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Apple iMac G5/1.9 17" (iSight) Specs

Identifiers: iSight - MA063LL/A - PowerMac12,1 - A1144 - 2081

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Apple iMac G5The Apple iMac G5/1.9 17-Inch (iSight) follows the design of its predecessors with the entire computer placed behind the flat-panel display in an integrated all-in-one enclosure. This model, however, is "up to" half an inch thinner and 15% lighter than earlier iMac G5 models and uses a faster architecture and superior graphics. As the name implies, it includes an integrated iSight camera for easy video conferencing.

The Apple iMac G5/1.9 17-Inch (iSight) comes equipped with a 1.9 GHz PowerPC 970fx (G5) processor with an optimized AltiVec "Velocity Engine" vector processing unit and a 512k on chip level 2 cache, 633 MHz frontside bus, 512 MB of 533 MHz PC2-4200 DDR2 SDRAM, a 160.0 GB (7200 RPM) Serial ATA hard drive, a vertically-mounted slot-loading 8X "SuperDrive", ATI Radeon X600 Pro graphics with 128 MB of DDR SDRAM (PCI-Express), and a 17" TFT Active Matrix LCD (1440x900 native) display. Connectivity includes USB 2.0, Firewire "400", built-in AirPort Extreme, Bluetooth 2.0+EDR, and Gigabit Ethernet. This model was bundled with the programmable Apple Mighty Mouse and a new six-button Apple Remote.

Also see: What are the differences between the "iSight" iMac G5 models?

Despite the age of this system, site sponsor Other World Computing has RAM, hard drives, SSDs, and other upgrades available for this specific iMac while supplies last.


  • Tech Specs
  • Ports
  • Global Original Prices
  • Popular Q&As

Click on the category for related details. The most commonly needed info is "open" by default, but all info is important.


October 12, 2005 January 10, 2006*
Details: *The "Introduction Date" refers to the date this model was introduced via press release. On January 10, 2006, Apple introduced the iMac "Core Duo" 1.83 17-Inch as a replacement, but continued to sell this model until February 2, 2006, when supplies were exhausted.

Also see: All Macs introduced in 2005.
1 64-Bit
Details: Also see: All models with a 64-Bit processor courtesy of EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Sort.
1090 1053
Details: Geekbench 2 benchmarks are in 32-bit and 64-bit modes, respectively. These numbers reflect an average of user provided 32-bit and 64-bit results as submitted to the Geekbench website. Higher numbers are better.

You also might be interested in reviewing all 32-bit and 64-bit Geekbench 2 user submissions for Macs with the PowerMac12,1 Model Identifier, which may include multiple models.

To dynamically compare Geekbench 2 results from different Macs side-by-side, see EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Comparison.
N/A N/A
Details: The Geekbench 3 benchmark does not support this model. Both numbers reflect an average of user provided results as submitted to the Geekbench website. Higher numbers are better.

You also might be interested in reviewing all 32-bit single core and multicore Geekbench 3 user submissions for Macs with the PowerMac12,1 Model Identifier, which may include multiple models.

To dynamically compare 32-bit Geekbench 3 results from different Macs side-by-side, see EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Comparison.
N/A N/A
Details: The Geekbench 3 benchmark does not support this model. Both numbers reflect an average of user provided results as submitted to the Geekbench website. Higher numbers are better.

You also might be interested in reviewing all 64-bit single core and multicore Geekbench 3 user submissions for Macs with the PowerMac12,1 Model Identifier, which may include multiple models.

To dynamically compare 64-bit Geekbench 3 results from different Macs side-by-side, see EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Comparison.
1.9 GHz PowerPC 970fx (G5)
Details: The PowerPC 970 "G5" has 64-bit data paths and registers with native support for 32-bit application code. It additionally includes the AltiVec "Velocity Engine" vector processor and "two independent double-precision floating-point units".

Also see: How fast is the iMac G5 compared to the iMac G4 Flat-Panel and Power Macintosh G5?
N/A N/A
Details: N/A
Soldered Integrated
Details: The processor is mounted directly to the motherboard.
633 MHz (3:1) 1.9 GHz (Built-in)
Details: 633 MHz frontside bus.
Open Firmware N/A
Details: Boot ROM and around 1 MB, other instructions are loaded into RAM (NewWorld).
32k/64k 512k
Details: 32k level 1 data cache, 64k level 1 instructional cache. The 512k on-chip level 2 cache runs at processor speed.
PC2-4200 DDR2 533 MHz
Details: Supports 533 MHz PC2-4200 DDR2 SDRAM.

Also see: How do you upgrade the RAM in the iMac G5 models? How much RAM of what type do these systems support?
512 MB 4.5 GB*
Details: *RAM manufacturers and quality resellers that have tested their RAM with this specific iMac for reliability do not guarantee that this system can support more than 2.5 GB of memory. However, this iMac is so old that demand for upgrades is low and additional formal tests are unlikely to be forthcoming. A diligent reader more recently discovered that it will work with a 4 GB Samsung 2Rx4 PC2-6400U-666 memory module, passes Memtest, and is properly recognized by the operating system.

In the US (and many other countries), site sponsor Other World Computing sells memory -- as well as other upgrades -- that are guaranteed to work with this iMac.

Also see: Actual Max RAM of All G3 & Later Macs.
512 MB 1
Details: 512 MB soldered to the motherboard, supports a single memory module.
Radeon X600 Pro DDR SDRAM
Details: ATI Radeon X600 Pro with 128 MB of DDR SDRAM (PCI-Express).

Also see: What type of video processor is provided by the iMac G5? Is it upgradable?
128 MB 128 MB
Details: N/A
17.0" TFT 1440x900
Details: This model has a 17.0" TFT active matrix display with a 16:10 aspect ratio and a native resolution of 1440x900. In the 16:10 aspect ratio, it also supports 1152x720, 1024x640, and 800x500, and in the 4:3 aspect ratio it supports 1024x768, 800x600, and 640x480. Apple additionally reports a "typical" brightness of 250 cd/m, contrast ratio of 500:1, and viewing angle of 140 degrees horizontal and 120 degrees vertical.
Mirroring Only* N/A
Details: Apple reports that this system has a "VGA output port for video mirroring on an external display or projector" and supports "S-video and composite video output to connect directly to a TV or projector" as well.

However, the hardware is capable of using an external display in dual or "extended desktop mode", Apple just blocked the capability in firmware to protect sales of more expensive Macs. Unsupported third-party hacks are available.
160 GB HDD 7200 RPM
Details: Also see: How do you replace or upgrade the hard drive in the iMac G5 models?

In the US (and many other countries), site sponsor Other World Computing sells storage upgrades for this iMac.

Also see: SSD Compatibility Guide for All G3 & Later Macs.
3.5" (26.10 mm) Serial ATA (1.5 Gb/s)
Details: This model holds a single 3.5" Serial ATA (1.5 Gb/s) hard drive or SSD. Storage drives larger than 128 GB are supported.
8X DL "SuperDrive" None
Details: Apple reports that the slot-loading 8X DVD+R DL/DVD�RW/CD-RW SuperDrive "writes DVD+R DL discs at up to 2.4x speed, writes DVD-R and DVD+R discs at up to 8x speed, writes DVD-RW and DVD+RW discs at up to 4x speed, reads DVDs at up to 8x speed, writes CD-R discs at up to 24x speed, writes CD-RW discs at up to 8x, [and] CDs at up to 24x speed."

Also see: What are the capabilities of the optical drive provided by the iMac G5?
None 10/100/1000Base-T
Details: An external Apple USB Modem could be purchased for US$49. 10/100/1000Base-T (Gigabit) Ethernet standard.
802.11b/g (Standard) 2.0+EDR
Details: AirPort Extreme (802.11g) and Bluetooth 2.0+EDR standard.
3 (2.0) 2 (400)
Details: Apple advertised that this system had a "total of five USB ports" counting three USB 2.0 ports on the system and two USB 1.1 ports on the keyboard. Two Firewire "400" ports are shared - 8 watts.
AP/BL None
Details: Internal AirPort Extreme (802.11b/802.11g) and Bluetooth 2.0+EDR pre-installed.
Apple Keyboard Apple Mighty Mouse
Details: Also included an Apple Remote for use with Apple Front Row media organization software -- that Apple reports provides users with a "simple, intuitive and powerful way to play their music, enjoy their photo slideshows, and watch their DVDs and iMovies".
All-in-One iMac G5 iSight
Details: Integrated all-in-one "ice white" enclosure supported by an aluminum stand.
MA063LL/A iSight
Details: The Apple order number should be unique to this system.
A1144 (EMC 2081) PowerMac12,1
Details: Please note that these identifiers refer to more than one model.

Also see: All Macs with the A1144 Model Number, the 2081 EMC Number, and the PowerMac12,1 Model Identifier.

For more about these identifiers and how to locate them on each Mac, please refer to EveryMac.com's Mac Identification section.
3.6V Lithium N/A
Details: N/A
X 10.4.2 (8E102) X 10.5.8
Details: This system cannot run versions of MacOS X more recent than 10.5.8.
N/A N/A
Details:
Classic Mode Only* Emulation Only
Details: *This model is capable of using Mac OS 9 applications within the Mac OS X "Classic" environment provided with Mac OS X 10.4.11 "Tiger" and lower ("Classic" is not supported starting with Mac OS X 10.5 "Leopard"). It cannot boot into Mac OS 9.
16.9 x 16.8 x 6.8 15.5 lbs. (7 kg)
Details: In inches - height by width by depth, (43 cm, 42.6 cm, 17.3 cm).
US$1299 US$50-US$100
Details: Please note that on average the estimated current retail pricing of used systems is updated twice a year (please refer to the date on the bottom of the page for the date last updated).

Photo Credit: Apple Computer.


Click on a category for additional details. The most commonly needed info is "open" by default, but all info is important. The icons correspond with the icons for each port on the computer.


1 (Mini-VGA) None
Details: Apple notes that the system has a "VGA output port for video mirroring on [an] external display or projector" and "S-video and composite video output to connect directly to a TV or projector", using an adapter (sold separately).
None None
Details: N/A
None None
Details: N/A
3 (2.0) 2 (400)
Details: Apple advertised that this system had a "total of five USB ports" counting three USB 2.0 ports on the system and two USB 1.1 ports on the keyboard. Two Firewire "400" ports are shared - 8 watts.
None 1 (RJ-45)
Details: An external Apple USB Modem could be purchased for US$49.10/100/1000Base-T (Gigabit) Ethernet standard. AirPort Extreme (802.11g) and Bluetooth 2.0+EDR standard as well.
None 1*
Details: Apple notes that the system has "S-video and composite video output to connect directly to a TV or projector", using an adapter (sold separately).
1 (Built-in) 1
Details: Includes a single "audio line input".
1* 1*
Details: Includes a single "headphone/optical digital audio output" port.
1 None
Details: N/A
1 N/A
Details: 100V-240V AC, 180W maximum.

Global original prices for the iMac G5/1.9 17" (iSight) in 34 different countries and territories follow; organized alphabetically by region.

For global original prices for Intel Macs in one particular country on a single page, please refer to EveryMac.com's Global Original Prices section.

Original Prices - North & South America

C$1599 N/A
N/A US$1299

Original Prices - Europe

N/A ¤1399
N/A N/A
N/A ¤1379
N/A ¤1379
N/A ¤1379
N/A N/A
¤1339 N/A
N/A £899

Original Prices - Asia

N/A N/A
N/A N/A
¥152,800 N/A
N/A N/A
N/A N/A
N/A N/A

Original Prices - Australia & New Zealand

A$1999 NZ$2349

If you have additional original prices for this model, please get in touch. Thank you.


Ten of the most popular Q&As about the iMac models follow.


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