Apple iMac G3 (Early 2001) vs Apple Mac mini (2005)

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

iMac G3 (Early 2001) compared with Mac mini (2005)
AppleiMac G3 (Early 2001)AppleMac mini (2005)
Overview
ReleasedFebruary 2001January 2005
Performance
ProcessorPowerPC G3 400 MHz (iMac), PowerPC G3 500 MHz (iMac) or PowerPC G3 600 MHz (iMac)PowerPC G4 7447A (1.25 GHz) or PowerPC G4 7447A (1.42 GHz)
CPU cores11
GraphicsATI RAGE 128 Pro (8 MB) or ATI RAGE 128 Ultra (16 MB)ATI Radeon 9200
Memory64 MB, 128 MB or 1 GB256 MB, 512 MB or 1 GB
Storage10 GB to 40 GB40 GB to 80 GB (better)
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.1.25 or 1.42 GHz PowerPC G4 with Velocity Engine, 512 KB L2 cache and 167 MHz system bus; EveryMac identifies the single-core 7447A processor, cross-checked with the Freescale fact sheet hosted by NXP
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 Radeon 9200 with 32 MB dedicated DDR SDRAM and AGP 4X support
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.One slot for 333 MHz PC2700 DDR SDRAM, up to 1 GB. Original January models had 256 MB standard; Apple raised standard memory to 512 MB on 26 July 2005. Configurations include original and later memory options.
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.1.25 GHz model has a 40 GB Ultra ATA hard drive, configurable to 80 GB; 1.42 GHz models have 80 GB. Combo drive reads DVDs and burns CDs; optional 4x SuperDrive writes DVDs. July 2005 added a standard SuperDrive model at 1.42 GHz.
Display
Screen size15″None built in
Resolution1024 × 768–
Refresh rate75 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.–
Display features1024 × 768 at 75 Hz; 800 × 600 at 95 Hz and 640 × 480 at 117 Hz. Scalar refresh describes the highest-resolution mode.–
Connections
Ports2 × USB-A, Ethernet, 2 × headphone jack2 × USB-A, Ethernet, headphone jack
Ethernet0.1 Gb/s0.1 Gb/s
External displays–Up to 1
Wi-Fi–Optional 802.11g
Bluetooth–Optional internal Bluetooth
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 2.0 ports, FireWire 400 (8 W), DVI, 10/100BASE-T Ethernet and headphone/audio line output. No audio input. Modem standard on original models; July 2005 lower model retains it, higher models make it optional.
External displaysVGA output mirrors the built-in screen; no extended desktop.DVI digital output up to 1920 × 1200; included VGA adapter supports up to 1920 × 1080. Optional Apple DVI to Video Adapter provides S-video/composite output.
SpeakersIntegrated Odyssey stereo sound system designed with Harman Kardon, built-in microphone and fanless enclosure.Built-in speaker
Keyboard and mouseApple Pro Keyboard and optical Apple Pro Mouse.Display, keyboard and mouse sold separately; DVI-to-VGA adapter included
Design and power
TypeAll-in-oneCompact
Weight15.8 kg1.32 kg (better)
Width × depth × height381 × 435 × 381 mm165.1 × 165.1 × 50.8 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 weight 1.32 kg; Apple notes variation by configuration and manufacturing process
Power supply100–260 V AC, 47–63 Hz, single phase; maximum continuous power 150 W.Maximum continuous power 85 W; 100–240 V AC, 50–60 Hz single phase
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 mini, power adapter, install DVDs and documentation. January models ship with Mac OS X Panther and iLife '05; July configurations use Tiger. AirPort Extreme and Bluetooth optional at launch, standard on the July 1.42 GHz models.

More comparisons