Apple iMac G3 (Revision B) vs Apple iMac G3 (Slot Loading, 1999)
Better figure, where one is clearly better
| AppleiMac G3 (Revision B) | AppleiMac G3 (Slot Loading, 1999) | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Released | October 1998 | October 1999 |
| Performance | ||
| Processor | PowerPC G3 233 MHz (iMac) | PowerPC G3 350 MHz (iMac) or PowerPC G3 400 MHz (iMac) |
| CPU cores | 1 | 1 |
| Graphics | ATI RAGE Pro (6 MB) | ATI RAGE 128 VR (8 MB) |
| Memory | 32 MB or 256 MB | 64 MB, 128 MB or 512 MB (better) |
| Storage | 4 GB | 6 GB to 13 GB (better) |
| CPU | 233 MHz PowerPC G3 with 66 MHz system bus and 512 KB backside L2 cache. The generic chip record names no supplier; MacGeneration identifies a Motorola PowerPC 750 in its reviewed Revision B unit. | 350 MHz or 400 MHz PowerPC G3 with 100 MHz system bus and 512 KB backside L2 cache. Apple developer history gives 140/160 MHz cache clocks while EveryMac gives 200 MHz for the DV Special Edition; optional cache-clock fields are omitted. Exact processor supplier is not established. |
| GPU | ATI RAGE Pro graphics with 6 MB video memory; Apple’s developer history confirms the graphics change from the original RAGE IIc model. | ATI RAGE 128 VR with 8 MB video memory and AGP support. Retained sheet says SGRAM while the developer note says SDRAM; memory technology is not silently selected. |
| Memory type | 32 MB SDRAM standard, two SO-DIMM slots. Current retained Apple Revision B sheet supports up to 256 MB; the older developer history gives 128 MB. Configurations use the current maximum, with the conflict recorded. | PC100 SDRAM in two DIMM slots, up to 512 MB in the retained maker sheet. Base 350 MHz and DV models have 64 MB; DV Special Edition has 128 MB. Configurations retain each base and published maximum with its original processor and drive. |
| Storage type | 4 GB IDE hard drive and tray-loading 24x CD-ROM. | 350 MHz: 6 GB ATA hard drive and slot-loading 24x CD-ROM, Blueberry. 400 MHz DV: 10 GB and 4x DVD-ROM, five fruit colours. 400 MHz DV Special Edition: 13 GB and 4x DVD-ROM, Graphite. These are configurations of one generation. |
| Display | ||
| Screen size | 15″ | 15″ |
| Resolution | 1024 × 768 | 1024 × 768 |
| Refresh rate | 75 Hz | 75 Hz |
| Display type | Nominal 15-inch CRT, 13.8-inch viewable diagonal; no fixed LCD native resolution. | Nominal 15-inch CRT with 13.8-inch viewable diagonal; no fixed LCD native resolution. |
| Display features | 1024 × 768 at 75 Hz, 800 × 600 at 95 Hz and 640 × 480 at 117 Hz (EveryMac exact A/B specification). | Maximum mode 1024 × 768 at 75 Hz; 800 × 600 at 95 Hz and 640 × 480 at 117 Hz (EveryMac exact DV Special Edition specification). |
| Connections | ||
| Ports | 2 × USB-A, Ethernet, 2 × headphone jack | 2 × USB-A, Ethernet, 2 × headphone jack |
| Ethernet | 0.1 Gb/s | 0.1 Gb/s |
| Back ports | Two USB ports, 10/100BASE-T Ethernet, 56K modem and audio line-in/out, plus two front headphone jacks. The retained combined maker sheet lists IrDA; Apple’s developer comparison lists it only for the original revision, while MacGeneration’s physical Revision B review shows the infrared window. No standard FireWire or VGA output. | 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. Two FireWire 400 ports and VGA video mirroring are present only on DV and DV Special Edition. AirPort card is optional across this generation. |
| External displays | – | DV and DV Special Edition mirror the internal display through VGA; the 350 MHz entry configuration has no external video connector. |
| Speakers | Built-in stereo speakers and microphone. | Integrated Harman Kardon Odyssey stereo sound system and built-in microphone. Convection cooling uses no fan. |
| Keyboard and mouse | Apple USB Keyboard and round Apple USB Mouse. | Apple USB Keyboard and round Apple USB Mouse. |
| Design and power | ||
| Type | All-in-one | All-in-one |
| Operating system | macOS | macOS |
| Size and weight detail | Maker retained sheet gives height 15.8, width 15.2 and depth 17.6 inches, weight 40 pounds. Metric figures from the original revision are not borrowed. | Retained Apple sheet gives height 15.8, width 15.2 and depth 17.6 inches, weight 34.7 pounds. Exact developer note gives height 39.5, width 38 and depth 44 cm and weight 15.5 kg (34 pounds). Disagreeing main dimensions and weight are omitted. |
| In the box | Mac OS 8.5. Conservative October 1998 sale month follows MacGeneration’s exact Revision B retrospective; published introduction days differ and are not treated as a verified worldwide first-sale day. | Mac OS 8.6 at launch; TIME notes Mac OS 9 would begin shipping subsequently. Conservative October 1999 sale month follows the contemporary physical DV Special Edition reviews; the retained introduction day differs from the launch event date. |
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