Aluminum iMac Q&A - Updated July 15, 2016
IMac (27-inch, Late 2009) Model Label: iMac10,1 Part Numbers: MB952xx/A, MB953xx/A Newest compatible operating system: macOS High Sierra 10.13.6. TvOS 9 is an operating system that is 95% based on iOS 9, with adaptations made for a television interface. It was announced on September 9, 2015, alongside the new iPad Pro and iPhone 6S. Tim Cook took the stage and introduced tvOS saying that it was time for the Apple TV to gain a modern OS with support for apps as they are 'the future of TV'. Sep 24, 2018 Apple's new macOS Mojave update is not compatible with mid-2010 and mid-2012 Mac Pros with stock GPUs, but it is supported on 2010 and 2012 Mac Pro models that have been upgraded with graphics.
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How do you upgrade the hard drive in the 'Original/Mid-2007,' 'Early 2008,' 'Early 2009' and 'Mid-2009' (20-Inch and 24-Inch) Aluminum iMac models? What type of hard drive do they support? Can you swap the hard drive for an SSD?
Please note that this Q&A covers Aluminum iMac models with 20-Inch and 24-Inch displays. EveryMac.com also provides instructions to upgrade the hard drive and SSD storage in more recent 'Flat Edge' 21.5-Inch and 27-Inch aluminum models as well as the latest 'Tapered Edge' 21.5-Inch and 27-Inch aluminum line.
The 'Original/Mid-2007,' 'Early 2008,' 'Early 2009' and 'Mid-2009' Aluminum iMac models -- all Aluminum iMacs with a 20-Inch or 24-Inch display -- each have a 3 Gb/s SATA connector for a 3.5' hard drive and different models have a variety of different hard drives installed by default.
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (20-Inch & 24-Inch Aluminum iMac)
Apple considers the memory in these models to be a 'customer installable part' but the hard drive is not intended to be upgraded by end users. Upgrading the memory is extremely easy -- there is a small removable 'door' on the bottom of each system for this purpose -- but upgrading the hard drive requires one to remove the display and effectively disassemble the entire computer.
Disasembling the computer is not simple, but the hard drive in these models also can be swapped out with a faster 3 Gb/s SATA-equipped SSD, and the swap is no more difficult than upgrading the hard drive.
Identification Help
All of the 20-Inch and 24-Inch Aluminum iMac models have the same hard drive support. However, specific upgrade instructions are a bit different -- particularly for 20-Inch models -- so it still is important to be able to identify your iMac precisely.
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These models can be most readily identified in software by Model Identifier as well as externally via EMC number (located inconveniently under the 'foot' supporting the computer).
To locate the Model Identifier in software, select 'About This Mac' under the Apple Menu on your computer and click the 'More Info...' button. If the iMac is running OS X 10.7 'Lion' or later, you will need to click the 'System Report' button after clicking 'More Info...' as well. As always, EveryMac.com has carefully hand documented each EMC number and model identifier for your convenience.
These identifiers for each of the 20-Inch and 24-Inch iMac models follow:
iMac | Subfamily | EMC | Model ID |
Mid-2007 | |||
Mid-2007 | |||
Mid-2007 | |||
Mid-2007 | |||
Early 2008 | |||
Early 2008 | |||
Early 2008 | |||
Early 2008 | |||
Early 2009 | |||
Early 2009 | |||
Early 2009 | |||
Early 2009 | |||
Mid-2009 | |||
Mid-2009 |
EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Lookup feature -- as well as the EveryMac app -- also can uniquely identify these models by their Serial Number, which is listed on the underside of the foot along with the EMC number and within the operating system alongside the model identifier. More details about specific identifiers are provided in EveryMac.com's extensive Mac Identification section.
Hard Drive or SSD Upgrade Instructions
For adventurous -- and highly skilled -- users interested in replacing or upgrading the hard drive in 20-Inch or 24-Inch models themselves, site sponsor Other World Computing provides helpful step-by-step video instructions of the complex procedure:
20' Original/Mid-2007 & Early 2008 iMac Hard Drive Upgrade Video
20' Early 2009 and Mid-2009 iMac Hard Drive Upgrade Video
24' Original/Mid-2007 through Early 2009 iMac Hard Drive Upgrade Video
From watching the videos, it should be clear that upgrading the hard drive or SSD in these models is complicated. If you do not feel comfortable -- or have the time -- to perform the upgrade yourself, it always is a good idea to hire a professional.
iMac Storage Purchase & Professional Installation Options
Quality storage is important. Be sure to buy from a quality vendor that sells storage with a reputation for reliability.
In the US (and many other countries), site sponsor Other World Computing sells SSDs for all iMac models (as well as hard drives) for do-it-yourself upgrades.
In the UK and Ireland, site sponsor Flexx sells Aluminum iMac compatible SSDs and hard drives with free shipping. The company provides flat rate shipping to France, Germany, and Switzerland and inexpensive shipping for all of Europe, too.
In Australia, site sponsors Macfixit and Upgradeable sell iMac compatible hard drives and SSDs with fast shipping, a money-back guarantee and more.
In New Zealand, site sponsor Upgradeable New Zealand sells iMac hard drives and SSDs with fast delivery to all corners of the country, precise compatibility, a lifetime warranty, and a money-back guarantee.
Also see:
- How do you upgrade the hard drive in the 'Late 2009,' 'Mid-2010,' 'Mid-2011' and 'Late 2011' (21.5-Inch and 27-Inch) Aluminum iMac models? What type of storage do they support? Is it even possible to upgrade these models?
- How do you upgrade the hard drive in the 'Tapered Edge' Aluminum iMac models? What type of storage do they support? Is it possible to upgrade the hard drive or SSD?
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Your Mac provides several tools to help you identify it. The simplest is About This Mac, available by choosing About This Mac from the Apple menu in the top left-hand corner of your screen. The other is the System Information app. Find out how to use these tools to identify your Mac.
If you don’t have your Mac or it doesn’t start up, use one of these solutions instead:
- Find the serial number printed on the underneath of your Mac, near the regulatory markings. It's also on the original packaging, next to the barcode label. You can then enter that serial number on the Check Coverage page to find your model.
- The original packaging may 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 on the list below to find your model.
List of iMac models
iMac models are organised by the year when they were introduced, starting with the most recent. Click the model names to get detailed technical specifications or to view the accompanying user guide.
iMac models from 2012 or later can run the latest version of macOS. For models from before 2012, the latest compatible operating system is noted.
2020
iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2020)
Model Identifier: iMac20,1, iMac20,2
Part Numbers: MXWT2xx/A, MXWU2xx/A, MXWV2xx/A
Tech Specs: iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2020)
User Guide: iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2020)
2019
Mac Mini 2010 Latest Os
iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2019)
Model Label: iMac19,1
Part Numbers: MRQYxx/A, MRR0xx/A, MRR1xx/A
Tech Specs: iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2019)
User Guide: iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2019)
iMac (Retina 4K, 21.5-inch, 2019)
Model Label: iMac19,2
Part Numbers: MRT3xx/A, MRT4xx/A, MHK23xx/A
Tech Specs: iMac (Retina 4K, 21.5-inch, 2019)
User Guide: iMac (Retina 4K, 21.5-inch, 2019)
2017
iMac Pro
Model Label: iMacPro1,1
Part Numbers: MQ2Y2xx/A, MHLV3xx/A
Tech Specs: iMac Pro (2017)
User Guide: iMac Pro (2017)
iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2017)
Model Label: iMac18,3
Part Numbers: MNE92xx/A, MNEA2xx/A, MNED2xx/A
Tech Specs: iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2017)
User Guide: iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2017)
iMac (Retina 4K, 21.5-inch, 2017)
Model Label: iMac18,2
Part Numbers: MNDY2xx/A, MNE02xx/A
Tech Specs: iMac (Retina 4K, 21.5-inch, 2017)
User Guide: iMac (Retina 4K, 21.5-inch, 2017)
iMac (21.5-inch, 2017)
Model Label: iMac18,1
Part Numbers: MMQA2xx/A, MHK03xx/A
Tech Specs: iMac (21.5-inch, 2017)
User Guide: iMac (21.5-inch, 2017)
2015
iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Late 2015)
Model Label: iMac17,1
Part Numbers: MK462xx/A, MK472xx/A, MK482xx/A
Tech Specs: iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Late 2015)
User Guide: iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Late 2015)
iMac (Retina 4K, 21.5-inch, Late 2015)
Model Label: iMac16,2
Part Numbers: MK452xx/A
Tech Specs: iMac (Retina 4K, 21.5-inch, Late 2015)
User Guide: iMac (Retina 4K, 21.5-inch, Late 2015)
iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2015)
Model Label: iMac16,1
Part Numbers: MK142xx/A, MK442xx/A
Tech Specs: iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2015)
User Guide: iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2015)
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iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Mid 2015)
Model Label: iMac15,1
Part Numbers: MF885xx/A
Tech Specs: iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Mid 2015)
User Guide: iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Mid 2015)
2014
iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Late 2014)
Model Label: iMac15,1
Part Numbers: MF886xx/A
Tech Specs: iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Late 2014)
User Guide: iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Late 2014)
iMac (21.5-inch, Mid 2014)
Model Label: iMac14,4
Part Numbers: MF883xx/A, MG022xx/A
Tech Specs: iMac (21.5-inch, Mid 2014)
User Guide: iMac (21.5-inch, Mid 2014)
2013
iMac (27-inch, Late 2013)
Model Label: iMac14,2
Part Numbers: ME086xx/A, ME088xx/A
Tech Specs: iMac (27-inch, Late 2013)
User Guide: iMac (27-inch, Late 2013)
iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2013)
Model Label: iMac14,1
Part Numbers: ME086xx/A, ME087xx/A
Tech Specs: iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2013)
User Guide: iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2013)
2012
iMac (27-inch, Late 2012)
Model Label: iMac13,2
Part Numbers: MD095xx/A, MD096xx/A
Tech Specs: iMac (27-inch, Late 2012)
User Guide: iMac (27-inch, Late 2012)
iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2012)
Model Label: iMac13,1
Part Numbers: MD093xx/A, MD094xx/A
Tech Specs: iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2012)
User Guide: iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2012)
2011
iMac (27-inch, Mid 2011)
Model Label: iMac12,2
Part Numbers: MC813xx/A, MC814xx/A
Newest compatible operating system: macOS High Sierra 10.13.6
Tech Specs: iMac (27-inch, Mid 2011)
User Guide: iMac (27-inch, Mid 2011)
iMac (21.5-inch, Mid 2011)
Model Label: iMac12,1
Part Numbers: MC309xx/A, MC812xx/A
Newest compatible operating system: macOS High Sierra 10.13.6
Tech Specs: iMac (21.5-inch, Mid 2011)
User Guide: iMac (21.5-inch, Mid 2011)
2010
iMac (27-inch, Mid 2010)
Model Label: iMac11,3
Part Numbers: MC510xx/A, MC511xx/A
Newest compatible operating system: macOS High Sierra 10.13.6
Tech Specs: iMac (27-inch, Mid 2010)
User Guide: iMac (27-inch, Mid 2010)
iMac (21.5-inch, Mid 2010)
Model Label: iMac11,2
Part Numbers: MC508xx/A, MC509xx/A
Newest compatible operating system: macOS High Sierra 10.13.6
Tech Specs: iMac (21.5-inch, Mid 2010)
User Guide: iMac (21.5-inch, Mid 2010)
2009
iMac (27-inch, Late 2009)
Model Label: iMac10,1
Part Numbers: MB952xx/A, MB953xx/A
Newest compatible operating system: macOS High Sierra 10.13.6
Tech Specs: iMac (27-inch, Late 2009)
User Guide: iMac (27-inch, Late 2009)
iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2009)
Model Label: iMac10,1
Part Numbers: MB950xx/A, MC413xx/A
Newest compatible operating system: macOS High Sierra 10.13.6
Tech Specs: iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2009)
User Guide: iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2009)
iMac (24-inch, Early 2009)
Model Label: iMac9,1
Part Numbers: MB418xx/A, MB419xx/A
Newest compatible operating system: OS X El Capitan 10.11.6
Tech Specs: iMac (24-inch, Early 2009)
User Guide: iMac (24-inch, Early 2009)
iMac (20-inch, Early 2009)
Model Label: iMac9,1
Part Numbers: MB417xx/A, MC019xx/A
Newest compatible operating system: OS X El Capitan 10.11.6
Tech Specs: iMac (20-inch, Early 2009)
User Guide: iMac (20-inch, Early 2009)