Apple Power Mac G4

The Power Mac G4 is a series of personal computers designed, manufactured, and sold by Apple Computer from 1999 to 2004 as part of the Power Macintosh line. Built around the PowerPC G4 series of microprocessors, the Power Mac G4 was marketed by Apple as the first “personal supercomputers”.

The Apple Power Mac G4, introduced in 1999, was a groundbreaking personal computer marketed as the first “personal supercomputer.” It played a pivotal role in advancing computing technology and showcased Apple’s innovative approach to industrial design and marketing. Below are its key specifications and historical significance.

Specifications

Processor and Performance:

  • Powered by the PowerPC G4 (7400) processor, with speeds ranging from 350 MHz to 500 MHz initially, later reaching up to 1.42 GHz in later models38.

  • Featured the Velocity Engine, a vector processing unit capable of achieving 1–20 gigaflops, making it one of the fastest personal computers of its time34.

  • L1 Cache: 64 KB; L2 Cache: 1 MB backside cache28.

  • System Bus Speed: 100 MHz8.

Memory and Storage:

  • Standard RAM: 64 MB (expandable up to 1.5 GB on Mac OS 9 and 2 GB on Mac OS X)28.

  • Storage: 10 GB Ultra ATA/66 hard drive (expandable), with a standard DVD-ROM drive and optional Zip drive28.

Graphics and Display:

  • Graphics Card: ATI Rage 128 Pro with 16 MB of VRAM28.

  • Supported resolutions up to 1920×1200 for single displays2.

Connectivity and Expansion:

  • Ports: Two USB 1.1 ports, three FireWire (400) ports, Ethernet (10/100Base-T), optional AirPort wireless networking38.

  • Expansion Slots: Four PCI slots (or three PCI and one AGP slot for graphics)35.

  • Optical Drives: DVD-ROM or DVD-RAM, with CD-RW options in later models68.

Design:

  • Enclosed in a graphite-colored tower case with a fold-down side panel for easy access to internal components23.

  • Dimensions: 17″ H x 8.9″ W x 18.4″ D; Weight: ~30 lbs28.

Operating System Compatibility:

  • Shipped with Mac OS 8.6 but supported upgrades to Mac OS X up to version 10.4.1138.

Significance

  1. Performance Milestone: The Power Mac G4 was the first personal computer capable of exceeding one gigaflop of computational power, leading the U.S. government to classify it as a “munition” under Cold War-era export restrictions due to its potential military applications410. This classification underscored its groundbreaking performance capabilities.

  2. Marketing Genius: Apple leveraged the “supercomputer” classification in its marketing campaigns, branding the G4 as a “Personal Supercomputer.” A memorable advertisement depicted tanks surrounding the computer, emphasizing its power compared to competitors like Intel-based PCs410.

  3. Industrial Design: The G4 retained the sleek design language introduced with the Power Macintosh G3 but adopted a more professional aesthetic with graphite and silver tones. This design evolution signaled Apple’s shift toward minimalist, high-end aesthetics that would define its future products37.

  4. Technological Advancements: The Power Mac G4 introduced features like AGP-based graphics, FireWire ports for high-speed data transfer, and optional AirPort wireless networking, which were cutting-edge at the time and set new standards for professional desktop computers38.

  5. Legacy: The Power Mac G4 was the last Macintosh capable of booting into the classic Mac OS, marking a transitional period as Apple fully embraced Mac OS X. It also laid the groundwork for subsequent models like the Power Mac G5 by pushing performance boundaries and refining Apple’s professional desktop lineup39.

In summary, the Power Mac G4 was not only a technological marvel but also a cultural icon that highlighted Apple’s ability to blend innovation with compelling storytelling. It remains a significant milestone in computing history.

Citations:

  1. https://support.apple.com/en-ca/112294
  2. https://apple.techable.com/specs/power-macintosh-g4-350-mhz-agp/
  3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_Mac_G4
  4. https://www.freethink.com/opinion/power-mac-g4
  5. https://support.apple.com/en-ca/112296
  6. https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2003/01/28Apple-Unveils-Fastest-and-Most-Affordable-Power-Macs-Ever/
  7. https://lowendmac.com/1999/power-mac-g4-sawtooth/
  8. http://apple-history.com/g4agp
  9. https://macs.billiehawkins.com/power-mac-g4-blue-tower/
  10. https://newsletter.pessimistsarchive.org/p/when-the-mac-was-a-munition
  11. https://apple.techable.com/specs/power-macintosh-g4-1-42-ghz-dual-processor-fw-800/
  12. https://apple.techable.com/specs/power-macintosh-g4-867-mhz-quicksilver
  13. https://support.apple.com/en-la/112294
  14. https://quicktakes.io/learn/computer-science/questions/what-was-significant-about-the-introduction-of-the-power-mac-g4-cube-in-the-early-2000s
  15. https://www.computinghistory.org.uk/det/4754/Apple-Power-Macintosh-G4-400/

Donated by: J.P. Corriveau

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