Apple iMac G3 (Early 2001) vs Apple iMac G3 (Mid 1999)

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

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iMac G3 (Early 2001) compared with iMac G3 (Mid 1999)
AppleiMac G3 (Early 2001)AppleiMac G3 (Mid 1999)
Overview
ReleasedFebruary 2001April 1999
Performance
ProcessorPowerPC G3 400 MHz (iMac), PowerPC G3 500 MHz (iMac) or PowerPC G3 600 MHz (iMac)PowerPC G3 333 MHz (iMac)
CPU cores11
GraphicsATI RAGE 128 Pro (8 MB) or ATI RAGE 128 Ultra (16 MB)ATI RAGE Pro Turbo (6 MB)
Memory64 MB, 128 MB or 1 GB (better)32 MB or 128 MB
Storage10 GB to 40 GB (better)6 GB
CPU400 MHz PowerPC G3 with 512 KB backside L2 cache at 160 MHz; 500 MHz and 600 MHz models have 256 KB on-chip L2 cache at processor speed. All use a 100 MHz system bus. Generic clock-only chip records do not infer silicon suppliers; cache differences remain in model details.333 MHz PowerPC G3 with 66 MHz system bus and 512 KB backside L2 cache. Generic clock-only record does not infer a silicon supplier.
GPU400 MHz configuration: ATI RAGE 128 Pro with 8 MB SDRAM. 500 MHz and 600 MHz configurations: ATI RAGE 128 Ultra with 16 MB SDRAM; AGP 2x. A contemporary Macworld report observed European 500 MHz store listings with 512 KB cache and 8 MB Pro graphics, but explicitly questioned their accuracy and had no Apple confirmation. The current maker matrix is retained; no inferred regional CPU supplier or alternate SKU is added.ATI RAGE Pro Turbo with 6 MB video memory. The retained maker resolution table includes a conflicting 2 MB column; The exact Macworld review and EveryMac specification identify 6 MB for this revision.
Memory type64 MB PC100 SDRAM standard on 400/500 MHz configurations; 128 MB on 600 MHz Special Edition. Two DIMM slots support up to 1 GB in the current maker sheet. Configurations retain each base and maximum memory with its original processor and drive.32 MB SDRAM in two SO-DIMM slots. Current retained maker sheet gives a 128 MB maximum; older Apple developer history and contemporary Macworld review give 256 MB. The conservative configurations retain the current maker maximum.
Storage type400 MHz: 10 GB Ultra ATA and 24x CD-ROM, Indigo. 500 MHz: 20 GB and 8x/4x/24x CD-RW, Indigo, Blue Dalmatian or Flower Power. 600 MHz Special Edition: 40 GB and CD-RW, Graphite, Blue Dalmatian or Flower Power. Maker lists up to 40 GB build-to-order storage without precise processor ties, so extra cross-combinations are not created.6 GB ATA hard drive and tray-loading 24x CD-ROM.
Display
Screen size15″15″
Resolution1024 × 7681024 × 768
Refresh rate75 Hz75 Hz
Display typeNominal 15-inch shadow-mask CRT with 13.8-inch viewable diagonal and 0.28 mm dot pitch; no fixed LCD native resolution.Nominal 15-inch CRT with 13.8-inch viewable diagonal; not a fixed-native-resolution LCD.
Display features1024 × 768 at 75 Hz; 800 × 600 at 95 Hz and 640 × 480 at 117 Hz. Scalar refresh describes the highest-resolution mode.1024 × 768 at 75 Hz, 800 × 600 at 95 Hz and 640 × 480 at 117 Hz (EveryMac exact-model specification).
Connections
Ports2 × USB-A, Ethernet, 2 × headphone jack2 × USB-A, Ethernet, 2 × headphone jack
Ethernet0.1 Gb/s0.1 Gb/s
Back portsTwo FireWire 400 ports and VGA video mirroring on every configuration; Two 12 Mbps USB ports on the computer, 10/100BASE-T Ethernet, 56K V.90 modem, audio line-in/out and two front headphone jacks; keyboard USB ports are not counted as chassis ports. All configurations are AirPort ready with an optional 11 Mbps card.Two USB ports on the computer, 10/100BASE-T Ethernet, 56K V.90 modem, audio line-in/out and two front headphone jacks. No FireWire, external VGA output or AirPort option. The infrared port and mezzanine slot from earlier revisions are absent (EveryMac).
External displaysVGA output mirrors the built-in screen; no extended desktop.–
SpeakersIntegrated Odyssey stereo sound system designed with Harman Kardon, built-in microphone and fanless enclosure.Built-in stereo speakers with SRS processing and microphone.
Keyboard and mouseApple Pro Keyboard and optical Apple Pro Mouse.Apple USB Keyboard and round Apple USB Mouse; Blueberry, Grape, Tangerine, Lime and Strawberry case colours.
Design and power
TypeAll-in-oneAll-in-one
Weight15.8 kg–
Width × depth × height381 × 435 × 381 mm–
Operating systemmacOSmacOS
Size and weight detailMaker publishes height 38.1, width 38.1 and depth 43.5 cm, weight 15.8 kg. EveryMac instead gives depth 43.4 cm and 15.7 kg; current maker figures are preferred.Maker does not publish a weight in the retained sheet; height 15.8, width 15.2 and depth 17.6 inches. No converted or sibling metric values are added.
Power supply100–260 V AC, 47–63 Hz, single phase; maximum continuous power 150 W.–
In the boxMac OS 9.1, iTunes, iMovie 2 and Disc Burner; CD-RW configurations write music and data CDs but cannot read DVDs. Maker confirms immediate availability on 22 February 2001. Copied PCI-slot/eMac entries in the retained sheet are excluded as unrelated template artifacts.Mac OS 8.5.1. Conservative April 1999 sale month follows Golem’s contemporary report quoting immediate shipping; retained maker introduction date and database day disagree.

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