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Power Macintosh G4 Q&A - Updated May 12, 2009
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What are the differences between the "Gigabit" Power Mac G4 models?
Please note that the "Gigabit Ethernet" Power Mac G4 models were introduced on July 19, 2000 and were discontinued on January 9, 2001.
The "Gigabit Ethernet" Power Mac G4 models -- the Power Mac G4 400 (Gigabit), 450 DP (Gigabit), and 500 DP (Gigabit) -- were the first Power Mac G4 models to provide onboard Gigabit Ethernet, as the name implies, as well as introduce the convenient, but subsequently maligned ADC (Apple Display Connector) which carries analog and digital video signals, USB data, and power in the same cable.
The major differences are summarized below for your convenience:
Power Mac | |||
Processor: | 400 MHz | 450 MHz | 500 MHz |
System Bus: | 100 MHz | 100 MHz | 100 MHz |
Backside L2: | 1 MB | 1 MB | 1 MB |
Memory Type: | PC100 SDRAM | PC100 SDRAM | PC100 SDRAM |
Std. RAM: | 64 MB | 128 MB | 256 MB |
Max. RAM: | 2.0 GB* | 2.0 GB* | 2.0 GB* |
Video Card: | Rage 128 Pro | Rage 128 Pro | Rage 128 Pro |
Video RAM: | 16 MB | 16 MB | 16 MB |
Hard Drive: | 20 GB | 30 GB | 40 GB |
Optical Drive: | DVD-ROM | DVD-ROM | DVD-ROM |
Zip Drive: | Optional | Optional | Optional |
AirPort: | Optional | Optional | Optional |
Bluetooth: | None | None | None |
Slots: | 3 PCI*, AP | 3 PCI*, AP | 3 PCI*, AP |
Model No: | M7891LL/A | M7892LL/A | M7893LL/A† |
Orig. Price: | US$1599 | US$2499 | US$3499† |
* These systems can support up to 2.0 GB of RAM, but can only use 1.5 GB while booting MacOS 9.
** In the default configuration, these models have three open 33 MHz 64-bit PCI slots, and a 133 MHz 2X AGP slot occupied by the graphics card. Each also has an open AirPort (802.11b) expansion slot.
† There are two configurations of this model, M7893LL/A, as originally introduced with a DVD-RAM drive for US$3499, and M8250LL/A, introduced with a DVD-ROM drive for US$3199.
Please refer to the Ultimate Mac Comparison feature to compare any Power Mac G4 model to any other G3 or later Mac.
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