Slot-loading iMacs
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Apple updated the iMac design in 1999 with the release of the "Kihei" iMacs. The tray-loading CD-ROM drive in earlier iMac was replaced by a slot-loading CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, or CD-RW drive, depending on the model.
The slot-loading iMacs were smaller and lighter than their predecessors - and quieter, as the new design had no cooling fan. Apple also replaced the frosted colored plastics with transparent ones (exceptions: snow white, flower power, and blue Dalmatian).
The slot-loaders have a 100 MHz system bus and support up to 1 GB of RAM.
Most of the slot-loading iMacs have FireWire (exception: the 350 MHz iMacs), and they all support AirPort with an adapter.
Late 1999
Released in October 1999, the Kihei iMac came in three versions. The base 350 MHz iMac had 64 MB of RAM, a 6 GB hard drive, a 100 MHz system bus, and ATI Rage 128 video with 8 MB of dedicated video memory.
The 400 MHz iMac DV had a 10 GB hard drive and included two FireWire ports. It was available in blueberry, strawberry, grape, tangerine, and lime. The 400 MHz iMac DV SE had a 20 GB hard drive, DVD-ROM, and came in graphite.
Summer 2000
The iMac took a big step forward in July 2000. The Summer 2000 iMacs topped out at 500 MHz and included ATI Rage 128 Pro graphics. Available in four speeds, they showed Apple's commitment to DVD-ROM.
The iMac 350 came in indigo and had a 7 GB hard drive. It and the 400 MHz iMac DV had CD-ROM drive, while the 450 MHz and 500 MHz iMacs had DVD-ROM. FireWire was standard on all models except the 350.
Early 2001
The iMac took another step forward in February 2000, when the Early 2001 iMac reached 600 MHz. There were four models: a 400 MHz CD-ROM iMac and three CD-RW iMacs (replacing DVD-ROM, which was not even an option). Two of them, the 500 MHz North American model and the 600 MHz iMac used a new G3 CPU with an on-chip cache. They also used the ATI Rage 128 Ultra video and had 16 MB of dedicated video RAM. All models now had FireWire.
We also saw the most bizarre color schemes ever: blue Dalmatian and flower power. We're still not sure what Steve Jobs was thinking....
Summer 2001
The final revision of the G3 iMac was the Summer 2001 model, which ranged from 500 MHz to 700 MHz. All models had the improved G3 CPU, and base memory was boosted to 128 MB on most models, 256 MB on the 700 MHz iMac.
The G3 iMac was replaced by the flat panel iMac G4 in January 2002.
Mac OS X
While Apple claims early versions of OS X can run on 128 MB of memory, we recommend you have at least 256 MB for OS X 10.1 or 10.2, 384 MB for 10.3, and 512 MB for 10.4. For best performance, go to 1 GB of RAM and put in a 7200 rpm hard drive with an 8-16 MB buffer.
Models with 16 MB of video memory will have an advantage over ones with 8 MB when running OS X.
Online Resources
- Best used iMac G3 deals, updated monthly.
- Best classic Mac OS deals. Best online prices for System 6, 7.1, 7.5.x, Mac OS 7.6, 8.0, 8.1, 8.5, 9.0, 9.2.2, and other versions.
- Best Mac OS X 10.0-10.3 deals. Best online prices for Mac OS X 10.0, 10.1, 10.2, and 10.3.
- What's the best version of OS X for my Mac?, Ian R Campbell, The Sensible Mac, 2008.02.28. Which version of Mac OS X is best for your hardware depends on several factors.
- Low End Mac's Compleat Guide to Mac OS 9, 2008 edition, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2008.05.12. Declared dead by Steve Jobs 6 years ago, Mac OS 9 remains fast and stable, but Classic software hasn't kept up with Web changes. What Macs support OS 9, where to buy it, and how to update to version 9.2.2.
- The iMac Legacy: The G3 Era, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2008.08.15. 10 years ago today, the original iMac went on sale. One of the most popular lines of computers ever, the G3 iMac would be Apple staples for nearly five years.
- Using low end Macs for Internet radio, Gordon R. Brown, My Turn, 2008.08.18. When the local public radio station moved classical music to HD radio, it was time to find another way to listen. An old iMac with iTunes solved the problem.
- Slot loading iMacs: The SE/30 for a new generation, Tamara Keel, Digital Fossils, 2008.05.20. They're relatively small, pretty quiet, reliable, can run Tiger, and are very affordable nowadays.
- Road Apple nominations, OS X 10.5 on MDD Power Macs, UMPCs and Apple, and a broken power button, Dan Knight, Low End Mac Mailbag, 2007.10.12. Whether some additional Macs merit the 'Road Apple' label, Leopard on Mirror Drive Door Power Macs, the usefulness of ultrasmall computers, and dealing with an iMac with a broken power button.
- The future of G3 iMacs in the Age of Leopard, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2007.09.13. FRom August 1998 through December 2001, G3 iMacs were Apple's hot consumer computers. Which ones are best for OS X, and which should be avoided?
- Tiger on a G3 iMac and Pismo, running OS 9 from a flash drive, 7200 rpm drive heat, and more, Dan Knight, Low End Mac Mailbag, 2007.09.13. Also iMac upgrade advice, iBook G3 video chip resoldering, and how to get your website indexed by Google.
- iPhone cost, Low End Mac on the iPhone, using an LCD display with a G3 iMac, getting files off SCSI drives, and more, Dan Knight, Low End Mac Mailbag, 2007.07.26. Also sources for used Mac games and problems with Low End Mac's home page in Safari.
- External video options for a G3 iMac, Dan Knight and Kris Finkenbinder, Low End Mac Mailbag, 2007.07.25. Many G3 iMacs are fuzzy at 1024 x 768. What are the options for connecting an external monitor and disabling the built-in display?
- Making new Mac users with old iMacs and Tiger, buying newer vs. upgrading, booting Compact Flash, and more, Dan Knight, Low End Mac Mailbag, 2007.05.29. Getting seniors online with old iMacs, buying a newer Mac rather than upgrading an old one, booting PowerBooks from Compact Flash, and questions about video conferencing.
- The truth about CRTs and shock danger, Tom Lee, Online Tech Journal, 2007.05.22. You've been warned that CRT voltage can injure and even kill. The truth is that this danger is overstated - and takes attention away from a greater danger.
- Troubleshooting an iMac and possible Pismo overheating, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2007.03.19. Figuring out what's wrong with a G3 iMac that won't boot properly and possily spurious temperature readings from Gauge Pro.
- How much Mac do you really need to run OS X?, Ted Hodges, Vintage Mac Living, 2006.11.16. You don't need dual-core Intel processors to read email or use the Web. Here are some 1999-2001 Macs that could be all you need.
- Using FireWire Target Disk Mode to install OS X on Macs without DVD drives, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2006.09.14. Two methods for using FireWire Target Disk mode to install OS X on a Mac that can't read DVDs.
- Is the G3 still a practical choice?, Matthew Jay, Macs to the Max, 2006.08.10. Although the G3 is several generations old, it has enough horsepower for most of the things we do on our computers.
- Customizing Mac OS 9, Nathan Thompson, Embracing Obsolescence, 2006.08.01. Fiddling with themes, picking a browser, and making the Classic Mac OS work just the way you want it to.
- A $25 iMac! It's a steal, but what to do with it?, Adam Robert Guha, Apple Archive, 2006.07.28. A $25 iMac (less mouse and keyboard) from the local thrift shop was a great find, but what would be the best way to put it to use?
- Panther on a G3 iMac, B&W G3 sold, and the state of my other Macs, Nathan Thompson, Embracing Obsolescence, 2006.07.18. Although running OS X 10.3.9 on a 6-year-old iMac, the author still maintains his stable of older Macs running the Classic Mac OS.
- More ways to add OS 9 features to OS X, modem problems with MacBook and USB modem, Opera problem, and more, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2006.07.17. Also potential problems using Target Disk Mode to install the OS, using Classic on Intel Macs, value of Pismo G4 upgrades, "Tiger" on a G3 iMac, better laptop ergonomics, and more.
- 'Argh' moments switching to OS X, Mac OS 9 'amazingly fast', make your own anti-spam machine, and more, Mac News Review, 2006.07.14. Also Mac OS X Routine Maintenance page updated, developer notes for education-only iMac, and a new SATA enclosure for the Mac.
- Installing OS X 10.4 'Tiger' on DVD-challenged Macs using FireWire Target Disk Mode, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2006.07.10. Mac OS X ships on a single install DVD, which Apple will exchange for CDs at $10. But if you have access to a DVD-equipped Mac and a FireWire cable, you're good to go.
- Getting IE 4.5 to work with Low End Mac, 7200 rpm drive heat in an iMac, upgrading OS X on a white iBook, and more, Dan Knight, Low End Mac Mailbag, 2006.06.29. Configuring Internet Explorer 4.5 to work with CSS-based websites, overheating issues with iMacs, positive results with OS X upgrades, and problems getting an SD flash card to work in a PowerBook 1400.
- Making the move from Jaguar (OS X 10.2) to Panther (10.3), Ted Hodges, Vintage Mac Living, 2006.04.11. One advantage of Apple's "no upgrades" policy for OS X - someone can give you their old copy after upgrading without worrying about violating their license.
- FastMac's $190 8x dual-layer SuperDrive for PowerBooks and dual USB iBooks, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2006.01.30. For US$190-250 you can replace the CD-ROM, CD-RW, Combo, or slow old SuperDrive in most PowerBooks, white iBooks, slot-loading iMacs, and Cubes with a faster, dual-layer drive.
- Web browser tips for the classic Mac OS, Nathan Thompson, Embracing Obsolescence, 2006.01.03. Tips on getting the most out of WaMCom, Mozilla, Internet Explorer, iCab, Opera, and WannaBe using the classic Mac OS.
- The best browsers for PowerPC Macs and the classic Mac OS, Nathan Thompson, Embracing Obsolescence, 2005.12.16. Two browsers stand out from the pack: iCab 3 is modern and remains under development, and WaMCom brings Mozilla to older Macs.
- How big a hard drive can I put in my iMac, eMac, or Power Mac?, Dan Knight, Mac Daniel, 2005.10.24. A lot of older Macs don't know how to deal with drives over 128 GB in size. We look at three options.
- Upgrading an old iMac to Mac OS X, William Porter, TidBITS, 2005.02.07. Preparing a pair of 2001 iMacs for OS X and then getting Jaguar up and running on them.
- Which iMac is it? A quick guide to differentiating CRT G3 iMacs, Dan Knight, Mac Daniel, 2005.02.02. Two form factors, nine CPU speeds, and fifteen different colors. How can anyone keep this straight?
- Why the slot loading iMac is a good choice for OS X, Dan Knight, Mac Daniel, 2004.09.10. With prices starting at just over US$200, a tray-loading iMac can be a great choice for running OS X.
- Upgrades for the slot-loading iMac, Dan Knight, iMac Channel, 2003.05.15. Overview of memory, hard drive, media drive, and CPU upgrade options for slot-loading iMacs.
- Upgrading your G3 iMac, Evan Kleiman, Mac Daniel, 2003.03.07. Three types of upgrades that can improve your old iMac for less than the cost of buying a new one.
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