plans will shape the Mac.
• Comparing Apples to Apples: When is Macintel faster? When does PowerPC make more sense?, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2006.01.29. Benchmarks show the Intel Core Duo flies through native code but plods through PowerPC programs. Will PowerPC or Intel give you the more productive workflow?
• Macintel stumbling block: Sometimes you need Classic, Jeff Adkins, Mac Lab Report, 2006.01.25. As nice as the new Intel Macs seem to be, the lack of any Classic environment makes it impossible for some people to upgrade.
• Apple Specs for iMac (Late 2006)

Go to the iMac and eMac index.

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