{"id":23164,"date":"2026-01-09T18:38:12","date_gmt":"2026-01-09T23:38:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/?page_id=23164"},"modified":"2026-02-05T11:05:33","modified_gmt":"2026-02-05T16:05:33","slug":"vin192","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/vintage-computing\/item\/vin192\/","title":{"rendered":"Apple iMac G4"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2>Apple iMac G4<\/h2>\n<p>[Vin192]<\/p>\n<p>The Apple iMac G4 (2002\u20132004) is best remembered for its iconic \u201cdesk lamp\u201d design, an articulated LCD arm paired with a hemispherical base, that decoupled the display from the computer for the first time in a mass-market desktop, influencing modern ergonomic and industrial design across the industry. Technologically, it marked Apple\u2019s transition from CRTs to flat-panel LCDs and helped normalize USB, FireWire, and a clean all-in-one aesthetic in educational and creative environments. Hugely popular and widely deployed in universities and studios, the iMac G4 became a museum-grade example of how industrial design, human-computer interaction, and branding can reshape public expectations of what a computer should look like and how it should fit into everyday academic life.<a href=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/PXL_20260114_153638278-scaled.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignright size-large wp-image-23233\" src=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/PXL_20260114_153638278-400x300.jpg\" alt=\"Apple iMac G4\" width=\"400\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/PXL_20260114_153638278-400x300.jpg 400w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/PXL_20260114_153638278-240x180.jpg 240w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/PXL_20260114_153638278-160x120.jpg 160w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/PXL_20260114_153638278-768x577.jpg 768w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/PXL_20260114_153638278-1536x1153.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/PXL_20260114_153638278-2048x1538.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/PXL_20260114_153638278-800x600.jpg 800w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/PXL_20260114_153638278-360x270.jpg 360w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Manufacturer<\/strong>: Apple Computer Inc.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Released<\/strong>: 2002<\/li>\n<li><strong>Type<\/strong>: All-in-one personal computer<\/li>\n<li><strong>Cost at release\u00a0<\/strong>(base model): ~$3,350 (adjusted for inflation)<\/li>\n<li><strong>MIPS<\/strong>: 1,400 &#8211; 1,800<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW169789978 BCX0\">Hardware Specifications<\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>CPU<\/strong>: PowerPC G4 (various speeds depending on model):\n<ul>\n<li>Early models: 700 MHz and 800 MHz G4 variants.<\/li>\n<li>Later models: 1.0 GHz and 1.25 GHz PowerPC G4 with Velocity Engine.<\/li>\n<li>Level 2 Cache: 256 KB on-chip.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>System Bus<\/strong>: Up to ~167 MHz on later USB 2.0 models.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Memory<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li>RAM (Standard): 128 MB to 256 MB depending on model; later USB 2.0 models shipped with 256 MB DDR SDRAM.<\/li>\n<li>Max RAM: Upgradable typically up to 1 GB (some unofficial reports of 2 GB possible).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>Hard Drive<\/strong>: 40 GB, 60 GB, or 80 GB Ultra ATA (most common 7200 rpm on USB 2.0 models).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Optical Drive Options<\/strong>: Combo (DVD-ROM\/CD-RW) or SuperDrive (DVD-R\/CD-RW).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Flat-panel LCD sizes<\/strong>: 15\u2033 (1024\u00d7768), 17\u2033 (1440\u00d7900), and 20\u2033 widescreen (1680\u00d71050).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Unique Articulated Arm<\/strong>: Adjustable display mounted on a ball-and-arm for flexible viewing angles (iconic design).<\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/apple-imacg4-ad.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignright size-large wp-image-23170\" src=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/apple-imacg4-ad-400x250.jpg\" alt=\"Apple iMac G4\" width=\"400\" height=\"250\" srcset=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/apple-imacg4-ad-400x250.jpg 400w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/apple-imacg4-ad-240x150.jpg 240w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/apple-imacg4-ad-160x100.jpg 160w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/apple-imacg4-ad-768x480.jpg 768w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/apple-imacg4-ad-1536x960.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/apple-imacg4-ad-360x225.jpg 360w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/apple-imacg4-ad.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/a>Graphics Processors<\/strong>:\n<ul>\n<li>NVIDIA GeForce2 MX with 32 MB VRAM on early units.<\/li>\n<li>NVIDIA GeForce4 MX with 64 MB VRAM on later 1.0 GHz+ units.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>Connectivity &amp; Ports<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li>USB: 2\u20133 ports (USB 1.1 on earliest; USB 2.0 on later models).<\/li>\n<li>FireWire 400: 2 ports.<\/li>\n<li>Ethernet: 10\/100 BASE-T built-in.<\/li>\n<li>Modem: Built-in 56k V.92.<\/li>\n<li>Optional: AirPort (802.11b\/g) and Bluetooth on later configurations.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>Audio<\/strong>: Built-in speakers and headphone jack; audio in\/out ports<\/li>\n<li><strong>Weight<\/strong>: Approximately 9.7 kg (21.2 lb) for 15\u2033 models and 10.4 kg (22.8 lb) for 17\u2033 models.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span class=\"TextRun SCXW50331614 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW50331614 BCX0\">Operating System &amp; Programming Languages<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW50331614 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559685&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>O\/S<\/strong>:\n<ul>\n<li>Shipped primarily with Mac OS X 10.1 \u201cPuma\u201d (early 2002 models) and Mac OS X 10.2 \u201cJaguar\u201d (later models).<\/li>\n<li>Officially supported upgrades up to Mac OS X 10.4 \u201cTiger\u201d, which is generally considered the most stable and historically representative OS for the iMac G4.<\/li>\n<li>Could also dual-boot Mac OS 9.2.2 (Classic Mac OS) on many models, making it a transitional machine between \u201cclassic\u201d and Unix-based Mac computing.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>Programming Languages<\/strong>:\n<ul>\n<li data-start=\"545\" data-end=\"650\"><strong data-start=\"545\" data-end=\"558\">C and C++<\/strong> \u2013 primary system and application development languages (via Apple Developer Tools\/Xcode).<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"653\" data-end=\"735\"><strong data-start=\"653\" data-end=\"668\">Objective-C<\/strong> \u2013 central to Mac OS X application development (Cocoa framework).<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"738\" data-end=\"836\"><strong data-start=\"738\" data-end=\"746\">Java<\/strong> \u2013 officially supported by Apple<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"839\" data-end=\"922\"><strong data-start=\"839\" data-end=\"849\">Python<\/strong> \u2013 included with Mac OS X<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"925\" data-end=\"1013\"><strong data-start=\"925\" data-end=\"933\">Perl<\/strong> \u2013 bundled with Mac OS X; popular for system administration and web scripting.<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1016\" data-end=\"1088\"><strong data-start=\"1016\" data-end=\"1024\">Ruby<\/strong> \u2013 available via third-party packages and later OS X releases.<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1091\" data-end=\"1160\"><strong data-start=\"1091\" data-end=\"1106\">AppleScript<\/strong> \u2013 Apple\u2019s native automation and scripting language.<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1163\" data-end=\"1249\"><strong data-start=\"1163\" data-end=\"1173\">Pascal<\/strong> \u2013 supported historically through legacy tools and education environments.<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1252\" data-end=\"1346\"><strong data-start=\"1252\" data-end=\"1274\">Assembly (PowerPC)<\/strong> \u2013 used in low-level or performance-critical academic and research work.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Notables<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Commonly called the \u201c<strong>Sunflower iMac<\/strong>\u201d or \u201c<strong>Desk Lamp Mac<\/strong>\u201d due to its articulated arm and lamp-like silhouette.<\/li>\n<li>One of the first mass-market computers to fully decouple the display from the system unit, pioneering ergonomic adjustability now standard in modern monitors and all-in-ones.<\/li>\n<li>Famously compared to (and inspired by) the Anglepoise desk lamp, making it a landmark example of industrial design influencing computing form factors.<\/li>\n<li>Helped normalize flat-panel LCDs in consumer desktops, accelerating the industry\u2019s move away from bulky CRT monitors.<\/li>\n<li>Widely adopted in universities, design studios, and media labs, reinforcing Apple\u2019s dominance in creative and academic computing in the early 2000s.<\/li>\n<li>Bridged Classic Mac OS and Mac OS X, representing Apple\u2019s shift to a modern Unix-based operating system.<\/li>\n<li>Regularly appears in museums of modern art and design, underscoring its cross-disciplinary significance.<\/li>\n<li>Apple ads emphasized motion, elegance, and human interaction, often showing the screen floating and moving effortlessly, selling design and experience, not raw specs.<\/li>\n<li>Seen as the final and most expressive evolution of the iMac line before Apple pivoted to minimalist aluminum designs, making it a high point of expressive, human-centric computer design.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Donated by<\/strong>: Dr. Arlen Michaels<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/PXL_20260114_142420637-scaled.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-23425\" src=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/PXL_20260114_142420637-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Imac G4 in a box\" width=\"1922\" height=\"2560\" srcset=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/PXL_20260114_142420637-scaled.jpg 1922w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/PXL_20260114_142420637-240x320.jpg 240w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/PXL_20260114_142420637-400x533.jpg 400w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/PXL_20260114_142420637-160x213.jpg 160w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/PXL_20260114_142420637-768x1023.jpg 768w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/PXL_20260114_142420637-1153x1536.jpg 1153w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/PXL_20260114_142420637-1538x2048.jpg 1538w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/PXL_20260114_142420637-360x479.jpg 360w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1922px) 100vw, 1922px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Apple iMac G4 [Vin192] The Apple iMac G4 (2002\u20132004) is best remembered for its iconic \u201cdesk lamp\u201d design, an articulated LCD arm paired with a hemispherical base, that decoupled the display from the computer for the first time in a mass-market desktop, influencing modern ergonomic and industrial design across the industry. Technologically, it marked Apple\u2019s [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":0,"parent":19704,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":"","_mi_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v21.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Apple iMac G4 - School of Computer Science<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Apple iMac G4 The Apple iMac G4 (2002\u20132004) is best remembered for its iconic \u201cdesk lamp\u201d design, an articulated LCD arm paired with a hemispherical base,\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/vintage-computing\/item\/vin192\/\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"4 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/vintage-computing\/item\/vin192\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/vintage-computing\/item\/vin192\/\",\"name\":\"Apple iMac G4 - 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