Power | Apple G3 manual

The Power

Macintosh G3

Series: Innovative Product Design for Affordable High Performance

A little background

Two decades ago, Apple made its name by bringing advanced technology to mainstream users through extraordinarily easy-to-use products. In particular, we gained a reputation for success in pioneering the educational use of computers and championing the advance- ment of multimedia technology.

Although that reputation has remained remarkably unchanged through the years— Apple is still regarded as the industry leader in both education and multimedia—the technology behind it has been altered practically beyond recognition, as have customer expectations. Today’s mainstream computer users want affordable high-performance systems that provide outstanding communications and multimedia capabilities. The Power Macintosh G3 series was developed to satisfy that need—and to exceed customer expecta- tions about price/performance value.

The Power Macintosh G3 series product design

When you talk about overall system design, you are really talking about a number of things—from the processor to the physical enclosure to the system software to the logic board—whose interrelationships are central to the user experience. The Power Macintosh G3 products were designed to meet the needs of our customers for performance, flexibil- ity, and expandability through a streamlined development process in which a single logic board design provides a variety of capabilities. This approach simplifies testing, speeding development and increasing system reliability. In addition, the use of greater numbers of industry-standard parts than in previous Apple systems makes Power Macintosh G3 computers even more affordable.

Logic board. A computer’s logic board design is the ultimate determinant of its functionality, involving such key features as processor, memory setup (controller and expansion capabilities), graphics support, and storage capabilities. The Power Macintosh G3 series systems use a mini-ATX board, which features, among other innovations, a faster system bus (66 megahertz as opposed to 50 megahertz, with room for further growth as processor speeds continue to increase) to support higher performance. This relatively tiny board, roughly the size of this fact sheet, allows for outstanding expandability—for example, by permitting the hard disk drive to fit within the base of the desktop model, so that it can also easily accommodate a Zip drive. In addition, it features an easy-to-access audio/video card slot that gives Apple the flexibility of offering a single product that provides a range of communi- cations and multimedia capabilities to meet the varying needs of our users. For example, the Power Macintosh G3 is currently available in two versions: one system with stereo-quality audio capabilities and the other a full-featured, multimedia-optimized computer that also provides video-input/output capabilities and is suitable for content authoring.

Enclosure. The board’s efficient use of space is also the key to our ability to use the same logic board in two very different physical enclosures. The Power Macintosh G3 series is currently available in a sleek, low-lying desktop model and a convenient, space-saving minitower. Both enclosures reflect Apple’s tradition of user-centered design—offering exceptionally easy access to the board for expansion and servicing.

System software. These systems run Apple’s latest and already outstandingly successful system software: Mac OS 8. Providing significant enhancements in the areas of user interface (including true multitasking and virtual memory capabilities) and Internet access and publishing (including integrated support for Java, and software tools that let users easily publish information on the Internet or a local intranet), Mac OS 8 has quickly gained a reputation for providing the industry’s best overall user experience.

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G3 specifications

The Apple G3, introduced in 1997, marked a significant leap in Apple's computer technology and design philosophy. This series of Macintosh computers was powered by the PowerPC G3 processor, which had a clock speed ranging from 233 MHz to 750 MHz, depending on the model. The G3 chip was notable for its advanced features, including a 32 KB L1 cache and the ability to support a more complex 256 KB L2 cache. This allowed the machines to execute instructions more efficiently than their predecessors, enhancing overall performance for various computing tasks.

One of the defining characteristics of the Apple G3 line was its innovative design, which combined form and function. The desktop models featured a sleek, curving case, famously known as the "Blue and White" G3, while the all-in-one iMac G3 showcased vibrant colors and an iconic translucent design that became a hallmark of Apple devices.

The Apple G3 was notable for its extensive use of USB ports, which was a relatively new technology at the time. This foresight helped pave the way for the adoption of USB peripherals, allowing users to connect a wide range of devices, from printers to scanners, with ease. Additionally, the G3 series also provided options for expansion via PCI slots, giving users the flexibility to upgrade their systems.

In terms of graphics, the G3 models were equipped with accelerators like the ATI Rage or the NVIDIA Riva TNT, providing improved visual performance for both professional applications and gaming. This was complemented by Apple's decision to support higher screen resolutions and better color depth, enhancing the multimedia experience.

Moreover, the Apple G3 introduced the Mac OS 8 operating system, which brought improved multitasking capabilities and a more streamlined user interface. This allowed users to experience a more intuitive and productive computing environment.

Overall, the Apple G3 line represented a critical evolution in Macintosh technology. It combined powerful processing, innovative design, and new technologies that set the stage for future developments in the Apple ecosystem. The G3 series not only solidified Apple’s presence in the computing market but also laid the foundation for the modern computing experience that would follow in the ensuing years.