Mac · The Translucent Revolution · 1998
iMac G3
The "i" was for internet, the colour was Bondi Blue. Jobs’ first new product after returning threw out every legacy port, killed the floppy, and pulled Apple back from the brink.
iMac G3: key facts
When was the iMac G3 released?
The iMac G3 was released in August 1998. Apple discontinued it in March 2003.
How much did the iMac G3 cost?
The iMac G3 launched at $1,299 in 1998 — about $2,546 in today’s money (approximate, US CPI).
What are the iMac G3’s specs?
The iMac G3 used a PowerPC G3 running at 233 MHz, with 32 MB of memory and 3.9 GB of storage. It ran Mac OS 8.1.
Why does the iMac G3 matter?
First USB-only computer — no floppy, no SCSI, no ADB — and the device that saved Apple.
Full specifications
| CPU | PowerPC G3 · 233 MHz |
|---|---|
| Cores | 1 |
| Memory (RAM) | 32 MB (up to 1 GB) |
| Storage | 3.9 GB |
| Display | 15" CRT, 1024×768 |
| GPU | ATI Rage IIc |
| Ports | 2× USB, Ethernet, modem |
| Weight | 17.2 kg |
| Dimensions | Translucent egg-shaped all-in-one |
| Operating system | Mac OS 8.1 |
| Released | August 1998 |
| Discontinued | March 2003 |
| Launch price | $1,299 |
How the iMac G3 compares to today
A 16 GB Apple Silicon MacBook Pro has about 512× more memory than this device shipped with.
At 233 MHz, the clock is roughly 14× slower than a single performance core of a 16 GB Apple Silicon MacBook Pro — and that is before counting cores, width and IPC.
This held about 1,000 modern phone photos — a respectable library even today.
Launched at $1,299 in 1998 — about $2,546 in today’s money (approx., US CPI).
Cross-architecture speed figures are clock-only and approximate; inflation figures use US CPI.
Did you know?
Shipping without a floppy was ridiculed at launch — and copied by everyone within years.
Related Mac models
Open the iMac G3 in the interactive archive →
Last updated: 2026-06-25