Apple iMac G5 (20-inch, 2004) vs Apple Mac mini (2005)

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

iMac G5 (20-inch, 2004) compared with Mac mini (2005)
AppleiMac G5 (20-inch, 2004)AppleMac mini (2005)
Overview
ReleasedSeptember 2004January 2005
Performance
ProcessorIBM PowerPC G5 1.8 GHz (iMac 2004)PowerPC G4 7447A (1.25 GHz) or PowerPC G4 7447A (1.42 GHz)
CPU cores11
GraphicsNVIDIA GeForce FX 5200 Ultra (64 MB)ATI Radeon 9200
Memory256 MB or 2 GB (better)256 MB, 512 MB or 1 GB
Storage160 GB to 250 GB (better)40 GB to 80 GB
CPU1.8 GHz PowerPC G5 with 600 MHz frontside bus and 512 KB on-chip L2 cache. Generic maker-clock chip record retains the single-core identity; uncertain silicon revision is not inferred.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
GPUNVIDIA GeForce FX 5200 Ultra with 64 MB dedicated DDR video memory and AGP 8x support.ATI Radeon 9200 with 32 MB dedicated DDR SDRAM and AGP 4X support
Memory type256 MB PC3200 (400 MHz) DDR SDRAM standard, expandable to 2 GB in two slots. Configurations conservatively list the published base and maker maximum.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 type160 GB 7200 rpm Serial ATA hard drive, with a 250 GB build-to-order option confirmed by maker launch press. Slot-loading SuperDrive DVD-R/CD-RW writes DVD-R at 4x and reads DVDs at 8x; writes CD-R at 16x and CD-RW at 8x.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 size20″None built in
Resolution1680 × 1050–
Brightness230 nits–
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.–
Display featuresTypical viewing angles: 170° horizontal and vertical.–
Connections
Ports3 × USB-A, Ethernet, 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 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/optical digital audio output and audio line-in. AirPort Extreme 802.11g card and internal Bluetooth module are optional, rather than standard.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 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.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.
SpeakersBuilt-in stereo speakers, internal 12 W digital amplifier and built-in microphone.Built-in speaker
Keyboard and mouseApple Keyboard, Apple Mouse and modem cable.Display, keyboard and mouse sold separately; DVI-to-VGA adapter included
Design and power
TypeAll-in-oneCompact
Weight11.4 kg1.32 kg (better)
Width × depth × height493 × 189 × 472 mm165.1 × 165.1 × 50.8 mm
Operating systemmacOSmacOS
Size and weight detailPublished metric size and reference weight; weight varies by configuration and manufacturing process.Maker weight 1.32 kg; Apple notes variation by configuration and manufacturing process
Power supply100–120 V AC or 100–240 V AC depending on country of purchase, 47–63 Hz, single phase; maximum continuous power 180 W.Maximum continuous power 85 W; 100–240 V AC, 50–60 Hz single phase
In the boxLaunch Mac OS X 10.3 Panther, iLife ’04 and bundled productivity software, with Classic environment support. The retained specification lists the later iLife ’05 bundle. Apple announced the model on 31 August 2004 and stated worldwide shipping would begin in mid-September; the release field therefore retains September month precision.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.

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