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Low End Mac

Low End Mac’s Quick Guide to G3 iMacs

Daniel Knight - 2015.01.01

This page provides a quick overview of all G3 iMac models. All G3 iMacs include v.90 (56k) modems, 10/100 ethernet, and 15″ CRT displays. 

Tray-Loading iMacs

iMac Hello AgainAll tray-loading iMacs have a 66 MHz system bus, shipped with 32 MB of system memory (RAM), a 24x CD-ROM, and officially support Mac OS X 10.3 Panther.

Apple specifies maximum RAM at 128 MB, but users reports being able to use up to 768 MB with one 512 MB and low-profile 256 MB SDRAM SO-DIMM only if they are CL2 modules.

Fruit colored iMacs

Tray-loading iMacs do not have built-in support for FireWire or AirPort. WiFi can most easily be added via USB or ethernet using an ethernet-to-WiFi adapter. Unlike later slot-loading iMacs, these all include a cooling fan.

Only the Rev. A and B have IrDA support for infrared networking. The mezannine slot in the Rev. A and B is not officially supported by Apple.

Tray-loading iMacs measure 15.8″ tall, 15.2″ wide, and 17.6″ deep. They weigh 31.8 lb.

Model Rev. A Rev. B Rev. C Rev. D
Introduced 1998.08.15 1998.10.17 1999.01.05 1999.04.14
Colors Bondi Blueberry, Grape, Strawberry, Lime, Tangerine
CPU Speed 233 MHz 266 MHz 333 MHz
Minimum OS 8.1 8.5 8.5.1
Hard Drive 4 GB 6 GB
Graphics ATI Rage IIc ATI Rage Pro ATI Rage Pro Turbo
VRAM, Where More Memory Means Less Speed 2-6 MB 6 MB
Exp. Slot mezannine slot none

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Slot-Loading iMacs

ruby iMacSlot-loading iMacs are smaller, lighter, and quieter than their tray-loading predecessors. The noise reduction comes from Steve Jobs’ mandate that they be fanless.

All slot-loading models have a 100 MHz system bus, support up to 1 GB (1024 MB) of system memory, and can run Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger. Even though they have no cooling fan, they can use a 7200 RPM hard drive for more responsive performance.

Except for the 350 MHz models, all slot-loaders have built-in FireWire and can use Apple’s AirPort Card with a special adapter. WiFi can otherwise be added via USB or ethernet using an ethernet-to-WiFi adapter.

All slot-loading iMacs are 15.0″ tall, 15.2″ wide, and 17.6″ deep. They weight 34.7 lb.

Model October 1999 Summer 2000 Early 2001 Summer 2001
Introduced 1999.10.05 2000.07.19 2001.02.22 2001.07.18
Colors Blue-berry Blueberry, Grape, Strawberry, Lime, Tangerine Graphite Indigo Indigo, Ruby Indigo, Ruby, Sage Graphite, Snow Indigo Indigo, Blue Dalmatian, Flower Power Graphite, Blue Dalmatian, Flower Power Indigo, Snow Graphite, Snow
CPU Speed 350 MHz 400 MHz 400 MHz 350 MHz 400 MHz 450 MHz 500 MHz 400 MHz 500 Int’l 500 N.A. 600 MHz 500 MHz 600 MHz 700 MHz
Base RAM 64 MB 128 MB 64 MB 128 MB 64 MB 128 MB 256 MB
Minimum OS 8.6 9.0.4 9.1
Hard Drive 6 GB 10 GB 13 GB 7 GB 10 GB 20 GB 30 GB 10 GB 20 GB 40 GB 20 GB 40 GB 60 GB
Graphics ATI RAGE 128 VR ATI RAGE Pro 128 ATI RAGE Ultra 128
VRAM, Where More Memory Means Less Speed 8 MB 16 MB
CD/DVD 24x CD 4x DVD 24x CD 4x DVD 24x CD 8x4x24x CD-RW
FireWire no yes no yes
AirPort no yes no yes

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