Apple iMac (17-inch, Early 2006) vs Apple iMac G5 (17-inch, iSight)
Better figure, where one is clearly better
| AppleiMac (17-inch, Early 2006) | AppleiMac G5 (17-inch, iSight) | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Released | January 2006 | October 2005 |
| Performance | ||
| Processor | Intel Core Duo T2400 | IBM PowerPC G5 1.9 GHz (iMac iSight) |
| CPU cores | 2 | 1 |
| Graphics | ATI Radeon X1600 (128 MB GDDR3) | ATI Radeon X600 Pro (128 MB DDR) |
| Memory | 512 MB, 1 GB or 2 GB | 512 MB, 1 GB, 1.5 GB or 2.5 GB (better) |
| Storage | 160 GB to 250 GB | 160 GB to 500 GB (better) |
| CPU | 1.83 GHz Intel Core Duo T2400 with 2 MB shared L2 cache and 667 MHz system bus; exact identity confirmed by Ars Technica's tested unit | 1.9 GHz PowerPC G5 with 512 KB L2 cache and 633 MHz frontside bus; single-core identity cross-checked with exact EveryMac source. Generic maker-clock chip record avoids borrowing uncertain silicon revision or unpublished thread/power figures. |
| GPU | ATI Radeon X1600 with 128 MB GDDR3; the maker's 256 MB upgrade applies only to the separate 20-inch model | ATI Radeon X600 Pro with 128 MB dedicated DDR video memory; PCI Express. |
| Memory type | Two SO-DIMM slots for PC2-5300 (667 MHz) DDR2 SDRAM; 512 MB standard as one module, expandable to 2 GB. The intermediate 1 GB factory option is documented by Sound On Sound's full exact-model review. | 533 MHz DDR2; 512 MB built in plus one expansion slot. Maker factory upgrades provide total capacities of 1, 1.5 or 2.5 GB. |
| Storage type | 160 GB 7200 rpm Serial ATA hard drive, configurable to 250 GB in the maker's archived technical sheet; slot-loading 8x SuperDrive with 2.4x double-layer DVD burning. Sound On Sound also describes a 500 GB order option; omitted from configurations because the maker sheet only ties 500 GB to the 20-inch model. | 160 GB 7200 rpm Serial ATA hard drive, configurable to 250 or 500 GB. Slot-loading 8x SuperDrive with 2.4x double-layer DVD writing, 4x DVD rewritable writing and 24x CD writing. |
| Display | ||
| Screen size | 17″ | 17″ |
| Resolution | 1440 × 900 | 1440 × 900 |
| Brightness | 250 nits | 250 nits |
| Display type | Widescreen TFT active-matrix LCD, millions of colours; typical contrast 500:1, viewing angles 140° horizontal and 120° vertical. Panel technology and refresh rate unpublished. | TFT active-matrix LCD with millions of colours; typical contrast 500:1 and viewing angles of 140 degrees horizontal/120 degrees vertical. Panel technology and refresh rate unpublished. |
| Connections | ||
| Ports | 3 × USB-A, Ethernet, headphone jack | 3 × USB-A, Ethernet, headphone jack |
| Ethernet | 1 Gb/s | 1 Gb/s |
| External displays | Up to 1 | – |
| Wi-Fi | 802.11g; 54 Mbps AirPort Extreme | 802.11g |
| Bluetooth | 2.0 + EDR | 2.0 + EDR |
| Camera | iSight camera | iSight camera |
| Back ports | Three USB 2.0 ports on the computer and two USB 1.1 ports on its keyboard; two FireWire 400 ports sharing 8 W, mini-DVI, Gigabit Ethernet, headphone/optical digital output and analogue audio line input | Three USB 2.0 ports on the computer, plus two USB 1.1 ports on the keyboard; two FireWire 400 ports sharing 8 W, Mini-VGA output, Gigabit Ethernet, headphone/optical output and audio line-in. |
| External displays | One external display in extended desktop or mirroring mode; digital resolutions up to 1920 × 1200. DVI, VGA, S-video and composite adapters sold separately; analogue maximum omitted because the archived maker page gives an unresolved 2045 × 1536 figure. | Optional Mini-VGA adapters provide VGA mirroring or S-video/composite output; no DVI connector or extended-desktop mode is listed. |
| Camera | – | Built-in iSight; exact maker resolution is unpublished and omitted. |
| Speakers | Built-in stereo speakers with internal 12 W digital amplifier and built-in microphone | Built-in stereo speakers and microphone; 12 W digital amplifier. |
| Keyboard and mouse | Apple Keyboard, Mighty Mouse and Apple Remote; optional wireless keyboard and mouse | Apple Keyboard, Mighty Mouse and Apple Remote. |
| Design and power | ||
| Type | All-in-one | All-in-one |
| Weight | – | 7 kg |
| Width × depth × height | 426 × 173 × 430 mm | 426 × 173 × 430 mm |
| Operating system | macOS | macOS |
| Size and weight detail | Maker weight 15.5 pounds (7 kg), varying by configuration and manufacturing process; shared scalar weight omitted | Maker reference weight; actual weight varies with configuration and manufacturing process. |
| Power supply | Maximum continuous power 180 W; 100–240 V AC, 50–60 Hz single phase | Maximum continuous power 180 W; 100–240 V AC, 50–60 Hz. |
| In the box | iMac, Apple Keyboard, Mighty Mouse, Apple Remote, power cord, install/restore DVDs and documentation; Mac OS X 10.4.4 Tiger and iLife '06, Front Row, Photo Booth, Microsoft Office 2004 Test Drive and iWork trial | iMac G5, Apple Keyboard, Mighty Mouse, Apple Remote, power cord, install/restore DVDs and documentation; Mac OS X Tiger, iLife ’05, Front Row and Photo Booth. Apple announced availability the week after 12 October 2005; release remains October at month precision. |
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