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Tech Specs

15″ iMac G4 (Early 2003)

LEM Staff - 2003.02.04

Apple decided to simplify the iMac lineup by offering just one 15″ model and one 17″ model. The Early 2003 17″ iMac has a 1 GHz G4 processor, a SuperDrive, and 64 MB of video memory.

15" iMac G4

15-inch iMac G4The Early 2003 15″ iMac runs at 800 MHz, includes a Combo drive, and sells for a very competitive US$1,299. Except for CPU speed, it is configured similarly to the 700 MHz Combo drive G4 iMac it replaces.

There is no build-to-order option for a SuperDrive. Unlike the 17″ iMac, this model does not support AirPort Extreme (just 802.11b AirPort) or have an internal connector for Bluetooth.

Beware Apple’s specs, which claims the G4 iMac has 5 USB ports. They get this number by adding the three ports on the iMac to the two on the keyboard, nicely ignoring the fact that the computer itself has only three ports – and the keyboard ties up one of those ports when it’s connected.

Some Leopard users have reported problems with G4 iMacs that have GeForce 2 or GeForce 4 graphics. When the system wakes from sleep, the screen will be completely white, making the computer unusable. This is fixed by Leopard Graphics Update 1.0, which requires OS X 10.5.2 or later.

Details

  • introduced 2003.02.04 at US$1,299; replaced by 1.0 GHz model 2003.09.08
  • Requires Mac OS X 10.2 through 10.5 Leopard; 10.5 not officially supported
  • CPU: 800 MHz G4
  • Bus: 100 MHz
  • Performance: unknown
  • RAM: 256 MB, expandable to 1 GB using one user accessible 144-pin PC133 SODIMM (up to 512 MB) and one 168-pin PC133 DIMM (also up to 512 MB)
  • Graphics: Nvidia GeForce 2 MX with AGP 2x support
  • VRAM: 32 MB
  • Display: 15″ 1024 x 768 flat panel display
  • Video out: Mini VGA port for video mirroring, requires VGA adapter
  • L2 cache: 256 KB on-chip cache running at full CPU speed
  • Hard drive: 60 GB Ultra ATA drive
  • Combo drive: 8x DVD read, 32x CD-R write, 10x CD-RW write, 32x CD read
  • USB: 3 USB 1.1 ports
  • FireWire 400: 2 ports
  • Modem: built-in 56 kbps modem supports v.92 standard
  • Ethernet: 10/100Base-T
  • WiFi: 802.11b AirPort optional
  • Microphone: internal
  • Power supply: 130W
  • PRAM battery: 3.6V half-AA
  • Height: 12.95-20.0 in/32.9-50.9 cm
  • Width: 15.1 in/38.3 cm
  • Depth: 10.6-16.3 in/27.0-41.5 cm
  • Weight: 21.2 lb/9.7 kg
  • Part no.: M9105
  • Model identifier: PowerMac4,2

Upgrades

  • 8x SuperDrive DVD±RW upgrade, MCE Technologies, $149. 8x4x12x DVD, 24x24x40x CD. 2 MB buffer. Must be installed by MCE or an MCE authorized upgrade center.

Online Resources