Power Mac G4 (Quicksilver)
A silver, restyled G4 tower with a clean new case.
Overview
The Quicksilver Power Mac G4 swapped graphite for a silver and clear polycarbonate finish. The front was simplified and a handle returned on top; the eject button and monitor pass-through were removed.
Processors ranged from 733 MHz to a dual 800 MHz setup, with PC133 memory, a 133 MHz system bus and ATI or Nvidia graphics (GeForce2 MX or GeForce3). Optical drives could burn CDs, and top configurations offered an Apple SuperDrive for DVD-R.
Critics noted the low 128 MB base memory, but the machine was an attractive and well-priced tower in the early Mac OS X era. It was updated in January 2002.
Why it mattered
It was the quintessential Mac OS X launch-era tower, popular in studios and schools.
At a glance
- Announced
- July 18, 2001
- Released
- July 18, 2001
- Discontinued
- January 28, 2002
- Launch price
- $1,699
- Chip / processor
- PowerPC G4, 733 MHz to dual 800 MHz
- Storage
- 40 to 80 GB hard disk
- Status
- Vintage
Highlights
- Silver and clear polycarbonate case
- Up to dual 800 MHz G4
- GeForce2 MX or GeForce3 graphics
- PC133 memory
Tech specs
Specifications as published at launch. Some values (like battery life) are manufacturer estimates.
Chip
- Chip
- PowerPC G4, 733 or 867 MHz single; dual 800 MHz
Memory
- RAM
- 128 to 512 MB PC133 SDRAM, expandable to 1.5 GB
- Storage options
- 40 GB 5400 rpm; 60 or 80 GB 7200 rpm
Graphics
- GPU
- Nvidia GeForce2 MX (32 MB) or GeForce3 (64 MB)
Design
- Dimensions
- 43.2 x 22.6 x 46.7 cm (17 x 8.9 x 18.4 in)
- Weight
- 13.6 kg (30 lb)
Software
- Launch OS
- Mac OS 9.2
- Latest supported OS
- Mac OS X 10.5.8 Leopard
Availability
- Announced
- July 18, 2001
- Released
- July 18, 2001
- Discontinued
- January 28, 2002
- Launch price
- $1,699
Colors
- Finishes
- Quicksilver
How it compares
More in the Power Mac G4 family
Power Mac G4 (PCI Graphics)
The first G4 desktop, billed as a supercomputer on your desk.
Power Mac G4 Cube
A silent G4 suspended in a clear acrylic cube.
Power Mac G4 (Gigabit Ethernet)
Gigabit Ethernet as a standard feature, plus the first dual-G4 tower.
Power Mac G4 (Mirrored Drive Doors)
The loud, dual-processor G4 with two drive doors on the front.