Editing IMac G4 (section)

==Release==
[[File:IMac G4 Generations.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.4| 15-inch, 17-inch, and 20-inch versions of the iMac G4|alt=Three white computers arrayed side-by-side; they are identical save for their screens of differing sizes, arranged from smallest to largest.]]
The new iMac was unveiled at the [[Macworld/iWorld|Macworld]] San Francisco trade show on January 7, 2002.{{sfnp|Kahney|2013|p=191}} Rumors had predicted a flat-panel iMac since the previous summer, as pundits considered the machine due for a revamp amid declining sales.<ref name="nytimes_2002-01-10"/><ref name="latimes_2002-01-03">{{cite news|last=Heid|first=Jim|date=January 3, 2002|title=Tech 101; Mac Focus; Expo Fuels the Apple Rumor Mill|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|page=T3}}</ref> In the aftermath of the [[Dot-com bubble|dot-com crash]], Apple's market share had eroded to just above 4% in the United States, and less worldwide. Analysts had heightened expectations that the new iMac would be able to shore up Apple's market position.{{sfnp|Quittner|Winters|2002|pp=46–53}} On stage, Jobs declared the machine "the best thing I think we've ever done [...] it has a rare beauty and grace that is going to last the next decade." Ive surreptitiously walked the show floor to gauge the public's reaction.{{sfnp|Kahney|2013|p=191}} The floating monitor and arm's [[anthropomorphism]] and sense of personality was highlighted in product videos and ads.<ref name="imore_2018-02-28">{{cite web|last=Hackett|first=Stephen|date=February 28, 2018|url=https://www.imore.com/imac-g4-form-meet-function|title=iMac G4: Form, Meet Function|website=[[Apple community#Online publishers|iMore]]|access-date=June 24, 2024|archive-date=February 16, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240216010123/https://www.imore.com/imac-g4-form-meet-function|url-status=live}}</ref>

Apple positioned the computer as the center of its "digital hub" strategy, where the Mac connected multimedia peripherals like the iPod and organized and edited audio and video.<ref name="australian_2002-01-15">{{cite news|last=Frith|first=David|date=January 15, 2002|title=Desklamp Is a Head-Turner|work=[[The Australian]]|page=35}}</ref><ref name="tribune_2002-01-20">{{cite news|last=Coates|first=James|date=January 20, 2002|title=New iMac Mighty, But How Many Will Notice?|work=[[Chicago Tribune]]|page=5.4}}</ref> Jobs argued that most consumers wanted a better computer than the ones commonly available, and that meant a Mac; the iMac and hub strategy were part of what he saw as a "third phase" of personal computing, where users used computers to produce creative media.{{sfnp|Quittner|Winters|2002|pp=46–53}}<ref name="washpost_2002-01-20">{{cite news|last1=Pegoraro |first1=Rob|last2=ElBoghdady|first2=Dina|date=January 20, 2002|title=Building Creativity Into the Box; Electronics Companies Hope New Devices Will Spur Imaginations... And Sales|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|page=H1}}</ref>{{efn|According to Jobs, the first phase of computing was using computers for work and utility (word processing, spreadsheets, etc.) while the second phase was connecting computers via the internet.{{sfnp|Quittner|Winters|2002|pp=46–53}}}} The price of an iMac with the ability to burn DVDs was under US$2,000 {{USDCY|2000|2002}}, compared to the $3,500 it had cost two years earlier for the capability on a Power Mac.<ref name="washpost_2002-01-20"/>

Apple launched the iMac G4 in a staggered fashion. Only the most-expensive 15-inch model was available in January 2002, followed by the cheaper configurations in February and March.<ref name="wsj_2002-10-17">{{cite news|last=Mossberg|first=Walter|authorlink=Walt Mossberg|date=January 17, 2002|title=iMac Looks Radical, And Its Performance Seems Right On|work=[[Wall Street Journal]]|page=8}}</ref> Preorders of the iMac in its first week after announcement were the highest of any Apple product since the original.<ref name="sun_2002-01-24"/> Apple said it received more than 150,000 preorders for the iMac in the first month,<ref name="dfp_2002-01-29">{{cite news|date=January 29, 2002|title=Industry Report; Technology|work=[[Detroit Free Press]]|page=C2}}</ref> and produced more than 5,000 iMacs a day to meet the initial demand. Higher prices for RAM and LCDs caused the company to raise the price on iMac configurations by $100, though existing orders were honored at the original price.{{sfnp|Michaels|2002b|p=24}} A high-end model with a larger display was released in August. This 17-inch iMac offered a widescreen 1440×900 pixel display, more hard drive capacity, better graphics, and was slightly heavier. The other iMacs dropped back to their original prices.{{sfnp|Snell|2002b|p=22}} Low-end versions of the previous G3 model continued to be sold until 2003 until they were replaced by the [[eMac]]. The most expensive configuration of the eMac was cheaper than the entry-level iMac G4.<ref name="australian_2002-01-15"/><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hackett |first=Stephen |date=July 7, 2016 |title=Summer 2001: The Final iMac G3s |url=https://512pixels.net/2016/07/summer-2001-imac-g3 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221130172500/https://512pixels.net/2016/07/summer-2001-imac-g3 |archive-date=November 30, 2022 |access-date=November 30, 2022 |website=512 Pixels}}</ref>{{sfnp|Michaels|Cellini|2002|p=16}}

The next revision to the iMac line came in February 2003; the previous configurations offered were reduced to a single 15- and 17-inch model each. Alongside lower prices, they featured faster processors, optical drives, and faster [[AirPort Extreme]] networking and RAM on the 17-inch model.{{sfnp|Michaels|2003|p=21}} The 17-inch model also added an audio-in jack, the ability to mirror the display to [[composite video]] devices via an adapter, and a [[Bluetooth]] expansion module for short-range wireless communication with peripherals.{{sfnp|Snell|2003|p=37}}

In September 2003, the iMac line was revised again, with the 15- and 17-inch models receiving faster processors and graphics at the same prices, and faster USB 2.0 ports replacing the 1.1 versions. The 15-inch model also received the Bluetooth and AirPort Extreme networking support that had previously been exclusive to the larger model.{{sfnp|Dalrymple|2003|p=24}} A larger 20-inch monitor option was added in November, featuring the same specs as the 17-inch model. The 20-inch models were heavier and the arm stiffer to support the larger display, which made the monitors harder to manipulate and position.<ref name="macworld_2004-03-17">{{cite web|last=Berger|first=Jennifer|date=March 17, 2004|url=https://www.macworld.com/article/170039/20inchimacg4.html|title=Reviews: 20-Inch iMac G4|website=[[Macworld]]|access-date=June 25, 2024|archive-date=June 21, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240621011708/https://www.macworld.com/article/170039/20inchimacg4.html|url-status=live}}</ref>