In the annals of personal computing history, the iMac Mid 2000 stands out as an icon of Apple’s revolutionary foray into sleek design and potent performance. This groundbreaking computer, also affectionately known as the “iMac Summer 2000,” captivated homes and offices worldwide with its impressive features and reasonable pricing.
Introduced on July 19, 2000, and available until 2001, the iMac Mid 2000 marked a significant chapter in the iMac series. Priced at a reasonable $799, it swiftly found its way into the hands of consumers, democratizing high-performance computing.
The iMac G3 Mid 2000 maintained the vibrant aesthetics of its predecessor, the iMac Late 1999, but with a twist. Sporting an “Indigo” case, it bid farewell to the “Blueberry” hue, embracing a more sophisticated look. This shift was part of Apple’s design strategy, moving away from the vivid “Five Flavors” towards a more subdued and professional appearance.
While resembling its predecessor, the iMac G3 Summer model boasted some noteworthy improvements. It featured a larger 7.0 GB hard drive, a superior video processor with 8 MB VRAM, and an upgrade from the criticized Apple USB Keyboard and “hockey puck” Apple USB Mouse to the more refined Apple Pro Keyboard and Mouse. Remarkably, all these enhancements came at a reduced price of $799, $200 less than the previous model.
Apple’s decision to term this line the “Summer 2000” series reflects the release timing aligned with the Northern Hemisphere’s summer. This nomenclature not only provides historical context but also adds a touch of nostalgia for those reminiscing about the early 2000s.
For its time, the iMac Mid 2000 was a powerhouse of features. Driven by a 350 MHz PowerPC 750 G3 processor, it sported a 15-inch CRT display, 64 MB of RAM, a 7 GB hard drive, and a 24x CD-ROM slot-loading drive. Graphic enthusiasts found solace in the inclusion of an 8 MB ATI Rage 128 Pro graphics card, catering to the needs of both graphic designers and gamers.
All good things eventually come to an end, and so did the era of the iMac Summer 2000. On February 22, 2001, Apple bid adieu to this groundbreaking model. Today, at 24 years old, the iMac Mid 2000 remains a nostalgic relic, a testament to the remarkable strides in technology and design achieved by Apple over the years.
For those fortunate enough to have experienced the iMac Mid 2000, it holds a special place in their hearts. Whether deployed for school projects, gaming endeavors, or simple web browsing, this computer was a game-changer in its time. Its sleek design and impressive capabilities left an indelible mark on the memories of users who, even today, fondly reminisce about the iMac that defined an era.
The iMac G3 stands as a symbol of Apple’s commitment to innovation and design excellence. Its impact echoes through the corridors of computing history, leaving an enduring legacy that continues to influence the tech landscape.
iMac Mid 2000 Details
| Introduced | July 19, 2000 |
| Discontinued | February 22, 2001 |
| Model Identifier | PowerMac2,2 |
| Model Number | M5521 |
| EMC | 1857 |
| Order Number | M7667LL/A |
| Original Price | $799 |
| Colors | Indigo |
| Weight | 34.7 Ibs. 15.739 KG |
| Dimensions | 15” H x 15” W x 17.1” D 38.1 cm H x 38.1 cm W x 43.43 cm D |
iMac Summer 2000 Tech Specs
Processor
| Processor | PowerPC 750 G3 |
| Processor Speed | 350 MHz |
| Architecture | 32-bit |
| Number of Cores | 1 |
| System Bus | 100 MHz |
| Cache | 64 KB L1 512 KB backside L2 |
| Coprocessor | Built-in FPU |
Storage & Media
| Storage | 7 GB |
| Media | 1 – Slot-loading 24x CD-ROM |
Memory
| Built-in Memory | 64 MB |
| Maximum Memory | 1 GB |
| Memory Slots | 2 – PC-100 3.3v 168-pin SDRAM |
| Minimum Speed | 10 ns |
| Interleaving Support | No |
Display
| Built-in Display | 15″ Shadow-mask CRT Display (13.8″ viewable) |
| Resolutions | 640 x 480 800 x 600 1024 x 768 |
Graphics
| Graphics Card | ATI Rage 128 Pro |
| Graphics Memory | 8 MB |
| Display Connection | None |
| Display Modes | None |
| External Resolution | N/A |
| Camera | None |
Expansion
| Expansion Slots | None |
| Optical Drive Interface | Ultra ATA (Shared with hard disk drive) |
| Hard Drive Interface | Ultra ATA (Shared with optical drive) |
Connections
| Ethernet | 10/100BASE-T (RJ-45) |
| Modem | 56k |
| Wi-Fi | AirPort Card 802.11b (Optional) |
| Bluetooth | None |
| USB | 2 – 12 Mbps |
| Infrared | None |
| Audio In | 1 – 3.5-mm analog input jack 1 – Built-in microphone |
| Audio Out | 3 – 3.5-mm analog output jack 2 – Built-in speakers |
| Display | None |
Software
| Original OS | Mac OS 9.0.4 |
| Maximum OS | Mac OS X 10.3.9 |
| Firmware | Mac OS ROM |
| Bundled Software | N/A |
Keyboard and Mouse
| Peripherals | Apple Pro Keyboard Apple Pro Mouse |
Power
| Backup Battery | 3.6 V 850 mAh Lithium (922-4028) |
| Maximum Continuous Power | 150 W |
| Line Voltage | 100-260 V AC |
Further Reading and References
- iMac (Summer 2000): Technical Specifications – Apple Support
- Apple Introduces New iMacs in Stunning New Colors – Apple Newsroom
- iMac G3 – Wikipedia
- iMac G3 (Summer 2000) – Low End Mac
- iMac G3/350 (Summer 2000, indigo) – MattFuller
- Summer 2000: Splintering the iMac G3 Line – 512 Pixels
- Apple iMac G3 Unboxing, Upgrade, and Review (Video) – YouTube
- iMac/iMac DV Service Source (PDF) – Apple Repair Manuals
Disclaimer: The data presented in this article is under continuous development and has been manually collected from various sources based on their availability. The author of this article may revise this dataset as additional research is conducted and reviewed. Please note that the information is provided “as is” and “as available” without express or implied warranties. The author cannot be held responsible for any omissions, inaccuracies, or errors in the published information. Any warranties relating to this information are hereby disclaimed.
Last updated: January 20, 2024
