Apple Desktop Computer manual Features

C H A P T E R 1

Introduction

The Apple iMac computer is a new consumer-oriented desktop computer. This chapter summarizes the features of this new computer and points out issues affecting compatibility.

Features

Here is a list of the features of the iMac computer. Each feature is described in more detail in a later chapter.

■Processor: The iMac has a PowerPC G3 microprocessor running at a clock speed of 233 MHz. For more information, see “G3 Microprocessor” (page 23).

■Cache: The iMac has a backside L2 cache consisting of 512 KB of fast static RAM. The clock speed for the backside cache is half the clock speed of the microprocessor. For more information, see “Backside Cache” (page 23).

■Memory: The iMac has two standard SO-DIMM expansion slots for SDRAM modules. The computer comes with 32 MB of SDRAM installed. RAM is expandable up to 128 MB total, using presently available memory devices. For more information, see “Main RAM Expansion” (page 48).

■Hard disk storage: The iMac has a built-in hard disk drive with a capacity of 4 GB. For more information, see “Hard Disk Drive” (page 34).

■CD-ROM drive: The iMac has a built-in CD-ROM drive with 24X speed.

■Display: The iMac has a built-in 15-inch color monitor (13.8-inch viewable diagonal). The monitor can display with resolutions of 640 by 480, 800 by 600, or 1024 by 768 pixels. For more information, see “Video Display” (page 34).

■Video RAM: The iMac comes with 2 MB of video SGRAM, which supports millions of colors on displays up to 800 by 600 pixels and thousands of colors on a display with 1024 by 768 pixels. The computer has one expansion slot for a second 2 or 4 MB SGRAM DIMM, which allows the computer to display millions of colors on a display with 1024 by 768 pixels. For more information, see “Video RAM Expansion” (page 53).

■Graphics acceleration: The video circuits provide built-in 2D and 3D acceleration using an ATI Rage IIc IC.

■USB ports: The computer has two USB ports for keyboard, mouse, and other USB devices, described in “USB Ports” (page 28).

14Features