Apple iMac G3/233 Original - Bondi (Rev. A & B) Specs (M6709LL/A*)
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The original Apple iMac - Bondi (Rev. A & B), based on the Columbus architecture, features a 233 MHz PowerPC 750 (G3) processor, 512k backside level 2 cache, 32 MB of RAM, a 4.0 GB EIDE hard drive, and either ATI Rage IIc graphics with 2 MB of VRAM or ATI Rage Pro Turbo graphics with 6 MB of VRAM packed in a "bondi blue and ice" colored, "retro futuristic" all-in-one case design with a 15-inch "crystal clear" CRT display.
Apple promoted the iMac as a revolutionary new Mac for the Internet age, hence the "i" prefix, and it was unique not only for its look, but also for being the first Mac to include USB ports -- a then new standard from the Wintel world with support for up-to 127 devices -- replacing SCSI, ADB, and Mac serial ports. It also was unique as it was the first Mac to lack a floppy drive.
The "revision A" iMac (M6709LL/A) and "revision B" iMac (M6709LL/B) are identical with the exception of graphics systems. The "revision A" model -- introduced May 6, 1998 and shipped August 15, 1998 -- has ATI Rage IIc graphics with 2 MB of VRAM and the "revision B" model -- introduced October 26, 1998 -- has ATI Rage Pro Turbo graphics with 6 MB of VRAM.
Also see: What are the differences between the original "Bondi" iMac G3 models?
Buy This Mac -- and all other new & used Macs -- at site sponsor PowerMax!
Upgrade This Mac at site sponsor Other World Computing. Memory, drives, & more!
Click on the underlined category text for related details. The most commonly needed info is "open" by default, but all info is important.
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Introduction Date: |
May 6, 1998* |
Discontinued Date: |
January 5, 1999 |
Details: |
The "Introduction Date" refers to the date a model was introduced via press release. The "Discontinued Date" refers to the date a model either was replaced by a subsequent system or production otherwise ended.
*The "revision A" model was introduced on May 6, 1998 and shipped on August 15, 1998. The "revision B" model was introduced on October 26, 1998. |
Processor Type: |
PowerPC 750 (G3) |
Processor Speed: |
233 MHz |
Processor Upgrade: |
G3 Daughtercard |
FPU: |
Integrated |
Details: |
Third-party processor upgrade cards were released.
Also see: Is the CPU on the iMac G3 upgradable? How is it mounted? Are third-party processor upgrades available? |
System Bus Speed: |
66 MHz |
Cache Bus Speed: |
117 MHz |
ROM/Firmware Type: |
Open Firmware |
ROM/Firmware Size: |
1 MB |
Details: |
The Boot ROM is roughly 1 MB, other instructions are loaded into RAM. |
L1 Cache: |
64k |
L2/L3 Cache: |
512k (backside) |
Details: |
The 512k of backside cache has a 117 MHz bus. |
RAM Type: |
PC66 SDRAM |
Min. RAM Speed: |
10 ns |
Details: |
Uses 144-pin PC66 SO-DIMM memory modules.
Also see: How do you upgrade the RAM in the iMac G3 models? How much RAM of what type do these systems support? |
Standard RAM: |
32 MB |
Maximum RAM: |
128 MB* |
Details: |
*Maximum RAM as officially supported by Apple. The "revision A" model "unofficially" can support a maximum of 384 MB of memory (one 128 MB and one 256 MB module) and the "revision B" model can use a maximum of 512 MB of memory (two 256 MB modules).
Site sponsor Other World Computing sells iMac memory, as well as hard drives, accessories, and other upgrades. |
Motherboard RAM: |
None |
RAM Slots: |
2 |
Video Card: |
Rage IIc* |
VRAM Type: |
SGRAM |
Details: |
The "revision A" model has ATI Rage IIc video with 2 MB of VRAM and the "revision B" model has ATI Rage Pro Turbo video with 6 MB of VRAM.
Also see: What type of video processor is provided by the iMac G3 models? Is it upgradable? |
Standard VRAM: |
2 MB, 6 MB |
Maximum VRAM: |
6 MB |
Details: |
The video in the original model (Revision A) can be upgraded to 6 MB via the VRAM expansion slot. |
Built-in Display: |
15.0" (13.8") |
Native Resolution: |
800x600* |
Details: |
*15.0" (13.8" viewable area) display supports 640x480 at 117 Hz, 800x600 at 95 Hz, and 1024x768 at 75 Hz. |
2nd Display Support: |
None |
2nd Max. Resolution: |
N/A |
Standard Hard Drive: |
4.0 GB |
Int. HD Interface: |
EIDE (ATA-3) |
Details: |
This model does not support hard drives larger than 128 GB.
Also see: How do you replace or upgrade the hard drive in the iMac G3 models? Do these models support "big drives"? |
Standard Optical: |
24X CD-ROM |
Standard Disk: |
None |
Details: |
24X tray-loading CD-ROM drive.
Also see: What are the capabilities of the optical drive provided by the iMac G3 models? How do you replace or upgrade the optical drive? |
Standard Modem: |
56.6k* (Internal) |
Standard Ethernet: |
10/100Base-T |
Details: |
*Announced with a 33.6k modem, but most shipped with an internal 56.6k internal modem. |
Standard AirPort: |
None |
Standard Bluetooth: |
None |
Details: |
Also see: Which iMac G3 models support AirPort? How do you install or replace the AirPort card? |
USB Ports: |
2 (1.1) |
Firewire Ports: |
None |
Details: |
This system has two USB 1.1 ports.
Also see: Which iMac G3 models have Firewire "400" ports?
Also see: Complete Ports. |
Expansion Slots: |
Mezzanine* |
Expansion Bays: |
None |
Details: |
The original "bondi" blue iMac models have a "Mezzanine" expansion slot that was underutilized by third-parties. |
Incl. Keyboard: |
Apple USB Keyboard |
Incl. Input: |
Apple USB Mouse* |
Details: |
*The original iMac shipped with an oft maligned "hockey puck" mouse. |
Case Type: |
All-in-One |
Form Factor: |
iMac (Bondi) |
Details: |
All-in-one "bondi blue and ice" case design.
Also see: Which iMac G3 models were offered in which colors? How many colors were available in total? |
Apple Model No: |
M6709LL/A* |
Apple Subfamily: |
iMac - Original |
Details: |
*M6709LL/A refers to the original "revision A" iMac with an ATI Rage IIc video card with 2 MB of VRAM. The "revision B" iMac was assigned model number M6709LL/B, and is identical to the original with the exception of an ATI Rage Pro Turbo video card with 6 MB of VRAM. |
Gestalt/Model ID: |
N/A |
Machine Model: |
iMac,1 |
Details: |
Please note that these identifiers refer to more than one model. |
Battery Type: |
3.6V Lithium |
Battery Life: |
N/A |
Pre-Installed MacOS: |
8.1, 8.5 |
Maximum MacOS: |
X 10.3.9 |
Details: |
This system cannot run versions of MacOS X more recent than 10.3.9. |
MacOS 9 Support: |
Boot/Classic Mode |
Windows Support: |
Emulation Only |
Details: |
This model is capable of booting in MacOS 9 and using MacOS 9 applications within the MacOS X "Classic" environment.
Site sponsor OHS specializes in heavily upgraded Macs capable of running both MacOS X and MacOS 9 applications. |
Dimensions: |
15.8 x 15.2 x 17.6 |
Avg. Weight: |
38.1 lbs. (18.1 kg) |
Details: |
*In inches - height x width x depth (40.1 cm x 38.6 cm x 44.7 cm). |
Original Price: |
US$1299 |
Est. Current Retail: |
N/A |
Details: |
Please note that on average the estimated current retail pricing of used systems is updated twice a year (please refer to the date on the bottom of the page for the date last updated).
Photo Credit: Apple Computer. |
Add the iMac G3/233 Original - Bondi (Rev. A & B) to EveryMac.com Pro for future reference.
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