History
Announced in January 2002, the iMac Flat panel brought the G4 processor to Apple's
consumer level ("i" series) machines. It replaced the slot-loading G3 iMac.
A radical redesign centered around a 15" TFT on
a multi-directional arm. The computer components were housed in the dome
base of the iMac, leaving space for the arm and LCD. This design allows free
movement of the iMac in almost every direction, another wonderful design
from the team lead by Jonathan Ives at Apple's design centre.
These new
models included a SuperDrive for the first time in consumer level machines.
Later on the same year a 17" screen version was released, with the same specification
as its smaller 15" cousin but with a wide screen (1440x900 resolution).
The last revision to the G4 iMacs involved breaking the 1GHz mark with a new
logic board and DDR RAM. The last shocker was the release of a 20" LCD monster!
This huge display allowed 1680x1050 resolution - two pages of A4 side by side.
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How to Identify these Machines
The iMac G4 is unique. There is nothing else quite like them - if your machine
looks like the images on this page then it is a G4 iMac.
To determine which of the
G4 iMacs you have, use the Apple System Profiler utility. This is found on the
Apple Menu (OS 9) or from "About this Mac" (OSX). The processor
speed will tell you which memory upgrades will work in your machine.
If its below 1GHz then it uses SDR PC133 RAM. If it is 1GHz or above then
it is a DDR machine.
If you are still unsure you can contact us on 01223 833 412 or by email for
confirmation. If you want to upgrade but aren't happy to install your upgrades
then we can help. Simply ask our engineers for further details.
Memory Upgrades
The iMac G4 came in a number of different screen sizes and processor speeds. These machines split into two groups in terms of memory
requirements, as explained above.
All the iMac G4s have one user installable socket for
memory - there is an additional RAM socket, but this is intended for engineers use only. NB: The engineer slot uses a different type of RAM than the user slot, so the products listed below will not work in it.
You may need to check your iBooks bus speed to check which RAM modules are compatible. You can do this by going to the Apple menu > About this Mac, and then clicking the more info button. This opens System Profiler, on the Hardware Overview that comes up your bus speed will be reported in the right-hand panel.
| 1 | Used by iMac G4s with a CPU speed of 1GHz or greater. |
| 2 | Used by iMac G4s with a CPU speed of 800MHz or less. |
Any fitting information below is intended as a guide before purchase ONLY, when fitting these products you should refer to the original manual for your computer, and any instructions that come with the item. Please see this page for more information, or here for information on our fitting service.
Difficulty 2 / 5 - Easy (user slot only)
Turn off the machine and remove the power cable.
Holding the iMac G4 requires a bit of work
due to the TFT getting in the way. Hold the machine so that the base of the unit can be accessed.
With a small
screwdriver undo the four screws on the bottom - these screws are attached to the base plate, and cannot be completely removed.
Once the screws are removed, the circular metal base will be released, and
can be moved to one side revealing the RAM socket. The RAM can only fit in one way and is secured with two clips one
on each end.
Apple's guide for fitting memory into the user slot can be found here.
Reassemble the machine and enjoy. If you are unsure on how to carry out this procedure our engineers can help. Call on 01223 833412 or email.
CD & DVD Drive Upgrades
The iMac G4 came equipped with either a DVD-ROM, CD-RW, Combo or SuperDrive, provided by a tray loading unit at the front.
Internally this drive is a standard 5.25" IDE device, and it can be replaced. However installation of an internal unit is extremely tricky and not something we would recommend a non-expert to undertake.
It is possible to use and External device via USB or
FireWire. For earlier machines (without USB 2.0) choose FireWire. With G4 iMacs with USB 2.0 it comes down to user preference.
| 1 | Only fully supported under Max OSX 10.5 or later - see product page for more details. Professional installation recommended. |
Any fitting information below is intended as a guide before purchase ONLY, when fitting these products you should refer to the original manual for your computer, and any instructions that come with the item. Please see this page for more information, or here for information on our fitting service.
Difficulty 1 / 5 Easy (external)
Install any supplied software.
Restart the machine and connect the new device.
Internal Hard Drive Upgrades
The internal hard drive in the iMac G4 can be upgraded to a larger volume. However due to the design and layout
of the internal components this upgrade should be done by professionals.
You may need to check your iMac's processor speed to check which drives are compatible. You can do this by going to the Apple menu > About this Mac.
If you would like to upgrade the hard drive
in your iMac G4 we strongly recommend you contact us for professional installation.
If you don't want to fit a new hard drive yourself, you can take advantage of the MacUpgrades Installation Service. Add the installation service from the list below to your cart along with your chosen hard drive. We can also clone your existing hard drive onto the new one, simply add the Clone Original Hard Drive service below to your cart.
Once you have booked the service, send your machine to us, we will carry out the work and return it to you. Alternatively, we do offer a Collection Service with our courier, please see here for details.
| 1 | Professional installation recommended. |
| 2 | Compatible with iMacs with a 1GHz or faster processor only. Professional installation recommended. |
Any fitting information below is intended as a guide before purchase ONLY, when fitting these products you should refer to the original manual for your computer, and any instructions that come with the item. Please see this page for more information, or here for information on our fitting service.
Difficulty 5 /5 (Very Hard)
This upgrade should not be attempted unless you are 110% sure you know what you are doing.
Mac Upgrades will sell you a drive to work in your machine, but we cannot guide you through installation, nor provide instructions on how to do it. If you are unsure on how to carry out this procedure our engineers can help. Call on 01223 833412 or email.
Graphics Card Upgrades
The graphics card in your iMac G4 is part of the main logic board. Unfortunately therefore it is
not possible to increase or change the graphics card. It may be worth expanding your memory to its maximum
to try and compensate, but this will have at best a limited effect on your iMac's 3D capabilities.
There are no graphics card upgrades available for these Macs
Expansion Card Upgrades
Your iMac G4 TFT has no available PCMCIA or PCI sockets for connectivity expansion. It does contain a slot for an Airport or Airport Extreme WiFi card.
| 1 | Used by iMac G4s with a CPU speed of 800MHz or less. |
| 2 | Compatible with 1GHz and faster machines only - slower machine need the original Airport card. |
Any fitting information below is intended as a guide before purchase ONLY, when fitting these products you should refer to the original manual for your computer, and any instructions that come with the item. Please see this page for more information, or here for information on our fitting service.
Difficulty 2 / 5 - Fairly Easy
Remove the base of your iMac G4 by loosening the 4 partial screws. This reveals the Airport socket.
Attach the antenna to your Airport card, and insert the card in the slot.
Apple's guide for fitting an Aiport card can be found here and
for an Airport Extreme card here.
Replace the access panel and secure the screws.
Keyboards & Mice
The following keyboards and mice are compatible with this Mac.
Any fitting information below is intended as a guide before purchase ONLY, when fitting these products you should refer to the original manual for your computer, and any instructions that come with the item. Please see this page for more information, or here for information on our fitting service.
Difficulty 1 / 5 - Very Easy
Keyboards plug into the relevant port on your Mac. Mice can either be plugged into your keyboard, or they can be plugged directly into your Mac.
Power Supplies & Batteries
Listed below are power supplies, batteries and related products
we supply for this Mac.
Any fitting information below is intended as a guide before purchase ONLY, when fitting these products you should refer to the original manual for your computer, and any instructions that come with the item. Please see this page for more information, or here for information on our fitting service.
Cables & Tools
Listed below are power cables, tools and related products
we supply for this Mac.
Any fitting information below is intended as a guide before purchase ONLY, when fitting these products you should refer to the original manual for your computer, and any instructions that come with the item. Please see this page for more information, or here for information on our fitting service.
External Hard Drive Upgrades
This Mac can use any of the following external hard drives.
| 1 | Requires Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard) or later. |
| 2 | Only suitable for versions of this Mac with USB 2.0 built in, will not boot this Mac. |
Any fitting information below is intended as a guide before purchase ONLY, when fitting these products you should refer to the original manual for your computer, and any instructions that come with the item. Please see this page for more information, or here for information on our fitting service.
Difficulty 1 / 5 - Very Easy
Install any supplied software and connect the new device.
You will need to format the drive before use. This is done with the "Drive Setup" utility, which can be found in Applications > Utilities.
