2007 iMac

iMac Penryn (April 2008)

Got an Macintel computer or considering buying one? Join the Macintel email list.
Leopard List is for those using Mac OS X 10.5.

Overview

Low End Mac Reader Specials

Memory To Go Special: MacPro 8 Core Memory 4GB kit $192 / 2GB kit $109. MacBook Pro / MacMini / iMac Intel Core2 DUO 2GB $44 1GB $23--Free shipping available.

Download Typestyler, still the Ultimate Styling Tool for Internet, Print and Video Graphics. Works great in Classic with a Native OS X Version on the way. Free Tryout: www.typestyler.com

LA Computer Company: LA Computer Company: Specials on AppleCare, Apple Displays, MacBooks, iMac's, MacBook Pros, Laptop and iPod accessories and more. Apple A/C Adapters for laptops starting at $25.00 Call 1-800-941-7654 or Click Here.

Other World Computing: Power up your PowerMac G4! Make you trusty PowerMac G4 like new again with up to 2.0GHz Processor Power. G4/1.2GHz for $199, Dual 1.8GHz $498, & More Plug & Play for like new A-OK for OS 9 & OS X, etc.

Mac users can finally play Party Poker for Mac. Not only that, they can also learn how to play PokerStars for Mac.

Laptop Hardware Provided by TechRestore - Overnight Mac & iPod Repairs.

Compare products like desktop computers, laptops, and LCD TVs side by side! All the information and reviews to make the best purchasing decision for a new cell phone GPS products or MP3 players. The Ciao network makes searching products easy for you.

NEW MacPro Memory 800Mhz With Apple Spec Heat Sink 2GB Kit $104 / 4GB Kit $184 / 8GB Kit $362 Click to Maximize your Macs...

Apple has updated the iMac with Intel's more efficient Penryn processor, which has a larger level 2 cache and includes the SSE4 instruction set. The iMac has also moved from an 800 MHz system bus to 1066 MHz, and clock speeds now range from 2.4 GHz to a 3.06 GHz build-to-order option.

The aluminum iMacs have 3 USB 2.0 ports, FireWire 400 and 800 ports, gigabit ethernet, 802.11n WiFi, Bluetoothe 2.1+EDR, and an 8x SuperDrive - as well as a slim keyboard with USB 2.0 ports.

The 20" 2.0 GHz iMac has 1 GB of RAM, a 250 GB hard drive, an 8x SuperDrive, Radeon HD 2400 XT graphics, AirPort Extreme, Bluetooth 2.0, and Apple's new keyboard and Mighty Mouse.

The 2.66 GHz and faster models ship with 2 GB of RAM, a 320 GB hard drive, and use Radeon HD 2600 Pro graphics (nVidia GeForce 8800 is a built-to-order option on the 24" iMac). The new iMac ships with Mac OS X 10.5.2 and iLife '08.

The Radeon HD 2400 and 2600 Pro graphics processors, while better than the Radeon X1600 GPU in the previous generation 2.0 GHz iMacs in some respects (and worse in others) is a step down from the nVidia GeForce 7300GT and 7600GT in the earlier 24" iMac. Gaming benchmarks measure GeForce frame rates as anywhere from 20% to nearly 200% higher. There are also many complaints about reflections due to the glossy display.

Note that 20" aluminum iMacs use an 18-bit LCD, which can only display 262,144 colors, not the "millions" all other iMacs can display. This should be good enough for most users.

Unlike earlier iMacs, where every USB port could provide 500 mA of power, only a single high-powered device can be attached to the USB ports, and software will enable one of its downstream ports to supply 500 mA of power. If a second high-powered device is attached, it will behave like a normal bus-powered hub and only provide 100 mA per downstream port.

Intel-based Macs use a partitioning scheme known as GPT. Only Macintel models can boot from GPT hard drives. Both PowerPC and Intel Macs can boot from APM (Apple's old partitioning scheme) hard drives, which is the format you must use to create a universal boot drive in Leopard. Power PC Macs running any version of the Mac OS prior to 10.4.2 cannot mount GPT volumes. PowerPC Macs won't let you install OS X to a USB drive or choose it as your startup volume, although there is a work around for that.

Details

introduced 2008.04.28 at US$1,199 (20" 2.4 GHz). US$1,499 (20" 2.66 GHz), US$1,799 (24" 2.8 GHz), and US$2,199 (3.06 GHz).
requires Mac OS X 10.5.2 or later
CPU: 2.4/2.66 GHz Intel Core2 Duo "Penryn", 3.06 GHz Core2 Extreme option
bus: 1066 MHz
performance:
- Geekbench 2 (Leopard): 3614 (2.8 GHz), 3127 (2.4 GHz), 2642 (2.0 GHz)
- Geekbench 2 (Tiger): 3740 (2.8 GHz), 3213 (2.4 GHz), 2741 (2.0 GHz)
RAM: 1 GB (2.4 GHz) or 2 GB (others), expandable to 4 GB using two PC2-5300 DDR2 SODIMMs
Graphics, 2.4 GHz: ATI Radeon HD 2400 XT 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, 2.66-3.06 GHz: ATI Radeon HD 2600 Pro with 256 MB RAM, supports up to 1920 x 1200 external digital display, 2048 x 1536 analog display, and monitor spanning
Graphics: 24" build-to-order option: nVidia GeForce 8800 GS with 512 MB RAM, supports up to 1920 x 1200 external digital display, 2048 x 1536 analog display, and monitor spanning
monitor:
- 20" 1680 x 1050 flat panel display (18-bit LCD)
- 24" 1920 x 1200 flat panel display
video out: mini-DVI, VGA, S-video, composite (requires adapter)
L2 cache: 6 MB shared cache on CPU
hard drive: 250/320 GB 7200 rpm Serial ATA drive
SuperDrive: writes DVD±R, DVD+R, and DVD+RW discs at up to 8x speed, DVD-RW at up to 6x; dual layer 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 16x, reads CDs at up to 24x
USB: 3 USB 2.0 ports, only 1 high-powered device device allowed
FireWire 400: 1 port, 7 Watts
FireWire 800: 1 port, 7 Watts
Optional 56 kbps USB modem supports v.92 standard
ethernet: 10/100/gigabit
AirPort Extreme: 802.11n
Bluetooth 2.1: included
Microphone: internal
power: 200W (20"), 248W (24")
H x W x D (20"): 18.5 x 19.1 x 7.4 in/46.9 x 48.5 x 18.9 cm
H x W x D (4"): 20.5 x 22.4 x 8.1 in/52.0 x 56.9 x 20.7 cm
weight (20"): 20 lb/9.1 kg
weight (24"): 25.4 lb/11.4 kg
upgrade path: none
Part no.: MB323 (20" 2.4 GHz), MB324 (20" 2.66 GHz), MB325 (24" 2,8 GHz)

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.
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.
Open source virtualization for Macs, iMac shutdowns, Psystar reviews, and more, Mac News Review, 2008.05.16. Also aluminum iMac USB power concerns, Penryn iMac twice as powerful as fastest G5 iMac, Radeon vs. GeForce in top-end iMac, Odysseus email client in beta, and more.
Windows on Macs: Three paths for integration, Jason Packer, Macs in the Enterprise, 2008.05.14. Mac users have three routes for running Windows apps: Run Windows using Boot Camp or virtualization, or use a compatibility layer such as WINE.
Value of old Power Macs, old computers in school, Panther or Tiger on Pismo, and more, Dan Knight, Low End Mac Mailbag, 2008.05.12. Also new 20" Penry iMac vs. 24" Santa Rosa and great results with a low-cost external SuperDrive.
Apple tops in tech support, Penryn iMacs and Psystar Open Computer reviewed, and more, Mac News Review, 2008.05.09. Also the iMac philosophy, OpenOffice 3.0 going Mac, MozyHome backup comes to Macs, weather in the Dock, and more.
Prosumer Mac suggestions, bring back the 12" 'Book, Pismo displays, and more, Dan Knight, Low End Mac Mailbag, 2008.05.06. Readers offer more thoughts on a midrange Mac, the need for a new 12" 'Book, using F-keys as F-keys in OS X, and lid closed video mode for Pismo.
Mac growth 4x PC rate, USB power famine, Montevina chips not in new iMacs, and more, Mac News Review, 2008.05.02. Also reducing energy waste from peripherals, fixing the Mac's shortcomings, Open Computer shipping and reviewed, why Apple bought PA Semi, 5x the range for Time Capsule, Mac gaming mouse, and more.
50% Mac sales growth is only the beginning, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2008.05.02. Apple has a great line of computers and an awesome operating system, but a prosumer model could make last quarter's growth seem normal.
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.
Using the aluminum iMac: Color me impressed, Frank Fox, Stop the Noiz, 2008.04.22. A MacBook is a wonderful thing, but an iMac with a 20" display can really spoil you.
18 bits can't display millions of colors, today's magic is different from yesterday's, and more, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2008.04.16. Also more feedback on Mac browsers, slow dial-up Internet, and a SCSI-to-USB 2.0 solution.
Add a second display, overlooked Leopard features, Nehalem chips hits 3.2 GHz, and more, Mac News Review, 2008.04.11. Also Apple and Canada, firware updates, Kensington keyboard with 3 USB ports, Magic Mail Folder, Newton Connection software, and more.
18-bit video inadequate, restoring AppleWorks speed, Macintosh display info, and more, Dan Knight, Low End Mac Mailbag, 2008.04.09. Also problems importing AppleWorks drawings and a damaged, unfixable mail database in Outlook Express 5.
Millions vs. thousands of colors: What's the difference?, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2008.04.07. Once again Apple is being sued over a Mac that can display 'only' 262,144 colors per pixel, not the millions it claims. Does it realy matter?
Too few USB ports in too many Macs, developer Leopard ran on Yikes, Mac IIfx RAM heaven, and more, Dan Knight, Low End Mac Mailbag, 2008.01.16. Also Macworld Expo disappoints, Pismo a great field computer, using flash memory in vintage Macs, and Word vs. Pages for academic writing.
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.
The best alternatives to Apple's USB keyboards, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2007.12.10. There are a lot of USB keyboards out there, even for the Mac, but these two have great keyboard action, are solidly built, and have features Apple's keyboard don't include.
Cross-platform computing: Better than it's ever been, Andrew J Fishkin, Best Tools for the Job, 2007.11.13. Macs can read PC media, both Macs and Windows PCs play nice with each other on networks, and emulation makes it easy for Intel Macs to run Windows apps.
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.
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.
3.2 Gbps FireWire, 4.8 Gbps USB coming, Macs cost less to use, a Core Image-based image editor, and more, Mac News Review, 2007.09.28. Also wireless USB to hit 1 Gbps, Mac sales are surging, aluminum iMacs have great image quality, 802.11n WiFi for most modern Macs, and more.
Importing video into iMovie, jumping the gun on G3s and Leopard, interference robustness, and more, Dan Knight, Low End Mac Mailbag, 2007.09.18. Also, Intel Macs support 802.11a WiFi alongside b, g, and n, and USB card options for beige G3 Power Macs.
Macs roar to #3 in US, 'one amazing iMac', 3 GB upgrade for Core2 Mac mini, and more, Mac News Review, 2007.08.24. Also aluminum iMac reviews, aluminum keyboard "packed with improvements", and QuickerTek's antenna array for AirPort Extreme.
Macs 'more enjoyable' than PCs, end of the G4, enthusiastic aluminum iMac reviews, and more, Mac News Review, 2007.08.17. Also Apple's USB 2.0 keyboard, business looks a iMacs, Core2 Mac mini benchmarked, miniStack NAS server, Virtual PC update improves security, and more.
No junk from Apple, Mac mouse dies after 18 years, time to cut the gigabyte BS, and more, Mac News Review, 2007.08.10. Also new iMac and Mac mini models, Apple's aluminum keyboards, new NAS drive looks like a Mac mini, first software update for aluminum iMacs, 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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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 (April 2008)

Go to the iMac and eMac index.

About LEM | Support | Usage | Privacy | Contacts

Entire Low End Mac website copyright ©1997-2008 by Cobweb Publishing, Inc., unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved. Advice presented in good faith, but what works for one may not work for all. Please report errors to .
LINKS: We allow and encourage links to any public page as long as the linked page does not appear within a frame that prevents bookmarking it.
Access our RSS news feed at http://lowendmac.com/feed.xml.
Email may be published at our discretion; email addresses will not be published without permission, and we will encrypt them in hopes of avoiding spammers. If you prefer your message not be published, mark it "not for publication." Letters may be edited for length, context, and to match house style.
PRIVACY: We don't collect personal information unless you explicitly provide it. For more details, see our Terms of Use.
Low End Mac is an independent publication and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Apple Inc. Apple, the Apple logo, Macintosh, iBook, iMac, eMac, iPod, PowerBook, MacBook, Mac Pro, Apple TV, and AirPort are registered trademarks of Apple Inc. Additional company and product names may be trademarks or registered trademarks and are hereby acknowledged.