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iMac DV
FireWire and a slot-loading DVD drive arrive on the iMac.
Overview
Apple turned the iMac into a video editing machine with the iMac DV. It featured two FireWire ports, which allowed digital video camcorders to connect directly, and it shipped with iMovie, a simple editor that made desktop movie making accessible to ordinary people.
The design changed too. A new slimmer enclosure relied on convection cooling, so there was still no fan, and a slot-loading DVD-ROM drive replaced the old tray. The case came in Indigo, Ruby, Sage, Graphite and, on the special edition, Snow. Memory was 64 MB and the processor ran at 400 MHz.
A cheaper iMac without FireWire kept the lineup affordable at $999, while the DV models sold at higher prices.
Why it mattered
It made digital video editing a consumer activity and brought FireWire to the mass market.
At a glance
- Announced
- October 5, 1999
- Released
- October 5, 1999
- Launch price
- $1,299
- Chip / processor
- PowerPC G3, 400 MHz
- Display
- 15"
- Storage
- 10 GB
- Status
- Vintage
Highlights
- Two FireWire ports and iMovie
- Slot-loading DVD-ROM drive
- Fanless convection cooling
- New Indigo, Ruby, Sage, Graphite and Snow colors
Tech specs
Specifications as published at launch. Some values (like battery life) are manufacturer estimates.
Display
- Size
- 15-inch
- Type
- CRT
- Resolution
- Up to 1024 x 768
Chip
- Chip
- PowerPC G3, 400 MHz (350 MHz on the entry model)
Memory
- RAM
- 64 MB
- Storage options
- 6, 10 or 13 GB hard disk; slot-loading DVD-ROM on DV models
Ports
- Ports
- 2 USB, 2 FireWire (DV models), Ethernet, modem, VGA out (DV models)
Connectivity
- Wi-Fi
- Optional AirPort card slot
Software
- Launch OS
- Mac OS 8.6
Availability
- Announced
- October 5, 1999
- Released
- October 5, 1999
- Launch price
- $1,299
Colors
- Finishes
- Indigo, Ruby, Sage, Graphite, Snow
How it compares
More in the iMac G3 family
iMac G3 (Bondi Blue)
The translucent teal computer that made personal computers friendly again.
iMac G3 (Five Flavors)
The iMac goes fruity: five translucent colors and a faster G3.
iMac G3 (Summer 2000)
The iMac breaks the $800 barrier with a new Indigo entry model.
iMac G3 (Flower Power and Blue Dalmatian)
Patterned iMacs for the iTunes generation.