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iMac G3 Q&A - Updated February 23, 2009
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What are the differences between the third generation "Slot Loading" iMac G3 models?
Please note that the third generation iMac G3 models -- the first to have "slot loading" optical drives -- were introduced on October 5, 1999 and discontinued on July 19, 2000.
The third generation/slot loading iMac G3 models -- the iMac G3/350 (Slot Loading - Blueberry), iMac G3/400 DV (Slot Loading - Fruit), and iMac G3/400 DV SE (Slot Loading) -- have G3 processors, a 100 MHz system bus, PC100 SDRAM, Ultra ATA hard drives, and ATI Rage 128 VR 2D/3D video processors packaged in all-in-one cases with a 15-Inch "crystal clear" CRT display.
Compared to the iMac G3/333 (Fruit Colors) that these models replaced, the "Slot Loading" line has slot loading optical drives -- as the name implies -- as well as faster processors, a faster system bus, faster RAM (and more installed by default), a faster hard drive standard (Ultra ATA), a faster video processor with more VRAM, a superior sound system, and support for an optional AirPort (802.11b) wireless card. The "DV" (Digital Video) models add two Firewire "400" ports as well.
The major differences between the "Slot Loading" models are summarized below for your convenience:
iMac G3 | |||
Processor: | 350 MHz | 400 MHz | 400 MHz |
System Bus: | 100 MHz | 100 MHz | 100 MHz |
Backside L2: | 512k | 512k | 512k |
Memory Type: | PC100 | PC100 | PC100 |
Std. RAM: | 64 MB | 64 MB | 128 MB |
Max. RAM: | 512 MB* | 512 MB* | 512 MB* |
Display (CRT): | 15.0" (13.8") | 15.0" (13.8") | 15.0" (13.8") |
Resolution: | 800x600** | 800x600** | 800x600** |
Video Card†: | 128 VR 2D/3D | 128 VR 2D/3D | 128 VR 2D/3D |
Video RAM: | 8 MB | 8 MB | 8 MB |
Hard Drive: | 6 GB | 10 GB | 13 GB |
Optical Drive: | 24X CD | 4X DVD | 4X DVD |
AirPort: | Optional | Optional | Optional |
Bluetooth 1.1: | None | None | None |
Firewire: | No | Yes (2) | Yes (2) |
Colors: | Blueberry | Fruit§ | Graphite |
Order No: | M7469LL/A | M7493LL/A§ | M7668LL/A |
Orig. Price: | US$999 | US$1299 | US$1499 |
* This is the maximum RAM as officially supported by Apple. These models "unofficially" can support a maximum of 1 GB of memory (two 512 MB modules).
** 15.0" (13.8" viewable area) display supports 640x480 at 117 Hz, 800x600 at 95 Hz, and 1024x768 at 75 Hz.
† These models have ATI Rage 128 VR 2D/3D video with 8 MB of VRAM.
§ The most popular color -- blueberry -- was assigned model number M7493LL/A. Tangerine is M7671LL/A, grape is M7672LL/A, strawberry is M7673LL/A, and lime is M7674LL/A.
Please refer to the Ultimate Mac Comparison feature to dynamically compare any iMac G3 model to any other G3 or later Mac.
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