Original Release Date: November 2, 1998
OS Shipped with:
Processor Type: G3
Processor Speeds: MHz
Colors:
Screen Type:
Introduction: The 1998 Release and Steve Jobs’ Return to Apple
In 1998, Apple Computer was on the brink of financial collapse. Steve Jobs had returned to the company he co-founded in 1997, taking on the role of interim CEO. He immediately set about reorganizing the company and simplifying its product line. The result of this strategic pivot was the iMac G3, released on August 15, 1998—a groundbreaking all-in-one computer that would change Apple’s fortunes forever.
The iMac G3 was Apple’s new consumer desktop product—an inexpensive, consumer-oriented computer designed to easily connect to the Internet. It represented Apple’s first major product release under Jobs’ leadership and would prove to be the catalyst that saved the company from bankruptcy.
The Revolutionary Translucent Design by Jony Ive
The iMac G3’s design was a radical departure from anything the computer industry had seen before. Apple’s head of design, Jony Ive, and his team developed a teardrop-shaped, translucent plastic case that broke away from the beige box aesthetic that had dominated personal computing.
The all-in-one design was based around a cathode-ray tube (CRT) display, with the G3 processor, components, and connectivity all included in a single enclosure. This “retro futuristic” design featured a crystal-clear 15-inch CRT display housed in colorful translucent plastic that allowed users to see the internal components—a design language that would influence consumer electronics for years to come.
Apple developed new working methods to finish the computer quickly and created new workflows for designing future products. The iMac eschewed legacy technologies like serial ports and floppy disk drives in favor of CD-ROMs and USB ports, pushing the industry forward into the modern era.
All 13 Color Variations
One of the most distinctive features of the iMac G3 was its vibrant color palette. Over its production run, the iMac G3 was offered in 13 different colors and patterns:
Original Color (1998):
• Bondi Blue – The original aquamarine color that launched the iMac
“Fruit Colors” (1999):
• Blueberry – Royal blue
• Lime – Lime green
• Strawberry – Pinkish-red
• Tangerine – Orange-yellow
• Grape – Purple
Later Models (2000-2001):
• Graphite – Gray
• Indigo – Dark blue
• Ruby – Dark red
• Sage – Green
• Snow – White
Special Patterns (2001):
• Blue Dalmatian – Blue with white spots
• Flower Power – 60’s inspired psychedelic flower pattern
The Bondi Blue color was unique to the original models, while the “fruit colors” (Blueberry, Lime, Strawberry, Tangerine, and Grape) became iconic representations of late 1990s Apple. The adventurous Blue Dalmatian and Flower Power patterns, while memorable, were the least commercially successful options.
Technical Specifications Across Different Models
The iMac G3 evolved significantly over its production run, with multiple revisions improving performance and capabilities:
Early Tray-Loading Models (1998-1999)
iMac G3/233 (Rev. A & B – 1998)
• 233 MHz PowerPC 750 (G3) processor
• 32 MB RAM standard
• 4-6 GB hard drive
• ATI Rage Pro graphics with 2-6 MB VRAM
• Tray-loading CD-ROM drive
• Available in Bondi Blue only
iMac G3/266 (Rev. C – 1999)
• 266 MHz G3 processor
• 32 MB RAM, 6 GB hard drive
• ATI Rage Pro Turbo graphics with 6 MB VRAM
• Available in five fruit colors
iMac G3/333 (Rev. D – 1999)
• 333 MHz G3 processor
• 32 MB RAM, 6 GB hard drive
• ATI Rage Pro Turbo graphics with 6 MB VRAM
• Available in five fruit colors
Slot-Loading Models (1999-2001)
iMac G3/350-400 (1999-2000)
• 350-400 MHz G3 processor
• 64-128 MB RAM
• 6-10 GB hard drive
• ATI Rage 128 graphics
• Slot-loading DVD-ROM or CD-ROM drive
• Available in Graphite, Blueberry, and other colors
iMac G3/450-500 (2000-2001)
• 450-500 MHz G3 processor
• 64-128 MB RAM
• 10-20 GB hard drive
• ATI Rage 128 Pro graphics
• Available in Indigo, Ruby, Sage, Snow, Graphite
iMac G3/600-700 (2001)
• 600-700 MHz G3 processor
• 128-256 MB RAM
• 40-60 GB hard drive
• NVIDIA GeForce2 MX graphics
• Available in Snow, Graphite, Indigo, and special patterns
The top-end iMac had nearly three times the processing power of the original, showcasing rapid technological advancement in just a few years. The transition from tray-loading to slot-loading optical drives represented a significant design improvement and became standard across the line.
Historical Significance in Saving Apple
The iMac G3 is widely credited with saving Apple from financial ruin. When it launched in 1998, Apple was struggling to survive in a market dominated by Windows PCs. The iMac became Apple’s fastest-selling computer, selling more than six million units during its lifetime.
Critical response to the iMac was initially mixed. Journalists praised its appeal for new computer users but criticized the lack of legacy technology. Some reviewers complained that the separate mouse and keyboard were uncomfortable. However, consumers disagreed—the iMac was an immediate commercial success.
The iMac G3 transformed personal computers from niche, technical products into mass-consumer fashion items. Its success:
• Returned Apple to profitability after years of losses
• Established Apple as an innovative design leader
• Popularized USB as the standard peripheral connection
• Accelerated the elimination of floppy disk drives across the industry
• Created a new design language that influenced countless consumer products
• Strengthened Apple’s position in education markets
The translucent plastic look became so popular that other computers and consumer products appropriated the aesthetic, leading to legal action from Apple. The iMac G3’s influence extended far beyond technology into broader consumer culture.
Legacy and Succession
The iMac G3 series was succeeded by the iMac G4 in 2002, which featured a revolutionary hemisphere base supporting an adjustable flat-panel display. The iMac G3’s position in education markets was later filled by the eMac.
The design principles and market strategy established by the iMac G3 continued through subsequent generations, including the iMac G5 and beyond. The iMac line remains a cornerstone of Apple’s product lineup today, consistently pushing the boundaries of all-in-one computer design.
For technical support and historical documentation, visit Apple’s official iMac support page.
The iMac G3 stands as a testament to the power of bold design, strategic vision, and the willingness to break from convention. It marked the beginning of Apple’s modern era and set the stage for the company’s rise to become one of the world’s most valuable technology companies.
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