Today, Apple released an update called iMac Graphics Firmware Update 1.0 which specifically addresses the freezing issue seen on recent iMacs.
This update is for 20-inch and 24-inch aluminum iMac computers with the ATI Radeon HD 2600 PRO graphics processor, running Mac OS X 10.4.10 with iMac Software Update 1.2.1 for Tiger, or Mac OS X 10.5 with iMac Software Update 1.3 for Leopard.
According to Apple, the download updates the graphics firmware on the ATI Radeon HD 2600 PRO card to address issues that may have caused the computer to freeze.
Early reports from iMac users have been promising. One user posts that his benchmarks before and after update are the same, so there's been no speed downgrade involved in the fix.
Numerous reports confirm that it does fix the problem that has been widely reported. One report is reproduced here:
Guys, this update is the real deal. I have a bad freezer that is actually scheduled to be shipped back to Apple for a replacement tomorrow. I applied the firmware update (and 10.5.1) and have been working it hard for the past two hours, doing all the stuff that used to make it freeze in minutes. iTunes visualizer, CoverFlow, screen savers, Photo Booth, Front Row, the whole nine yards. Not a single freeze. I had this thing freezing on command before.
Sunday August 23, 2026 11:36 am PDT by Tim Hardwick
Apple is readying new iMac models with an upgraded chip and new color options, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
Writing in his latest Power On newsletter, Gurman says the new version is likely to be an updated 24-inch model with an M6 chip, replacing the existing M4 model that arrived in October 2024.
New colors are also said to be on the menu, though Gurman does not say what they...
Tuesday September 15, 2026 12:53 pm PDT by Juli Clover
Apple today added the 2019 4K iMac to its list of vintage products, which means repairs can only be done if Apple has the parts available.
Products are added to the vintage list five years after they were last distributed for sale, and they're moved to the obsolete list at the seven-year mark. Vintage products can be repaired at Apple Stores and by Apple Authorized Service Providers if the...
Tuesday August 25, 2026 5:31 pm PDT by Juli Clover
BenQ today announced the launch of the iScreenBar, which it says is the first monitor light bar built for the iMac.
The iScreenBar is meant to look like an extension of the iMac, offering desk lighting that does not clash with the iMac's design or block the camera or microphone. It's made from aluminum and lights an area of 33.5 by 19.7 inches at 500 lux. A glass touch panel is available for ...
