Apple iMac G4 (20-inch, USB 2.0) vs Apple iMac G5 (20-inch, iSight)

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

iMac G4 (20-inch, USB 2.0) compared with iMac G5 (20-inch, iSight)
AppleiMac G4 (20-inch, USB 2.0)AppleiMac G5 (20-inch, iSight)
Overview
ReleasedNovember 2003October 2005
Performance
ProcessorMotorola PowerPC G4 1.25 GHz (iMac USB 2.0)IBM PowerPC G5 2.1 GHz (iMac iSight)
CPU cores11
GraphicsNVIDIA GeForce FX 5200 Ultra (64 MB)ATI Radeon X600 XT (128 MB DDR)
Memory256 MB, 512 MB or 1 GB512 MB, 1 GB, 1.5 GB or 2.5 GB (better)
Storage80 GB to 160 GB250 GB to 500 GB (better)
CPU1.25 GHz PowerPC G4 with 167 MHz system bus and 256 KB on-chip L2 cache. Generic maker-clock record retains the single-core identity cross-checked with the exact EveryMac source; uncertain silicon revision is not inferred.2.1 GHz PowerPC G5 with 512 KB L2 cache and 700 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 Generic maker-clock chip record avoids borrowing uncertain silicon revision or unpublished thread/power figures.
GPUNVIDIA GeForce FX 5200 Ultra with 64 MB dedicated DDR video memory and AGP 4x support.ATI Radeon X600 XT with 128 MB dedicated DDR video memory; PCI Express.
Memory type256 MB PC2700 (333 MHz) DDR SDRAM standard; factory options 512 MB or 1 GB. One 184-pin DIMM and one user-accessible SO-DIMM slot. Configurations retain Apple's supported 1 GB maximum, not unofficial upgrade limits.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 type80 GB 7200 rpm Ultra ATA/100 hard drive, configurable to 160 GB; 4x SuperDrive DVD-R/CD-RW. Published memory and storage factory options are retained for the 1.25 GHz processor.250 GB 7200 rpm Serial ATA hard drive, configurable to 500 GB. Slot-loading 8x SuperDrive with 2.4x double-layer DVD writing, 4x DVD rewritable writing and 24x CD writing.
Display
Screen size20″20″
Resolution1680 × 10501680 × 1050
Brightness230 nits280 nits (better)
Display typeWidescreen TFT active-matrix LCD with millions of colours and typical 350:1 contrast. Panel technology and refresh rate are not published in the exact maker sheet.TFT active-matrix LCD with millions of colours; typical contrast 800:1 and viewing angles of 170 degrees horizontal and vertical. Panel technology and refresh rate unpublished.
Display featuresTypical viewing angles: 170° horizontal and vertical; articulated display arm adjusts height and angle.–
Connections
Ports3 × USB-A, Ethernet, headphone jack3 × USB-A, Ethernet, headphone jack
Ethernet0.1 Gb/s1 Gb/s (better)
Wi-Fi–802.11g
Bluetooth–2.0 + EDR
Camera–iSight camera
Back portsThree USB 2.0 ports on the computer, up to 480 Mbps, plus two USB 1.1 ports on the keyboard; two FireWire 400 ports with 8 W shared power, Mini-VGA, 10/100BASE-T Ethernet, 56K V.92 modem, headphone jack, Apple speaker minijack and audio line-in. AirPort Extreme 802.11g card and internal Bluetooth are optional, rather than standard.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 displaysMini-VGA provides video mirroring on a VGA display or S-video/composite television through optional adapters. Output resolutions: 640 × 480 at 60 Hz, 800 × 600 at 75 Hz or 1024 × 768 at 75 Hz.Optional Mini-VGA adapters provide VGA mirroring or S-video/composite output; no DVI connector or extended-desktop mode is listed.
CameraThe external iSight shown in the product image is an optional accessory; this iMac has no integrated camera.Built-in iSight; exact maker resolution is unpublished and omitted.
SpeakersBuilt-in speaker and microphone, Apple Pro Speakers rated at 7 W each and internal 14 W amplifier.Built-in stereo speakers and microphone; 12 W digital amplifier.
Keyboard and mouseApple Keyboard, Apple Mouse, Apple Pro Speakers and modem cable. Wireless Keyboard and Wireless Mouse were optional accessories.Apple Keyboard, Mighty Mouse and Apple Remote.
Design and power
TypeAll-in-oneAll-in-one
Weight18.2 kg10 kg (better)
Width × depth × height–493 × 189 × 472 mm
Operating systemmacOSmacOS
Size and weight detailAdjustable maker ranges: height 354–530 mm, width 440–514 mm and depth 270–440 mm; base diameter 270 mm. Reference weight varies by configuration and manufacturing process.Maker reference weight; actual weight varies with configuration and manufacturing process.
Power supply90–264 V AC, 47–63 Hz, single phase; maximum continuous power 190 W.Maximum continuous power 180 W; 100–240 V AC, 50–60 Hz.
In the boxMac OS X 10.3 Panther and iLife, with Apple's productivity software and Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4. Maker launch confirms immediate availability on 18 November 2003.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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