Apple Power Mac G4 (Gigabit Ethernet) vs Apple Power Mac G4 (PCI Graphics)

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Power Mac G4 (Gigabit Ethernet) compared with Power Mac G4 (PCI Graphics)
ApplePower Mac G4 (Gigabit Ethernet)ApplePower Mac G4 (PCI Graphics)
Overview
ReleasedJuly 2000August 1999
Performance
ProcessorPowerPC 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 cores1 or 21
GraphicsATI RAGE 128 Pro (16 MB)ATI RAGE 128 (16 MB)
Memory64 MB, 128 MB, 256 MB or 1.5 GB (better)64 MB or 1 GB
Storage20 GB to 40 GB (better)10 GB
CPU400 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.
GPUATI 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 type400 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 typeStock 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 slotsThree 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
ScreenNone built inNone built in
Connections
Ports2 × USB-A, Ethernet2 × USB-A, Ethernet
Ethernet1 Gb/s (better)0.1 Gb/s
Back portsTwo 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 displaysADC carries video, USB and display power; VGA also available, with graphics resolutions up to 1920 × 1200.VGA output from the PCI graphics card.
SpeakersBuilt-in speaker and analog audio input/output.Built-in speaker. Audio line-out is not counted as a dedicated headphone jack.
Keyboard and mouseApple Pro Keyboard and optical Apple Pro Mouse.Apple USB Keyboard and Apple USB Mouse.
Design and power
TypeTowerTower
Weight13.6 kg–
Width × depth × height226 × 467 × 432 mm–
Operating systemmacOSmacOS
Size and weight detail43.2 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 supplyMaximum continuous power 220 W.Maximum continuous power 200 W.
In the boxMac 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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