Collection › Power Mac G4 (Digital Audio)

D291 · Apple Heritage Museum · Lugano

Power Mac G4 (Digital Audio)

2001 · iPod era Power Mac G3/G4/G5

Introduced

2001

Original price

$ 1699

Processor

PowerPC 7410 (G4) on 466/533 MHz models; PowerPC 7450 (G4) on 667/733 MHz models

Original OS

Mac OS 9.1 / Mac OS X 10.0.3

Max OS

Mac OS X 10.4.11 Tiger

Colors

Graphite and white

1976

1984

1998

2001

2007

2020

2026

Pre-Mac

Mac era

iMac era

iPod era

iPhone era

Silicon

Processor

ProcessorPowerPC 7410 (G4) on 466/533 MHz models; PowerPC 7450 (G4) on 667/733 MHz models

Speed466 MHz, 533 MHz, dual 533 MHz, 667 MHz, or 733 MHz

Architecture64-bit

Cache1 MB backside L2 cache (466/533 MHz); 256k on-chip L2 + 1 MB L3 backside cache (667/733 MHz)

System bus133 MHz

Memory & graphics

Standard RAM128 MB (466/533 MHz); 256 MB (667/733 MHz)

Max RAM1.5 GB

RAM typePC133 SDRAM (3.3V, unbuffered, 64-bit, 168-pin)

Memory slots3 DIMM slots

GPUATI Rage 128 Pro (466 MHz); NVIDIA GeForce 2 MX on other models; ATI Radeon optional (BTO)

VRAM16 MB (Rage 128 Pro); 32 MB SDRAM (GeForce 2 MX)

ResolutionsUp to 1920x1200

Video outVGA and ADC ports (no DVI)

Storage

Storage30/40/60 GB Ultra ATA/66 (7200 RPM)

InterfaceUltra ATA/66 (ATA-5)

Bays3x 3.5in internal

Connectivity

USBUSB 1.1

FireWireFireWire (IEEE 1394a) x2

Ethernet10/100/1000 (Gigabit Ethernet)

Audio outTripath 'Class T' digital audio amplifier for USB speakers plus minijack line output

Software

Original OSMac OS 9.1 / Mac OS X 10.0.3

Max OSMac OS X 10.4.11 Tiger

Power

Weight30.0 lbs (13.6 kg)

Dimensions432 mm H x 226 mm W x 467 mm D

Expansion slots4X AGP slot x1 + four PCI slots

Identifiers

Model IDPowerMac3,4

Model N°M5183

EMC1862

Lifecycle

Introduced2001

Discontinued2001

History

The PowerMac G4 (Digital Audio) was the first speed increase for the PowerMac line in over a year. The G4 (Digital Audio) took its name from a new integrated amplifier, designed to power USB speakers, alongside the conventional minijack line output. The G4 (DA) included a number of architectural improvements, including a 133 MHz bus, 4 PCI slots and a 1 GB/s main memory bus. PCI throughput was improved by eliminating the PCI bridge (the main memory controller now communicated directly with the PCI bus). The G4 (DA) was distributed with two new G4 variants: entry-level models were equipped with the PPC 7410 processor, a low-power variant of the 7400. High-end machines were equipped with the PPC 7450 processor, which in addition to a 256 KB L2 cache on-chip, featured four Altivec units ("Velocity Engine"). The PowerMac G4 (DA) was marketed in four configurations: the 466 MHz configuration included 128 MB of RAM and a 30 GB hard drive, at $1699 U.S. The 533 MHz configuration included 128 MB of RAM and a 40 GB hard drive for $2199 U.S. ($2499 U.S. for the dual-533 model). The 667 MHz configuration included 256 MB of RAM and a 60 GB hard drive for $2799 U.S. Finally, the 733 MHz configuration included 256 MB of RAM, a 60 GB hard drive for $3499 U.S. The 733 MHz model was equipped with an innovative new "SuperDrive" capable of reading and writing both CDs and DVDs.

Trivia

• The PowerMac G4 (Digital Audio) was the first Apple computer equipped with an integrated amplifier to drive USB speakers, representing a pioneering approach to native digital audio in 2001. • The most powerful model at 733 MHz was equipped with the innovative "SuperDrive", capable of reading and writing both CDs and DVDs, a revolutionary technology for its time. • The internal architecture included four Altivec units ("Velocity Engine") in the PPC 7450 processor and a 1 GB/s memory bus, establishing new performance standards for Apple professional workstations.

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D291 · APPLE HERITAGE MUSEUM · LUGANO

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