History
Announced in August 2004, the iMac G5 brought the G5 processor to Apples
consumer level ("i" series) machines.
A radical redesign centered around a 17" or 20" TFT on
a perfectly formed arm. The TFT casing contains the workings of the iMac, which can be accessed by removing the back of the unit.
This iMac is the only Apple to use the G5 processor, apart from the PowerMac G5, although the clock speed is kept down due to this CPU's large thermal output.
The unit has a slot loading Combo or SuperDrive
located on the top right of the unit.
The first iMacs with G5 processors were released August 2004, Apple specs here.
In May 2005 a speed bumped range with an ambient light sensor was released. Apple specs here.
The last, and most important, revision came in October 2005. This model added an iSight camera, changed to DDR2 RAM, and the case was changed in such a way as to make accessing the hard drive considerably more difficult. Apple specs here.
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How to Identify these Machines
The iMac G5 is very distinctive. The only machines that look similar are the later Intel based iMacs. To tell the difference between the G5 and Intel iMacs, open System Profiler and check the CPU type.
Regarding upgrades, there is one important difference between revisions of the G5 iMac - models released after October 2005 (1.9 and 2.1GHz with built-in iSight camera) use DDR2 RAM. Earlier models (1.6GHz, 1.8GHz and 2.0GHz with no camera) use DDR RAM.
The earlier machines are also make it much much easier to open the machine. This makes fitting a new hard drive much easier in the older models.
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 original iMac G5 (without the iSight camera) accepts up to 2GB of Memory in 2 sockets (2 x 1GB Modules). The Memory is DDR 184pin DIMMS.
The 1.9Ghz and 2.1Ghz iMac G5 models (with the built-in iSight camera) have 512MB soldered onto the logic board, and one slot which can take up to a 2GB module. These iMacs use PC4200 DDR2 memory.
Memory is very much a user installable part on the G5 iMac.
| 1 | Compatible with the 1.9GHz and 2.1 GHz iMac G5s only (with built-in iSight camera). |
| 2 | Compatible with the 1.6GHz, 1.8GHz and 2.0GHz iMac G5s only (without built-in iSight camera). |
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
Turn off machine and lie it face down on a soft
cloth to prevent scratching.
On the earlier models without the built-in iSight camera, all you have to do is unscrew the partial screws on the bottom end of the iMac.
Then the whole back housing and stand comes off.
Apple's own instructions for changing components in non-iSight iMac G5s can be found here.
On the models with the iSight camera, there is an access panel which allows
you to access the RAM slots. Apple instructions here.
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 G5 came equipped with a Combo or SuperDrive optical drive, which is a slot loading unit on the side of the machine.
MacUpgrades sells an internal SuperDrive part for this Mac. It is also possible to use an External writer via USB 2.0 or FireWire (FireWire will be able to boot this Mac, USB 2.0 cannot).
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 3/5 - Relatively easy (non-iSight models only)
The first iMac G5s were designed for easy access, and replacing the optical drive is simple. For models with the iSight camera, we recommend professional installation.
For the non-iSight models, lie the machine face down on a soft cloth to prevent scratching.
All you have to do is unscrew the partial screws on the bottom end of the iMac, then the whole back housing and stand come off. The optical drive can be removed and replaced easily.
Apple's own instructions for changing components in non-iSight iMac G5s can be found here.
If you are unsure on how to carry out this procedure our engineers can help. Call on 01223 833412 or email.
Internal Hard Drive Upgrades
The internal hard drive in the iMac G5 can be upgraded to a larger volume. Please note that fitting a hard drive will invalidate any remaining warranty on these machines unless you get an Authorised Apple Service Centre to fit the unit.
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 | User installation recommended for non-iSight models only. |
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 3 /5 - Relatively easy (non-iSight models only)
The first iMac G5s were designed for easy access, and replacing the hard drive is simple. For models with the iSight camera, we recommend professional installation.
For the non-iSight models, lie the machine face down on a soft
cloth to prevent scratching.
All you have to do is unscrew the partial screws on the bottom end of the iMac, then the whole back housing and stand come off. The hard drive can be removed and replaced easily.
Apple's own instructions for changing components in non-iSight iMac G5s can be found here.
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 G5 is part of the main logic board. Unfortunately therefore it is
not possible to increase or change the graphics card.
There are no graphics card upgrades available for these Macs
Expansion Card Upgrades
Your iMac G5 has no available PCMCIA or PCI sockets for connectivity expansion. It does have a slot for an Airport Extreme wireless card - on all apart from the first generation iMac G5 (ones without an ambient light sensor or iSight camera) the Airport Extreme card was fitted as standard.
| 1 | Requires Mac OS 10.4 or later. |
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 (non iSight models only)
Remove the back of the iMac, connect the antenna and insert the Airport card into its slot.
For detailed instructions, please refer to this Apple pdf - please note that this is only for non-iSight camera models only.
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.
| 1 | Compatible with the 1.6GHz, 1.8GHz and 2.0GHz iMac G5s only (without built-in iSight camera). |
| 2 | Compatible with the 1.6GHz, 1.8GHz and 2.0GHz iMac G5s only (without built-in iSight camera). This is an EXCHANGE PART. Please see the product page for full details. |
| 3 | Compatible with the 1.9GHz and 2.1 GHz iMac G5s only (with built-in iSight camera). |
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 | Will work fine for external storage, but cannot be used as a boot drive. |
| 2 | Can only use this product via USB 2.0, not FireWire 800. |
| 3 | Cannot be used to 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.
