Power Macintosh G4 (AGP Graphics)

Essentials

Family: PowerMac G3/G4/G5

Codename: Sawtooth

Gestalt ID: 406

Minimum OS: 8.6

Maximum OS: 10.4.11

Introduced: September 1999

Terminated: July 2000

Processor

CPU: PowerPC 7400 "G4"

CPU Speed: 350/400/450/500 MHz

FPU: integrated

Bus Speed: 100 MHz

Data Bus Width: 64-bit

Address Bus Width: 32-bit

Level 1 Cache: 32 kB data, 32 kB instruction

Level 2 Cache: 1 MB backside, 1:2

ROM: 1 MB ROM + 3 MB toolbox ROM loaded into RAM

RAM Type: PC100

Minimum RAM Speed: 100 MHz

Onboard RAM: 0 MB

RAM slots: 4

Maximum RAM: 2 GB (1.5 in OS 9)

Expansion Slots: 3 64-bit 33 MHz PCI, 1 2x AGP (filled)

Video

GPU: ATI RAGE 128 Pro

VRAM: 16 MB

Max Resolution: all resolutions supported

Video Out: VGA, DVI

Storage

Hard Drive: 20 GB (up to 3 36 GB available BTO)

ATA Bus: ATA-66

Zip Drive: optional

Optical Drive: DVD-ROM/RAM

Input/Output

USB: 2

Firewire: 3 (1 internal)

Audio Out: stereo 16 bit mini

Audio In: stereo 16 bit mini

Speaker: mono

Networking

Modem: 56 kbps

Ethernet: 10/100Base-T

Wi-Fi: optional 802.11b

Miscellaneous

Power: 200 Watts

Dimensions: 17" H x 8.9" W x 18.4" D

Weight: 28.7 lbs.

Announced in September 1999, alongside the PowerMac G4 (PCI Graphics), the PowerMac G4 (AGP Graphics) was a major revision of the PowerMac line. Based on the Unified Motherboard Architecture, The G4 AGP was built around the MPC 7400 chip, which was dramatically faster than its predecessor, the PPC 750 (for a more detailed description of the 7400, click here.).

The G4 AGP introduced a number of performance improvements, including AGP-based graphics, AirPort compatibility, a faster memory bus, DVD-ROM or RAM standard, an internal FireWire port, 2 separate USB buses for a combined 24 Mbs, a 2X (133 MHz) AGP slot, and up to 1.5 GB of RAM. The G4 AGP also introduced the new professional color, "graphite."

The G4 AGP started at $2499 for the 450 MHz configuration with a 20 GB hard drive and 128 MB of RAM, and $3499 for the 500 MHz configuration with a 27 GB hard drive and 256 MB or RAM (both included internal Zip drives).

There were extreme supply issues with the G4 initially, due largely to Motorola's inability to deliver the 7400 chips in adequate supply. This was further compounded by an "errata" in the initial revision of the 7400 that effectively lowered the ceiling of the chip to 450 MHz. As a result, all models of the G4 were "speed dumped" in October. The $2499 450 MHz model was lowered in speed to 400 MHz, and the $3499 500 MHz model was lowered to 450 MHz. The price, and all other specs were the same.

Not a single first-run G4/500 shipped, and very few $2499 G4/450s ever made it to the channel. Orders placed before the speed reduction were honored, with the exception of the 500 MHz orders, which were filled with 450 MHz models with more Memory.

A 350 MHz configuration was subsiquently added to replace the similar G4 (PCI Graphics) configuration a month later, and the whole line was speed-bumped back up to 400/450/500 in February 2000.

Picture Credits:
Apple, Inc.