Apple · iMac
iMac G3 (Early 2001)
A PowerPC all-in-one with CD writing on the faster configurations and patterned case options.
Model history · 7 models, 1998–2001
- 1998iMac G3 (1998)Compare
- 1998iMac G3 (Revision B)Compare
- 1999iMac G3 (Early 1999)Compare
- 1999iMac G3 (Mid 1999)Compare
- 1999iMac G3 (Slot Loading, 1999)Compare
- 2000iMac G3 (Summer 2000)Compare
- 2001iMac G3 (Early 2001)
- Type
- All-in-one
- Processor
- PowerPC G3 400 MHz (iMac), PowerPC G3 500 MHz (iMac) or PowerPC G3 600 MHz (iMac)
- Memory
- 64 MB – 1 GB
- Storage
- 10 GB – 40 GB
- Screen
- 15″
- Weight
- 15.8 kg
Specifications
Report a wrong or missing specPerformance
- Processor
- PowerPC G3 400 MHz (iMac), PowerPC G3 500 MHz (iMac) or PowerPC G3 600 MHz (iMac)
- CPU cores
- 1
- Graphics
- ATI RAGE 128 Pro (8 MB) or ATI RAGE 128 Ultra (16 MB)
- Memory
- 64 MB, 128 MB or 1 GB
- Storage
- 10 GB to 40 GB
- CPU
- 400 MHz PowerPC G3 with 512 KB backside L2 cache at 160 MHz; 500 MHz and 600 MHz models have 256 KB on-chip L2 cache at processor speed. All use a 100 MHz system bus. Generic clock-only chip records do not infer silicon suppliers; cache differences remain in model details.
- GPU
- 400 MHz configuration: ATI RAGE 128 Pro with 8 MB SDRAM. 500 MHz and 600 MHz configurations: ATI RAGE 128 Ultra with 16 MB SDRAM; AGP 2x. A contemporary Macworld report observed European 500 MHz store listings with 512 KB cache and 8 MB Pro graphics, but explicitly questioned their accuracy and had no Apple confirmation. The current maker matrix is retained; no inferred regional CPU supplier or alternate SKU is added.
- Memory type
- 64 MB PC100 SDRAM standard on 400/500 MHz configurations; 128 MB on 600 MHz Special Edition. Two DIMM slots support up to 1 GB in the current maker sheet. Configurations retain each base and maximum memory with its original processor and drive.
- Storage type
- 400 MHz: 10 GB Ultra ATA and 24x CD-ROM, Indigo. 500 MHz: 20 GB and 8x/4x/24x CD-RW, Indigo, Blue Dalmatian or Flower Power. 600 MHz Special Edition: 40 GB and CD-RW, Graphite, Blue Dalmatian or Flower Power. Maker lists up to 40 GB build-to-order storage without precise processor ties, so extra cross-combinations are not created.
Display
- Screen size
- 15″
- Resolution
- 1024 × 768
- Refresh rate
- 75 Hz
- Display type
- Nominal 15-inch shadow-mask CRT with 13.8-inch viewable diagonal and 0.28 mm dot pitch; no fixed LCD native resolution.
- Display features
- 1024 × 768 at 75 Hz; 800 × 600 at 95 Hz and 640 × 480 at 117 Hz. Scalar refresh describes the highest-resolution mode.
Connections
- Ports
- 2 × USB-A, Ethernet, 2 × headphone jack
- Ethernet
- 0.1 Gb/s
- Back ports
- Two FireWire 400 ports and VGA video mirroring on every configuration; 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; keyboard USB ports are not counted as chassis ports. All configurations are AirPort ready with an optional 11 Mbps card.
- External displays
- VGA output mirrors the built-in screen; no extended desktop.
- Speakers
- Integrated Odyssey stereo sound system designed with Harman Kardon, built-in microphone and fanless enclosure.
- Keyboard and mouse
- Apple Pro Keyboard and optical Apple Pro Mouse.
Design and power
- Type
- All-in-one
- Weight
- 15.8 kg
- Width × depth × height
- 381 × 435 × 381 mm
- Operating system
- macOS
- Size and weight detail
- Maker publishes height 38.1, width 38.1 and depth 43.5 cm, weight 15.8 kg. EveryMac instead gives depth 43.4 cm and 15.7 kg; current maker figures are preferred.
- Power supply
- 100–260 V AC, 47–63 Hz, single phase; maximum continuous power 150 W.
- In the box
- Mac OS 9.1, iTunes, iMovie 2 and Disc Burner; CD-RW configurations write music and data CDs but cannot read DVDs. Maker confirms immediate availability on 22 February 2001. Copied PCI-slot/eMac entries in the retained sheet are excluded as unrelated template artifacts.
Configurations
| Processor | Memory | Storage | Storage type | Graphics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PowerPC G3 400 MHz (iMac) | 64 MB | 10 GB | Hard drive | ATI RAGE 128 Pro (8 MB) |
| PowerPC G3 400 MHz (iMac) | 1 GB | 10 GB | Hard drive | ATI RAGE 128 Pro (8 MB) |
| PowerPC G3 500 MHz (iMac) | 64 MB | 20 GB | Hard drive | ATI RAGE 128 Ultra (16 MB) |
| PowerPC G3 500 MHz (iMac) | 1 GB | 20 GB | Hard drive | ATI RAGE 128 Ultra (16 MB) |
| PowerPC G3 600 MHz (iMac) | 128 MB | 40 GB | Hard drive | ATI RAGE 128 Ultra (16 MB) |
| PowerPC G3 600 MHz (iMac) | 1 GB | 40 GB | Hard drive | ATI RAGE 128 Ultra (16 MB) |
Pros and cons
Pros
- Built-in stereo speakers and microphone
- Optical mouse and full-size keyboard
- FireWire and VGA connectivity
Cons
- Single-core processor
- CRT has 13.8-inch viewable area
- No DVD playback
Closest rivals
Model | Type | Processor | Memory | Storage | Screen | Weight | Released |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All-in-one | PowerPC G3 500 MHz (iMac), PowerPC G3 600 MHz (iMac) or PowerPC G3 700 MHz (iMac) | 128 MB – 1 GB | 20 GB – 60 GB | 15″ | 15.8 kg | Jul 2001 | |
| All-in-one | Motorola PowerPC G4 0.7 GHz (eMac 2002) or PowerPC G4 0.8 GHz (eMac 2002) | 128 MB – 1 GB | 40 GB – 60 GB | 17″ | 22.7 kg | Jun 2002 | |
| All-in-one | PowerPC G3 350 MHz (iMac), PowerPC G3 400 MHz (iMac), PowerPC G3 450 MHz (iMac) or PowerPC G3 500 MHz (iMac) | 64 MB – 1 GB | 7 GB – 30 GB | 15″ | – | Jul 2000 |
Previous model: iMac G3 (Summer 2000). Newer model: iMac G3 (Summer 2001).
