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Power Macintosh G4 Q&A - Revised April 21, 2009
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What is the difference between the Apple speaker minijack and the headphone jack on the Power Mac G4? Which jack should be used with external speakers?
Applicable to all Power Macintosh G4 models starting with the "Digital Audio" series -- introduced on January 9, 2001 -- the Apple speaker minijack is a proprietary 2.5-mm input, whereas the headphone jack is a standard 3.5-mm input.
Apple notes that:
Headphones or externally powered speakers connect to the standard headphone jack. The Apple speaker minijack is designed specifically for use with the Apple Pro Speakers -- it connects to a powerful amplifier built into the system.
In developer's documents, Apple further explains:
Some types of headphones and other audio devices have a 2.5-mm plug. The user should be warned not to plug such devices into the Apple speaker minijack. Doing so could cause damage to the devices.
The Apple Speakers include an internal ROM that enables the computer to identify the speakers. Speakers other than the Apple Speakers should not be connected to the Apple Speaker jack.
Ultimately, Apple Pro Speakers are the only speakers that should be used with the Apple speaker minijack on the Power Mac G4. All third-party powered speakers should be used with the 3.5-mm headphone jack.
How do you connect a microphone to the Power Mac G4 models?
Power Macintosh G4 models shipped between January 9, 2001 and August 13, 2002 -- the "Digital Audio", "Quicksilver", and "Quicksilver 2002" models -- do not have an analog microphone port, and as such you will need to either use a USB-based microphone, or an analog-to-USB adapter to use a traditional analog mic with these systems.
All other Power Mac G4 models -- those released both earlier and later than these models have an analog stereo line in jack and can use traditional analog microphones.
What type of modem is provided by the Power Mac G4?
With the exception of the shipped configuration of the Power Mac G4 500 (AGP) (M7629LL/A) -- which had an internal modem as an optional upgrade at the time of purchase -- all other Power Mac G4 models shipped standard with either a 56k, 56k v.90, or 56k v.92 internal modem.
The PCI-based Power Macintosh G4 models -- the Power Mac G4 350 (PCI) and 400 (PCI) -- use the same 70-pin connector for an Apple 56k modem that the "Blue & White" Power Mac G3 models do, while AGP-based models require a "modem filter board". As Apple does not support third-party development for the modem slot, if a modem was not installed at the time of purchase, it likely will be easier to purchase an external USB-based one.
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