iMac G3 (Early 2001)

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Overview

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With the early 2001 revision to the iMac line, Apple ended up with four models running at three different speeds - there were different 500 MHz iMacs for the North American and international markets. These iMacs run Mac OS 9.1 and later.

The entry-level indigo 400 MHz iMac is the only CD-ROM model in the early 2001 family. It has Rage Pro 128 graphics with 8 MB of video RAM and a 10 GB hard drive. The G3 CPU has a 512 KB backside cache running at 160 MHz.

The international 500 MHz iMac includes a CD-RW drive, a 10 GB hard drive, and runs its backside cache at 200 MHz. Color options include indigo, Blue Dalmatian, and Flower Power.

The North American 500 MHz iMac uses the newer PowerPC 750CXe CPU, which has a 256 MB onboard cache that runs at full CPU speed. It also uses Rage 128 Ultra video with 16 MB of dedicated video memory.

Rounding out the line was the fastest iMac to date, the 600 MHz iMac, which shipped with 128 MB of RAM and came in graphite, Blue Dalmatian, and Flower Power.

If you are running Mac OS 9.1 or later, iMac Firmware Update 4.1.9 should be installed. If you are using Mac OS X, you must boot Mac OS 9.1-9.2.2 from a writeable partition (not a CD or network disk) prior to updating. You cannot update to OS X 10.3 or later unless you first install Firmware Update 4.1.9.
For more information on firmware updates, see iMac: When to Install Available Updaters.

Mac OS X

Non-Apple upgrades and peripherals (such as unsupported USB devices, replacement drives, and third-party memory) may cause problems when installing or booting into Mac OS X.

Be sure to read and follow Apple's "Read Before You Install" install instructions to increase the likelihood of getting OS X installed and running on the first try.

Details

introduced 2001.02.22
requires Mac OS 9.1 through OS X 10.4.x
CPU: 400/500 MHz PPC 750, 500/600 MHz PPC 750CXe
bus: 100 MHz
RAM: 64/128 MB, expandable to 1,024 MB using two PC100 SDRAM (3.3 V, 64-bit, 168-pin, 100 MHz)
VRAM: 16 MB
Video: supports resolutions of 640 x 480 at 117 Hz, 800 x 600 at 95 Hz, and 1024 x 768 at 75 Hz using ATI RAGE Ultra 128 chip set
monitor: 15" (13.8" viewable) multiscan to 1024 x 768
L2 cache: 256 KB on-chip cache running at full CPU speed
hard drive: 10/20/40 GB Ultra ATA drive. Maximum IDE drive size is 128 GB without third-party support. See How big a hard drive can I put in my iMac, eMac, or Power Mac? for your options.
CD-ROM: 24x (400 MHz only)
CD-RW: 8x/4x/24x 500/600 MHz)
USB: 2 separate USB 1.1 ports and controllers
FireWire: 2 FW400 ports
modem: built in v.90 56k modem
ethernet: 10/100Base-T
WiFi: requires AirPort Card Adapter, 802.11b AirPort Card
Microphone: internal
power: 150W
PRAM battery: 3.6V half-AA
height: 15.0 in/38.1 cm
width: 15.0 in/38.1 cm
depth: 17.1 in/43.5 cm
weight: 34.7 lb/15.8 kg
family numbers: M5521

Online Resources

Best used iMac G3 deals, updated monthly.
Best classic Mac OS deals. Best online prices for System 6, 7.1, 7.5.x, Mac OS 7.6, 8.0, 8.1, 8.5, 9.0, 9.2.2, and other versions.
Best Mac OS X 10.0-10.3 deals. Best online prices for Mac OS X 10.0, 10.1, 10.2, and 10.3.
Best Mac OS X 10.4 'Tiger' deals. Best online prices for Mac OS X 10.4.
Which iMac is it? A quick guide to differentiating CRT G3 iMacs, Dan Knight, Mac Daniel, 2005.02.02. Two form factors, nine CPU speeds, and fifteen different colors. How can anyone keep this straight?
What's the best version of OS X for my Mac?, Ian R Campbell, The Sensible Mac, 2008.02.28. Which version of Mac OS X is best for your hardware depends on several factors.
How the G3 iMac crumbles, Tommy Thomas, Welcome to Macintosh, 2008.01.18. The green light of death, failing powerboards, and crumbling plastics are some of the problems old CRT iMacs face as they age.
Hot so Reset the Cuda/PMU in a G3 iMac, How to Upgrade Your iMac
Bringing G3 iMacs and other G3 Macs into the Tiger Age, Dan Knight, Mac Daniel, 2007.12.07. Tips on hard drives, memory, WiFi, and getting Mac OS X 10.4 installed on G3 iMacs and other older G3 Macs.
Leopard on a G3 iMac (with a G4 upgrade), flashed video card problems, the cheapest G4 Mac, and More, Dan Knight, Low End Mac Mailbag, 2007.12.03. More unsupported Leopard reports point to the importance of a good video card, success on a CRT iMac with a G4/550 upgrade, and whether Sawtooth or Quicksilver is a better buy.
Switching to Mac tripled my productivity, Ted Bragg, My First Mac, 2007.12.03. Tired of losing work and tech support, Bragg bought an iMac, switched to Mac versions of his apps, and tripled his output the first year.
Leopard beautiful and unequaled, upgrading to Leopard, Flower Power iMac 'ugly', and more, Mac News Review, 2007.10.19. Also speeding up a sluggish Mac, what the next Mac Pro should have, new versions of freeware EasyFind and PhotoStickies, and more.
Road Apple nominations, OS X 10.5 on MDD Power Macs, UMPCs and Apple, and a broken power button, Dan Knight, Low End Mac Mailbag, 2007.10.12. Whether some additional Macs merit the 'Road Apple' label, Leopard on Mirror Drive Door Power Macs, the usefulness of ultrasmall computers, and dealing with an iMac with a broken power button.
The future of G3 iMacs in the Age of Leopard, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2007.09.13. FRom August 1998 through December 2001, G3 iMacs were Apple's hot consumer computers. Which ones are best for OS X, and which should be avoided?
Tiger on a G3 iMac and Pismo, running OS 9 from a flash drive, 7200 rpm drive heat, and more, Dan Knight, Low End Mac Mailbag, 2007.09.13. Also iMac upgrade advice, iBook G3 video chip resoldering, and how to get your website indexed by Google.
Choosing and upgrading a 12" PowerBook, too much about Windows, the blue iMac blues, and more, Dan Knight, Low End Mac Mailbag, 2007.09.11. Also the pros and cons of running Mac OS X 10.4 'Tiger' on a blue and white G3 and one more tip for burning CDs that will work on old Macs.
iPhone cost, Low End Mac on the iPhone, using an LCD display with a G3 iMac, getting files off SCSI drives, and more, Dan Knight, Low End Mac Mailbag, 2007.07.26. Also sources for used Mac games and problems with Low End Mac's home page in Safari.
External video options for a G3 iMac, Dan Knight and Kris Finkenbinder, Low End Mac Mailbag, 2007.07.25. Many G3 iMacs are fuzzy at 1024 x 768. What are the options for connecting an external monitor and disabling the built-in display?
Software to darken iMac display, columnist returns iPhone, Logitech introduces air mouse, and more, Mac News Review, 2007.07.20. Also a USB turntable for turning your record albums into MP3s, a retractable thumb drive, iPhone: The Missing Manual, Parallels Desktop 3 a major update, and more.
Even if Leopard leaves G3 behind, Tiger users will still be able to run up-to-date apps, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2007.06.18. While Apple may drop G3 support in OS X 10.5, there will continue to be plenty of options for 10.4 users who want to run up-to-date browsers, email clients, and instant messaging programs.
Making new Mac users with old iMacs and Tiger, buying newer vs. upgrading, booting Compact Flash, and more, Dan Knight, Low End Mac Mailbag, 2007.05.29. Getting seniors online with old iMacs, buying a newer Mac rather than upgrading an old one, booting PowerBooks from Compact Flash, and questions about video conferencing.
The truth about CRTs and shock danger, Tom Lee, Online Tech Journal, 2007.05.22. You've been warned that CRT voltage can injure and even kill. The truth is that this danger is overstated - and takes attention away from a greater danger.
Why Apple must continue G3 support in Mac OS X 10.5 'Leopard', Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2007.05.08. "We're worried about what happens if Apple unchecks that box in Xcode to include the instructions necessary to run OS X on G3 processors at all."
The state of Mac OS 9 compatibility, upgrades, resources, and hacks in 2007, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2007.04.02. Discontinued five years ago, Mac OS 9 remains fast and stable, but its software hasn't kept up with Web changes. What Macs support it, where to buy it, and how to update to version 9.2.2.
Troubleshooting an iMac and possible Pismo overheating, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2007.03.19. Figuring out what's wrong with a G3 iMac that won't boot properly and possily spurious temperature readings from Gauge Pro.
How much Mac do you really need to run OS X?, Ted Hodges, Vintage Mac Living, 2006.11.16. You don't need dual-core Intel processors to read email or use the Web. Here are some 1999-2001 Macs that could be all you need.
Using FireWire Target Disk Mode to install OS X on Macs without DVD drives, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2006.09.14. Two methods for using FireWire Target Disk mode to install OS X on a Mac that can't read DVDs.
Is the G3 still a practical choice?, Matthew Jay, Macs to the Max, 2006.08.10. Although the G3 is several generations old, it has enough horsepower for most of the things we do on our computers.
Customizing Mac OS 9, Nathan Thompson, Embracing Obsolescence, 2006.08.01. Fiddling with themes, picking a browser, and making the Classic Mac OS work just the way you want it to.
A $25 iMac! It's a steal, but what to do with it?, Adam Robert Guha, Apple Archive, 2006.07.28. A $25 iMac (less mouse and keyboard) from the local thrift shop was a great find, but what would be the best way to put it to use?
Panther on a G3 iMac, B&W G3 sold, and the state of my other Macs, Nathan Thompson, Embracing Obsolescence, 2006.07.18. Although running OS X 10.3.9 on a 6-year-old iMac, the author still maintains his stable of older Macs running the Classic Mac OS.
More ways to add OS 9 features to OS X, modem problems with MacBook and USB modem, Opera problem, and more, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2006.07.17. Also potential problems using Target Disk Mode to install the OS, using Classic on Intel Macs, value of Pismo G4 upgrades, "Tiger" on a G3 iMac, better laptop ergonomics, and more.
'Argh' moments switching to OS X, Mac OS 9 'amazingly fast', make your own anti-spam machine, and more, Mac News Review, 2006.07.14. Also Mac OS X Routine Maintenance page updated, developer notes for education-only iMac, and a new SATA enclosure for the Mac.
Installing OS X 10.4 'Tiger' on DVD-challenged Macs using FireWire Target Disk Mode, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2006.07.10. Mac OS X ships on a single install DVD, which Apple will exchange for CDs at $10. But if you have access to a DVD-equipped Mac and a FireWire cable, you're good to go.
Getting IE 4.5 to work with Low End Mac, 7200 rpm drive heat in an iMac, upgrading OS X on a white iBook, and more, Dan Knight, Low End Mac Mailbag, 2006.06.29. Configuring Internet Explorer 4.5 to work with CSS-based websites, overheating issues with iMacs, positive results with OS X upgrades, and problems getting an SD flash card to work in a PowerBook 1400.
Making the move from Jaguar (OS X 10.2) to Panther (10.3), Ted Hodges, Vintage Mac Living, 2006.04.11. One advantage of Apple's "no upgrades" policy for OS X - someone can give you their old copy after upgrading without worrying about violating their license.
FastMac's $190 8x dual-layer SuperDrive for PowerBooks and dual USB iBooks, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2006.01.30. For US$190-250 you can replace the CD-ROM, CD-RW, Combo, or slow old SuperDrive in most PowerBooks, white iBooks, slot-loading iMacs, and Cubes with a faster, dual-layer drive.
Web browser tips for the classic Mac OS, Nathan Thompson, Embracing Obsolescence, 2006.01.03. Tips on getting the most out of WaMCom, Mozilla, Internet Explorer, iCab, Opera, and WannaBe using the classic Mac OS.
The best browsers for PowerPC Macs and the classic Mac OS, Nathan Thompson, Embracing Obsolescence, 2005.12.16. Two browsers stand out from the pack: iCab 3 is modern and remains under development, and WaMCom brings Mozilla to older Macs.
How big a hard drive can I put in my iMac, eMac, or Power Mac?, Dan Knight, Mac Daniel, 2005.10.24. A lot of older Macs don't know how to deal with drives over 128 GB in size. We look at three options.
Upgrading an old iMac to Mac OS X, William Porter, TidBITS, 2005.02.07. Preparing a pair of 2001 iMacs for OS X and then getting Jaguar up and running on them.
Which iMac is it? A quick guide to differentiating CRT G3 iMacs, Dan Knight, Mac Daniel, 2005.02.02. Two form factors, nine CPU speeds, and fifteen different colors. How can anyone keep this straight?
Why the slot loading iMac Is a good choice for OS X, Dan Knight, Mac Daniel, 2004.09.10. With prices starting at just over US$200, a tray-loading iMac can be a great choice for running OS X.
Upgrades for the slot-loading iMac, Dan Knight, iMac Channel, 2003.05.15. Overview of memory, hard drive, media drive, and CPU upgrade options for slot-loading iMacs.
500 MHz G4 upgrade for slot-loading iMacs, Insanely Great Mac, 2003.04.15. G4 power, a bigger level 2 cache, and 500 MHz speed. US$307 shipped.
Upgrading your G3 iMac, Evan Kleiman, Mac Daniel, 2003.03.07. Three types of upgrades that can improve your old iMac for less than the cost of buying a new one.
Shot in the foot again: Firmware update disables RAM, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 3/25. "...we should not be at risk of losing some or all of the memory in our Macs because of a firmware update."
500 MHz iMac specs vary internationally, MacNN, 2/22. Outside North America, 500 MHz iMac has PPC 750 CPU, 512K 200 MHz backside cache, Rage 128 Pro, 8 MB video RAM.
iMac PC100 memory pricing, ramseeker
The iMac channel
The iMac List, an email list iMac users
Apple specs for iMac (Early 2001)

Cautions

You cannot plug the iPod shuffle directly into the iMac's USB port - it will not fit. It will not charge if plugged into a keyboard USB port or an unpowered USB hub. To charge it while using it with your iMac, you must us a USB extension cable, powered USB hub, iPod shuffle dock, or a USB power adapter.
iMacs released in February 2001 and July 2001 should have iMac Power Management Update 1.1 installed to solve a problem with losing PRAM settings when the computer is disconnected from power for an extended period of time. See Knowledge Base article 120048 for full details.
OS X: Macworld UK noted on 2001.03.28 that the OS 9.1 CD included with OS X will not install on the PowerBook G4, Power Mac G4 (133 MHz bus), or 2001 iMacs. The solution is to use the Mac OS 9.1 CD that came with the computer.
You must have the keyboard plugged directly into an iMac USB port to boot with the power key (Eject on the Apple Pro Keyboard); it will not work if the keyboard is attached to a hub.
The iMac loads the MacOS Toolbox into RAM, unlike other Macs which use it from ROM. You lose the use of 3 MB of memory but gain faster performance.

Go to the iMac and eMac index.

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