Apple iMac (17-inch, Early 2006) vs Apple iMac G5 (17-inch, iSight)

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

iMac (17-inch, Early 2006) compared with iMac G5 (17-inch, iSight)
AppleiMac (17-inch, Early 2006)AppleiMac G5 (17-inch, iSight)
Overview
ReleasedJanuary 2006October 2005
Performance
ProcessorIntel Core Duo T2400IBM PowerPC G5 1.9 GHz (iMac iSight)
CPU cores21
GraphicsATI Radeon X1600 (128 MB GDDR3)ATI Radeon X600 Pro (128 MB DDR)
Memory512 MB, 1 GB or 2 GB512 MB, 1 GB, 1.5 GB or 2.5 GB (better)
Storage160 GB to 250 GB160 GB to 500 GB (better)
CPU1.83 GHz Intel Core Duo T2400 with 2 MB shared L2 cache and 667 MHz system bus; exact identity confirmed by Ars Technica's tested unit1.9 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 Generic maker-clock chip record avoids borrowing uncertain silicon revision or unpublished thread/power figures.
GPUATI Radeon X1600 with 128 MB GDDR3; the maker's 256 MB upgrade applies only to the separate 20-inch modelATI Radeon X600 Pro with 128 MB dedicated DDR video memory; PCI Express.
Memory typeTwo 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 type160 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 size17″17″
Resolution1440 × 9001440 × 900
Brightness250 nits250 nits
Display typeWidescreen 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 Panel technology and refresh rate unpublished.TFT active-matrix LCD with millions of colours; typical contrast 500:1 and viewing angles of 140 degrees horizontal/120 degrees vertical. Panel technology and refresh rate unpublished.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
Ports3 × USB-A, Ethernet, headphone jack3 × USB-A, Ethernet, headphone jack
Ethernet1 Gb/s1 Gb/s
External displaysUp to 1–
Wi-Fi802.11g; 54 Mbps AirPort Extreme802.11g
Bluetooth2.0 + EDR2.0 + EDR
CameraiSight cameraiSight camera
Back portsThree 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 inputThree 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 displaysOne 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.
SpeakersBuilt-in stereo speakers with internal 12 W digital amplifier and built-in microphoneBuilt-in stereo speakers and microphone; 12 W digital amplifier.
Keyboard and mouseApple Keyboard, Mighty Mouse and Apple Remote; optional wireless keyboard and mouseApple Keyboard, Mighty Mouse and Apple Remote.
Design and power
TypeAll-in-oneAll-in-one
Weight–7 kg
Width × depth × height426 × 173 × 430 mm426 × 173 × 430 mm
Operating systemmacOSmacOS
Size and weight detailMaker weight 15.5 pounds (7 kg), varying by configuration and manufacturing process; shared scalar weight omittedMaker reference weight; actual weight varies with configuration and manufacturing process.
Power supplyMaximum continuous power 180 W; 100–240 V AC, 50–60 Hz single phaseMaximum continuous power 180 W; 100–240 V AC, 50–60 Hz.
In the boxiMac, 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 trialiMac 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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