iMac G5 (May 2005)

Got an iMac? Join the iMac email list.
Mac OS 9 List is for those using Mac OS 9, either natively or in Classic Mode.
Tiger List is for those using Mac OS X 10.4.
Leopard List is for those using Mac OS X 10.5.

Overview

Low End Mac Reader Specials

Memory To Go Special: MacPro 8 Core Memory 4GB kit $192 / 2GB kit $109. MacBook Pro / MacMini / iMac Intel Core2 DUO 2GB $44 1GB $23--Free shipping available.

Download Typestyler, still the Ultimate Styling Tool for Internet, Print and Video Graphics. Works great in Classic with a Native OS X Version on the way. Free Tryout: www.typestyler.com

LA Computer Company: LA Computer Company: Specials on AppleCare, Apple Displays, MacBooks, iMac's, MacBook Pros, Laptop and iPod accessories and more. Apple A/C Adapters for laptops starting at $25.00 Call 1-800-941-7654 or Click Here.

Other World Computing: Power up your PowerMac G4! Make you trusty PowerMac G4 like new again with up to 2.0GHz Processor Power. G4/1.2GHz for $199, Dual 1.8GHz $498, & More Plug & Play for like new A-OK for OS 9 & OS X, etc.

Mac users can finally play Party Poker for Mac. Not only that, they can also learn how to play PokerStars for Mac.

Laptop Hardware Provided by TechRestore - Overnight Mac & iPod Repairs.

Compare products like desktop computers, laptops, and LCD TVs side by side! All the information and reviews to make the best purchasing decision for a new cell phone GPS products or MP3 players. The Ciao network makes searching products easy for you.

MacPro Memory 667Mhz With Apple Spec Heat Sink 2GB Kit $ 90 / 4GB Kit $140 / 8GB Kit $278 Click to Maximize your Macs...

The May 2005 revision of the iMac G5 got a 200 MHz speed boost, bringing it to 1.8 GHz and 2.0 GHz. Other improvements include an 8x dual-layer SuperDrive, better video, and gigabit ethernet.

512 MB of RAM is now standard across the line, making the entry-level model more responsive and possibly saving many users the expense of a memory upgrade. The 17" models ship with a 160 GB hard drive, and the 20" iMac now has a 250 GB drive.

iMac G5 Apple has replaced the nVidia graphics of the original iMac G5 and adopted the ATI Radeon 9600, which includes 128 MB of video memory (twice as much as in the 2004 model).

Bluetooth and AirPort Extreme are standard features on the new iMac G5.

With the 2004 iMac, models sold in North America and Japan were single voltage, while those sold in the rest of the world supported both 110 and 220 volt current. Based on published specs, this seems not to be the case with the 2005 iMac.

The 2005 iMac ships with Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger).

Details

introduced 2005.05.03 at US$1,299 (17" 1.8 GHz Combo), $1,499 (17" 2.0 GHz SuperDrive), and US$1,799 (20" 2.0 GHz SuperDrive), replaced by 17" 1.8 GHz and 20" 2.1 GHz models 2005.10.12.
requires Mac OS X 10.4 or later
CPU: 1.8/2.0 GHz G5
bus: 600/667 MHz
performance:

Geekbench 2 (Leopard): 985 (2.0 GHz), 882 (1.8 GHz)
Geekbench 2 (Tiger): 1176 (2.0 GHz), 1070 (1.8 GHz)

RAM: 512 MB, expandable to 2 GB using PC3200 (400 MHz) DDR SDRAM
Graphics: ATI Radeon 9600 with AGP 8x support
VRAM: 128 MB DDR SDRAM
monitor:
- 17" 1440 x 900 flat panel display
- 20" 1680 x 1050 flat panel display
video out: VGA, S-video (requires adapter)
L2 cache: 512 KB on CPU
hard drive: 160/250 GB 7200 rpm Serial-ATA drive
Combo Drive: reads DVDs at up to 8x speed, writes CD-R discs at up to 24x, writes CD-RW discs at up to 8x, reads CDs at up to 24x
SuperDrive: writes DVD±R discs at up to 8x speed, dual layer at up to 2.4x; DVD±RW at up to 4x; reads DVDs at up to 8x, writes CD-R discs at up to 24x, writes CD-RW discs at up to 8x, reads CDs at up to 24x
USB: 3 USB 2.0 ports
FireWire: 2 FW400 ports
integrated 56 kbps modem supports v.92 standard
ethernet: 10/100/gigabit
WiFi: 802.11g AirPort Extreme included
Bluetooth: included
Microphone: internal
power: 130W
H x W x D (17"): 16.9 x 16.8 x 6.8 in/43 x 42.6 x 17.3 cm
H x W x D (20"): 18.6 x 19.4 x 7.4 in/47.2 x 49.3 x 18.9 cm
weight (17"): 18.5 lb/8.4 kg
weight (20"): 25.2 lb/11.4 kg
upgrade path: none
Part no.: M9843 (17" 1.8 GHz), M9844 (17" 2.0 GHz), M9845 (20")

Upgrades

none at present

Online Resources

Best used iMac G5 deals, updated biweekly.
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 10.4 'Tiger' deals. Best online prices for Mac OS X 10.4.
Best Mac OS X 10.5 'Leopard' deals. Best online prices for Mac OS X 10.5.
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.
External $100 Sony DVD burner likes Macs, Brian Gray, Fruitful Editing, 2007.10.10. The box and manual say nothing about Mac compatibility, but this 18x USB 2.0 DVD burner is plug-and-play (at least with Tiger).
FastMac 8x SuperDrive and BurnAgain DVD: Fast and easy multisession disc burning, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2007.10.08. FastMac's 8x SuperDrive upgrade is remarkably fast compared with older PowerBook burners, and BurnAgain DVD makes it easy to append files to a previously burned CD or DVD.
New Macs expected August 7, Apple keyboard repair tutorial, Linux vs. Mac vs. Widows, and more, Mac News Review, 2007.08.03. Also new Apple keyboard inspired by MacBook?, Logitech's new Wave keyboard, iNeck lets G5 and Intel iMacs pivot, TechTool Pro updated for latest Macs, and more.
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.
11 ways to optimize your Mac's performance, Ed Eubanks Jr, The Efficient Mac User, 2007.03.12. If your Mac is getting sluggish, here are 11 tips that can help restore its original performance.
The annoying white iMac, Andrew J Fishkin, Best Tools for the Job, 2007.02.15. From a design standpoint, the iMac is brilliant, but the massive amounts of white plastic can distract you from what's on the display.
Region free DVD viewing options for Intel and PowerPC Macs, Andrew J Fishkin, The Mobile Mac, 2006.09.12. Several hardware and software options that will let your view 'wrong region' DVDs on your PowerPC or Intel Mac.
Macs take away Microsoft pain, Macs revive James Bond, iMac king of all media, iWoofer, and more, Mac News Review, 2006.06.16. Also Windows users guide to switching to the Mac, Bluetooth firmware update for PPC Macs, universal USB 2.0 drive adapter, waterproof case for video iPod, and more.
Drive matters, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2006.06.14. There's more to picking the right hard drive than size, spindle speed, buffer size, and price. But how can a 5400 rpm drive ever outperform a 7200 rpm drive?
The 2005 eMac and iMac value equation, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2005.05.03. The new eMacs and iMacs are faster, but are the close-out 2004 models better buys?
iMac G5: Nice system, but at a nice price?, Alan Zisman, Low End Mac Reviews, 2004.11.01. The iMac G5 sports some impressive improvements, but the question remains the market. Is it too expensive for the low end yet too compromised for the high end?
Do matching pairs of memory make the iMac G5 go faster?, Bare Feats, 2004.10.27. Although matching pairs benchmark up to 29% faster, real world tests show no significant difference in performance.
iMac PC3200 memory pricing, ramseeker
The iMac channel
The iMac List, an email list iMac users
The iMac NewsPage
Apple Specs for iMac G5 (Ambient Light Sensor)

Go to the iMac and eMac index.

About LEM | Support | Usage | Privacy | Contacts

Entire Low End Mac website copyright ©1997-2008 by Cobweb Publishing, Inc., unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved. Advice presented in good faith, but what works for one may not work for all. Please report errors to .
LINKS: We allow and encourage links to any public page as long as the linked page does not appear within a frame that prevents bookmarking it.
Access our RSS news feed at http://lowendmac.com/feed.xml.
Email may be published at our discretion; email addresses will not be published without permission, and we will encrypt them in hopes of avoiding spammers. If you prefer your message not be published, mark it "not for publication." Letters may be edited for length, context, and to match house style.
PRIVACY: We don't collect personal information unless you explicitly provide it. For more details, see our Terms of Use.
Low End Mac is an independent publication and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Apple Inc. Apple, the Apple logo, Macintosh, iBook, iMac, eMac, iPod, PowerBook, MacBook, Mac Pro, Apple TV, and AirPort are registered trademarks of Apple Inc. Additional company and product names may be trademarks or registered trademarks and are hereby acknowledged.