iMac G4 Upgrades
iMac G4 front

This page covers all the upgrades we sell for the iMac G4 range. Choose the type of upgrade you are looking for from the tabs below.(Not the right Mac? See here for more iMacs, or here for all Macs.)

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If you want specific upgrades for your exact model, choose it from the Model ID links below, or enter your serial number here:


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iMac G4 Side

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.

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.

There are none available.

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/Blu-ray 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.

INSTALL SERVICE - Internal CD/DVD Drive in an iMac, eMac or pre 2009 Mac MiniStock: Available£49.00 + vat (£58.80)

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 & SSD 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.

There are none available.

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 Cards and Displays

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.

INSTALL SERVICE - Expansion Card in a Desktop MacStock: Available£15.00 + vat (£18.00)
Apple Airport Extreme Card (refurb)Stock: Special Order£19.00 + vat (£22.80)1
1Compatible 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.

Trust 3 button USB Optical MouseStock: Available£6.75 + vat (£8.10)
Cherry Strait 3.0 USB Keyboard - UK Mac LayoutStock: Available£32.00 + vat (£38.40)

Power Supplies & Batteries

Listed below are power supplies, batteries and related products we supply for this Mac.

3.6V (half AA type) Lithium PRAM/Clock Battery for MacStock: Available£9.00 + vat (£10.80)

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.

Cables & Adaptors

FireWire 400 - 800 Adaptor Cable M/M (6pin - 9pin) 6 ftStock: Available£11.00 + vat (£13.20)

Tools

Precision Screwdriver Set, 31 Piece - Phillips/Torx/TR6Stock: Available£12.50 + vat (£15.00)
Anti Static Wrist StrapStock: Available£8.50 + vat (£10.20)

External Drives & Enclosures

This Mac can use any of the following external hard drives.

3.5" USB Enclosures

2.5" USB Enclosures

Complete Machines - Refurbished

Any complete machines of this type or similar that we have for sale are listed here. Please note that these are refurbished models with a 3 month warranty, and that delivery is likely to take 3 - 5 working days. These can be purchased online with the standard website courier delivery charge for the mainland UK only. Please contact us for a quote on shipping to other areas.

There are none available.

Repair Services for this Mac

Here are the various repair services we offer for this Mac. You can have us take the machine in for evaluation, or book a fixed-price repair if you already know what the fault is and the service is listed below (for services without parts, please see the relevant tab on this page for compatible parts that we sell). If you know what the fault is, but we don't have a fixed-price repair listed below, please contact us for a quote.

Evaluation Services

Mac Repair - Evaluation ServiceStock: Available£39.00 + vat (£46.80)

Installation Services (parts not included)

Collection ServiceStock: Available£24.68 + vat (£29.62)
INSTALL SERVICE - RAM in an iMac (excludes 21.5in Late 2012 and later)Stock: Available£10.00 + vat (£12.00)
INSTALL SERVICE - Expansion Card in a Desktop MacStock: Available£15.00 + vat (£18.00)
INSTALL SERVICE - Internal CD/DVD Drive in an iMac, eMac or pre 2009 Mac MiniStock: Available£49.00 + vat (£58.80)