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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

400 (Gigabit)

450 DP (Gigabit)

500 DP (Gigabit)

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
DVD-RAM

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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