Retro Review: iMac Core 2 Duo (Late 2006), 15 Years Later! Still Usable?!

[@PaoloPisanu]

I am the lucky owner of two models of this beautiful iMac and I have never resigned myself to putting it away because it is "obsolete"... I recently gave new life to this beautiful computer by installing Linux Mint Debian Edition 5 (Elsie), 64 bit, and the result was simply fantastic!!! Don't put this beautiful jewel of technology in the attic, which can still give you a lot of satisfaction....

[@limaofarofa]

I believe these are still very useful for audio stuff: there's a plethora of used usb and firewire devices out there, no update related driver issues to be had, etc.

[@dabnisbrickey6527]

These are my favorite computers ever. I have a 17 inch and a 20 inch one of these.

[@transitengineer]

Thank you, so much for posting this retro review. I own both a white 20-inch G5 iMac running OS X 10.4 (Tiger) and a white 24-inch Intel iMac running OS X 10.6 (Snow Leopard) which in place of having two Fire-wire 400 ports, has one Fire-wire 400 port and one Fire-wire 800 port. This also, happens to be my favorite operating system for Intel based vintage Apple computers. What, I like about Snow Leopard is that because of Rosetta you are able to run both older Power PC OS X programs as well as newer programs for Intel systems, plus it still supports Apple's Front Row. In addition, a good and still supported web browser for Snow Leopard is Arctic Fox which, I very much enjoy using.

[@Omegadoomship]

I was given a Core 2 Duo iMac. It was upgraded as much as I could already with 4 GB DDR2 and an SSD. The CPU is a 2.4 GHz Core 2 Duo with no hyper-threading soldered to the motherboard which is a bummer because it could use an upgrade. The funny thing is the SSD I put in it already had Windows 10 on it and it actually booted into Windows like nothing had happened. It was amusing to see Windows 10 running on an iMac. How did Windows 10 run on the old iMac? I worked pretty well. But it was a bit sluggish at times. Despite having an SSD, loading times almost felt like it was using an HDD. Using the internet wasn’t too bad but playing KZbin videos is a bit too much the poor Core 2 Duo. It will play 480p, but anything higher it becomes a slideshow. I suspect there are some obvious driver issues within Windows which doesn’t help anything either, and Windows doesn’t recognize the GPU, calling it a generic video device or something. If the CPU had hyper threading I know it would be much more usable. But sadly the machine is too old for KZbin. This iMac running windows 10 would only be good for basic tasks. Obviously Mac OS would be much more optimized for the hardware so I will try using Mac OS instead and see what happens. It’s too bad there isn’t much upgradability with these things.

[@tylerfranx4286]

I'm replying to you on one of these 2006 iMacs running XP and supermium browser. It'll play KZbin 1080P 30fps no problems. And I still have the original HDD. I think your youtube playback problem has to do with windows 10 being a bloated piece of shit, and probably drivers too.

[@peporgan]

Absolutely love these iMacs. The 17-inch is good as a desktop you can carry around, it's much, much lighter than the 20-inch. The 24-inch is great for watching movies.

[@starman9458]

I bought a late 2006 iMac back in September 2016 for 80 dollars and it was a Mac OS X Lion with the latest version of 10.7.5 from October 2011. I quit using the Mac in early 2019 because it quit on me and was outdated and a couple of years later I got a Mac Mini M1 16GB 1TB and I now do video editing. I would really love to have the Apple Pro Display XDR but they are 5000 dollars for standard and 6000 dollars with everything with it. I currently use an Acer KC242Y monitor with my Mac.

[@LCMG4M1NG]

Mine got artifacts before and now I only see a white screen. I removed my SSD because the GPU was too pricy to repair. I plan on doing the "Project PiMac"

[@Henningberlin94]

I was 11 years old when I visited a friend in 2006 or 2007, where his dad had this insane looking Polycarbonate iMac in his attic office, I was extremely impressed. We had a tube TV until 2013, when I was 18 years old, still watched VHS films 2006 and maybe just got internet connection without a flatrate. PC was from Aldi with Windows XP.

[@Jordansklar0698]

This is the best review ive seen ❤

[@theshadowdirector]

This was the first Mac I ever used when my school bought a few. We used Mac OS for Specific kinda of IT project m like my class had to use GarageBand for one module. We found the Mighty Mouse kind of weird given its lack of a visible right button. They were also set up to dual boot Windows XP which we often did if using them during breaks, simply because we were more used to the interface plus the fact that Mac PPOS back then refused to allow full screen windowed programs which, again, threw us off.

[@EvilTurkeySlices]

The original imac 2006 came with core duo processors. 32-but only compared to 64-but on the late 2006. You can upgrade the early 2006 to a late 2006 by upgrading the processor and flashing the newer firmware. You still need hacks to get lion running though(just add the baked ID to an existing lion install or lion install media that you make)

[@retrotechguy]

I think this is the new Retro very soon. Really an iconic look!

[@g.o.a.t9804]

I just picked one up outside meant for the trash. It's freaking clean.. no dents, cracks very very clean like new. The rams have been removed thus I'm going to have put some ram in and and see if the display is good then I'll replace the hdd with ssd. I intend to install linux on it to write codes.

[@Vlamat67]

Thanks friend, nice video with a lot of useful information for those who would like to know this beautiful Apple machine. But you gave small but important incorrect information; the first on integrated graphics. Only the basic 17" model had the integrated GPU model GMA950 but it was possible, on the BTO option, to have a dedicated GPU equal to the superior 20" and 24" models, such as the powerful ATI X1600 with 128Mb of dedicated video memory. The 24" , again in the BTO (built to order) option, it could have an nVidia GT 7300 or GT 7600 GPU respectively with 256 or 512Mb DDR3 of dedicated video memory, excellent for 3D games. The LCD panels of all the white models are not TFT but IPS, for this reason, they guaranteed better lateral vision and above all better colors compared to the subsequent iMac from late 2007 (Alu). Video editing is possible; in full HD is easily possible on these iMacs using FinalCutPro (from version 5.1 to v7.03 it is optimized for Intel and ATI/AMD graphics cards) obviously not using the modern Mpeg4/H264/H265 codecs for import but only if the video files are converted to video formats such as HDV or ProRes; no problem if, however, you import videos directly from professional and consumer cameras that work in HDV, ProRes or XDCam format (and obviously including DV) because they are natively supported; the ProRes codec is a very powerful versatile codec and works in real time: all resolutions from SD to FHD are supported (now extended to 4K, 6K and 8K) with color depth ranging from 8bit to 16bit per RGB channel. Therefore, remaining in the SD/HD field, both HDV and ProRes guarantee fast and fluid editing even on these machines. Where necessary, there will be parts of the timeline to calculate to ensure quality and full motion video; video rendering times are influenced by 3 important factors: 1 amount of RAM installed, CPU clock, and hard disk. In summary, expand the iMac with 4GB of RAM, 2.16 or 2.33Ghz of CPU and SSD will bring the computer to express its best. It is clear that a MacPro, 1.1/2.1/3.1 will be able to give and do more thanks to the greater processing power, but if you are not in a hurry you will take the work home with the satisfaction of having done it on the iMac. The OS also has its importance, don't neglect this important piece. The best performing operating system, from my point of view and from years of intensive use, is Snow Leopard version 10.6.8; it is highly stable, allows you to use many software from 32 to 64 bit without problems, has excellent multitasking and always in personal opinion, it is the best operating system for these machines as Apple, during the lifespan of these iMacs, wanted to optimize the software to be able to best express the hardware from which they drew resources.

[@iRedMCYT]

The description is wrong - I have a 2007 iMac that is an aluminum model.

[@jensputzlocher8345]

you are right.

[@zybch]

Just got given one of these. Have 4gb RAM and a better hdd ordered for it already. I might just use bootcamp windows 7 though, for the many games I have that will run great on its hardware (I have the Radeon X1600 version) but not any current windows I'm using.

[@r9740]

I'm watching this in 720p from the white iMac 24inch with AntiX OS.

[@segaprophet]

I'm surprised the Radeon graphics chip BGA hasn't failed yet, known fault on those models

[@Jinkocruz]

That iMac 2006 still works perfectly fine TOO

[@kielagut]

Actually, the Early 2006 iMac models came with 32-bit Core Duo processors.

[@distantradiowaves]

What kind of camera are you using? Is it a camcorder? Cool vid, I just got one of these free the other day.

[@audioslaverockband]

I only like these older iMac because I can use windows xp and not windows 7 or vista with Boot Camp

[@travosk8668]

White is such a beautiful color for mac products, I wish we could still get a white macbook or a white variant of the m1 imac

[@ethanlinton1159]

racist

[@thenormalone6753]

Hey, If you just need a big screen to do Websurfing, Videocalls and browsing the web, the iMac is perfect. Even this one when you are on a budget

[@tanit7741]

I still use mine.

[@knightsson1045]

I have a 17 inchversion 06 imac G5 4gigs of ram which is my secondary daily driver running windows 7 its not very fast but actually nice performan with my first daily driver with i3 2120 radeon hd 6670 16 gigs of ram and two 240 gig ssds one for the os another ome for apps photos n stuff both work awesome,i just got a ugreen adapter so that i can use my keyboard and mouse to switch over when i need to. it works perfectly both works awesome

[@onkelebert787]

Its not a G5 if you can run Windows natively.

[@knightsson1045]

Haha

[@knightsson1045]

Its been over a year I have built my own pc with a ryzen 7 5700x and a 4060 coupled with 32 gigabytes of ddr5 on a msi motherboard i guess we all do start somewhere :]

[@Jordansklar0698]

I have the 17in model running batocera Linux and it wont accept more than 2gb of ram unfortunately my main pc is a dell pc lol running linux

[@jensputzlocher8345]

The early 2006 iMacs came with a 32bit CoreDuo CPU - those don't accept more than 2GB. You have to upgrade the firmware and replace the CPU.

[@Jordansklar0698]

@@jensputzlocher8345 oh ok i was able to get a 64 bit version of linux installed cus it had a core 2 duo 64 bit cpu i jist had to use a 32 bit efi compattible kernel it was a pain and not all distros worked but some did

[@TheGeekTeacher]

Anyone using this as an extended screen for another Mac? Please send details if you know how to do it. Thanks.

[@yolotoko2393]

are these good on Microsoft word are these good to do assessment works on?

[@amonster8mymother]

So I can upgrade the OS to lion?

[@pigeonette1]

I own a 17 inch and installed XP on it I plan on putting 7 on it at one point

[@amonster8mymother]

Is the sound 24 bit?

[@michellecrowe5522]

I would like to go and get one but can it burn a cd on a usb

[@robbiezxc]

Would this be good for cura slicer

[@Jceasergaming]

my one just has blinking in the bottom right corner do you know what this means

[@A.P.I.-2bon2b]

Sleeping

[@AlluriSureshBiomedicalEngineer]

I have iMac 2006 model

[@steve27041979]

can you still go on facebook with this mac

[@helmi5045]

hopefully not lol

[@spaghettio2199]

I have one and I can’t even get KZbin to open so I don’t think so

[@meec9172]

I’m able to run Facebook on mine

[@phillipsmith4745]

My aunt still has hers and she doesn’t use it anymore but she just won’t let me have it.

[@onkelebert787]

Then buy one for your own.

[@phillipsmith4745]

@@onkelebert787 I already got hers just recently but I already had computers that I got for free and now I use her computer for a windows xp gaming system

[@amonster8mymother]

👍

[@leonardoplays5546]

lmao my school still has it

[@joen3992]

You can’t do anything with it online. Try attempting to watch this video. It won’t happen. Linux install is a nightmare. Own one and it’s a door stop…

[@georgemaragos2378]

Hi, i installed linux mint ( version 17 i think ) but it was in 2018, did not have a issue, initially i dual booted using refind boot manager, a few months later something went wrong, so i just wiped the entire drive and just have linux mint running My other option was to use windows 8.1 or win 10 ( i did at one stage place another hard drive with win 10 32bit from the 2018-2019 install and it ran fine for 3 months )