Apple · Power Mac
Power Mac G4 (Digital Audio)
A PowerPC tower with a faster system bus, CD writing and optional dual processors or SuperDrive.
Model history · 3 models, 1999–2001
- 1999Power Mac G4 (AGP Graphics)Compare
- 2000Power Mac G4 (Gigabit Ethernet)Compare
- 2001Power Mac G4 (Digital Audio)
- Type
- Tower
- Processor
- PowerPC G4 466 MHz (Power Mac Digital Audio), PowerPC G4 533 MHz (Power Mac Digital Audio), PowerPC G4 667 MHz (Power Mac Digital Audio) or PowerPC G4 733 MHz (Power Mac Digital Audio)
- Memory
- 128 MB – 1.5 GB
- Storage
- 30 GB – 60 GB
- Screen
- –
- Weight
- 13.6 kg
What reviewers say
Reviewers praise the faster architecture, expansion access and easy CD burning. Macworld finds stronger 3D performance in the GeForce2 MX model but slower 2D scrolling; both publications criticise the removed audio-input connection. Macs Only notes limited contemporary multiprocessor software.
From macworld.com and macsonly.com
Specifications
Report a wrong or missing specPerformance
- Processor
- PowerPC G4 466 MHz (Power Mac Digital Audio), PowerPC G4 533 MHz (Power Mac Digital Audio), 2 × PowerPC G4 533 MHz (Power Mac Digital Audio), PowerPC G4 667 MHz (Power Mac Digital Audio) or PowerPC G4 733 MHz (Power Mac Digital Audio)
- CPU cores
- 1 or 2
- Graphics
- ATI RAGE 128 Pro (16 MB) or NVIDIA GeForce2 MX (32 MB)
- Memory
- 128 MB, 256 MB or 1.5 GB
- Storage
- 30 GB to 60 GB
- CPU
- 466/533 MHz single or dual 533 MHz G4: 1 MB backside L2 cache at half processor speed. 667/733 MHz: 256 KB on-chip L2 and 1 MB backside L3; retained 733 sheet specifies quarter-speed L3, whereas launch prose loosely says half-speed. 133 MHz system bus. Generic per-processor chip records do not infer silicon identity.
- GPU
- Stock 466 MHz: ATI RAGE 128 Pro 16 MB; stock 533/667/733 MHz: NVIDIA GeForce2 MX 32 MB. Retained options include ATI Radeon 32 MB and GeForce3 64 MB; these are not silently treated as launch stock.
- Memory type
- 128 MB standard on 466/533 MHz; 256 MB on 667/733 MHz. Three PC133 SDRAM DIMM slots support up to 1.5 GB; base and maximum memory retain evidenced processor/drive/graphics ties.
- Storage type
- Stock 466 MHz: 30 GB 5400 rpm; 533 MHz: 40 GB 7200 rpm; 667/733 MHz: 60 GB 7200 rpm Ultra ATA/66. CD-RW 8x/4x/32x on lower configurations; 733 MHz SuperDrive writes DVD-R 2x and CD-R 8x. Current retained sheet additionally lists a 733 MHz CD-RW factory variant and omits launch 667 MHz; both distinctions retained here. Macs Only tested a maker-store dual 533 MHz with a named 30 GB downgrade from standard 40 GB; only these restricted dual configurations are included. Three drive bays; optional SCSI and independent CTO options remain in details.
- Expansion slots
- Four full-length 64-bit 33 MHz PCI slots plus dedicated AGP 4x graphics slot.
Display
- Screen
- None built in
Connections
- Ports
- 2 × USB-A, Ethernet, headphone jack
- Ethernet
- 1 Gb/s
- Back ports
- Two FireWire 400 and two 12 Mbps USB chassis ports; Gigabit Ethernet, 56K V.90 modem, ADC and VGA; optional 11 Mbps AirPort card. Headphone jack and Apple Pro Speakers minijack; no analog audio-input jack. Keyboard USB ports excluded.
- External displays
- ADC and VGA; maker graphics support up to 1920 × 1200. No assumption of simultaneous extended desktop for standard cards.
- Speakers
- Built-in speaker; optional Apple Pro Speakers use a dedicated amplified connection.
- Keyboard and mouse
- Apple Pro Keyboard and optical Apple Pro Mouse.
Design and power
- Type
- Tower
- Weight
- 13.6 kg
- Width × depth × height
- 226 × 467 × 432 mm
- Operating system
- macOS
- Size and weight detail
- Maker reference weight 13.6 kg; height 43.2, width 22.6, depth 46.7 cm. Weight varies by configuration and manufacturing process.
- Power supply
- Maximum continuous power 338 W.
- In the box
- Mac OS 9.1 in reviewed shipment; iMovie 2 and downloadable iTunes/Disc Burner. Maker confirms 466/533 MHz immediately available on 9 January, 667/733 MHz expected February, and actual 733 MHz SuperDrive shipments on 19 February 2001. Later options are not a new generation.
Configurations
| Processor | Memory | Storage | Storage type | Graphics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PowerPC G4 466 MHz (Power Mac Digital Audio) | 128 MB | 30 GB | Hard drive | ATI RAGE 128 Pro (16 MB) |
| PowerPC G4 466 MHz (Power Mac Digital Audio) | 1.5 GB | 30 GB | Hard drive | ATI RAGE 128 Pro (16 MB) |
| PowerPC G4 533 MHz (Power Mac Digital Audio) | 128 MB | 40 GB | Hard drive | NVIDIA GeForce2 MX (32 MB) |
| PowerPC G4 533 MHz (Power Mac Digital Audio) | 1.5 GB | 40 GB | Hard drive | NVIDIA GeForce2 MX (32 MB) |
| 2 × PowerPC G4 533 MHz (Power Mac Digital Audio) | 128 MB | 40 GB | Hard drive | NVIDIA GeForce2 MX (32 MB) |
| 2 × PowerPC G4 533 MHz (Power Mac Digital Audio) | 1.5 GB | 40 GB | Hard drive | NVIDIA GeForce2 MX (32 MB) |
| 2 × PowerPC G4 533 MHz (Power Mac Digital Audio) | 128 MB | 30 GB | Hard drive | NVIDIA GeForce2 MX (32 MB) |
| 2 × PowerPC G4 533 MHz (Power Mac Digital Audio) | 1.5 GB | 30 GB | Hard drive | NVIDIA GeForce2 MX (32 MB) |
| PowerPC G4 667 MHz (Power Mac Digital Audio) | 256 MB | 60 GB | Hard drive | NVIDIA GeForce2 MX (32 MB) |
| PowerPC G4 667 MHz (Power Mac Digital Audio) | 1.5 GB | 60 GB | Hard drive | NVIDIA GeForce2 MX (32 MB) |
| PowerPC G4 733 MHz (Power Mac Digital Audio) | 256 MB | 60 GB | Hard drive | NVIDIA GeForce2 MX (32 MB) |
| PowerPC G4 733 MHz (Power Mac Digital Audio) | 1.5 GB | 60 GB | Hard drive | NVIDIA GeForce2 MX (32 MB) |
Pros and cons
Pros
- CD writing standard
- Four open PCI slots
- Optional dual 533 MHz configuration
Cons
- Audio-input port removed
- No standard wireless networking
- Three memory slots
Closest rivals
Model | Type | Processor | Memory | Storage | Screen | Weight | Released |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tower | PowerPC G4 733 MHz (Power Mac QuickSilver 2001), PowerPC G4 867 MHz (Power Mac QuickSilver 2001) or PowerPC G4 800 MHz (Power Mac QuickSilver 2001) | 128 MB – 1.5 GB | 40 GB – 80 GB | – | 14.1 kg | Jul 2001 | |
| Tower | PowerPC G4 400 MHz (Power Mac Gigabit Ethernet), PowerPC G4 450 MHz (Power Mac Gigabit Ethernet) or PowerPC G4 500 MHz (Power Mac Gigabit Ethernet) | 64 MB – 1.5 GB | 20 GB – 40 GB | – | 13.6 kg | Jul 2000 | |
| Tower | PowerPC G4 800 MHz (Power Mac QuickSilver 2002), PowerPC G4 933 MHz (Power Mac QuickSilver 2002) or PowerPC G4 1000 MHz (Power Mac QuickSilver 2002) | 256 MB – 1.5 GB | 40 GB – 80 GB | – | 13.6 kg | Jan 2002 |
Previous model: Power Mac G4 (Gigabit Ethernet). Newer model: Power Mac G4 (QuickSilver 2001).