Power Mac G4 Mirrored Drive Doors Power Mac G4 Mirrored Drive Doors

Power Mac G4 Early 2003 Explained

On January 28th, 2003, Apple revolutionized the computing world with the introduction of the Power Mac G4 Early 2003 (Mirrored Drive Doors). As part of the esteemed Power Mac G4 series, this sleek and powerful computer marked a significant milestone in Apple’s history, offering users unparalleled performance and style.

Apple’s announcement heralded the arrival of the fastest and most affordable Power Mac G4 line ever seen. With a choice of single 1 GHz, dual 1.25 GHz, or dual 1.42 GHz PowerPC G4 processors, users could tailor their computing experience to suit their needs, with prices ranging from $1,499 to $2,699. This new line also boasted cutting-edge features such as FireWire 800 and internal support for 54Mbps AirPort Extreme and Bluetooth wireless networking.

Built on Apple’s advanced Xserve architecture, the Power Mac G4 Early 2003 boasted up to 2 MB of fast Double Data Rate (DDR) Level 3 cache and 333 MHz DDR memory. This powerhouse harnessed the power of Apple’s UNIX-based Mac OS X Jaguar, offering symmetric multiprocessing capabilities and delivering an astonishing 21 gigaflops of performance.

The Power Mac G4 provided unparalleled expansion capabilities, boasting five slots, including four open high-performance 64-bit 33 MHz PCI slots and two external drive bays for optical drives. With options like Apple’s SuperDrive (DVD-R/CD-RW) and the new faster Combo (DVD-ROM/CD-RW) optical drive, users could enjoy enhanced performance and versatility for their computing needs.

Power Mac G4 Mirrored Drive Doors
Source: medium.com – Power Mac G4 Mirrored Drive Doors

Equipped with a range of connectivity options, the Power Mac G4 Early 2003 ensured users stayed connected in the digital age. With a new high-speed FireWire 800 port, two FireWire 400 ports, and four USB 1.1 ports, alongside support for high-speed 54Mbps AirPort Extreme 802.11g wireless networking and optional built-in Bluetooth, users could seamlessly integrate their devices for a streamlined computing experience.

Every Power Mac G4 came bundled with Apple’s iLife applications, including iTunes 3, iPhoto 2, iMovie 3, and iDVD 3, offering users a comprehensive suite of tools for managing digital media and creative projects. Additionally, a bundle of professional and productivity applications, including QuickBooks for Mac New User Edition and Microsoft Office v. X Test Drive, provided added value for users seeking to enhance their productivity.

Upon its launch, the Power Mac G4 Early 2003 was priced at $1,499, offering consumers advanced technology at a reasonable cost. Available through the Apple Store, Apple Retail Stores, and Apple Authorized Resellers, users had access to a range of configurations and options to customize their computing experience.

Although the Power Mac G4 Early 2003 had a brief existence, discontinued on June 23, 2003, it remains a nostalgic piece of Apple’s history and a testament to the company’s commitment to innovation. Today, 21 years later, its memory lives on as a reminder of Apple’s past and its enduring legacy of technological advancement.

Whether you’re a nostalgic tech enthusiast or simply appreciate Apple’s contributions to the computing world, the Power Mac G4 Early 2003 holds a special place in the hearts of many. With its groundbreaking features, unmatched performance, and timeless design, it stands as a symbol of Apple’s innovation and vision for the future of computing.

Power Mac Line
Source: applemuzeumpolska.pl – Power Mac Line

Power Mac G4 Early 2003 Details

IntroducedJanuary 28, 2003
DiscontinuedJune 23, 2003
Model IdentifierPowerMac3,6
Model NumberM8570
EMC1914
Order NumberM8839LL/A (1 GHz)
M8840LL/A (dual 1.25 GHz)
M8841LL/A (dual 1.42 GHz)
Original Price$1,499
$1,999
$2,699
ColorsQuickSilver
Weight42 Ibs.
19.050 KG
Dimensions17” H x 8.9” W x 18.4” D
43.18 cm H x 22.6 cm W x 46.73 cm D

Power Mac G4 Tech Specs

Processor

ProcessorPowerPC 7455 G4
Processor Speed1 GHz
Dual 1.25 GHz
Dual 1.42 GHz
Architecture32-bit
Number of Cores1 or 2
System Bus133 MHz (1 GHz)
167 MHz (Dual 1.25 GHz 1.42 GHz)
Cache64 KB L1
256 KB L2
2 MB L3

Storage & Media

Storage60 GB 7200 rpm
80 GB 7200 rpm
120 GB 7200 rpm
Media1 – 12x DVD-ROM/CD-RW “Combo” drive or 4x DVD-R/CD-RW “SuperDrive”

Memory

Built-in Memory256 MB
512MB
Maximum Memory2 GB
Memory Slots4 – PC-2100 184-pin DDR SDRAM (1 GHz)
4 – PC2700 184-pin DDR SDRAM (Dual 1.25 GHz and 1.42 GHz)
Interleaving SupportNo

Display

Built-in DisplayNone

Graphics

Graphics CardNVIDIA GeForce4 MX
NVIDIA GeForce4 Ti
ATI Radeon 9000 Pro
ATI Radeon 9700 Pro
Graphics Memory32 MB (GeForce4 MX)
64 MB (Radeon 9000 Pro)
128 MB (GeForce4 Ti or Radeon 9700 Pro)
Display Connection1 – ADC
1 – DVI
Display ModesDual display extended and video mirroring

Expansion

Expansion Slots4 – 33 MHz 64-bit PCI
1 – 4x AGP
Bays4 – Internal 3.5″ ATA drive bays
2 – Optical drive bay
Hard Drive Interface1 – Ultra ATA/66 (ATA-5)
1 – ATA/100 (ATA-6)
Optical Drive InterfaceEIDE (ATA-3)

Connections

Ethernet10/100/1000BASE-T (RJ-45)
Modem56k
Wi-FiAirPort Extreme Card 802.11b/g (Optional)
BluetoothBluetooth 1.1 (Optional)
ADBNone
USB2 – 12 Mbps
SerialNone
SCSINone
FireWire2 – 400 Mbps
1 – 800 Mbps
Audio In1 – 3.5-mm analog input jack
Audio Out1 – 2.5-mm Apple Pro Speaker minijack
2 – 3.5-mm analog output jack
1 – Built-in speaker
Display1 – DVI
1 – ADC

Keyboard and Mouse

PeripheralsApple Pro Keyboard
Apple Pro Mouse

Software

Original OSMac OS X 10.2.3
Later OSMac OS X 10.2.4
Mac OS X 10.2.6
Maximum OSMac OS X 10.5.8
FirmwareMac OS ROM
Bundled SoftwareMac OS X 10.2
QuickTime
iCal
iChat
iLife (includes iTunes, iPhoto, iMovie, and iDVD)
DVD Player
iSync
Mac OS X Mail
Microsoft Internet Explorer
EarthLink
Acrobat Reader
Art Directors Toolkit
FAXstf
FileMaker Pro Trial
GraphicConverter
Microsoft Office
OmniGraffle
OmniOutliner
QuickBooks for Mac New User Edition
Developer Tools

Power

Backup Battery3.6 V 850 mAh Lithium (922-4028)
Maximum Continuous Power360 W
Line Voltage100 – 125 V AC or 200 – 240 V AC

Further Reading and References

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: February 14, 2024