Editing Power Mac G4 (section)

==Release==
===Graphite models===
[[File:Apple G4 400 MHz 6892.jpg|left|thumb|A "Graphite" Power Mac G4]]<!-- https://www.cnet.com/pictures/steve-jobs-mac-design-legacy-photos/6/ -->

The original Power Mac G4 was introduced at the Seybold conference in [[San Francisco]] on August 31, 1999.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/apple-steps-up-to-g4-macs-5000095960/ | title = Apple steps up to G4 Macs |publisher=[[ZDNet]]}}</ref> While marketed as a single, unified product line, there were two variants of the machine. The first, cheaper configuration, the Power Macintosh G4 (PCI Graphics), served as an intermediate step between the Power Mac G3s and the G4 processors, used a G4 processor on a modified version of the Blue-and-white G3's logic board, making them very similar to their predecessors. The higher-end configuration, Power Mac G4 (AGP Graphics), featured a new logic board and faster memory bandwidth, and swapped the PCI graphics-card slot for a faster [[Advanced Graphics Port]] slot.{{sfn|Gore|1999|pp=90–91}}

Apple originally planned to ship the {{nowrap|500 MHz}} configuration in October 1999, but they were forced to postpone this because of poor yield of the CPUs. In response, Apple reduced the clock speed of the processor in each configuration by {{nowrap|50 MHz}} (making the options {{nowrap|350 MHz}}, {{nowrap|400 MHz}} and {{nowrap|450 MHz}}), which caused some controversy because they did not lower the original prices accordingly.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.macobserver.com/newreviews/bc/00/000221powermacg400/powermacg4400.html|title=The 400&nbsp;MHz PowerMac Reviewed|publisher=The Mac Observer|date=February 21, 2000|access-date=October 19, 2008}}</ref>

The early {{nowrap|400 MHz}} (later {{nowrap|350 MHz}}) [[Conventional PCI|PCI]]-based version used a [[motherboard]] identical to the one used in [[Power Macintosh G3 (Blue and White)]] computers including the use of Zero Insertion Force (ZIF) processors sockets<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.forevermac.com/1999/08/apple-mac-g4-powermac-400mhz-system/ |title=The Apple Power Macintosh G4 400&nbsp;MHz PCI |access-date=November 30, 2011 |publisher=Forevermac.com}}</ref> (minus the [[Apple Desktop Bus|ADB]] port), in a "graphite" colored case and with the new [[Motorola]] [[PowerPC]] 7400 (G4) CPU. The higher-speed models, code name "Sawtooth", used a greatly modified motherboard design with [[Accelerated Graphics Port|AGP]] 2x graphics (replacing the {{nowrap|66 MHz}} PCI slot).

The PCI variant was discontinued at the end of 1999.<ref name="PowerMacPCI">{{cite web | url = https://support.apple.com/kb/SP122?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US | title = Power Mac G4 (PCI Graphics) – Technical Specifications }}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Read |first=David |date=April 2000 |title=Power Macintosh G4s |magazine=[[Macworld]] |page=38}}</ref>

The machines featured [[DVD-ROM]] drives as standard. The {{nowrap|400}} and {{nowrap|450 MHz}} versions had {{nowrap|100 [[Megabyte|MB]]}} [[Zip drive]]s as standard equipment, and as an option on the {{nowrap|350 MHz}} Sawtooth. This series had a {{nowrap|100 MHz}} [[system bus]] and four [[PC100]] [[SDRAM]] slots for up to {{nowrap|2 [[Gigabyte|GB]]}} of [[Random-access memory|RAM]] ({{nowrap|1.5 GB}} under [[Mac OS 9]]). The AGP Power Macs were the first to include an [[AirPort]] slot and [[Digital Visual Interface|DVI]] video port. The computers could house a total of three hard drives, two 128&nbsp;GB ATA hard drives and up to a single 20&nbsp;GB SCSI hard drive, with the installation of a SCSI card.

The {{nowrap|500 MHz}} version was reintroduced on February 16, 2000, accompanied by {{nowrap|400}} and {{nowrap|450 MHz}} models. [[DVD-RAM]] and Zip drives featured on these later {{nowrap|450 MHz}} and {{nowrap|500 MHz}} versions and were an option on the 400&nbsp;MHz.

The '''Power Mac G4 (Gigabit Ethernet)''' model was introduced at [[Macworld Expo]] [[New York City|New York]] on July 19, 2000; the new revision included dual-processor {{nowrap|450 MHz}} and {{nowrap|500 MHz}} versions, and a low-end single CPU {{nowrap|400 MHz}} model. It was also the first [[personal computer]] to include [[gigabit Ethernet]] as standard. Most people saw this revision as a stopgap release, because higher clocked G4s were not available; the G4's Motorola XPC107 "Grackle" PCI/Memory controller prevented the G4 from hitting speeds higher than {{nowrap|500 MHz}}.{{Citation needed|date=July 2008}} The dual {{nowrap|500 MHz}} models featured [[DVD-RAM]] optical drives. Zip drives were optional on all models. These models also introduced Apple's proprietary [[Apple Display Connector]] video port.
=== Digital Audio/QuickSilver models ===
[[File:Apple PowerMac G4 M8493 QuickSilver front.jpg|thumb|Power Mac G4 (QuickSilver)]]

A new line with a revamped motherboard but retaining the familiar "Graphite" case debuted on January 9, 2001, known officially as the '''Power Mac G4 (Digital Audio)'''. [[Motorola]] had added a seventh pipeline stage in the new [[PowerPC G4]] design to achieve faster clock frequencies. New features included a fourth PCI slot, a 133&nbsp;MHz system bus, an improved 4X AGP slot, and a new "digital audio" Tripath [[Class T amplifier]] sound system. The models were offered in {{nowrap|466&nbsp;MHz}}, {{nowrap|533&nbsp;MHz}}, dual {{nowrap|533&nbsp;MHz}}, {{nowrap|667&nbsp;MHz}} and {{nowrap|733&nbsp;MHz}} configurations, the latter two using a newer PowerPC 7450 processor. The number of RAM slots was reduced to three, accommodating up to 1.5 [[Gigabyte]]s of [[PC133]] [[SDRAM]].

The {{nowrap|733&nbsp;MHz}} model was the first [[Macintosh]] to include a built-in [[DVD-R]] or Apple-branded [[SuperDrive]], the rest of the line became the first Macs to ship with [[CD-RW]] drives.

At [[Macworld Expo]] [[New York City|New York]] on July 18, 2001, a new line debuted featuring a cosmetically redesigned case known as '''QuickSilver''', and various upgrades to the specifications. It was available in {{nowrap|733}}, {{nowrap|867}} and dual {{nowrap|800&nbsp;MHz}} configurations. The {{nowrap|733&nbsp;MHz}} model was notable for not having a level three cache. The SuperDrive was offered on the mid-range {{nowrap|867&nbsp;MHz}} model, and UltraATA/100 hard drives were offered on all models. The internal speaker received an upgrade, using a [[Harman Kardon|Harman/Kardon]] speaker.

The QuickSilver line received criticism in ''MacWorld''{{'}}s review for removing the "eject" button and the manual eject pinhole, as well as the pass-through monitor power plug, and for the base specification of {{nowrap|128&nbsp;MB}} RAM as being insufficient for running [[Mac OS X]].<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.macworld.com/article/1019332/powermac.html | title = Hands on with the Power Mac G4/867 | publisher = MacWorld | date = 2001-08-25 }}</ref>

The Quicksilver case went through shifts in hardware features and design up until production was due to start, resulting in a mismatch between the color of the plastic on the machine's front doors and the rest of the case. Designer Doug Satzger recalled Steve Jobs was adamant that the issue be fixed before it shipped, despite pushback.{{sfn|Kahney|2013|p=144}} Ive wanted special polished stainless steel screws in the handle of the case, which [[Jon Rubinstein]] vetoed as too expensive and delaying. Ive went around Rubenstein and got Jobs to approve the screws, though it created a widening rift between Ive and Rubinstein as Ive refused to compromise on his design vision.{{sfn|Kahney|2013|p=145}}

Updated QuickSilver machines, officially named '''Power Mac G4 (QuickSilver 2002)''', were introduced on January 28, 2002, with {{nowrap|800&nbsp;MHz}}, {{nowrap|933&nbsp;MHz}} and dual {{nowrap|1&nbsp;GHz}} configurations. This was the first Mac to reach {{nowrap|1&nbsp;GHz}}. Again, the low-end {{nowrap|800&nbsp;MHz}} model did not include any level three cache. The graphics in Updated QuickSilver machines were provided by an Nvidia [[GeForce4]] Ti/MX or [[Radeon R100 series|ATI Radeon 7500]] graphics card. Some of these models have [[Advanced Technology Attachment|ATA]] controllers with 48-bit [[Logical Block Addressing|LBA]] to accommodate hard drives larger than 128&nbsp;GB.
=== Mirrored Drive Doors models ===
[[File:Apple PowerMac G4 M8570 MDD front.jpg|thumb|Power Mac G4 (Mirrored Drive Doors)]]

Another generation of Apple Power Mac G4s, officially named '''"Mirrored Drive Doors" (MDD)''', was introduced on August 13, 2002, featuring both a new [[Xserve]]-derived DDR motherboard architecture and a new case design. All models were available in dual processor configurations running at {{nowrap|867 MHz}}, {{nowrap|1 GHz}} or {{nowrap|1.25 GHz}}. As with the Xserves, the [[PowerPC]] 7455 CPU used does not have a DDR [[frontside bus]], meaning the CPU of the 133&nbsp;MHz [[frontside bus]] models could use at most only 50% of the new system's theoretical memory bandwidth, providing no improvement over previous models. The rest was available to the [[graphics card]] and [[input/output|I/O]] systems.

The early dual processor models generated more heat, and required more fans and larger heat sinks; the power supply fans were criticized for the increased noise, with third parties producing noise-reduction cases to dampen the sound in audio-sensitive environments. Apple released a firmware update to reduce fan noise and offered a fan and power supply exchange program.<ref name="macworld_2003_05">{{cite magazine|last=Shalat|first=Andrew|date=May 2003|title=The Silence of the Power Macs|magazine=[[Macworld]]|at=Mac Beat; p. 30}}</ref>

The last real update to the Power Mac G4 line came on January 28, 2003, offering dual 1.42&nbsp;GHz PowerPC 7455 processors, with features not seen in previous DDR models: a built-in FireWire 800 connector, optional integrated [[Bluetooth]], and optional integrated [[AirPort Extreme]]. These were also the first Power Macs that could not boot into [[Mac OS 9]].<ref name="macworld_2003_05_rev">{{cite magazine|last=Breen|first=Christopher|date=May 2003|title=1GHz and Dual-1.25GHz Power Mac G4s|magazine=[[Macworld]]|at=Reviews; pp. 36–37}}</ref>

With the launch of the [[Power Mac G5]] on June 23, 2003, Apple re-introduced the August 2002 Power Mac G4 because of perceived demand for Mac OS 9 machines. Between that, its low price-tag, and the delayed availability of Power Mac G5s, it proved a strong seller, albeit for a relatively short time. Production stopped on June 27, 2004, and the remaining inventory was liquidated, its discontinuation ending the 20-year legacy of Classic Mac OS support.