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Technical & Performance (2/3)
What is the difference between the
models in the "Summer 2001" iMac
family?
There are three distinct models in the "Summer 2001" iMac family that differ in configuration, and can differ in case color. All models in the "Summer 2001" series use the same convection-cooled case and Harmon Kardon Odyssey sound system of the last three iMac revisions, and the faster graphics processor, faster level 2 cache design, and internal CD-RW drives from the higher-end models in the "Flower Power" series. The "Summer 2001" models also shipped with both MacOS 9.1 and MacOS X pre-installed, the first iMacs to do so.
The iMac "500" (Indigo), available in indigo and snow, features a 500 MHz PowerPC 750cx (G3) processor with a 256k on-chip level 2 cache, a slot-loading 8X/4X/24X CD-RW drive, a 20.0 GB hard drive, 128 MB of RAM, and a 16 MB ATI Rage 128 Ultra (2x AGP) graphics subsystem.
The iMac "600" (Graphite), available in graphite and snow, features a 600 MHz PowerPC 750cx (G3) processor with a 256k on-chip level 2 cache, a slot-loading 8X/4X/24X CD-RW drive, a 40.0 GB hard drive, 256 MB of RAM, and a 16 MB ATI Rage 128 Ultra (2x AGP) graphics subsystem.
The iMac SE "700", available in graphite and snow, features a 700 MHz PowerPC 750cx (G3) processor with a 256k on-chip level 2 cache, a slot-loading 8X/4X/24X CD-RW drive, a 60.0 GB hard drive, 256 MB of RAM, and a 16 MB ATI Rage 128 Ultra (2x AGP) graphics subsystem.
What is the difference between the "Flat-Panel" iMac models?
There are two distinct models and three default configurations (three models and four default configurations from July 17, 2002 to February 4, 2003, two models and two default configurations from February 4, 2003 to September 8, 2003, and three models and three default configurations currently) in the "Flat-Panel" iMac series. All models in the "Flat-Panel" line use a completely redesigned logicboard housed in a gorgeous 10.5" half-sphere, ice white case with a chromed stainless steel neck that supports either a 15", 17", or 20" TFT Active Matrix LCD display. From first glance, it is obvious that this is a completely new iMac. The "2002 Flat-Panel" iMacs shipped with both MacOS 9.2.2 and MacOS X v.10.1 (MacOS X v.10.2 after August 13, 2002) pre-installed, but unlike the "Summer 2001" iMacs, had MacOS X selected as the default operating system. The "Spring 2003 Flat-Panel" iMacs, introduced February 4, 2003 and discontinued September 8, 2003, have MacOS X 10.2.3 pre-installed, and cannot boot into earlier versions of the MacOS. The current "Flat-Panel" iMacs, introduced on September 8, 2003 (iMac "1.0" 15" (FP), iMac "1.25" 17" (FP) ) and November 18, 2003 (iMac "1.25" 20" (FP) ) have MacOS X 10.3 pre-installed and do not support earlier versions.
The iMac "700" (Flat-Panel), introduced on January 7, 2002 and discontinued on February 4, 2003, was available simply in white/chrome, and features a 700 MHz PowerPC 7441 (G4) processor with a 256k on-chip level 2 cache, either a tray-loading 8X/4X/24X CD-RW drive or 8X/12X/8X/32X DVD-ROM/CD-RW Combo Drive, a 40.0 GB Ultra ATA hard drive, 128 MB or 256 MB of RAM, and NVIDIA GeForce2 MX graphics acceleration with 32 MB of DDR RAM.
The iMac "800" (Flat-Panel), introduced on January 7, 2002 and revised on February 4, 2003, also available simply in white/chrome, features an 800 MHz PowerPC 7445 (G4) processor with a 256k on-chip level 2 cache, a tray-loading 2X/6X/8X/4X/24X DVD-R/CD-RW SuperDrive (an 8X/32X/10X/32X DVD/CD-RW Combo Drive after February 4, 2003), a 60.0 GB Ultra ATA hard drive, 256 MB of RAM, and NVIDIA GeForce2 MX graphics acceleration with 32 MB of DDR RAM.
The iMac "800" 17" (Flat-Panel), introduced on January 7, 2002 and discontinued on February 4, 2003, was available simply in white/chrome, and features a larger 17" TFT Active Matrix LCD display, an 800 MHz PowerPC 7445 (G4) processor with a 256k on-chip level 2 cache, a tray-loading 2X/6X/8X/4X/24X DVD-R/CD-RW SuperDrive, an 80.0 GB Ultra ATA hard drive, 256 MB of RAM, and NVIDIA GeForce4 MX graphics acceleration with 32 MB of DDR RAM.
The iMac "1.0" 17" (Flat-Panel), introduced on February 4, 2003 and discontinued on September 8, 2003, available simply in white/chrome, features a larger 17" TFT Active Matrix LCD display, a 1.0 GHz (1000 MHz) PowerPC 7445 (G4) processor with a 256k on-chip level 2 cache, a tray-loading 4X/8X/16X/8X/32X DVD-R/CD-RW SuperDrive, an 80.0 GB Ultra ATA hard drive, 256 MB of RAM, NVIDIA GeForce4 MX graphics acceleration with 32 MB of DDR RAM, and support for AirPort Extreme (802.11g) and Bluetooth with optional cards.
The iMac "1.0" 15" (FP), introduced on September 8, 2003 and discontinued on July 1, 2004, available simply in white/chrome, features a 1.0 GHz (1000 MHz) PowerPC 7445 (G4) processor with a 256k on-chip level 2 cache, 256 MB of RAM (333 MHz PC2700 DDR SDRAM), an 80.0 GB Ultra ATA/100 hard drive (7200 RPM), a tray-loading 8X/32X/10X/32X DVD-ROM/CD-RW Combo Drive, NVIDIA GeForce4 MX graphics acceleration with 32 MB of DDR SDRAM, and support for AirPort Extreme (802.11g) and Bluetooth with optional cards.
The iMac "1.25" 17" (FP), introduced on September 8, 2003 and discontinued on July 1, 2004, available simply in white/chrome, features a 1.25 GHz (1250 MHz) PowerPC 7445 (G4) processor with a 256k on-chip level 2 cache, 256 MB of RAM (333 MHz PC2700 DDR SDRAM), an 80.0 GB Ultra ATA/100 hard drive (7200 RPM), a tray-loading 4X/8X/16X/8X/32X DVD-R/CD-RW SuperDrive, NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200 Ultra graphics acceleration with 64 MB of DDR SDRAM, and support for AirPort Extreme (802.11g) and Bluetooth with optional cards.
The iMac "1.25" 20" (FP), introduced on November 18, 2003 and discontinued on July 1, 2004, available simply in white/chrome, features a 1.25 GHz (1250 MHz) PowerPC 7445 (G4) processor with a 256k on-chip level 2 cache, 256 MB of RAM (333 MHz PC2700 DDR SDRAM), an 80.0 GB Ultra ATA/100 hard drive (7200 RPM), a tray-loading 4X/8X/16X/8X/32X DVD-R/CD-RW SuperDrive, NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200 Ultra graphics acceleration with 64 MB of DDR SDRAM, and support for AirPort Extreme (802.11g) and Bluetooth with optional cards.
What is the difference between the "Flat-Panel" iMacs and earlier iMacs?
The "Flat-Panel" iMac series is completely different from earlier iMacs, so much so that it could have easily been called the "iMac 2". The "Flat-Panel" iMac models use a completely redesigned logicboard with significantly faster PowerPC G4 processors, faster graphics processors, faster RAM, larger hard drives, additional re-writable storage options such as the SuperDrive, and more. This faster logicboard is housed in a gorgeous 10.5" half-sphere, ice white case with a chromed stainless steel neck that supports a TFT Active Matrix LCD display. There is no mistaking the "Flat-Panel" iMacs for earlier models by performance or appearance.
What is the difference between the "Flat-Panel" iMacs and the Power Mac G4 QS or MDD?
The primary differences between the "Flat-Panel" iMacs and the "Quicksilver" and "Mirrorred Drive Doors" Power Macintosh G4 models, all now discontinued, are speed, screen-size, and expandability. The "QS" and "MDD" Power Macintosh G4 models feature faster processors with Level 3 cache, faster system buses, faster hard drives, and faster Ethernet than the flat-panel iMacs. The "QS" and "MDD" Power Macintosh G4 models can accomodate larger displays than the one that ships mounted to the flat-panel iMac, in addition to multiple displays. Finally, the "QS" and "MDD" Power Macintosh G4, with four PCI slots, one external drive bay (without a Zip 250 drive installed in the "QS" models or a second optical drive installed in the "MDD" models), and two or three internal drive bays (two in the "QS" models, three in "MDD" models, both with one hard drive installed), offers greater expansion possibilities than the flat-panel iMac, which only accomodates upgrading the RAM, hard drive, AirPort card, and Bluetooth (some models).
What is the difference between the "Flat-Panel" iMacs and the eMac?
The primary difference between the "Flat-Panel" iMacs and the eMac is obvious with even a quick glance at the systems. As the name implies, the "Flat-Panel" iMacs include a 15", 17", or 20" TFT Active Matrix LCD display and the eMac has a "traditional" 17" CRT display. The two systems share similar color schemes, the same processor speeds, and similar configurations. For photographs of the systems, please refer to the respective iMac and eMac pages on EveryMac.com.
Is the iMac PCI-based? Does it have a PCI slot?
Yes, like all other modern Power Macs, the iMac is PCI-based, but it does not have a standard internal PCI slot.
In revision A & B iMacs, there is a 160-pin slot on the bottom of the iMac's motherboard that is labeled "Mezzanine". It is some type of modified PCI slot, but according to Apple, it was designated for internal use only and was removed beginning with the multicolored iMac "266" models.
Is the CPU on the iMac upgradable? Mounted on a daughtercard? On a ZIF?
Contrary to inital reports that the iMac's processor was mounted on a ZIF socket like the Power Macintosh G3 series, the iMac's processor is soldered to a daughtercard, and is, therefore, not easily upgradable. Since the ROM is also soldered to the daughtercard, the feasible way to upgrade the iMac's processor would be to replace the existing daughtercard with a new one with a faster processor and another ROM.
Apple has officially stated that they have no plans to offer any type of processor upgrade card for the iMac, although third-party cards are available for some models.
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