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Identifying older iMac

L

louruiz

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Mar 11, 2015
9
0
Hello, I am trying to identify a older imac I have to see if its possible to upgrade the OS to Lion (for additinal software install puposes). I have tried matching serial numbers to the identify your iMac webpage : https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201634 but the info Apple gives is extremely vague. I know that its a 2006 because its white, but I would like to know which of the late or mid versions it actually is.

This is what Apple said my old computer is:
OBS,IMAC (24-INCH) ...what?

Why is Apple so vague with this info? I guess what I should really ask is, can I buy and install Lion on this computer? I've read that it is possible on some older iMacs, but not recommended by Apple for whatever reason.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.
 
What does the "About This Mac" screenshot say about the processor when you boot it into whatever OS it currently has?

If it identifies its processor as PowerPC G5, then you're limited to 10.5 Leopard.
If it identifies as an Intel processor, you should be able to get to 10.6 Snow Leopard and maybe Lion. Model numbers MA199xx/A, MA200xx/A, and MA406xx/A are all Core Duos and max out at Snow Leopard. Model numbers MA710xx/A, MA590xx/A, MA589xx/A, and MA456xx/A are Core 2 Duo and should run Lion without error.
 
Thanks for the response, the only identifying info I see on the mac is: iMac6,1 which oddly, is not listed on the website. It goes from 5,1 to 7,1, but the first 2007 listing is missing its model identifier. Does this mean its actually a white 2007 and the first 24" model?

See list: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201634

So, I should be able to install Lion, right?
 
louruiz said:
Thanks for the response, the only identifying info I see on the mac is: iMac6,1 which oddly, is not listed on the website. It goes from 5,1 to 7,1, but the first 2007 listing is missing its model identifier. Does this mean its actually a white 2007 and the first 24" model?

See list: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201634

So, I should be able to install Lion, right?
Click to expand...

If the case is made out of plastic (and I'm fairly certain it is) it's a 2006 Intel. This is the first generation Intels.
 
Sounds like you have it figured out.
The iMac6,1 is the first 24-inch iMac, and Apple calls it, simply "iMac (24-inch)"
Apple sold that model for nearly a year - September 2006 to August 2007.
I would call it a second generation intel.

Lion will install just fine, but that's the limit for that model.
Max out the RAM, if you like, up to 2 x 2GB. It will only address 3GB of that, but the pair will give slightly better performance.
Oh, if you don't yet know why the Apple support site shows the name OBS,IMAC (24-INCH), that just means that the model is OBSolete.
 
Would be nice to use one of the extra 4gb sticks i have from upgrading my 5k iMac to 32GB, but thats a big jump, and most likely not compatible.

Thanks for the info.
 
louruiz said:
Would be nice to use one of the extra 4gb sticks i have from upgrading my 5k iMac to 32GB, but thats a big jump, and most likely not compatible.

Thanks for the info.
Click to expand...
Not even close, DDR2 and DDR3 have a different card slot configuration, (200 pin and 204 pin) and even then, 4GB sticks are not supported in the older iMac - 2 x 2GB is the maximum
 
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