Compare Models

Essentials REMOVEiMac REMOVEiMac (Summer 2001)
Image
Family iMac/eMac iMac/eMac
Codename Columbus ?
Gestalt ID 406 406
Minimum OS 8.1 9.2.1
Maximum OS 10.3.9 10.4.11
Introduced August 1998 July 2001
Terminated January 1999  
Processor REMOVEiMac REMOVEiMac (Summer 2001)
CPU PowerPC 750 "G3" PowerPC 750CX "G3"
CPU Speed 233 MHz 500/600/700 MHz
FPU integrated integrated
Bus Speed 66 MHz 100 MHz
Register Width 32-bit 32-bit
Data Bus Width 64-bit 64-bit
Address Bus Width 32-bit 32-bit
Level 1 Cache 32 kB data, 32 kB instruction 32 kB data, 32 kB instruction
Level 2 Cache 512 kB backside, 1:2 256 kB on-processor
ROM 1 MB ROM + 3 MB toolbox ROM loaded into RAM 1 MB ROM + 3 MB toolbox ROM loaded into RAM
RAM Type 144 pin SO-DIMM PC100
Minimum RAM Speed 100 MHz 100 MHz
Onboard RAM 0 MB 0 MB
RAM slots 2 2
Maximum RAM 256 MB 1 GB
Expansion Slots mezzanine  
Video REMOVEiMac REMOVEiMac (Summer 2001)
Monitor 15" 15"
VRAM 2 -6 MB SGRAM 16 MB SGRAM
Max Resolution 16 bit 1024x768 1024x768
GPU   ATI RAGE 128 Ultra
Video Out   VGA (mirror only)
Storage REMOVEiMac REMOVEiMac (Summer 2001)
Hard Drive 4 GB 20/40/60 GB
ATA Bus EIDE ATA-66
Optical Drive 24x CD-ROM 24x/8x/4x CD-RW
Input/Output REMOVEiMac REMOVEiMac (Summer 2001)
USB 2 2
Audio Out stereo 16 bit mini stereo 16 bit mini
Audio In stereo 16 bit mini stereo 16 bit mini
Speaker stereo, SRS Harman Kardon Odissey
Microphone mono mono
Firewire   2
Networking REMOVEiMac REMOVEiMac (Summer 2001)
Modem 56 kbps 56 kbps
Ethernet 10/100Base-T 10/100Base-T
Wi-Fi   optional 802.11b
Miscellaneous REMOVEiMac REMOVEiMac (Summer 2001)
Power 80 Watts 150 Watts
Dimensions 15.8" H x 15.2" W x 17.6" D 15" H x 15" W x 17.1" D
Weight 40 lbs. 40 lbs.
Notes

The Rev. 2 iMacs included 6 MB of VRAM standard, allowing for 24 bit color at 1024x768.

Description Announced in May 1998 and shipped in August, the iMac was Apple's computer for the new millennium. Aimed at the low-end consumer market and designed with the internet in mind, the iMac was positioned by Apple as the most original new computer since the original Mac in 1984, and came in a stylish new case design, with translucent "Bondi Blue" plastics. The iMac included a 4 Mbps IrDA port, and an internal 56Kpbs modem (a 33.6 kbps modem was originally announced in May, but was upped to 56 kbps at MacWorld.), used two 12 Mbps Universal Serial Ports (USB) as its only means of external expansion, and included a newly-designed USB keyboard and mouse. While it had no other serial or SCSI ports, many manufacturers promised to make a variety of USB peripherals available by the time it shipped in August, and by and large they delivered on that promise. A "Rev B." model was released several months later, with 6 MB of VRAM, and several hardware bug-fixes. The iMac sold for $1,299. This Rev. B iMac was replaced by the Rev. C in January 1999. Announced in July 2001, the iMac (Summer 2001) represented a minor change to the existing iMac line, and represented a shift back to a more conservative color-scheme.

The iMac (Summer 2001) was initialy available in three configurations. The 500 MHz model, with 128 MB or RAM and a 20 GB hard drive was $999, and was available in Indigo and Snow. The 600 MHz model, with 256 MB or RAM and a 40 GB hard drive, was $1,299, and was available in Graphite and Snow. Finally the 700 MHz model, with 256 MB of RAM and a 60 GB hard drive was $1,499, and was available in Graphite and Snow. A low-end $799 configuration was later added, with a 500 MHz processor, 64 MB of RAM, a 20 GB hard drive, and a CD-ROM drive, and was available only in Indigo.

Following the announcement of the new G4 Flat Panel iMac in January 2002, the iMac "G3" was repriced. The 600 MHz model, with 256 MB of RAM, a 40 GB hard drive and a CD-RW drive, was available in either Snow or Graphite for $999. The 500 MHz model, with 128 MB of RAM, a 20 GB hard drive, and a CD-ROM drive, was available only in indigo for $799. The 700 MHz model was terminated.

Picture Credit Apple, Inc. Apple, Inc.