Apple iMac G5 iSight

The Apple iMac G5 iSight was introduced in October 2005 with an integrated video camera, Front Row media software, Apple Remote and Mighty Mouse. Its thinner enclosure used 1.9 or 2.1 GHz G5 processors, DDR2 memory, PCI Express graphics and redesigned horizontal rear ports.

Available with 17-inch and 20-inch displays, it was the final PowerPC-based iMac. Apple replaced it with externally similar Intel models in January 2006, making this page the endpoint of the site’s extended iMac timeline.

Notable Features

• A built-in iSight camera, Front Row software and Apple Remote supported living-room-style media use.
• DDR2 memory, PCI Express Radeon X600 graphics and a thinner redesigned enclosure.
• The final iMac generation based on a PowerPC processor.

Historical Significance

• The model completed the PowerPC iMac line immediately before Apple’s transition to Intel processors.
• Its integrated camera and media interface anticipated standard features of later all-in-one Macs.

Collector’s Notes

• The iSight enclosure is less directly serviceable than the first two G5 revisions.
• Check for the original remote and verify screen, camera, cooling and optical-drive operation.

Specifications

Technical Information
Name	Apple iMac G5 iSight
Manufacturer	Apple
Launched	Wednesday, October 12, 2005
Discontinued	10 January 2006
Country	United States
CPU	PowerPC 970fx G5 at 1.9 or 2.1 GHz
Units Sold
Operating System	Mac OS X 10.4.2 through Mac OS X 10.5.8
I/O	USB 2.0, FireWire, Gigabit Ethernet, modem support, audio, AirPort Extreme and Bluetooth 2.0+EDR
Keyboard	Apple USB keyboard and mouse
Storage	160GB or 250GB SATA hard disk and slot-loading SuperDrive
Sound	16-bit stereo sound with integrated speakers
Graphics	ATI Radeon X600 Pro with 128MB VRAM
Display	Built-in 17-inch 1440 x 900 or 20-inch 1680 x 1050 widescreen LCD
ROM	New World ROM firmware
RAM	512MB DDR2; expandable to 2.5GB
CPU Speed	1.9 or 2.1 GHz