We are covering the rise of Macintosh, Apple’s desktop computer, all the way from the first Mac to the latest iMac 24.
More than 30 years have passed since the release of Apple’s first Macintosh computer which set the stage for the popular series. Furthermore, a couple of decades have passed since the foremost iMac made its way onto the market. From a marginal memory capacity of 128KB in the first Mac to 16GB in the iMac 24, the rise of Macintosh in terms of functionality, design, and tasks it can accomplish has come a long way.
The following is a list of Macintosh computers over the past 3 decades – from the first Mac to the latest iMac 24.
Macintosh 128K
The first Macintosh was launched in 1984 just a couple of days after its ad was aired during Superbowl XVIII. It was a revolutionary product as it made computers more affordable and commonplace. The computer that heralded the rise of Macintosh was fitted with a Motorola 68000 microprocessor and contained 128KB of RAM.
Macintosh Performa
Released in April 1995, Apple’s Macintosh Performa was a rebranding of several Mac models, such as Centris, Quadra, Classic, Power Macintosh, and LC. However, the rebranding strategy backfired as it led to the above-mentioned products competing with one another, causing customer confusion, and thereby inviting their ire. Furthermore, the model was criticized for its hardware design and paucity of power.
iMac G3
The iMac G3 was introduced when Steve Jobs returned as Apple’s CEO. It helped the company get back on its feet by amassing great popularity. The iMac G3’s features included a CD-ROM drive instead of the then-prevalent floppy disk drive, a PowerPC G3 processor, and a 4 GB hard drive, among many. It was subject to several upgrades and iterations over the following years due to positive feedback from consumers.
iMac G4
Grounded in a round compact base, the device’s one-inch sleek display seemed suspended in mid-air, enabling users to seamlessly adjust its angle and height with only a single touch. This was revolutionary as the preceding PC displays were rigid and clunky. The iMac G4, released in August 2002, used a PowerPC G4 processor, and a GeForce 2MX graphics processor, furthering Mac’s evolution.
iMac G5
The makers of the white-coloured iMac G5 derived inspiration from the iPod for the conception of the computer. Launched at the Apple Expo in Paris in 2004, the device was declared the world’s thinnest desktop at the time. A PowerPC G5 processor, an integrated SuperDrive, and an NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200 were featured in the device.
iMac G5 (with Intel)
In a historic collaboration, Apple partnered with Intel in “a historic partnership between the world’s most innovative computer company and the world’s leading chip innovator,” furthering “the rise of Macintosh.” The new version of the G5 is thinner and lighter than its predecessor and includes an iSight camera for video calls, an ATI Radeon X1600 graphics processor, and Front Row entertainment software for watching movies and slideshows.
iMac (Aluminum)
The 2007 modified version upped the aesthetics with its blended glass and aluminum body, setting the benchmark for its successors. Apart from a redesigned mouse, keyboard, and remote, the model’s characteristics further include a glossy widescreen, an ATI Radeon HD 2600 PRO graphics processor, and Intel Core 2 dual processors.
iMac (Aluminum Unibody)
This aluminum version is known for its unibody design along with a 16:9 HD display and edge-to-edge glass display – the first of its kind. The model is characterized by Intel Core 2 Duo Processors comprising a NVIDIA GeForce 9400M integrated graphics processor, and a wireless Apple keyboard.
iMac (Slim Aluminum Unibody)
Designed to occupy less space than its predecessors, this iMac model is the sleekest of its kind with a 5mm edge and augmented with increased storage options powered by a high-capacity hard drive cutting-edge flash storage.
The enhancements include quad-core Intel Core i5 processors, updated NVIDIA graphics, additional storage options, Thunderbolt ports, and USB 3 ports. Built to be energy-efficient, the device utilizes just half the energy as compared to the previous versions when at rest with the display.
iMac (with Retina Display)
Apple launched its first iMac with HD retina displays in 2015, three years after it incorporated the cutting-edge screen in its MacBook Pro series. The display resolution had quadrupled due to the state-of-the-art display. The salient features of the device include sixth-generation Intel Core processors, updated AMD graphics, an expansive P3-based colour range, a hi-tech Fusion Drive, hi-speed Wi-Fi, and Thunderbolt 2 ports.
iMac Pro
At WWDC 2017, Apple revealed an exclusive early peek of the iMac Pro. The Xeon processors have 8-, 10-, and 18 cores, turbo boost up to 4.5GHz, up to 42MB cache, Radeon Pro Vega graphics with 11 teraflops single precision and 22 teraflops half precision, and 8GB or 16GB high bandwidth memory with 400 GB/s memory bandwidth.
This computer is dubbed the most powerful Mac ever. The iMac Pro variant has a 10Gb ethernet connector and Thunderbolt 3 ports that can manage up to 44 million pixels.
iMac (Apple Silicon)
The latest (2021) iMac, in a move reminiscent of prior Apple iMac launches, is available in six colours (including silver) and prominently sports Apple’s own potent M1 CPU. It has undergone a revamp and is now only 11.5mm thin and less than 10 pounds. The screen size, 24 inches across (measured diagonally), and 4.5K resolution are referred to as the “iMac 24” specifications.
In addition to having two Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports (in the base model) and two additional USB 3 ports (in higher-end models), it also has a 1080p Facetime HD camera, “studio quality” mics, six speakers, and a new magnetic power connector that makes connecting the power cord easier.
Also read – Tata is embarking on a new venture with Apple Inc.
This concludes our story on the rise of Macintosh. Do you prefer Windows or Mac? Do let us know in the poll.
