iMac G3

The iMac G3, originally released as the iMac, is a series of Macintosh personal computers designed, manufactured, and sold by Apple Computer, Inc. from 1998 to 2003. Noted for its innovative enclosure via the use of translucent and brightly colored plastics, it was the first consumer-facing Apple product to debut under the recently returned interim CEO Steve Jobs. It was updated over time with new hardware and colors, until being supplanted by the iMac G4 and eMac.

iMac G3

iMac G3 in its original Bondi Blue color
Manufacturer	Apple Inc
Product family	iMac
Type	All-in-one
Release date	August 15, 1998 (1998-08-15)
Lifespan	1998–2003
Discontinued	March 18, 2003 (2003-03-18)
Media	24x CD-ROM 4x DVD-ROM (DV models)
Operating system	Mac OS 8, Mac OS 9 and Mac OS X
CPU	233 MHz - 700 MHz PowerPC 750 G3
Memory	32 - 512 MB (1GB for later models) (PC100 SDRAM)
Storage	Up to 128 GB (5400-rpm ATA-3)
Display	15-inch shadow-mask CRT screen (up to 1024 x 768 pixel resolution)
Graphics	ATI Rage IIC, Pro, 128 VR, 128 Pro, or 128 Ultra, with 2 to 16MB of SDRAM, depending on model
Sound	DAC with 2x internal Harman Kardon Odyssey speakers
Input	2x USB 1.1 2x FireWire ports 2x Headphone mini-jacks Analog audio input mini-jack
Connectivity	10/100 BASE-T Ethernet 56k V.90 modem Optional 11 Mbit/s AirPort 802.11b (adapter required)
Power	80 to 150 Watts, depending on the model
Dimensions	Height: 15.8 inches (40 cm) Width: 15.2 inches (39 cm) Depth: 17.6 inches (45 cm)
Mass	40 pounds (18 kg)
Predecessor	Power Macintosh G3 All-In-One
Successor	iMac G4 eMac

The marketing and sales success of the iMac G3 contributed to Apple's turnaround from financial ruin in the late 1990s and revitalized the Apple brand as design-oriented and simple. It was, nevertheless, criticized for abandoning then-current technological standards like the floppy drive and the Apple Desktop Bus connector in favor of the emerging USB standard.

History

Steve Jobs reduced the company's large product lines immediately upon becoming Apple's interim CEO in 1997. Toward the end of the year, Apple trimmed its line of desktop Macs down from ten distinct models to four models of the Power Macintosh G3, which included the iMac's immediate predecessor, an educational market exclusive called the Power Macintosh G3 All-In-One. Having discontinued the consumer-targeted Performa series, Apple needed a replacement for the Performa's price point. The company announced the iMac on May 6, 1998[1] and began shipping the iMac G3 on August 15, 1998.

Internally, the iMac was a combination of the MacNC project and Common Hardware Reference Platform (CHRP). Although the promise of CHRP has never been fully realized, the work that Apple had done on CHRP significantly helped in the designing of the iMac. One change from CHRP for example was to boot classic Mac OS using a 4MB Mac OS ROM file stored on disk. The original iMac used a PowerPC G3 (PowerPC 750) processor, which also ran in Apple's high-end Power Macintosh line at the time, though at higher speeds. It sold for US$1,299, and shipped with Mac OS 8.1, which was soon upgraded to Mac OS 8.5.

The iMac was continually updated after its initial release. Aside from increasing specifications (processor speed, video RAM and hard-disk capacity), Apple replaced Bondi Blue with new colors. Throughout its lifespan, the iMac was released in a total of thirteen colors.

A later hardware update created a sleeker design. This second-generation iMac featured a slot-loading optical drive, FireWire, "fanless" operation (through free convection cooling), a slightly updated shape, and the option of AirPort wireless networking. Apple continued to sell this line of iMacs until March 2003, mainly to customers who wanted the ability to run the older Mac OS 9 operating system. USB and FireWire support, and support for dial-up, Ethernet, and wireless networking (via 802.11b and Bluetooth) soon became standard across Apple's entire product line. The addition of high-speed FireWire corrected the deficiencies of the earlier iMacs.

The iMac CRT model, now targeted at the education market, was renamed the iMac G3, and kept in production alongside its iMac G4 successor until the eMac was released. As Apple continued to release new versions of its computers, the term iMac continued to be used to refer to machines in its consumer desktop line.

Design

• The thirteen 'flavors' of the iMac G3.
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The iMac was dramatically different from any previous mainstream computer. It was made of translucent "Bondi Blue"-colored plastic, and was egg-shaped around a 15-inch (38.1 cm) CRT display. The case included a handle, and the peripheral connectors were hidden behind a door on the right-hand side of the machine. Dual headphone jacks in the front complemented the built-in stereo speakers. Danny Coster was the original designer of the product, and Jonathan Ive helped further the process. The iMac G3's unique shape and color options helped ingrain itself into late 1990s pop culture. The iMac was the first computer to exclusively offer USB ports as standard,[2] including as the connector for its new keyboard and mouse,[3] thus abandoning previous Macintosh peripheral connections, such as the ADB, SCSI and GeoPort serial ports.

A further radical step was to abandon the 3½-inch floppy disk drive which had been present in every Macintosh since the first in 1984. Apple argued that recordable CDs, the Internet, and office networks were quickly making diskettes obsolete, however, Apple's omission generated controversy.[4] At the time of iMac's introduction, third-party manufacturers offered external USB floppy disk drives, often in translucent plastic to match the iMac's enclosure. Apple had initially announced the internal modem in the iMac would operate at only 33.6 kbit/s rather than the new 56 kbit/s speed, but was forced by consumer pressure to adopt the faster standard.

Components such as the front-mounted IrDA port and the tray-loading CD-ROM drive were borrowed from Apple's laptop line. Although the iMac did not officially have an expansion slot, the first versions had a slot dubbed the "mezzanine slot".[5] It was only for internal use by Apple, although a few third-party expansion cards were released for it, such as a 3dfx Voodoo II video card upgrade from Micro Conversions[6] and SCSI/SCSI-TV tuner cards (iProRAID and iProRAID TV) from the German company Formac. The mezzanine slot was removed from later iMacs, though according to an article in the German computer magazine c't, the socket can be retrofitted on revision C iMacs.[7]

The keyboard and mouse were redesigned for the iMac with translucent plastics and a Bondi Blue trim. The Apple USB Keyboard was smaller than Apple's previous keyboards, with white characters on black keys – both attributes that attracted debate. The Apple USB Mouse was mechanical, of a round, "hockey puck" design which was derided as being unnecessarily difficult for users with larger hands. Apple continued shipping the round mouse, adding a divot to the button in later versions so that users could distinguish proper orientation by feel. At the 2000 Macworld Expo in New York, a new capsule-shaped optical mouse, known as the Apple Pro Mouse (and later renamed the "Apple Mouse"), replaced the round mouse across all of Apple's hardware offerings. The Apple Pro Keyboard was introduced at the same time; it was a full-size keyboard,[8] with an extended layout not seen since Apple's last ADB keyboards.

Apple updated the iMac over time to feature different colors. January 1999 saw the launch of Blueberry, Grape, Tangerine, Lime and Strawberry.[9] Graphite was shortly thereafter made available as a Special Edition colour. The five fruit colours were later replaced with Ruby, Sage, Indigo and Snow. Ruby and Sage were later replaced by two limited-edition designs, "Blue Dalmatian" and "Flower Power" patterns. The final lineup consisted uniquely of Indigo, Snow and Graphite, later limited to Snow only before being discontinued.

• A closer look at the iMac G3
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Revision history

Tray-loading model

iMac G3 (tray loading)

Developer	Apple Computer
Type	Desktop
Release date	August 15, 1998
Operating system	Mac OS 8.1, up to Mac OS X 10.3.9
CPU	PowerPC 750 (G3), 233-333 MHz

The first iteration of the iMac G3 featured a 15-inch (13.8-inch viewable) CRT display, 233 MHz processor, ATI Rage IIc graphics, 4 GB hard drive, tray-loading CD-ROM drive, two USB ports, a 56 kbit/s modem, built-in Ethernet, infrared port, built-in stereo speakers, and two headphone ports. The CPU and memory were located on the same 'Daughter Card', which installed directly onto the motherboard.[10] It came exclusively in a translucent "Bondi Blue" plastic, and was known as Revision A. On October 17, the iMac was updated with ATI Rage Pro graphics. This updated Revision B model maintained its predecessor's original price of $1299. The iMac had its infrared and mezzanine features removed with the introduction of the Revision C model on January 5, 1999, dropping in price to US$1199. Hard drive capacity increased and a faster processor was added. The Bondi Blue color was discontinued and replaced by five new colors: Strawberry, Blueberry, Lime, Grape, and Tangerine. A final update, Revision D, was released on April 14, 1999, which maintained its previous specifications save a faster processor.

Model	iMac	iMac (Revision B)	iMac (266 MHz)	iMac (333 MHz)
Picture
Release date	August 15, 1998		January 5, 1999	April 15, 1999
Codename	"Columbus, Elroy, Tailgate, C1"		"Life Savers"
Model identifier	iMac,1
Color(s)
Processor	233 MHz		266 MHz	333 MHz
Cache	64 KB of L1 Cache and 512 KB of L2 backside cache (1:2)
Front Side Bus	66 MHz
Memory Two SO-DIMM slots	32 MB PC100 SDRAM
	Expandable to 384 MB (128 MB supported by Apple)[11]	Expandable to 512 MB (256 MB supported by Apple)[12]
Display	15-inch (13.8-inch viewable) shadow-mask CRT screen with 1024 x 768 pixel resolution (via internal DA-15 connector)
Graphics	ATI Rage IIc with 2 MB of SGRAM Expandable to 6 MB of SGRAM	ATI Rage Pro with 6 MB of SGRAM
Hard drive	4 GB		6 GB
	5400-rpm ATA-3 Up to 128 GB Hard Drive Supported
Optical drive Tray-loading	24x CD-ROM
Connectivity	10/100 BASE-T Ethernet 56k modem 4 Mbit/s IrDA (1998 models only)
Peripherals	2x USB 1.1 2x Headphone mini-jacks Analog audio input mini-jack Built-in stereo speakers "Mezzanine" slot (1998 models only)
Original Operating System	Mac OS 8.1 (initial release only) or 8.5		Mac OS 8.5.1
Maximum Operating System	Mac OS X 10.3.9 “Panther” and Mac OS 9.2.2 Unofficially, can run Mac OS X 10.5.8 "Leopard" with XPostFacto and processor upgrade			Mac OS X 10.3.9 “Panther” and Mac OS 9.2.2 Unofficially, can run Mac OS X 10.5.8 "Leopard" with XPostFacto and PowerPC G4 upgrade
Weight	38.1 lb (17.2 kg)
Dimensions	15.8 x 15.2 x 17.6 inch (40.1 x 38.6 x 44.7 cm)

Slot-loading model

iMac G3 (slot loading)

Developer	Apple Computer
Type	Desktop
Release date	October 5, 1999
Operating system	Mac OS 8.6, up to Mac OS X 10.4.11
CPU	PowerPC G3, 350-700MHz

On October 5, 1999, Apple discontinued the tray-loading iMac. The new iMac built upon the Revision D's success with a faster processor, double the RAM, improvements to the built-in speaker system, a slot-loading optical drive, faster ATI Rage 128 VR graphics, a slightly updated case, and support for Apple's 802.11b AirPort wireless networking card. The iMac was joined by two additional standard configurations, the iMac DV ("digital video") and iMac DV Special Edition. Designed to support home movie editing, the iMac DV had a more powerful processor, a VGA-out port, DVD-ROM drive, larger hard drive, and two FireWire ports for US$1299, in new shades of all five Revision D colors. The iMac DV Special Edition doubled the RAM again and increased hard drive capacity to 13 GB at US$1499, and was available in an exclusive Graphite color. All iMac (slot-loading) models featured convection cooling, keeping them nearly silent during operation.[13]

On July 19, 2000, Apple reduced the price of the entry-level iMac to US$799. Hardware changes were minimal; the AirPort card slot was removed (for the base configuration), the USB Mouse was replaced with an Apple Pro Mouse, the ATI Rage 128 VR graphics were upgraded to an ATI Rage 128 Pro version, and it was made available in a darker shade of blue called Indigo, replacing Blueberry. The iMac DV was reduced to US$999, dispensing with the DVD-ROM replaced by a CD-ROM drive, and was available in Indigo and Ruby. At the former price point of the iMac DV, the iMac DV+ was introduced, sporting faster processor and larger hard drive than its predecessor in Indigo, Ruby, and the exclusive Sage. The iMac DV Special Edition remained at the same price but gained a 500 MHz processor, 30 GB hard drive, and was available in Graphite and the exclusive Snow.

On February 22, 2001, Apple consolidated its configurations to three. The iMac DV was renamed the iMac and made the entry-level configuration; it was available only in Indigo at US$899. A second entry-level configuration was introduced with a 500 MHz processor, new ATI Rage 128 Ultra graphics, and 20 GB hard drive in Indigo, along with two patterns: Flower Power and Blue Dalmatian that were molded into the plastic exterior. The iMac DV Special Edition was renamed iMac Special Edition and was available in Graphite and the two new patterns, with a faster processor, double the RAM, and a 40 GB hard drive at the same US$1499 price.

The final revision, released July 18, 2001, kept the three model line now with a 500, 600, or 700 MHz processor, available in Indigo, Graphite, and Snow. Following the introduction of the faster iMac G4 in January 2002, the 700 MHz model was discontinued. The 500 MHz Indigo and 600 MHz Graphite models were subsequently discontinued later in 2002, leaving only the 600 MHz Snow model available for sale until March 2003, when the release of the low-cost eMac replaced it.

Model	iMac (Fall 1999)	iMac (Summer 2000)	iMac (Winter 2001)	iMac (Summer 2001)
Pictures
Release date	October 4, 1999	July 19, 2000	February 22, 2001	July 18, 2001
Codename	"Kihei, P7"	N/A	N/A	"Kiva"
Model identifier	PowerMac2,1	PowerMac2,2	PowerMac4,1
Colors	(SE)	(SE)	(SE)  •   ✿  (SE and regular)	(SE and regular)
Processor speed	350 MHz (Blueberry only) 400 MHz (all colors)	350 MHz (Indigo only) 400 MHz (Indigo and Ruby) 450 MHz (Indigo, Ruby and Sage) 500 MHz (Graphite and Snow)	400 MHz (Indigo only) 500 MHz (excludes Graphite) 600 MHz (excludes Indigo)	500 MHz (Indigo and Snow only) 600 and 700 MHz (Graphite and Snow only)
Processor type	PowerPC 750		PowerPC 750 (400 MHz) or PowerPC 750CX (500 and 600 MHz)	PowerPC 750CX (500 MHz) or PowerPC 750CXe (600 and 700 MHz)
Cache	64 KB of L1 Cache and 512 KB of L2 Backside Cache (2:5)		64 KB of L1 Cache. 512 KB of L2 Backside Cache (2:5) or 256 KB of L2 Cache (1:1)	64 KB of L1 Cache and 256 KB of L2 Cache (1:1)
Front Side Bus	100 MHz
Memory Two slots	64 MB or 128 MB Expandable to 1 GB (512 MB supported by Apple)[14]	64 MB or 128 MB Expandable to 1 GB		64 MB, 128 MB or 256 MB Expandable to 1 GB
	PC100 SDRAM
Display	15-inch (13.8-inch viewable) shadow-mask CRT screen with 1024 x 768 pixel resolution
Graphics	ATI Rage 128 VR with 8 MB of SDRAM	ATI Rage 128 Pro with 8 MB of SDRAM	ATI Rage 128 Pro with 8 MB of SDRAM (400 MHz) ATI Rage 128 Ultra with 16 MB of SDRAM (500 MHz and 600 MHz)	ATI Rage 128 Ultra with 16 MB of SDRAM
	AGP 2x
Hard drive	6 GB, 10 GB or 13 GB	7 GB, 10 GB, 20 GB or 30 GB	10 GB, 20 GB, 30 GB or 40 GB	20 GB, 40 GB or 60 GB
	5400-rpm Ultra ATA Up to 128 GB Hard Drive Supported
Optical drive Slot-loading	24x CD-ROM (Blueberry at 350 MHz, Ruby at 400 MHz, all Indigo except 450 MHz and initial 500 MHz) 4x DVD-ROM (all other 1999 and 2000 models) or 8x4x24x CD-RW (all other 2001 models)
Connectivity	Optional 11 Mbit/s AirPort 802.11b (adapter required) 10/100 BASE-T Ethernet 56k V.90 modem
Peripherals	2x USB 1.1 2x FireWire 400 (except 350 MHz model) 2x Headphone mini-jacks Analog audio input mini-jack Built-in stereo speakers
Video out (Mirroring)	VGA (except 350 MHz model)
Original Operating System	Mac OS 8.6[15]	Mac OS 9.0.4	Mac OS 9.1	Mac OS 9.1 and Mac OS X 10.0.4
Maximum Operating System	Mac OS X 10.3.9 Panther (350 MHz) Mac OS X 10.4.11 Tiger (All other models)
Weight	34.7 lb (15.7 kg)
Dimensions	15.0 x 15.0 x 17.1 inch (38.1 x 38.1 x 43.5 cm)

Legal action

Apple protected the distinctive iMac design with legal action against competing computer makers who attempted to imitate the iMac, such as eMachines' eOne.[16] Some manufacturers added translucent plastics to existing designs after the iMac, following the trend started in 1997 by Dyson.[17] In 1999, Apple obtained the registered domain name appleimac.com from Abdul Traya, after legal intervention. The website now automatically redirects to the company's website.[18]

Timeline of iMac and Macintosh models

See also: Timeline of Macintosh models

References

1. Paul Thurrott (May 6, 1998). "Whooa! Apple Announces the iMac". Windows IT Pro. Archived from the original on October 26, 2011. Retrieved February 26, 2006.
2. IBM – The ins and outs of USB Archived January 10, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
3. iMac – Technical Specification
4. "The iMac and the Floppy Drive A Conspiracy Theory". Archived from the original on September 24, 2018.
5. "Pinout info for the Revision A iMac's 'mezzanine' (aka PERCH) connector". Retrieved March 8, 2007.
6. "iMac Boards Use Forbidden Interface". Macworld. April 1, 1999. Retrieved December 3, 2019.
7. "Mezzanine in neueren iMacs".
8. "Apple Unveils Optical Mouse and New Pro Keyboard". Apple Newsroom. July 19, 2000. Retrieved March 16, 2019.
9. http://www.applematters.com/collections/imac-5-flavors/
10. Apple iMac G3 266- Forevermac.com
11. Everymac.com, Apple iMac G3/233 Original – Bondi (Rev. A & B) Specs (M6709LL/A*)
12. Everymac.com, Apple iMac G3/266 (Fruit Colors) Specs (M7345LL/A*)
13. Apple, Inc (February 20, 2012). "iMac (Slot Loading): What's New and Different". Retrieved January 21, 2014.
14. Everymac.com, Apple iMac G3/400 DV (Slot Loading – Fruit) Specs (M7493LL/A*)
15. Apple.com, Apple Specifications, October 15, 1999
16. Kanellos, Michael (August 19, 1999). "Apple sues eMachines for iMac look-alike". CNET. Archived from the original on July 14, 2012.
17. DC02 Clear, Launched in 1997, DC02 Clear pioneered the use of translucent plastic in a household product - even before the Apple iMac.
18. "Battle For Domain Name Between Apple And Teen Resolved". April 27, 1999. Retrieved February 26, 2007.

External links