On September 8, 2001, Apple marked a milestone in its server computer lineup with the introduction of the Macintosh Server G4 QuickSilver. This remarkable addition to the Macintosh Server G4 series showcased Apple’s commitment to delivering unparalleled performance, expansion capabilities, and cutting-edge digital media solutions.
The Macintosh Server G4 QuickSilver made a grand entrance with its powerful configuration, featuring options with 733 MHz and dual 800 MHz PowerPC G4 processors. Apple’s revolutionary SuperDrive, a CD-RW/DVD-R drive capable of burning DVDs playable in consumer DVD players, became a standard inclusion in Power Mac and Macintosh Server models.
Priced starting at $2,799, the QuickSilver boasted a formidable 733 MHz or Dual 800 MHz PowerPC 7450 G4 processor, 256 MB of RAM, an 80 GB hard drive, a 12x CD-RW drive, and a 32 MB NVIDIA GeForce2 MX graphics card. This represented a substantial leap forward from its predecessors, offering speed and storage capabilities that were ahead of the technological curve.
The Macintosh Server G4 line showcased exceptional performance, featuring 733 MHz and dual 800 MHz PowerPC G4 processors equipped with Velocity Engine. The dual 800 MHz processors included 256K of on-chip level 2 cache running at processor speed and a substantial 2MB of level 3 backside cache per processor. These specifications allowed the dual 800 MHz Power Mac and Mac Servers G4 to outperform 1.7 GHz Pentium IV-based PCs by up to 83 percent in professional applications like Adobe’s Photoshop.
Housed in a sleek “quicksilver” enclosure, the Macintosh Server G4 line boasted an award-winning design. A side door swung open, providing the industry’s easiest access to expansion slots and memory. The lineup included five slots, featuring four high-performance 64-bit 33 MHz PCI slots and a 4x AGP slot with an NVIDIA GeForce2 MX graphics card. Notably, the dual 800 MHz model supported dual display functionality with 64 MB of SDRAM.
The Macintosh Server G4 QuickSilver also featured two 400 Mbps FireWire ports and two 12 Mbps USB ports, facilitating seamless connections to the latest DV camcorders, printers, and storage devices. Pre-installed with Mac OS X Server, the system boasted advanced capabilities such as protected memory, preemptive multitasking, advanced memory management, symmetric multiprocessing, and a highly optimized BSD networking architecture.
Apple’s commitment to multimedia excellence was evident with the inclusion of iTunes, Disc Burner software, and iMovie 2. iTunes allowed users to effortlessly manage their digital music collections and create standard audio CDs. Disc Burner software facilitated the easy creation of data CDs, while iMovie 2, recognized as the world’s most popular digital video editing software, provided users with a user-friendly platform for video creation.
The Macintosh Server G4 QuickSilver also featured 10/100/1000BASE-T Ethernet built-in on the motherboard, ensuring efficient file transfers, especially for large image and digital video files. Three 3.5-inch hard disk drive expansion bays, with one pre-installed Ultra ATA hard drive up to 80 GB, offered users ample storage options.
Regrettably, QuickSilver’s reign was short-lived, as Apple discontinued it on January 28, 2002, a mere four months after its release. However, this was not the end of the Macintosh Server G4 series. The QuickSilver was succeeded by the Macintosh Server G4 QuickSilver Early 2002, which sought to build upon its predecessor’s success with even faster processors and larger hard drives.
Despite its brief existence, the Macintosh Server G4 QuickSilver holds a significant place in Apple’s storied history. Now 22 years old, it remains a symbol of innovation and technological prowess in the realm of server computers. Its impact on Apple enthusiasts and server aficionados endures, and its legacy continues to be celebrated as one of Apple’s most groundbreaking server computers.
The Macintosh Server G4 QuickSilver stands as a testament to Apple’s relentless pursuit of excellence, pushing the boundaries of what server computers could achieve. While its physical presence may have been short-lived, its influence on the trajectory of Apple’s server offerings and the tech industry as a whole remains imprinted in the annals of computing history.
Macintosh Server G4 QuickSilver Details
| Introduced | September 8, 2001 |
| Discontinued | January 28, 2002 |
| Model Identifier | PowerMac3,5 |
| Model Number | M8493 |
| EMC | 1896 |
| Order Number | M7948LL/A (733 MHz) M7949LL/A (dual 800 MHz) |
| Original Price | $2,799 $3,799 |
| Colors | Quicksilver |
| Weight | 30 Ibs. 13.607 KG |
| Dimensions | 17” H x 8.9” W x 18.4” D 43.18 cm H x 22.6 cm W x 46.73 cm D |
Mac Server G4 Quicksilver Tech Specs
Processor
| Processor | PowerPC 7450 G4 |
| Processor Speed | 733 MHz Dual 800 MHz |
| Architecture | 32-bit |
| Number of Cores | 1 or 2 |
| System Bus | 133 MHz |
| Cache | 64 KB L1 256 KB backside L2 2 MB L3 (Dual 800 MHz) |
Storage & Media
| Storage | 36 GB 10,000 rpm (SCSI) 72 GB 10,000 rpm (SCSI) 80 GB 7,200 rpm (ATA |
| Media | 1 – 12x CD-RW 1 – Zip 250 (Optional) |
Memory
| Built-in Memory | 256 MB |
| Maximum Memory | 1.5 GB |
| Memory Slots | 3 – PC-133 3.3v 168-pin SDRAM |
| Minimum Speed | 10 ns |
| Interleaving Support | No |
Display
| Built-in Display | None |
Graphics
| Graphics Card | NVIDIA GeForce2 MX |
| Graphics Memory | 32 MB |
| Display Connection | 1 – VGA 1 – ADC |
| Display Modes | Dual display extended and video mirroring |
Expansion
| Expansion Slots | 4 – 33 MHz 64-bit PCI 1 – 4x AGP |
| Bays | 4 – Internal 3.5″ ATA drive bays 1 – Optical drive bay 1 – Zip 250 bay |
| Hard Drive Interface | Ultra ATA/66 (ATA-5) or Ultra160 SCSI |
| Optical Drive Interface | EIDE (ATA-3) |
Connections
| Ethernet | 10/100/1000BASE-T (RJ-45) |
| Modem | None |
| Wi-Fi | AirPort Card 802.11b (Optional) |
| Bluetooth | None |
| ADB | None |
| USB | 2 – 12 Mbps |
| Serial | None |
| SCSI | 1 – Ultra160 SCSI PCI card (Optional) |
| FireWire | 2 – 400 Mbps (15W total power) |
| Audio In | 1 – 3.5-mm analog input jack |
| Audio Out | 1 – 2.5-mm Apple Pro Speaker minijack 1 – 3.5-mm analog output jack 1 – Built-in speaker |
| Display | 1 – VGA 1 – ADC |
Keyboard and Mouse
| Peripherals | Apple Pro Keyboard Apple Pro Mouse |
Software
| Original OS | Mac OS X Server 10.0 |
| Maximum OS | Mac OS X 10.4.11 |
| Firmware | Mac OS ROM 8.3.1 |
| Bundled Software | Unknown |
Power
| Backup Battery | 3.6 V 850 mAh Lithium (922-4028) |
| Maximum Continuous Power | 360 W |
| Line Voltage | 115 V AC (90-132 V AC) or 230 V AC (180-264 V AC) |
Further Reading and References
- Power Mac G4 (QuickSilver): Technical Specifications – Apple Support
- Apple Debuts New Power Mac G4 Line – Apple Newsroom
- Apple Ships Dual 800 MHz Power Mac G4 – Apple Newsroom
- Power Mac G4 – Wikipedia
- Quicksilver Power Mac G4 – Low End Mac
- Power Mac G4 (Quicksilver) – Mac27
- The Power Mac G4 Line – MacStories
- On the Power Mac G4 – 512 Pixels
- First Quicksilver Power Mac G4 server slips out – The Register
- Power Mac G4/ Macintosh Server G4 Service Source (PDF) – Apple Repair Manuals
Disclaimer: The data presented in this article is under continuous development and has been manually collected from various sources based on their availability. The author of this article may revise this dataset as additional research is conducted and reviewed. Please note that the information is provided “as is” and “as available” without express or implied warranties. The author cannot be held responsible for any omissions, inaccuracies, or errors in the published information. Any warranties relating to this information are hereby disclaimed.
Last updated: January 28, 2024
