Apple Power Mac G4 (Gigabit Ethernet) vs Apple Power Mac G4 (PCI Graphics)
Better figure, where one is clearly better
| ApplePower Mac G4 (Gigabit Ethernet) | ApplePower Mac G4 (PCI Graphics) | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Released | July 2000 | August 1999 |
| Performance | ||
| Processor | PowerPC G4 400 MHz (Power Mac Gigabit Ethernet), 2 × PowerPC G4 450 MHz (Power Mac Gigabit Ethernet) or 2 × PowerPC G4 500 MHz (Power Mac Gigabit Ethernet) | PowerPC G4 350 MHz (Power Mac PCI Graphics) or PowerPC G4 400 MHz (Power Mac PCI Graphics) |
| CPU cores | 1 or 2 | 1 |
| Graphics | ATI RAGE 128 Pro (16 MB) | ATI RAGE 128 (16 MB) |
| Memory | 64 MB, 128 MB, 256 MB or 1.5 GB (better) | 64 MB or 1 GB |
| Storage | 20 GB to 40 GB (better) | 10 GB |
| CPU | 400 MHz single processor; 450 and 500 MHz dual PowerPC G4 processors. Each physical processor has 1 MB backside L2 cache; 100 MHz system bus. Supplier unspecified in these generic clock-only records. | Single 350 or 400 MHz PowerPC G4 with Velocity Engine; 100 MHz system bus. Exact EveryMac PCI sheets specify 1 MB backside L2 cache; the retained maker page lists 512 KB or 1 MB without exact ties. No silicon supplier is inferred from Apple/Motorola/IBM co-development. |
| GPU | ATI RAGE 128 Pro with 16 MB SDRAM in an AGP 2x slot; ADC and VGA outputs. | ATI RAGE 128 PCI graphics with 16 MB SDRAM. This is the PCI/Yikes board, distinct from the contemporary AGP model. |
| Memory type | 400 MHz: 64 MB, dual 450: 128 MB, dual 500: 256 MB PC100 SDRAM. Four DIMM slots support up to 1.5 GB; Mac OS 9 maximum per application 999 MB. | 64 MB PC100 SDRAM standard. Four DIMM slots support up to 1 GB. Configurations preserve 10 GB factory storage at base and maximum RAM. |
| Storage type | Stock 400: 20 GB 5400 rpm/DVD-ROM; dual 450: 30 GB 7200 rpm/DVD-ROM; dual 500: 40 GB 7200 rpm/DVD-RAM. The retained storage prose says 20 GB 7200 rpm where its configuration matrix and launch release specify 30 GB; matrix retained. Ultra ATA/66, three drive bays supporting two ATA or three SCSI drives. Optional SCSI 36/72 GB, Zip and optical options are not expanded into unproven cross-combinations. | 400 MHz launch configuration: 10 GB Ultra ATA/33 and 32x CD-ROM; October 1999 speed-reduced 350 MHz retains those factory specifications (EveryMac). Retained Apple sheet also lists 24x CD-ROM without precise configuration ties. Optional drives are not expanded into unsupported cross-combinations. |
| Expansion slots | Three open full-length 64-bit 33 MHz PCI slots and one AGP 2x graphics slot. | Three open 33 MHz PCI slots plus the 66 MHz PCI slot used by graphics. |
| Display | ||
| Screen | None built in | None built in |
| Connections | ||
| Ports | 2 × USB-A, Ethernet | 2 × USB-A, Ethernet |
| Ethernet | 1 Gb/s (better) | 0.1 Gb/s |
| Back ports | Two external FireWire 400 ports and two USB ports at 12 Mbps each; Gigabit Ethernet, 56K V.90 modem and analog audio input/output. Optional 11 Mbps AirPort card. Keyboard USB ports excluded. | Two chassis USB ports at 12 Mbps, two external FireWire 400 ports, VGA, 10/100BASE-T Ethernet, 56K modem and analog audio input/output. The retained maker FireWire count of three is not supported by the exact PCI port specification (EveryMac). No AirPort slot; keyboard ports are not included. |
| External displays | ADC carries video, USB and display power; VGA also available, with graphics resolutions up to 1920 × 1200. | VGA output from the PCI graphics card. |
| Speakers | Built-in speaker and analog audio input/output. | Built-in speaker. Audio line-out is not counted as a dedicated headphone jack. |
| Keyboard and mouse | Apple Pro Keyboard and optical Apple Pro Mouse. | Apple USB Keyboard and Apple USB Mouse. |
| Design and power | ||
| Type | Tower | Tower |
| Weight | 13.6 kg | – |
| Width × depth × height | 226 × 467 × 432 mm | – |
| Operating system | macOS | macOS |
| Size and weight detail | 43.2 cm height, 22.6 cm width, 46.7 cm depth and 13.6 kg reference weight; weight varies with configuration. | Maker publishes 17-inch height, 8.9-inch width, 18.4-inch depth and 30-pound weight. Metric main fields omitted; no unit conversion or sibling measurements. |
| Power supply | Maximum continuous power 220 W. | Maximum continuous power 200 W. |
| In the box | Mac OS 9, QuickTime and iMovie 2. Apple confirms all three factory configurations immediately available on 19 July 2000. Later review software updates are not launch firmware. | Mac OS 8.6. Full contemporary AppleInsider report says Jobs confirmed the 400 MHz configuration shipping immediately on 31 August 1999; the Canadian maker release instead promises September. First-sale month uses the named US report without implying universal regional availability. |
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