iMac G5/1.8 20" Specs (iMac G5, M9250LL/A, PowerMac8,1, A1076, 2008): EveryMac.com

Apple iMac G5/1.8 20" Specs

Identifiers: iMac G5 - M9250LL/A - PowerMac8,1 - A1076 - 2008

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The Apple iMac G5/1.8 20-Inch, along with the simultaneously introduced iMac G5/1.6 17-Inch and iMac G5/1.8 17-Inch, features a revolutionary design with the entire computer placed behind the flat-panel display in an integrated all-in-one enclosure approximately two inches deep.

Like the aluminium-clad Apple Cinema Displays, the "non-iSight" iMac G5 models are suspended by an aluminum stand with an adjustable hinge, and support the "Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) mounting interface standard" which makes it easy to mount the system directly on a kiosk, wall, or articulating arm.

The Apple iMac G5/1.8 20-Inch shipped equipped with a 1.8 GHz PowerPC 970 (G5) processor with an optimized AltiVec "Velocity Engine" vector processing unit and a 512k on-chip level 2 cache, 256 MB of 400 MHz PC3200 DDR SDRAM, a 160 GB (7200 RPM) Serial ATA hard drive, a vertically-mounted slot-loading 4X DVD-R/CD-RW "SuperDrive", NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200 Ultra graphics with 64 MB of DDR SDRAM (AGP 8X), and built-in stereo speakers underneath the 20" TFT Active Matrix LCD (1680x1050) display designed to "bounce sound off the desk below". Connectivity includes Firewire "400" and USB 2.0, as well as support for AirPort Extreme (802.11g) and Bluetooth with optional cards.

The iMac G5 series is cooled by three "ultra-quiet blowers that draw cool air into the system" through the speaker grill and a slit in the top of the back of the case allows heat to dissipate.

Also see: What are the differences between the original iMac G5 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
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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:

August 31, 2004

Discontinued Date:

May 3, 2005

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.

Also see: All Macs introduced in 2004.

Processors:

Architecture:

64-Bit

Details:

Also see: All models with a 64-Bit processor courtesy of EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Sort.

Geekbench 2 (32):

985

Geekbench 2 (64):

N/A

Details:

When last updated, Geekbench 2 only provided sufficient 32-bit performance data for 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 PowerMac8,1 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 PowerMac8,1 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 PowerMac8,1 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:

1.8 GHz

Processor Type:

PowerPC 970 (G5)

Details:

The PowerPC 970 "G5" has 64-bit data paths and registers with native support for 32-bit application code. It additionally includes the AltiVec "Velocity Engine" vector processor and "two independent double-precision floating-point units".

Also see: How fast is the iMac G5 compared to the iMac G4 Flat-Panel and Power Macintosh G5?

Turbo Boost:

N/A

Custom Speeds:

N/A

Details:

N/A

Processor Upgrade:

Soldered

FPU:

Integrated

Details:

The processor is mounted directly to the motherboard.

System Bus Speed:

600 MHz (3:1)

Cache Bus Speed:

1.8 GHz (Built-in)

Details:

600 MHz frontside bus.

ROM/Firmware Type:

Open Firmware

EFI Architecture:

N/A

Details:

Boot ROM and around 1 MB, other instructions are loaded into RAM (NewWorld).

L1 Cache:

32k/64k

L2/L3 Cache:

512k

Details:

32k level 1 data cache, 64k level 1 instructional cache. The 512k on-chip level 2 cache runs at processor speed.

RAM Type:

PC3200 DDR

Min. RAM Speed:

400 MHz

Details:

Supports 400 MHz PC3200 DDR SDRAM. If installing RAM in both slots, use matching memory for best performance.

Also see: How do you upgrade the RAM in the iMac G5 models? How much RAM of what type do these systems support?

Standard RAM:

256 MB

Maximum RAM:

2 GB

Details:

In the US (and many other countries), site sponsor Other World Computing sells memory -- as well as other upgrades -- for this iMac.

Also see: Actual Max RAM of All G3 & Later Macs.

Motherboard RAM:

None

RAM Slots:

Details:

If non-matching RAM is installed, the 128-bit memory bus will operate as a 64-bit bus.

Video Card:

GeForce FX 5200 Ultra*

VRAM Type:

DDR SDRAM

Details:

*Apple formally reports that this model has a NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200 Ultra with 64 MB of DDR SDRAM (AGP 8X support). An eagle-eyed EveryMac.com reader noted in software that it self-reports that it has a "GeForce FX 5200" (non-Ultra).

Also see: What type of video processor is provided by the iMac G5? Is it upgradable?

Standard VRAM:

64 MB

Maximum VRAM:

64 MB

Details:

Video cannot be upgraded.

Built-in Display:

20.0" TFT

Native Resolution:

1680x1050

Details:

This model has a 20.0" TFT active matrix display with a 16:10 aspect ratio and a native resolution of 1680x1050. In the 16:10 aspect ratio, it also supports 1344x840, 1280x800, 1024x640, 840x524, and 800x500, and in the 4:3 aspect ratio it supports 1024x768, 800x600, and 640x480. Apple additionally reports a "typical" brightness of 230 cd/m, contrast ratio of 350:1, and viewing angle of 170 degrees horizontal and 170 degrees vertical.

2nd Display Support:

Mirroring Only*

2nd Max. Resolution:

1024x768*

Details:

Apple reports that this system has a "VGA output port for video mirroring on an external display or projector", and supports output resolutions of "640 x 480 pixels at 60Hz, 800 x 600 pixels at 75Hz and 1024 x 768 pixels at 75Hz".

However, the hardware is capable of using an external display in dual or "extended desktop mode", Apple just blocked the capability in firmware to protect sales of more expensive Macs. Unsupported third-party hacks are available.

Standard Storage:

160 GB HDD

Std. Storage Speed:

7200 RPM

Details:

Also see: How do you replace or upgrade the hard drive in the iMac G5 models?

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" (26.10 mm)

Storage Interface:

Serial ATA (1.5 Gb/s)

Details:

This model holds a single 3.5" Serial ATA (1.5 Gb/s) hard drive or SSD. Storage drives larger than 128 GB are supported.

Standard Optical:

4X "SuperDrive"

Standard Disk:

None

Details:

Apple reports that the slot-loading 4X DVD-R/CD-RW SuperDrive "writes DVD-R discs at up to 4x speed, reads DVDs at up to 8x speed, writes CD-R discs at up to 16x speed, writes CD-RW discs at up to 8x speed, [and] reads CDs at up to 24x speed".

Also see: What are the capabilities of the optical drive provided by the iMac G5?

Standard Modem:

56k v.92

Standard Ethernet:

10/100Base-T

Details:

Internal modem and 10/100Base-T Ethernet standard.

Standard AirPort:

802.11b/g (Optional)

Standard Bluetooth:

1.1 (Optional)

Details:

This model could be configured with AirPort Extreme (802.11b/802.11g) and Bluetooth at the time of purchase for additional cost.

USB Ports:

3 (2.0)

Firewire Ports:

2 (400)

Details:

Apple advertised that this system had a "total of five USB ports" counting three USB 2.0 ports on the system and two USB 1.1 ports on the keyboard. Two Firewire "400" ports are shared - 8 watts.

Expansion Slots:

AP/BL

Expansion Bays:

None

Details:

Internal AirPort Extreme (802.11b/802.11g) and Bluetooth support.

Incl. Keyboard:

Apple Keyboard

Incl. Input:

Apple Mouse

Details:

N/A

Case Type:

All-in-One

Form Factor:

iMac G5

Details:

Integrated all-in-one "ice white" enclosure approximately two inches deep supported by an aluminum stand.

Apple Order No:

M9250LL/A

Apple Subfamily:

iMac G5

Details:

The Apple order number should be unique to this system.

Apple Model No:

A1076 (EMC 2008)

Model ID:

PowerMac8,1

Details:

Please note that these identifiers refer to more than one model.

Also see: All Macs with the A1076 Model Number, the 2008 EMC Number, and the PowerMac8,1 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:

X 10.3.5 (7P35)

Maximum MacOS:

X 10.5.8

Details:

This system cannot run versions of MacOS X more recent than 10.5.8.

Minimum Windows:

N/A

Maximum Windows:

N/A

Details:

MacOS 9 Support:

Classic Mode Only*

Windows Support:

Emulation Only

Details:

*This model is capable of using Mac OS 9 applications within the Mac OS X "Classic" environment provided with Mac OS X 10.4.11 "Tiger" and lower ("Classic" is not supported starting with Mac OS X 10.5 "Leopard"). It cannot boot into Mac OS 9.

Dimensions:

18.6 x 19.4 x 7.4

Avg. Weight:

25.2 lbs. (11.4 kg)

Details:

In inches - height by width by depth, (47.2 cm, 49.3 cm, 18.9 cm).

Original Price (US):

US$1899

Est. Current Retail:

US$25-US$50

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):

1 (Mini-VGA)

Floppy (Ext.):

None

Details:

Apple notes that the system has a "VGA output port for video mirroring on [an] external display or projector" and "S-video and composite video output to connect directly to a TV or projector", using an adapter (sold separately).

ADB:

None

SCSI:

None

Details:

N/A

Serial (Standard):

None

Serial (Geoport):

None

Details:

N/A

USB:

3 (2.0)

Firewire:

2 (400)

Details:

Apple advertised that this system had a "total of five USB ports" counting three USB 2.0 ports on the system and two USB 1.1 ports on the keyboard. Two Firewire "400" ports are shared - 8 watts.

Modem:

1 (RJ-11)

Ethernet:

1 (RJ-45)

Details:

Internal modem and 10/100Base-T Ethernet standard.

S-Video Input:

None

S-Video Output:

Details:

Apple notes that the system has "S-video and composite video output to connect directly to a TV or projector", using an adapter (sold separately).

Microphone:

1 (Built-in)

Sound In:

Details:

Includes a single "audio line input".

Sound Out:

Headphone:

Details:

Includes a single "headphone/optical digital audio output" port.

Security (Lock):

Joystick (PC):

None

Details:

N/A

Power:

Power Adapter:

N/A

Details:

100V-240V AC, 180W maximum.

Global original prices for the iMac G5/1.8 20" 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$2499

Brazil:

N/A

Mexico:

N/A

United States:

US$1899

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:

¤1999

Sweden:

N/A

Switzerland:

N/A

United Kingdom:

£1349

Original Prices - Asia

China:

N/A

Hong Kong:

N/A

India:

N/A

Indonesia:

N/A

Japan:

¥230,790

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:

A$3199

New Zealand:

NZ$3405

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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