In the ever-evolving landscape of technology, certain milestones stand out as iconic symbols of innovation and progress. One such milestone was the introduction of the Apple Power Mac G4 Mid 2003 (Mirrored Drive Doors) on June 23, 2003. This remarkable personal computer, part of the esteemed Power Mac G4 series, not only showcased cutting-edge features for its time but also left an indelible mark on the collective memory of tech enthusiasts.
Priced at $1,299 upon its release, the Power Mac G4 Mid 2003 instantly captured the attention of consumers with its blend of performance and affordability. However, Apple’s strategy of concurrently releasing the 1.25 GHz Power Mac G4 model alongside the groundbreaking Power Mac G5s added a layer of intrigue to the market dynamics. Despite the confusion, this model retained the ability to boot into both OS 9 and OS X, catering to a diverse user base.
At its core, the Power Mac G4 Mid 2003 boasted a Single or Dual Core 1.25 GHz PowerPC 7455 G4 processor, coupled with 256 MB of RAM and an 80 GB hard drive. The inclusion of a 12x DVD-ROM/CD-RW “Combo” drive and a 64 MB ATI Radeon 9000 Pro graphics card further enhanced its capabilities, making it a versatile workstation for various tasks.
What truly set the Power Mac G4 Mid 2003 apart was its innovative design and features. With a 167 MHz system bus, two media drive bays, and four RAM sockets, users had ample room for expansion and customization. The presence of three independent drive buses, supporting multiple devices, underscored its adaptability to evolving storage needs. Additionally, the inclusion of Ultra ATA/33, Ultra ATA/100, and Ultra ATA/66 buses catered to different storage configurations, ensuring optimal performance.
Despite its technological prowess, the Power Mac G4 Mid 2003 eventually succumbed to the relentless march of progress. On June 9, 2004, Apple discontinued the Power Mac G4, paving the way for the Power Mac G5 Mid 2004. Today, 21 years later, the Power Mac G4 Mid 2003 remains a nostalgic relic for many, symbolizing a bygone era of simplicity and innovation in the realm of technology.
The unveiling of the Apple Power Mac G4 Mid 2003 marked a pivotal moment in the history of personal computing. Its blend of performance, affordability, and innovative features captivated consumers and left an enduring legacy in the annals of technology. While it may have been eclipsed by subsequent advancements, its significance as a symbol of progress and nostalgia remains undiminished.
Power Mac G4 Mid 2003 Details
| Introduced | June 23, 2003 |
| Discontinued | June 9, 2004 |
| Model Identifier | PowerMac3,6 |
| Model Number | M8570 |
| EMC | 1914C |
| Order Number | M9145LL/A |
| Original Price | $1,299 |
| Colors | QuickSilver |
| Weight | 42 Ibs. 19.050 KG |
| Dimensions | 17” H x 8.9” W x 18.4” D 43.18 cm H x 22.6 cm W x 46.73 cm D |
Power Mac G4 Tech Specs
Processor
| Processor | PowerPC 7455 G4 |
| Processor Speed | 1.25 GHz Dual 1.25 GHz |
| Architecture | 32-bit |
| Number of Cores | 1 or 2 |
| System Bus | 167 MHz |
| Cache | 64 KB L1 256 KB L2 1 or 2 MB L3 |
Storage & Media
| Storage | 80 GB 7200 rpm 160 GB 7200 rpm |
| Media | 1 – 12x DVD-ROM/CD-RW “Combo” drive or 4x DVD-R/CD-RW “SuperDrive” |
Memory
| Built-in Memory | 256 MB |
| Maximum Memory | 2 GB |
| Memory Slots | 4 – PC2700 184-pin DDR SDRAM |
| Minimum Speed | 10 ns |
| Interleaving Support | No |
Display
| Built-in Display | None |
Graphics
| Graphics Card | ATI Radeon 9000 Pro NVIDIA GeForce4 Ti |
| Graphics Memory | 64 MB (Radeon 9000 Pro) 128 MB (GeForce4 Ti) |
| Display Connection | 1 – ADC 1 – DVI |
| Display Modes | Dual display extended and video mirroring |
Expansion
| Expansion Slots | 4 – 33 MHz 64-bit PCI 1 – 4x AGP |
| Bays | 4 – Internal 3.5″ ATA drive bays 2 – Optical drive bay |
| Hard Drive Interface | 1 – Ultra ATA/66 (ATA-5) 1 – ATA/100 (ATA-6) |
| Optical Drive Interface | EIDE (ATA-3) |
Connections
| Ethernet | 10/100/1000BASE-T (RJ-45) |
| Modem | 56k |
| Wi-Fi | AirPort Extreme Card 802.11b/g (Optional) |
| Bluetooth | None |
| ADB | None |
| USB | 2 – 12 Mbps |
| Serial | None |
| SCSI | None |
| FireWire | 2 – 400 Mbps |
| Audio In | 1 – 3.5-mm analog input jack |
| Audio Out | 1 – 2.5-mm Apple Pro Speaker minijack 2 – 3.5-mm analog output jack 1 – Built-in speaker |
| Display | 1 – DVI 1 – ADC |
Keyboard and Mouse
| Peripherals | Apple Keyboard Apple Mouse |
Software
| Original OS | Mac OS 9.2.2 Mac OS X 10.2 |
| Later OS | Mac OS X 10.3.2 |
| Maximum OS | Mac OS X 10.5.8 |
| Firmware | Mac OS ROM |
| Bundled Software | Mac OS 9.2 or Mac OS X 10.2 QuickTime iCal iChat iLife (includes iTunes, iPhoto, iMovie, and iDVD) DVD Player iSync Mac OS X Mail Microsoft Internet Explorer EarthLink Acrobat Reader Art Directors Toolkit FAXstf FileMaker Pro Trial GraphicConverter Microsoft Office OmniGraffle OmniOutliner QuickBooks for Mac New User Edition Developer Tools |
Power
| Backup Battery | 3.6 V 850 mAh Lithium (922-4028) |
| Maximum Continuous Power | 360 W |
| Line Voltage | 100 – 125 V AC or 200 – 240 V AC |
Further Reading and References
- Power Mac G4 (Mirrored Drive Doors 2003): Technical Specifications – Apple Support
- Power Mac G4 – Wikipedia
- Power Mac G4 (Mid 2003) – Low End Mac
- Power Macintosh G4 (Mirrored Drive Doors) – Apple History
- The Power Mac G4 Line – MacStories
- The Lazarus Mac: Power Macintosh G4 (Mirrored Drive Doors 2003) – 512 Pixels
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: February 18, 2024
