Apple 27" iMac (Late 2009); iMac10,1 (Core 2 Duo) iMac11,1 (Core i5, i7) Installation Guides & Specifications
Upgrading theApple 27” iMac (Late 2009) RAM is very easy. Other upgrades or repair like the Hard Drive or the Optical Drive are a bit more advanced but still manageable. All You'll need is some simple tools, and the correct parts. We then urge you to follow the videos or the Apple manual provided on the links below.
Please see our Apple RAM Memory for iMac 27" (Late 2009) page to locate your Apple compatible RAM upgrade for your iMac
Please see our Hard Drive for iMac 27" (Late 2009) page to locate your Apple compatible Hard Drive upgrades for your iMac
Please see our SSD for iMac 27" (Late 2009) page to locate your Apple compatible SSD upgrades for your iMac
Apple User Guides for the Apple iMac 27" (Late 2009)
iMac: How to remove or install memory Learn how to remove or install memory in your iMac computer on the Apple support page.
OWC Video Installation Guide for Apple 27” iMac (Late 2009):
Memory Install Video
Recommended Tools for the RAM upgrade:
Add a second hard drive or SSD easily with the OWC Data Doubler. Here's an instructional video from OWC:
Data Doubler Install Video
Use the Optical Drive install videos below for iMac 27" (Late 2009) to install a DataDoubler mounted drive:
Optical Install Video
Recommended Tools for the Data Doubler/Optibay upgrade:
- Heavy-duty Suction Cups
- Newer Technology 14 Piece Tool Set
Here is how to fix or upgrade the main Hard Drive:
NewerTech AdaptaDrive. Drive Install Video
OWC's step-by-step video of how to install a drive in a NewerTech AdaptaDrive.
OWC Skill Level: "Easy" | Duration: 3:00|
Hard Drive Installation Video
Before you replace your original Hard Drive you need to be aware of the heat sensor issue, if you're not have a look at this website.
As explained you have 2 options to fix this:
- Software fix with HDD Fan Control
- Hardware fix with a OWC Heat Sensor DIY kit
Recommended Tools for the HDD/SSD upgrade:
- Heavy-duty Suction Cups
- Newer Technology 14 Piece Tool Set
- 2.5" to 3.5" adapter - for SSD installation only
- External Hard Drive Enclosure - Convert your existing drive into an external one
First make sure you understand the heat sensor issue mentioned above.
Here is some detailed specifications as well as direct link to available upgrades:
Apple 27" iMac (Late 2009) | |
OVERVIEW | |
Introduced | October 2009 |
Discontinued | July 2010 |
Model Identifier | iMac10,1 (Core 2 Duo) iMac11,1 (Core i5, i7) |
Model Number | A1312 |
EMC | 2309 (Core 2 Duo) 2374 (Core i5, i7) |
Order Number | MB952LL/A (3.06 GHz), MB953LL/A (2.66 GHz) |
PROCESSOR | |
Processor | Intel Core 2 Duo (E7600, E8600), Core i5 (750), or Core i7 (860) ("Wolfdale, Lynnfield") |
Processor Speed | 3.06 or 3.33 GHz (Core 2 Duo), 2.66 GHz (Core i5), 2.8 GHz (Core i7) |
Architecture | 64-bit |
Number of Cores | 2 or 4 |
Cache | 3 MB (3.06 GHz) 6 MB (3.33 GHz) L2, 8 MB (2.66, 2.8 GHz) L3 |
System Bus | 1066 MHz (3.06 GHz Core 2 Duo) or 1333 MHz (3.33 GHz Core 2 Duo) or Intel Direct Media Interface (DMI) at 2.5 GT/s (Core i5 and Core i7) |
STORAGE AND MEDIA | |
Standard Storage | 1 or 2 TB (7200-rpm) |
Link to upgrade tool & kits | Heat sensor kit |
Link to internal HDD | Upgrade to a new 3.5” HDD |
Link to internal SSD | Upgrade to a new 2.5” SSD |
Media | Slot-loading 8x SuperDrive (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW) |
Link to external optical drive | Get an external burner here |
PERIPHERALS | |
Peripherals | Apple Wireless Keyboard, Magic Mouse |
RAM | |
Built-in Memory | |
Maximum Memory | 32 GB (Core i5 or Core i7 Actual) 16 GB (Apple) |
Memory Slots | 4 - 204-pin PC3-8500 (1066 MHz) DDR3 SO-DIMM |
Interleaving Support | Yes |
Link to RAM upgrade | Upgrade your RAM here |
DISPLAY | |
Built-in Display | 27-inch (viewable) LED-backlit glossy widescreen TFT LCD with IPS |
Resolutions | 2560 by 1440 pixels |
GRAPHICS | |
Graphics Card | ATI Radeon HD 4670 or Radeon HD 4850 |
Graphics Memory | 256 MB (Radeon HD 4670) or 512 MB (Radeon HD 4850) GDDR3 |
Display Connection | 1 - Mini DisplayPort |
Display Modes | Dual display extended, video mirroring, Target Display |
External Resolution | Up to 2560 by 1600 pixels |
Camera | Built-in iSight |
CONNECTIONS | |
Wi-Fi | Built-in AirPort Extreme card (802.11a/b/g/n) |
Bluetooth | Built-in Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR |
Ethernet | 10/100/1000BASE-T (RJ-45) |
Modem | |
USB | 4 - 480 MBit/s |
FireWire | 1 - 800 MBit/s |
Thunderbolt | |
Display | 1 - Mini DisplayPort |
Infrared | 1 - For Apple Remote only |
Audio In | 1 - 3.5-mm analog/optical combo input jack, Built-in microphone |
Audio Out | 1 - 3.5-mm analog/optical combo output jack, Built-in speakers |
EXPANSION | |
Slots | 1 - Secure Digital (SDXC) |
Hard Drive Interface | 3.0 Gbps Serial ATA (SATA) |
Optical Drive Interface |