Apple iMac G5

[Vin177]

First Ever iconThe Apple iMac G5 (2004–2006) was notable for integrating a full PowerPC G5 desktop-class processor into an ultra-thin, all-in-one LCD form factor, a radical engineering achievement at the time that foreshadowed modern slim desktop design. Its claim to fame was bringing 64-bit PowerPC performance and quiet, fan-zoned thermal design to mainstream users and educational institutions, making it a common sight in university labs and classrooms. Historically, it represents both the peak of Apple’s PowerPC era and a transitional milestone just before the shift to Intel, and it was extremely popular, selling in large numbers and serving as Apple’s flagship consumer Mac during its production run.

  • Manufacturer: Apple
  • Type: Desktop computer
  • Release Date: 2004
  • Cost at release: Canadian suggested retail prices ranged roughly from $3,500 (adjusted for inflation) for a 17″ 1.6 GHz model up to $5,000 (adjusted for inflation) for a 20″ 1.8 GHz model.
  • MIPS: 4,600-6,000 (4.6 – 6.0 GIPS)

Hardware Specifications

  • CPU: IBM PowerPC G5 (PowerPC 970 family), 64-bit RISC architecture, Clock speeds: 1.6 GHz, 1.8 GHz, 2.0 GHz, 1.9 GHz, 2.1 GHz (model dependent)
    • Memory (RAM): Standard: 256 MB or 512 MB DDR / DDR2 SDRAM
    • Maximum: 2 GB–2.5 GB (revision dependent)
  • Storage: 80 GB to 250 GB Serial ATA (SATA), 7200 RPM hard drives
  • Graphics:
    • NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200 Ultra (64 MB)
    • ATI Radeon 9600 / X600 Pro / X600 XT (128 MB)
  • Display:
    • 17-inch LCD: 1440 × 900 resolution
    • 20-inch LCD: 1680 × 1050 resolution
  • Optical Drive:
    • Slot-loading DVD-ROM/CD-RW Combo Drive
    • or SuperDrive (DVD±R/RW), model dependent
  • Ports & Connectivity: USB 2.0 ×3, FireWire 400 ×2, Ethernet (10/100 or Gigabit on later models), 56k V.92 modem, Audio in/out, Optional AirPort Extreme (802.11b/g) and Bluetooth
  • Camera (late models): Integrated iSight webcam (2005–2006 revisions)
  • Weight:
    • 17-inch models: ~15.5–18.5 lb (7.0–8.4 kg)
    • 20-inch models: ~22–25.2 lb (10.0–11.4 kg)

Operating System & Programming Languages 

  • Operating System: Mac OS X 10.3 Panther
  • Supported Languages:
    • Apple / Native Development
      • C, C++ (GCC toolchain)
      • Objective-C (Cocoa, Carbon frameworks)
      • AppleScript
      • Java (Apple-supplied JVM, Java 1.4–1.5 era)
    • Scripting & Interpreted Languages
      • Python
      • Perl
      • Ruby
      • PHP
      • Shell scripting (bash, zsh, sh)
    • Academic & Scientific
      • Fortran (via GCC)
      • MATLAB (PowerPC versions available)
      • R (early PowerPC builds)
    • Web & Application Development
      • HTML, CSS, JavaScript
      • Server-side development using Apache, PHP, Perl, Python

Notables

  • One of the first mass-market desktops to place all components directly behind a flat LCD, establishing the modern all-in-one layout.
  • Desktop-class CPU in a thin chassis: Used a full 64-bit PowerPC G5, previously found only in large Power Mac towers, an unusual engineering feat for 2004.
  • Introduced independent cooling zones with multiple fans, influencing later quiet-PC and Apple thermal designs.
  • The last PowerPC-based iMac, marking the close of Apple’s IBM/Motorola CPU lineage before the 2006 Intel transition.
  • Widely deployed in education and design labs, valued as an affordable UNIX workstation.
  • Informally called the “iMac Slab” or “Flat iMac” by collectors and technicians.
  • Early models became known for capacitor failures, now a common restoration talking point in vintage computing circles.

Donated by: Dr Paul Van Oorschot

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