Apple iMac G3 (Revision B)

Apple · iMac

iMac G3 (Revision B)

Released October 1998

A colourful all-in-one PowerPC desktop with a built-in CRT and USB peripherals.

Model history · 2 models, 1998–1998
  1. 1998iMac G3 (1998)Compare
  2. 1998iMac G3 (Revision B)
Type
All-in-one
Processor
PowerPC G3 233 MHz (iMac)
Memory
32 MB – 256 MB
Storage
4 GB
Screen
15″
Weight
–

Performance

Processor
PowerPC G3 233 MHz (iMac)
CPU cores
1
Graphics
ATI RAGE Pro (6 MB)
Memory
32 MB or 256 MB
Storage
4 GB
CPU
233 MHz PowerPC G3 with 66 MHz system bus and 512 KB backside L2 cache. The generic chip record names no supplier; MacGeneration identifies a Motorola PowerPC 750 in its reviewed Revision B unit.
GPU
ATI RAGE Pro graphics with 6 MB video memory; Apple’s developer history confirms the graphics change from the original RAGE IIc model.
Memory type
32 MB SDRAM standard, two SO-DIMM slots. Current retained Apple Revision B sheet supports up to 256 MB; the older developer history gives 128 MB. Configurations use the current maximum, with the conflict recorded.
Storage type
4 GB IDE hard drive and tray-loading 24x CD-ROM.

Display

Screen size
15″
Resolution
1024 × 768
Refresh rate
75 Hz
Display type
Nominal 15-inch CRT, 13.8-inch viewable diagonal; no fixed LCD native resolution.
Display features
1024 × 768 at 75 Hz, 800 × 600 at 95 Hz and 640 × 480 at 117 Hz (EveryMac exact A/B specification).

Connections

Ports
2 × USB-A, Ethernet, 2 × headphone jack
Ethernet
0.1 Gb/s
Back ports
Two USB ports, 10/100BASE-T Ethernet, 56K modem and audio line-in/out, plus two front headphone jacks. The retained combined maker sheet lists IrDA; Apple’s developer comparison lists it only for the original revision, while MacGeneration’s physical Revision B review shows the infrared window. No standard FireWire or VGA output.
Speakers
Built-in stereo speakers and microphone.
Keyboard and mouse
Apple USB Keyboard and round Apple USB Mouse.

Design and power

Type
All-in-one
Operating system
macOS
Size and weight detail
Maker retained sheet gives height 15.8, width 15.2 and depth 17.6 inches, weight 40 pounds. Metric figures from the original revision are not borrowed.
In the box
Mac OS 8.5. Conservative October 1998 sale month follows MacGeneration’s exact Revision B retrospective; published introduction days differ and are not treated as a verified worldwide first-sale day.

Configurations

ProcessorMemoryStorageStorage typeGraphics
PowerPC G3 233 MHz (iMac)32 MB4 GBHard driveATI RAGE Pro (6 MB)
PowerPC G3 233 MHz (iMac)256 MB4 GBHard driveATI RAGE Pro (6 MB)

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Built-in display and speakers
  • USB peripheral connections
  • Wired Ethernet connection

Cons

  • Single-core processor
  • CRT has 13.8-inch viewable area
  • Limited internal expansion

Closest rivals

Model
TypeProcessorMemoryStorageScreenWeightReleased
All-in-onePowerPC G3 233 MHz (iMac)32 MB – 128 MB4 GB15″–Aug 1998
All-in-onePowerPC G3 266 MHz (iMac)32 MB – 128 MB6 GB15″–Jan 1999
All-in-onePowerPC G3 333 MHz (iMac)32 MB – 128 MB6 GB15″–Apr 1999

Previous model: iMac G3 (1998). Newer model: iMac G3 (Early 1999).

Sources

  1. support.apple.com/en-gb/112281
  2. leopard-adc.pepas.com/documentation/Hardware/Developer_Notes/Macintosh_CPUs-G3/…
  3. macg.co/mac/2018/08/retro-macg-limac-fete-son-20e-anniversaire-103217
  4. everymac.com/systems/apple/imac/specs/imac_ab.html

Photo: Low-resolution 172 × 146 px Apple-credited original/Revision B family photo hosted by EveryMac; side view with keyboard and mouse, white background retained.

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