Oct 10, 2015 You've gotten good information here. I paid $900 almost two years ago for a 27' late 2009 quad-core i7 iMac, because I wanted something that could run MacOS as far back as 10.6. I don't need that capability now, but I'm kinda stuck with the iMac.
Aluminum iMac Q&A - Published December 6, 2009
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How does the gaming performance of the 'Late 2009' Aluminum iMac models compare to earlier Aluminum iMac models? How much faster are the graphics?
Please note that all Macs mentioned in this Q&A have been discontinued. The 'Late 2009' iMac models were replaced by the 'Mid-2010' models on July 27, 2010.
Apple formally reports that the 'Late 2009' Aluminum iMac models with ATI Radeon HD 4670 graphics -- the higher-end MC413LL/A configuration of the iMac 'Core 2 Duo' 3.06 21.5-Inch (Late 2009) and the iMac 'Core 2 Duo' 3.06 27-Inch (Late 2009) -- are 4.4 times faster running Doom 3 and 2 times faster running Call of Duty 4 than systems equipped with NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics (which includes the entry-level iMac 'Core 2 Duo' 3.06 21.5-Inch (Late 2009) and some previous models).
In turn, Apple reports that the high-end iMac 'Core i5' 2.66 27-Inch (Late 2009) with its stock ATI Radeon HD 4850 graphics processor is 1.8 times and 1.5 times faster in Doom 3 and Call of Duty 4, respectively, than the 'Late 2009' systems configured with ATI Radeon HD 4670 graphics.
A variety of third-party reviewers also enjoyed putting the 'Late 2009' iMac models to the test in a variety of gaming challenges.
As part of a longer review, Electronista reported:
We tested gaming both in Mac OS X and in Boot Camp with Windows 7 -- which, as much as some Mac users may dislike to admit, is the most likely gaming environment on the new iMac. Here, the Core i5 along with the Radeon HD 4850 (actually a Mobility Radeon part) results in an iMac that can actually participate in reasonably high-end gaming. Titles like Heroes of Newerth and Left 4 Dead still have a modern level of detail but can run at the system's full 2560x1440 resolution, above 30 frames per second, without having to significantly lower settings outside of antialiasing. Other games like Crysis have to run at lower resolutions like 1600x900 but can still run with all but extreme details left turned on.
BareFeats -- always a must read source for Mac gaming benchmarks -- tested the 'Late 2009' iMac models as well as some 'Early 2009' and Mac Pro systems in a variety of games running at 1920x1200 and 2560x1440, and concluded:
The iMac Core i7 (quad-core) with the same Radeon HD 4850 as the Core i5 is not any faster when doing 3D graphics intensive functions at max quality and max resolution. . . If you are trying to decide which of the two quad-core iMacs to choose for 3D gaming or other 3D graphics intensive tasks, either one will do the job.
Site sponsor Other World Computingtested all of the 'Late 2009' iMac models running Halo -- with the stock 4 GB of RAM as well as more memory -- and you may wish to review these results as well.
Ultimately, the 'Late 2009' iMac models equipped with ATI Radeon HD 4670 and 4850 graphics provide entirely respectable results in gaming tests and are likely to make plenty of gamers happy. As always, extremely 'hardcore' gamers no doubt will prefer to continue to build their own gaming boxen or fire up a dedicated console player.
In the US, site sponsor Adorama sells new Aluminum iMac models free of sales tax outside of NY and NJ and with free shipping for all. Site sponsor Evertek sells used Aluminum iMac models at bargain prices to individuals and ships bulk orders at wholesale prices worldwide. Finally, if you need to sell an iMac, A+ BBB-rated Cash for Your Mac will buy your older iMac with an instant quote and prompt payment.
In the UK, site sponsor Apple-Bay also has some used Aluminum iMac models, all verified and refurbished by an in-house Apple Certified Mac Technician and sold with a one-year warranty and free delivery in the mainland UK.
In Australia, site sponsor Mac City likewise has a variety of used Aluminum iMac models sold at low prices and available with a free warranty and fast shipping across Australia.
Also see:
- How much faster are the high-end Core i5/Core i7-powered 'Late 2009' Aluminum iMac models than the Core 2 Duo powered models? How much faster are these models than the 'Early 2009' models replaced?
- How does the performance of the high-end Core i5/Core i7-powered 'Late 2009' Aluminum iMac compare to the entry-level 'Early 2009/Nehalem' Mac Pro? Is there still a reason to consider a Mac Pro over an iMac?
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If you don’t have your Mac or it doesn’t start up, use one of these solutions instead:
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- The original packaging might also show an Apple part number, such as MMQA2xx/A (“xx” is a variable that differs by country or region). You can match the Apple part number to one in the list below to find your model.
List of iMac models
iMac models are organized by the year they were introduced, starting with the most recent. Click the model name for detailed technical specifications.
iMac models from 2012 and newer can run the latest version of macOS. For models from before 2012, the latest compatible operating system is noted.
2019
iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2019)
Model Identifier: iMac19,1
Part Numbers: MRQYxx/A, MRR0xx/A, MRR1xx/A
Tech Specs: iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2019)
iMac (Retina 4K, 21.5-inch, 2019)
Model Identifier: iMac19,2
Part Numbers: MRT3xx/A, MRT4xx/A
Tech Specs: iMac (Retina 4K, 21.5-inch, 2019)
2017
iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2017)
Model Identifier: iMac18,3
Part Numbers: MNE92xx/A, MNEA2xx/A, MNED2xx/A
Tech Specs: iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2017)
iMac (Retina 4K, 21.5-inch, 2017)
Model Identifier: iMac18,2
Part Numbers: MNDY2xx/A, MNE02xx/A
Tech Specs: iMac (Retina 4K, 21.5-inch, 2017)
iMac (21.5-inch, 2017)
Model Identifier: iMac18,1
Part Numbers: MMQA2xx/A
Tech Specs: iMac (21.5-inch, 2017)
2015
iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Late 2015)
Model Identifier: iMac17,1
Part Numbers: MK462xx/A, MK472xx/A, MK482xx/A
Tech Specs: iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Late 2015)
27 Inch Imac Problems
iMac (Retina 4K, 21.5-inch, Late 2015)
Model Identifier: iMac16,2
Part Numbers: MK452xx/A
Tech Specs: iMac (Retina 4K, 21.5-inch, Late 2015)
iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2015)
Model Identifier: iMac16,1
Part Numbers: MK142xx/A, MK442xx/A
Tech Specs: iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2015)
iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Mid 2015)
Model Identifier: iMac15,1
Part Numbers: MF885xx/A
Tech Specs: iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Mid 2015)
2014
iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Late 2014)
Model Identifier: iMac15,1
Part Number: MF886xx/A
Tech Specs: iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Late 2014)
iMac (21.5-inch, Mid 2014)
Model Identifier: iMac14,4
Part Number: MF883xx/A, MG022xx/A
Tech Specs: iMac (21.5-inch, Mid 2014)
Can The Late 2009 27 Inch I Mac Run Games 2
2013
Can The Late 2009 27 Inch Imac Run Games Download
iMac (27-inch, Late 2013)
Model Identifier: iMac14,2
Part Number: ME086xx/A, ME088xx/A
Tech Specs: iMac (27-inch, Late 2013)
iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2013)
Model Identifier: iMac14,1
Part Number: ME086xx/A, ME087xx/A
Tech Specs: iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2013)
2012
iMac (27-inch, Late 2012)
Model Identifier: iMac13,2
Part Number: MD095xx/A, MD096xx/A
Tech Specs: iMac (27-inch, Late 2012)
iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2012)
Model Identifier: iMac13,1
Part Number: MD093xx/A, MD094xx/A
Tech Specs: iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2012)
2011
iMac (27-inch, Mid 2011)
Model Identifier: iMac12,2
Part Number: MC813xx/A, MC814xx/A
Newest compatible operating system: macOS High Sierra 10.13.6
Tech Specs: iMac (27-inch, Mid 2011)
iMac (21.5-inch, Mid 2011)
Model Identifier: iMac12,1
Part Number: MC309xx/A, MC812xx/A
Newest compatible operating system: macOS High Sierra 10.13.6
Tech Specs: iMac (21.5-inch, Mid 2011)
2010
iMac (27-inch, Mid 2010)
Model Identifier: iMac11,3
Part Number: MC510xx/A, MC511xx/A
Newest compatible operating system: macOS High Sierra 10.13.6
Tech Specs: iMac (27-inch, Mid 2010)
iMac (21.5-inch, Mid 2010)
Model Identifier: iMac11,2
Part Number: MC508xx/A, MC509xx/A
Newest compatible operating system: macOS High Sierra 10.13.6
Tech Specs: iMac (21.5-inch, Mid 2010)
2009
iMac (27-inch, Late 2009)
Model Identifier: iMac10,1
Part Number: MB952xx/A, MB953xx/A
Newest compatible operating system: macOS High Sierra 10.13.6
Tech Specs: iMac (27-inch, Late 2009)
iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2009)
Model Identifier: iMac10,1
Part Number: MB950xx/A, MC413xx/A
Newest compatible operating system: macOS High Sierra 10.13.6
Tech Specs: iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2009)
iMac (24-inch, Early 2009)
Model Identifier: iMac9,1
Part Number: MB418xx/A, MB419xx/A
Newest compatible operating system: OS X El Capitan 10.11.6
Tech Specs: iMac (24-inch, Early 2009)
iMac (20-inch, Early 2009)
Model Identifier: iMac9,1
Part Number: MB417xx/A, MC019xx/A
Newest compatible operating system: OS X El Capitan 10.11.6
Tech Specs: iMac (20-inch, Early 2009)