Apple iMac G3/233 Original - Bondi (Rev. A & B) Specs

Identifiers: iMac - Original - M6709LL/A* - iMac,1 - M4984 - None

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The original Apple iMac - Bondi (Rev. A & B), based on the Columbus architecture, features a 233 MHz PowerPC 750 (G3) processor, 512k backside level 2 cache, 32 MB of RAM, a 4.0 GB EIDE hard drive, and either ATI Rage IIc graphics with 2 MB of VRAM or ATI Rage Pro Turbo graphics with 6 MB of VRAM packed in a "bondi blue and ice" colored, "retro futuristic" all-in-one case design with a 15-inch "crystal clear" CRT display.


Apple promoted the iMac as a revolutionary new Mac for the Internet age, hence the "i" prefix, and it was unique not only for its look, but also for being the first Mac to include USB ports -- a then new standard from the Wintel world with support for up-to 127 devices -- replacing SCSI, ADB, and Mac serial ports. It also was unique as it was the first Mac to lack a floppy drive.

The "revision A" iMac (M6709LL/A) and "revision B" iMac (M6709LL/B) are identical with the exception of graphics systems. The "revision A" model -- introduced May 6, 1998 and shipped August 15, 1998 -- has ATI Rage IIc graphics with 2 MB of VRAM and the "revision B" model -- introduced October 26, 1998 -- has ATI Rage Pro Turbo graphics with 6 MB of VRAM.

Also see: What are the differences between the original "Bondi" iMac G3 models?

Despite the age of this system, site sponsor Other World Computing has RAM, hard drives, SSDs, and other upgrades available for this specific iMac while supplies last.

• Tech Specs
• Ports
• Global Original Prices
• Popular Q&As

Click on the category for related details. The most commonly needed info is "open" by default, but all info is important.

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Introduction Date:

May 6, 1998*

Discontinued Date:

January 5, 1999

Details:

The "Introduction Date" refers to the date a model was introduced via press release. The "Discontinued Date" refers to the date a model either was replaced by a subsequent system or production otherwise ended. *The "revision A" model was introduced on May 6, 1998 and shipped on August 15, 1998. The "revision B" model was introduced on October 26, 1998. Also see: All Macs introduced in 1998.

Processors:

1

Architecture:

32-Bit

Details:

Also see: All models with a 32-Bit processor courtesy of EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Sort.

Geekbench 2 (32):

N/A

Geekbench 2 (64):

N/A

Details:

The Geekbench 2 benchmark does not support this model. These numbers reflect an average of user provided 32-bit and 64-bit results as submitted to the Geekbench website. Higher numbers are better. You also might be interested in reviewing all 32-bit and 64-bit Geekbench 2 user submissions for Macs with the iMac,1 Model Identifier, which may include multiple models. To dynamically compare Geekbench 2 results from different Macs side-by-side, see EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Comparison.

Geekbench 3 (32):

N/A

Geekbench 3 (32):

N/A

Details:

The Geekbench 3 benchmark does not support this model. Both numbers reflect an average of user provided results as submitted to the Geekbench website. Higher numbers are better. You also might be interested in reviewing all 32-bit single core and multicore Geekbench 3 user submissions for Macs with the iMac,1 Model Identifier, which may include multiple models. To dynamically compare 32-bit Geekbench 3 results from different Macs side-by-side, see EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Comparison.

Geekbench 3 (64):

N/A

Geekbench 3 (64):

N/A

Details:

The Geekbench 3 benchmark does not support this model. Both numbers reflect an average of user provided results as submitted to the Geekbench website. Higher numbers are better. You also might be interested in reviewing all 64-bit single core and multicore Geekbench 3 user submissions for Macs with the iMac,1 Model Identifier, which may include multiple models. To dynamically compare 64-bit Geekbench 3 results from different Macs side-by-side, see EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Comparison.

Processor Speed:

233 MHz

Processor Type:

PowerPC 750 (G3)

Details:

N/A

Turbo Boost:

N/A

Custom Speeds:

N/A

Details:

N/A

Processor Upgrade:

G3 Daughtercard

FPU:

Integrated

Details:

Third-party processor upgrade cards were released. Also see: Is the CPU on the iMac G3 upgradable? How is it mounted? Are third-party processor upgrades available?

System Bus Speed:

66 MHz

Cache Bus Speed:

117 MHz

Details:

N/A

ROM/Firmware Type:

Open Firmware

EFI Architecture:

N/A

Details:

The Boot ROM is roughly 1 MB, other instructions are loaded into RAM.

L1 Cache:

64k

L2/L3 Cache:

512k (backside)

Details:

The 512k of backside cache has a 117 MHz bus.

RAM Type:

PC66 SDRAM

Min. RAM Speed:

10 ns

Details:

Uses 144-pin PC66 SO-DIMM memory modules. Also see: How do you upgrade the RAM in the iMac G3 models? How much RAM of what type do these systems support?

Standard RAM:

32 MB

Maximum RAM:

384, 512 MB*

Details:

*Apple reports that this model can support a maximum of 128 MB of RAM. However, the "revision A" model "unofficially" can support a maximum of 384 MB of memory (one 128 MB and one 256 MB module) and the "revision B" model can use a maximum of 512 MB of memory (two 256 MB modules). Site sponsor Other World Computing sells memory -- as well as other upgrades -- for this iMac. In Germany, site sponsor CompuRAM sells RAM and other upgrades for this iMac. Also see: Actual Max RAM of All G3 & Later Macs.

Motherboard RAM:

None

RAM Slots:

2

Details:

N/A

Video Card:

Rage IIc*

VRAM Type:

SGRAM

Details:

The "revision A" model has ATI Rage IIc video with 2 MB of VRAM and the "revision B" model has ATI Rage Pro Turbo video with 6 MB of VRAM. Also see: What type of video processor is provided by the iMac G3 models? Is it upgradable?

Standard VRAM:

2 MB, 6 MB

Maximum VRAM:

6 MB

Details:

The video in the original model (Revision A) can be upgraded to 6 MB via the VRAM expansion slot.

Built-in Display:

15.0" (13.8")

Native Resolution:

800x600*

Details:

*15.0" (13.8" viewable area) display supports 640x480 at 117 Hz, 800x600 at 95 Hz, and 1024x768 at 75 Hz.

2nd Display Support:

None

2nd Max. Resolution:

N/A

Details:

N/A

Standard Storage:

4.0 GB HDD

Std. Storage Speed:

N/A

Details:

Also see: How do you replace or upgrade the hard drive in the iMac G3 models? Do these models support "big drives"? In the US (and many other countries), site sponsor Other World Computing sells storage upgrades for this iMac. Also see: SSD Compatibility Guide for All G3 & Later Macs.

Storage Dimensions:

3.5" (25.4 mm)

Storage Interface:

EIDE (ATA-3)

Details:

This model supports a single internal 3.5" EIDE (ATA-3) hard drive. It does not support hard drives larger than 128 GB.

Standard Optical:

24X CD-ROM

Standard Disk:

None

Details:

24X tray-loading CD-ROM drive. Also see: What are the capabilities of the optical drive provided by the iMac G3 models? How do you replace or upgrade the optical drive?

Standard Modem:

56.6k* (Internal)

Standard Ethernet:

10/100Base-T

Details:

*Announced with a 33.6k modem, but most shipped with an internal 56.6k internal modem.

Standard AirPort:

None

Standard Bluetooth:

None

Details:

Also see: Which iMac G3 models support AirPort? How do you install or replace the AirPort card?

USB Ports:

2 (1.1)

Firewire Ports:

None

Details:

This system has two USB 1.1 ports. Also see: Which iMac G3 models have Firewire "400" ports?

Expansion Slots:

Mezzanine*

Expansion Bays:

None

Details:

The original "bondi" blue iMac models have a "Mezzanine" expansion slot that was underutilized by third-parties.

Incl. Keyboard:

Apple USB Keyboard

Incl. Input:

Apple USB Mouse*

Details:

*The original iMac shipped with an oft maligned "hockey puck" mouse.

Case Type:

All-in-One

Form Factor:

iMac (Bondi)

Details:

All-in-one "bondi blue and ice" case design. Also see: Which iMac G3 models were offered in which colors? How many colors were available in total?

Apple Order No:

M6709LL/A*

Apple Subfamily:

iMac - Original

Details:

*M6709LL/A refers to the original "revision A" iMac with an ATI Rage IIc video card with 2 MB of VRAM. The "revision B" iMac was assigned model number M6709LL/B, and is identical to the original with the exception of an ATI Rage Pro Turbo video card with 6 MB of VRAM.

Apple Model No:

M4984 (EMC None)

Model ID:

iMac,1

Details:

Please note that these identifiers refer to more than one model. Also see: All Macs with the M4984 Model Number, the None EMC Number, and the iMac,1 Model Identifier. For more about these identifiers and how to locate them on each Mac, please refer to EveryMac.com's Mac Identification section.

Battery Type:

3.6V Lithium

Battery Life:

N/A

Details:

N/A

Pre-Installed MacOS:

8.1, 8.5

Maximum MacOS:

X 10.3.9

Details:

This system cannot run versions of MacOS X more recent than 10.3.9.

Minimum Windows:

N/A

Maximum Windows:

N/A

Details:

MacOS 9 Support:

Boot/Classic Mode

Windows Support:

Emulation Only

Details:

This model is capable of booting in Mac OS 9 and using Mac OS 9 applications within the Mac OS X "Classic" environment.

Dimensions:

15.8 x 15.2 x 17.6

Avg. Weight:

38.1 lbs. (18.1 kg)

Details:

*In inches - height x width x depth (40.1 cm x 38.6 cm x 44.7 cm).

Original Price (US):

US$1299

Est. Current Retail:

N/A

Details:

Please note that on average the estimated current retail pricing of used systems is updated twice a year (please refer to the date on the bottom of the page for the date last updated). Photo Credit: Apple Computer.

Click on a category for additional details. The most commonly needed info is "open" by default, but all info is important. The icons correspond with the icons for each port on the computer.

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Video (Monitor):

None

Floppy (Ext.):

None

Details:

N/A

ADB:

None

SCSI:

None

Details:

N/A

Serial (Standard):

None

Serial (Geoport):

None

Details:

N/A

USB:

2 (1.1)

Firewire:

None

Details:

This system has two USB 1.1 ports. Also see: Which iMac G3 models have Firewire "400" ports?

Modem:

1 (RJ-11)

Ethernet:

1 (RJ-45)

Details:

The original iMac models also had IrDA capabilities.

S-Video Input:

None

S-Video Output:

None

Details:

N/A

Microphone:

1 (Built-in)

Sound In:

1

Details:

N/A

Sound Out:

1

Headphone:

2

Details:

16-bit stereo sound out jack and two front mounted headphone jacks.

Security (Lock):

None

Joystick (PC):

None

Details:

N/A

Power:

1

Power Adapter:

N/A

Details:

100V to 240V AC, 80W maximum.

Global original prices for the iMac G3/233 Original - Bondi (Rev. A & B) in 34 different countries and territories follow; organized alphabetically by region.

For global original prices for Intel Macs in one particular country on a single page, please refer to EveryMac.com's Global Original Prices section.

Original Prices - North & South America

Canada:

C$1999

Brazil:

N/A

Mexico:

N/A

United States:

US$1299

Original Prices - Europe

Austria:

N/A

Belgium:

N/A

Denmark:

N/A

Finland:

N/A

France:

N/A

Germany:

N/A

Ireland:

N/A

Italy:

N/A

Luxembourg:

N/A

Netherlands:

N/A

Norway:

N/A

Portugal:

N/A

Spain:

N/A

Sweden:

N/A

Switzerland:

N/A

United Kingdom:

N/A

Original Prices - Asia

China:

N/A

Hong Kong:

N/A

India:

N/A

Indonesia:

N/A

Japan:

N/A

Korea:

N/A

Malaysia:

N/A

The Philippines:

N/A

Singapore:

N/A

Taiwan:

N/A

Thailand:

N/A

Vietnam:

N/A

Original Prices - Australia & New Zealand

Australia:

N/A

New Zealand:

N/A

If you have additional original prices for this model, please get in touch. Thank you.

Ten of the most popular Q&As about the iMac models follow.

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