Power Mac G4: Difference between revisions
Ehccheehcche (talk | contribs) |
|||
| Line 13: | Line 13: | ||
Poop Owned by Josh Morris |
Poop Owned by Josh Morris |
||
d |
|||
==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 [[GiB]] of [[PC133]] [[SDRAM]]. |
|||
The 733 MHz model was the first [[personal computer]] to include a built-in [[DVD-R]] drive and the rest of the line became the first Macs to ship with [[CD-RW]] drives. This was also the first series of Macs to include an [[nVidia]] graphics card, the venerable [[GeForce]] 2MX. |
|||
[[Image:Apple-ppc-G4-2003.jpg|thumb|150px|"Quicksilver" Power Mac G4]] |
|||
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 model 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]]. The graphics in this series were provided by an nVidia [[GeForce]] 4MX card. Some of these models have [[Advanced Technology Attachment|ATA]] controllers with 48 bit [[Logical Block Addressing|LBA]] for hard drives larger than 128 GB. This later series is commonly known as Quicksilver 2002. |
|||
==DDR models== |
==DDR models== |
||
Revision as of 13:44, 24 April 2008
 The "Graphite" Power Mac G4 | |
| Developer | Apple Computer Inc. |
|---|---|
| Type | Desktop |
| Release date | August 31, 1999 |
| Discontinued | 9 June 2004 |
| CPU | single or dual PowerPC G4, 350 - 1420 MHz |
The Power Mac G4 was a series of personal computers designed, manufactured, and sold by Apple between 1999 and 2004. It uses the PowerPC G4 (PPC74xx) series of microprocessors.
Poop Owned by Josh Morris
d
DDR models
Another generation of Apple Power Mac G4s were introduced on 13 August 2002, featuring both a new Xserve-derived DDR motherboard architecture and a new case design, known as "Mirrored Drive Doors" (MDD). 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 the company offered to the public after the announcement of 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 do-it-yourself (DIY) replacement scheme for all previously sold machines. At least some MDD models also have a design flaw resulting in noise in the audio-out, picking up interference from the mouse, graphics card, hard drive and other hardware. According to Apple, this is a ground loop issue, and only occurs when used with professional balanced signal audio equipment [1], however some audio experts have contended it is due to shielding defects on the motherboard and affects all equipment [2].
The last real update to the Power Mac G4 line was on 28 January 2003 offering dual 1.42 GHz PowerPC 7455 processors, with features not seen in previous DDR models: 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 liquidated.
See also
