In the fast-paced world of technology, certain innovations stand out, leaving an indelible mark on the industry. One such groundbreaking product was the Power Mac G4 Mid 1999 with AGP Graphics, a personal computer that defied its time. In 1999, Apple introduced this marvel as part of their Power Macintosh series, and it swiftly became a favorite among users, boasting unparalleled features and cutting-edge design.
Back in 1999, the computing landscape was evolving rapidly, and Apple was at the forefront of this revolution. The Power Mac G4, an integral part of the Power Macintosh series, marked a significant departure in nomenclature, being the first Macintosh product officially shortened as “Mac”. Additionally, it holds the distinction of being the final Mac capable of booting into classic Mac OS.
The iconic enclosure style introduced with its predecessor, the Power Macintosh G3 in Blue and White, persisted throughout the Power Mac G4’s five-year production run. This design underwent noteworthy modifications to align with Apple’s evolving industrial aesthetics and to meet the escalating cooling requirements of the advanced hardware within.
The original Power Mac G4 Mid 1999 made its debut at the Seybold conference in San Francisco on August 31, 1999. Comprising two variants, the Power Macintosh G4 with PCI Graphics with 350 MHz and 400 MHz configurations, and the Power Mac G4 with AGP Graphics with 350, 400, 450, and 500 MHz configurations, this generation became colloquially known as “Graphite”. This moniker derived from the distinctive color scheme of the case, pre-dating the graphite iMac DV Special Edition by two months.
Apple’s initial plan to ship the 500 MHz configuration in October 1999 faced a setback due to poor CPU yield. As a remedy, Apple opted to reduce the clock speed of each configuration by 50 MHz, eliciting some controversy as the original prices remained unchanged.
The early 400 MHz (later 350 MHz) PCI-based version shared a motherboard with the Power Macintosh G3 in Blue and White, utilizing Zero Insertion Force (ZIF) processor sockets, albeit without the ADB port. This version featured the new Motorola PowerPC 7400 G4 CPU and sported the distinctive “Graphite” colored case. The higher-speed models, code-named “Sawtooth”, incorporated a significantly modified motherboard design with AGP 2x graphics, replacing the 66 MHz PCI slot.
Designed for professional users seeking high-performance computing, the Power Mac G4 Mid 1999 was equipped with a PowerPC 7400 G4 processor clocked at 350 MHz, 400 MHz, 450 MHz, or 500 MHz. This made it one of the fastest computers of its era. Accompanying this powerhouse was a generous memory range, spanning from 64 MB to 256 MB of RAM, and a capacious hard drive capable of holding up to 27 GB of data.
The Power Mac G4’s prowess extended to its graphics capabilities. The base model featured a 16 MB ATI Rage 128 graphics card, more than capable of handling demanding graphical tasks. Whether you were a graphic designer, video editor, or simply someone craving a robust computer for everyday use, the Power Mac G4 catered to all your needs.
Regrettably, the Power Mac G4 with AGP Graphics met its end on July 19, 2000. Despite its relatively short-lived presence in the market, it left an enduring impression on those fortunate enough to experience its capabilities. Today, as the Power Mac G4 with AGP Graphics turns 24, it stands as a testament to Apple’s innovative and forward-thinking technology.
The Power Mac G4 with AGP Graphics was not just a computer; it was a pioneering force that pushed the boundaries of what was possible in 1999. Its legacy lives on in the annals of computing history, reminding us of a time when Apple dared to dream big and delivered a machine that was truly ahead of its time.
Power Mac G4 with AGP Graphics Details
| Introduced | August 31, 1999 (450 Mhz & 500 MHz) October 13, 1999 (400 Mhz) December 2, 1999 (350 MHz) |
| Discontinued | February 16, 2000 (350 MHz & 400 MHz) July 19, 2000 (450 MHz & 500 MHz) |
| Model Identifier | PowerMac3,1 |
| Model Number | M5183 M6921 M7232 M7629 M7824 M7825 M7827 |
| EMC | 1843 |
| Order Number | M7827LL/A (350 MHz) M7824LL/A (400 MHz) M7824LL/B (400 MHz) M7641LL/A (400 MHz) M7232LL/A (450 MHz) M7825LL/A (450 MHz) M7825LL/B (450 MHz) M7628LL/A (450 MHz) M7629LL/A (500 MHz) M6921LL/A (500 MHz) |
| Original Price | $1,599 $2,499 $3,499 |
| Colors | Graphite |
| Weight | 28.7 Ibs. 13.018 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 |
Power Mac Mid 1999 Tech Specs
Processor
| Processor | PowerPC 7400 G4 |
| Processor Speed | 350 MHz 400 MHz 450 MHz 500 MHz |
| Architecture | 32-bit |
| Number of Cores | 1 |
| System Bus | 100 MHz (Up to 800 Mbps data throughput) |
| Cache | 64 KB L1 512 KB or 1 MB backside L2 |
Storage & Media
| Storage | 10 GB 5400 rpm 10 GB 7200 rpm 20 GB 7200 rpm 27 GB 7200 rpm |
| Media | 1 – 32x CD-ROM or 5x DVD-ROM or DVD-RAM |
Memory
| Built-in Memory | 64 MB 128 MB 256 MB |
| Maximum Memory | 1.5 GB (Mac OS 8 or Mac OS 9) 2 GB (Mac OS X) |
| Memory Slots | 4 – PC-100 3.3v 168-pin SDRAM |
| Minimum Speed | 8 ns (125 MHz) |
| Interleaving Support | No |
Display
| Built-in Display | None |
Graphics
| Graphics Card | ATI Rage 128 ATI Rage 128 Pro |
| Graphics Memory | 16 MB |
| Display Connection | 1 – VGA 1 – DVI-D |
| Display Modes | Single display only |
Expansion
| Expansion Slots | 3 – 33 MHz 64-bit PCI 1 – 2x AGP |
| Bays | 4 – Internal 3.5″ ATA drive bays 1 – Optical drive bay 1 – Zip 100/250 bay |
| Hard Drive Interface | Ultra ATA/66 (ATA-5) |
| Optical Drive Interface | EIDE (ATA-3) |
Connections
| Ethernet | 10/100BASE-T (RJ-45) |
| Modem | 56k (Optional) |
| Wi-Fi | AirPort Card 802.11b (Optional) |
| Bluetooth | None |
| ADB | None |
| USB | 2 – 12 Mbps |
| Serial | None |
| SCSI | None |
| FireWire | 2 – 400 Mbps (15W total power) |
| Audio In | 1 – 3.5-mm analog input jack |
| Audio Out | 1 – 3.5-mm analog output jack 1 – Built-in speaker |
| Display | 1 – VGA 1 – DVI-D |
Software
| Original OS | Mac OS 8.6 |
| Later OS | Mac OS 9.0 |
| Maximum OS | Mac OS X 10.4.11 |
| Firmware | Mac OS ROM 2.5.1 |
Keyboard and Mouse
| Peripherals | Apple USB Keyboard Apple USB Mouse |
Power
| Backup Battery | 3.6 V 850 mAh Lithium (922-4028) |
| Maximum Continuous Power | 200 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 (AGP Graphics): Technical Specifications – Apple Support
- Power Mac G4 – Wikipedia
- The Power Mac G4 Line – MacStories
- Power Mac G4 Index – Low End Mac
- Apple Power Macintosh G4 400 – The Centre for Computing History
- Power Mac G4 – Relatively Ambitious
- PowerMac G4 – MacMuzeum
- Apple Unveils Power Mac G4 – Tech Insider
- The 400 MHz Power Mac Reviewed – The Mac Observer
- 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 15, 2024
