Photo: Baryonic Being / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Wikimedia Commons · source
Power Mac G5 (2003)
The first 64-bit Mac and the first aluminum tower.
Overview
The Power Mac G5 arrived in June 2003 with a processor from IBM, the PowerPC 970, running at 1.6 to 2.0 GHz in single and dual configurations. It was Apple's first 64-bit desktop and its first machine in an anodized aluminum enclosure with a lattice front that became an icon.
A fast system bus and DDR memory up to 8 GB fed the processors, with graphics from Nvidia and ATI on AGP 8x Pro and either PCI or PCI-X expansion. Inside, the case was divided into thermal zones cooled by nine fans, and a tool-free side panel opened to the boards.
It shipped with Mac OS X Jaguar and later ran Panther and Tiger. Early dual models ran loud under load, and Apple later added liquid cooling to the fastest 2004 machines.
Why it mattered
It brought 64-bit computing to the Mac and set the aluminum tower look that continued through the Mac Pro.
At a glance
- Announced
- June 23, 2003
- Released
- August 1, 2003
- Discontinued
- June 9, 2004
- Launch price
- $1,999
- Chip / processor
- PowerPC G5 (970), 1.6 to dual 2.0 GHz
- Storage
- 80 or 160 GB hard disk
- Status
- Vintage
Highlights
- 64-bit PowerPC 970 (G5) up to dual 2.0 GHz
- Aluminum lattice case, nine fans
- DDR memory up to 8 GB
- AGP 8x Pro graphics slot
Tech specs
Specifications as published at launch. Some values (like battery life) are manufacturer estimates.
Chip
- Chip
- PowerPC G5 (970), 1.6 GHz single to dual 2.0 GHz
- Architecture
- 64-bit
Memory
- RAM
- 256 or 512 MB DDR SDRAM, expandable to 8 GB
- Storage options
- 80 or 160 GB Serial ATA, 7200 rpm
Graphics
- GPU
- Nvidia GeForce FX 5200 Ultra, GeForce 6800 Ultra DDL, or ATI Radeon 9600 Pro / 9800 Pro
Expansion
- Slots
- Three PCI or PCI-X slots and one AGP 8x Pro slot
Design
- Dimensions
- 51.1 x 20.6 x 47.5 cm (20.1 x 8.1 x 18.7 in)
- Weight
- 17.8 kg (39.2 lb)
Software
- Launch OS
- Mac OS X 10.2.7 Jaguar
- Latest supported OS
- Mac OS X 10.5.8 Leopard
Availability
- Announced
- June 23, 2003
- Released
- August 1, 2003
- Discontinued
- June 9, 2004
- Launch price
- $1,999
Colors
- Finishes
- Aluminum
