Power Mac G4
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The early 400 MHz (later 350 MHz) PCI-based "Yikes!" version used an identical motherboard to the Power Macintosh G3 (Blue & White) computers (minus the ADB port), in a "graphite" colored case and with the new PowerPC 7400 (G4) CPU, while the higher-speed (Sawtooth) models used a very much modified motherboard design with AGP 2x graphics (replacing the 66 Mhz PCI slot). In December, the entire G4 line was updated to the AGP motherboard.
They featured DVD-ROM drives as standard. The 400 MHz and 450 MHz versions had 100 MB Zip drives as standard, and as an option on the 350 MHz Sawtooth. This series had a 100 MHz System bus and four PC100 SDRAM slots for up to 1.5 GiB of RAM.The AGP Power Macs were the first to include an AirPort slot and DVI video port.
The 500 MHz version was reintroduced on February 16 2000, accompanied by 400 MHz and 450 MHz models. DVD-RAM and Zip drives featured on these later 450 MHz and 500 MHz versions.
Apple's name for all these early AGP models is PowerMac AGP Graphics. The code name Sawtooth was used.
The design was updated at the Macworld Expo New York on July 19, 2000; the new revision included dual-processor 450 MHz and 500 MHz versions, and a low end single CPU 400 MHz model. It was also the first personal computer to include gigabit ethernet as standard. Most people saw this revision as a stopgap release, because higher clocked G4s were not available; the G4’s Motorola XPC106 “Grackle” PCI/Memory controller prevented the G4 from hitting speeds higher than 500 MHz. The dual 500 MHz models featured DVD-RAM and Zip drives were optional on all models. These models also introduced Apple's proprietry Apple Display Connector video port.
Apple's name for this series is the Power Mac Gigabit Ethernet. The code name was Mystic.
The 733 MHz model was the first personal computer to include a built-in DVD-R drive, with the others being the first Macs with CD-R drives of any kind. This was also the first series of Macs to include an nVidia graphics card, the venerable GeForce 2MX.
At Macworld Expo New York on 18 July 2001, a new line debuted featuring a cosmetically redesigned case known as "Quicksilver", but only minor technical changes. It was available in 733 MHz, 867 MHz and dual 800 MHz configurations. The 733 MHz was notable for not having a level three cache.
The design was updated on 28 January 2002 with 800 MHz, 933 MHz and dual 1 GHz configurations, becoming the first Mac to reach 1 GHz. Again, the low end 800 MHz model did not include any level three cache. This series features the nVidia GeForce 4MX. Some of these models have ATA controllers with 48 bit LBA for hard drives larger than 128 GB. This later series is commonly known as Quicksilver 2002.
Another generation of G4s was introduced on 13 August 2002, featuring both a new Xserve-derived DDR motherboard architecture and a new case design, known as "Mirrored Drive Doors". All models were sold in dual processor configurations running at 867 MHz, 1 GHz or 1.25 GHz. As with the Xserves, the PowerPC 7455 CPU used does not have a DDR frontside bus, meaning the CPU could only use at most 50% of the new system's theoretical memory bandwidth, providing no improvement over previous models. The rest was available to the graphics card and I/O systems. A single processor 1.25 GHz model would be the last Power Mac G4 Apple offered to the public after the announcement ot the new Power Mac G5, introduced in June 2003.
The models were noted for their noisiness, earning them the unofficial designation "Windtunnel G4" in some circles. Noise complaints became such a problem that Apple later replaced the machine's power supply (PSU) and primary cooling fan with quieter versions, and initiated a voluntary DIY replacement scheme for all previously sold machines. Some say these models also have a design flaw resulting in ground loop-noise in the audio-out, picking up interference from the mouse, graphics card, hard drive and other hardware.
The last real update to the Power Mac G4 line was on 28 January 2003 offering dual 1.42 GHz G4 processors, a built-in FireWire 800 connector, optional integrated Bluetooth and optional integrated AirPort Extreme. These were also the first Power Macs that could not boot into Mac OS 9.
With the launch of the Power Mac G5 on 23 June 2003, Apple quietly re-introduced the August 2002 Power Mac G4 because of perceived demand for Mac OS 9 machines. Between that, its low price-tag, and the delayed availability of Power Mac G5s, it proved a strong seller for a relatively short time. Production stopped on 9 June 2004 and the remaining inventory was sold off.
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Power Mac G4
The "Graphite" Power Mac G4
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! Type:
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! Developer:
| Apple Computer
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! Released:
| August 31, 1999
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! Discontinued:
| 9 June 2004
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! Processor(s):
| single or dual PowerPC G4,
350 - 1420 MHz
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! Base Price:
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! Website:
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The Power Mac G4 (also known as Power Macintosh G4) was a series of personal computers made by Apple. It used the PowerPC G4 (PPC74xx) series of microprocessors.Original models
The original Power Mac G4 was introduced at the Seybold conference in San Francisco on August 31 1999, with 400 MHz, 450 MHz and 500 MHz configurations available. In October, Apple was forced to postpone the 500 MHz indefinitely due to poor yield of the 500 MHz chips, and “speed dumped” the processor speed in each configuration by 50 MHz, controversially without a corresponding decrease in price.Four-slot models
A new line with a revamped motherboard but the familiar "Graphite" case debuted on 9 January 2001. New features included a fourth PCI slot, a 133 MHz system bus, an improved 4X AGP slot, and a new "digital audio" sound system, giving the series its name "Power Mac Digital Audio". The models were offered in 466 MHz, 533 MHz, dual 533 MHz, 667 MHz and 733 MHz configurations, the latter two using a newer PowerPC 7450 processor. The number of RAM slots were reduced to three, accommodating up to 1.5 GB of PC133 SDRAM.
DDR models
See also
External Links
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