The Apple iMac 24-inch Early 2008, a personal computer manufactured and marketed by Apple from 2008 to 2009 as part of the iMac series, was a significant addition to the tech landscape. Launched on April 28, 2008, its initial price tag stood at $1,799.
This iteration of the iMac line saw upgrades in the form of the latest Intel Core 2 Duo processors and enhanced graphics capabilities, making it a standout choice for consumers and professionals alike. Priced starting at $1,799, the 24-inch iMac boasted faster processors featuring 6 MB L2 cache and a speedier 1066 MHz front-side bus across the entire lineup. Additionally, most models came standard with 2 GB of memory.
A notable feature of the 24-inch iMac was its optional 3.06 GHz Intel processor and the high-performance NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GS graphics, which elevated its status as an all-in-one desktop powerhouse. The sleek aluminum and glass design garnered praise from users and contributed to the iMac’s growing popularity.
Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing, highlighted the iMac’s appeal, stating, “The iMac’s gorgeous aluminum and glass all-in-one design has been an incredible hit with our customers.”
In terms of performance, the iMac packed a punch with dual-core Intel Core 2 Duo processors, a 1066 MHz front-side bus, and up to 4 GB of 800 MHz DDR2 SDRAM memory. The optional NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GS with 512 MB of video memory provided substantial gains in graphical performance, catering to graphic-intensive tasks.
Connectivity options were abundant, with built-in AirPort Extreme 802.11n Wi-Fi networking offering enhanced speeds, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, Gigabit Ethernet, and multiple USB 2.0 ports, including those on the Apple Keyboard. It also featured FireWire 400 and FireWire 800 ports, catering to diverse connectivity needs.
Apple’s commitment to environmental sustainability was evident in the iMac’s design, with highly recyclable materials and energy-efficient components. The iMac line was rated EPEAT Silver and met Energy Star 4.0 requirements, showcasing Apple’s dedication to eco-friendly practices.
The iMac came bundled with iLife ‘08, featuring updated versions of iPhoto and iMovie, integrated with the new .Mac Web Gallery for online photo and video sharing. Additionally, it included Leopard, the advanced operating system offering features like Time Machine, Quick Look, and Spaces, enhancing user experience and productivity.
Key specifications of the iMac 24-inch Early 2008 included a choice between 2.8 GHz or 3 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processors, 2 GB of RAM, a 24-inch LCD TFT Display, 320 GB or 500 GB hard drive options, slot-loading 8x DVD-R/CD-RW dual-layer “SuperDrive”, Ambient Light Sensor, iSight camera, built-in Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR, USB 2.0 ports, and 256 MB ATI Radeon HD 2600 PRO graphics in the base model.
Unfortunately, this model was discontinued on March 3, 2009, marking the end of an era. Today, the iMac 24-inch Early 2008 stands as a testament to Apple’s innovation and enduring legacy in the realm of personal computing, celebrating its 16-year anniversary.
iMac 24-inch Early 2008 Details
| Introduced | April 28, 2008 – 16 years ago |
| Discontinued | March 3, 2009 – 15 years ago |
| Last Software Update | July 18, 2016 – 8 years ago |
| Time on the Market | 309 days (10 months) |
| Time of Support | 98 months (8 years) |
| Model Identifier | iMac8,1 |
| Model Number | A1225 |
| EMC | 2211 |
| Order Number | MB325LL/A (2.8 GHz) MB398LL/A (3 GHz) |
| Original Price | $1,799 $2,199 |
| Colors | Aluminum |
| Weight | 25.4 Ibs. 11.521 KG |
| Dimensions | 20.5” H x 22.4” W x 8.1” D 52.07 cm H x 56.9 cm W x 20.57 cm D |
iMac 24-inch Tech Specs
Processor
| Processor | Intel Core 2 Duo E8235 “Penryn” (2.8 GHz) Intel Core 2 Duo E8435 “Penryn” (3 GHz) |
| Processor Speed | 2.8 GHz 3 GHz |
| Architecture | 64-bit |
| Number of Cores | 2 |
| System Bus | 1066 MHz |
| Cache | 6 MB shared L2 at full processor speed |
Storage & Media
| Storage | 320 GB 500 GB 750 GB 1 TB |
| Media | 1 – 8x DVD-R/CD-RW dual-layer “SuperDrive” slot-loading drive |
Memory
| Built-in Memory | 2 GB |
| Maximum Memory | 4 GB (Apple) 6 GB (Actual) |
| Memory Slots | 2 – PC2-6400 200-pin DDR2 SO-DIMM 800 MHz |
| Interleaving Support | Yes |
Display
| Built-in Display | 24″ TFT LCD glossy widescreen Display |
| Brightness | 385 cd/m² |
| Resolutions | 640 x 480 800 x 500 800 x 600 840 x 524 1024 x 640 1024 x 768 1280 x 800 1344 x 840 1680 x 1000 1920 x 1200 (Native) |
Graphics
| Graphics Card | ATI Radeon HD 2600 PRO NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GS |
| Graphics Memory | 256 MB GDDR3 (ATI Radeon HD 2600 PRO) 512 MB GDDR3 (NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GS) |
| Display Connection | 1 – Mini-DVI (DVI, VGA, Composite, and S-video with adapter) |
| Display Modes | Dual display extended and video mirroring |
| External Resolution | Up to 1920 x 1200 pixels on Digital Up to 2048 x 1536 pixels on Analog |
| Camera | iSight |
Expansion
| Expansion Slots | None |
| Optical Drive Interface | Ultra ATA/100 |
| Hard Drive Interface | 3 Gbps Serial ATA (SATA) |
Connections
| Ethernet | 10/100/1000BASE-T (RJ-45 – support for jumbo frames) |
| Modem | Apple USB Modem MA034Z/A (Optional) |
| Wi-Fi | AirPort Extreme Card 802.11a/b/g/n |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR |
| USB | 3 – 480 Mbps (USB 2.0) |
| FireWire | 1 – 400 Mbps 1 – 800 Mbps |
| Infrared | 1 – For Apple Remote only |
| Audio In | 1 – 3.5-mm analog/optical combo jack 1 – Built-in microphone |
| Audio Out | 1 – 3.5-mm analog/optical combo jack 2 – Built-in speakers |
| Display | 1 – Mini-DVI (DVI, VGA, Composite, and S-video with adapter) |
Keyboard and Mouse
Software
| Original OS | Mac OS X 10.5.2 |
| Later OS | Mac OS X 10.5.4 |
| Maximum OS | OS X 10.11.6 |
| Firmware | Intel Extensible Firmware Interface |
| Bundled Software | Mac OS X 10.5 iLife ’08 (includes iTunes, iPhoto, iMovie, iDVD, iWeb, GarageBand) iWork ’08 (30-day trial) |
Power
| Backup Battery | 3 V CR2032 Lithium |
| Maximum Continuous Power | 280 W |
| Line Voltage | 100-240 V AC |
