# reading matter | Apple Mac Server G4 733 (Quicksilver). Forgotten iPhone Milestones

Apple Mac Server G4 733

Not immediately, Apple had millions of fans all over the world. The path to glory was long and thorny. And not always every new product of the Cupertin corporation was viewed “under the microscope” of the whole world. In her chronicle there are such pages that have been successfully erased from the memory of even the most devoted of her fans. Apple Mac Server G4 733 (Quicksilver) takes its place in this line. As the name implies, the server computer, that is, powerful in its own time. More precisely, one of the many modifications of the family of Apple Mac Server G4.

Apple Mac Server G4 733 was based on the PowerPC 7450 (G4) processor, the clock frequency of which was 733 megahertz. He was distinguished by the presence of the module "Velocity Engine" (AltiVec), designed to handle vector graphics. This powerful giant was equipped with 256 megabytes of RAM and a hard disk with a capacity of 80 gigabytes. Onboard was a 12-speed CD-RW drive. That is, CDs could be recorded independently, and RW format discs could even be rewritten. If we consider that in those days people were still very active in using floppy disks (floppy disks), then this opportunity was very important in terms of information sharing.

Apple Mac Server G4 733

His graphics card: the powerful 4X AGP NVIDIA GeForce 2 MX with thirty-two megabytes of SDRAM video memory. It is also noteworthy that the system unit was easy to open, which meant a wide range of upgrades (i.e., modernizing with your own hands). In those dynamic times, computers became obsolete very quickly and, in order to keep up with the times, skillful users had to look under the hood of their computer several times a year and change-change-change ... That processor, then the RAM, then the motherboard. After some time, only the case remained from the original computer.

Апгрейд компьютера

At the beginning of our century, the upgrade was the favorite topic of talk of that part of the youth, who had already shown interest in digital technology, the capabilities of which even ten years ago were very far from modern.

In general, the configuration of all Mac Server G4 models was close to Power Macintosh G4. The difference was that there was more RAM, and hard drives were faster. In addition, server software was pre-installed, which ordinary users did not need at all. Thus, Mac Server G4 / 733 (Quicksilver) as a whole was a type of Power Macintosh G4 / 733 (Quicksilver) and differed from it by features of the operating system MacOS X Server.

And now only the facts, only "physics". The “lyrical” part of our narration is over. The computer had a single single-core processor, which for those times was completely typical. The system bus speed was 133 megahertz. The size of the permanent storage device was 1 megabyte. Level 1 cache (L1 Cache): 64 kilobytes. Cache second and third level (L2 / L3 Cache): 256 kilobytes.


Type of RAM: PC133 SDRAM. This meant that the minimum RAM speed was 133 megahertz. Mathematical coprocessor has been integrated. This server-side computer supported 168-pin PC133 SDRAM version 3.3 memory modules with 64-bit “bandwidth”. According to Apple, this model has implemented a “fully 128-bit internal data bus.”

Апгрейд компьютера

Let's go back to the RAM. In the standard configuration, as noted above, only 256 megabytes of RAM was provided. But, according to the dictates of time, a large supply of its increase was provided: up to one and a half gigabytes. This allowed to significantly extend the life of the computer.

Integrated RAM motherboard Mac Server G4 / 733 (Quicksilver) did not have, but it was provided with three slots for RAM modules (RAM). The video card, about the characteristics of which was mentioned above, was inserted into the AGP slot. The standard video memory of 32 megabytes was maximum, therefore it was impossible to increase its volume.

Apple Mac Server G4 733

To Mac Server G4 / 733 (Quicksilver) it was possible to connect only one display. Maximum supported resolution reached 1920 x 1200 pixels. Support for a second monitor was missing. The 80-gigabyte hard drive worked at a speed of 5400 RPM (revolutions per minute). Its interface: Ultra ATA / 66 (ATA-5). Quite typical of its time.

The “twelve-speed” CD writer actually only wrote at such a low speed on CD-R discs. He read discs at a speed of 32X, and rewritable CD-RW discs were written by him at “ten speeds”. For those who are interested in the smallest technical details, you should add: its bus was the EIDE (ATA-3) interface.

Диск Zip на 250 Мб

Additionally, you could order a compatible Zip 250 drive. What is a Zip? So plainly and not accustomed drive on floppy disks, the capacity of which was 100, 250 or even 750 megabytes. In fact, they were the same floppy disks (floppy disks), but they differed favorably from their “senior brethren” by an increased volume. After all, the maximum amount of traditional floppy was only 1.44 megabytes. That's right, just for one mediocre photo and enough. However, for photographs, this medium was practically not used.

Mac Server G4 / 733 (Quicksilver) could also have a standard AirPort (802.11b), which was installed at the request of the customer. Bluetooth was not supported at all. There were two USB 1.1 ports and two Firewire 400 ports.

In the standard configuration, this model had four open 64-bit slots (frequency 33 megahertz) and one 4X AGP slot occupied by a graphics card. There were four internal “trays” for 3.5-inch hard drives and one external one for the Zip 250 drive. One was occupied by a “native” hard drive. Consequently, it was possible to put three more hard drives and a drive. The 5.25-inch “tray” was occupied by an optical CD drive.

Apple Mac Server G4 733

The system unit weighed 14.1 kilograms. Approximate dimensions in centimeters: 43.2 x 22.6 x 46.7; in inches: 17.0 x 8.9 x 18.4. The price of this startling 21st century computer, amazing in its capabilities, was $ 2,799.

The package did not include either a microphone, or headphones, or a joystick, or a TV tuner, or an FM tuner, or even a modem. This model supported internal modems. In addition, there was an Ethernet port Gigabit (10/100 / 1000Base-T).

Keyboard: Apple Pro Keyboard; Mouse: Apple Pro Mouse. Case type: Tower ("tower"). That is, located vertically and towering above the surface. The most common type of hull at the beginning of the century (and even today). Before this, so-called “desktops”, horizontal cases, on which sometimes a monitor was placed on top, were more popular.

Let's talk a little about the program side. The newest supported version of the operating system: X 10.4.11. Windows could only run in emulation mode. Supported applications for the operating system Mac OS 9, the latest of the classic operating systems Apple.

It was presented on September 8, 2001, and stopped selling on January 28, 2002. That is, Mac Server G4 / 733 (Quicksilver) stayed on the market for just over four months and left to give way to new, more powerful systems. The age of the computer is not long. This is true today. But in those fast-moving days, the computer became outdated literally in the build process.

Source: Everymac.com

The article is based on materials https://hi-news.ru/computers/chtivo-apple-mac-server-g4-733-quicksilver-zabytye-vexi-sozdatelej-iphone.html.

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