What to do with a late-2006 iMac (Intel-based)?

[King Mustard]

Never used a Mac before.

• Intel Core 2 Duo T5600 (1.83 GHz) (1,028 PassMark CPU score)
• 17" display (1440×900)
• 2 GB RAM (DDR2 PC5300 SODIMM 667 MHz)
• 160 GB hard disk drive (SATA, 7,200 RPM)
• Intel GMA 950 (64 MB shared memory)
• 24× combo drive (DVD-ROM, CD-RW)
• Internal AirPort Extreme (802.11a/b/g)
• Gigabit Ethernet
• Apple Remote infrared receiver
• iSight Camera (640×480, 0.3 MP)
• Mini-DVI video out
• 3× USB 2.0 ports
• 2× Firewire 400
• Headphone/digital audio output
• Audio line-in/digital audio input
• Mac OS X 10.6.8 "Snow Leopard"

For £40, I thought it would be good to have a play with it.

I believe it uses Socket M, so theoretical CPU upgrades are:

• Core 2 Duo T7200 (2.00 GHz) (1,167 PassMark CPU score) (£5, eBay UK)
• Core 2 Duo T7400 (2.17 GHz) (1,244 PassMark CPU score) (£6, eBay UK)
• Core 2 Duo T7600 (2.33 GHz) (1,375 PassMark CPU score) (not currently available on eBay UK)

I guess I could install an SSD in it, too.

 

[kagharaht]

Maybe as an iTunes Home Sharing if you have Apple TV and iOS Devices at home?

 

[ColdCase]

If you find performance lacking, with the OX server app you can manage a VPN, host web pages, host file sharing, host time machine backups.... if you need any of that.

 

[Azeroth1]

SSD.

As for use, with those specs I’d probably be using it for something like a photo slideshow, music, or productivity.

 

[Fishrrman]

Does it boot?
Put a clean copy of the OS onto it -- either OS 10.6 (Snow Leopard) or 10.7 (Lion).

The Safari browser is too old to be really useful (will work some places and NOT others).
BUT... there are "alternative browsers" (such as Firefox) that are quite up-to-date.

As others mentioned, use it for music, viewing photos, and perhaps even for non-critical internet browsing.

I still have a 2006 vintage white Intel iMac that I use for music production.
And running 10.7, it still works well enough for the tasks I demand from it.

 

[26139]

I use mine as a TV, server, jukebox, and some typing.

Works super well, as long as I don't expect it to be fast.

SSD was a huge upgrade.

 

[ichii]

I also just got a used one same specs, I ordered 2gb of ram, a 120gb SSD and a T7600. I'm kinda iffy on upgrading the CPU, been seeing videos of the plastic pins breaking or scratching the board. I worked on and built PC before, but it's been a while. Anyone that upgraded to the T7600 CPU notice a big jump in performance from the T5600?

 

[King Mustard]

I also just got a used one same specs, I ordered 2gb of ram, a 120gb SSD and a T7600. I'm kinda iffy on upgrading the CPU, been seeing videos of the plastic pins breaking or scratching the board. I worked on and built PC before, but it's been a while. Anyone that upgraded to the T7600 CPU notice a big jump in performance from the T5600?

The Intel Core 2 Duo T7600 is roughly 33% faster than the Intel Core 2 Duo T5600.

As an example, this should hopefully mean you can stream 720p videos on YouTube without dropped frames; possibly even 1080p.

 

[ichii]

The Intel Core 2 Duo T7600 is roughly 33% faster than the Intel Core 2 Duo T5600.

As an example, this should hopefully mean you can stream 720p videos on YouTube without dropped frames; possibly even 1080p.

I was able to find the T7400 for a better price and got that instead. I do noticed the better performance, but it runs so much better on Windows 10.

 

[MultiFinder17]

I have a 20" Late 2006 iMac in my classroom that I use as a sign; I remote control it from my main Mac and put announcements, instructions, etc. for my kiddos.