Unboxing the most interesting iMac ever made
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 1 ต.ค. 2024
- In 2002 Apple released the G4 iMac, the 'sunflower'. This iconic design was incredibly short-lived, yet it was one of Apple's most innovative and iconic designs. Today we'll explore a pristine example of a 17 inch G4 iMac and see why Apple didn't keep this design going for longer.
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Should Apple bring back this iconic design?
I don't think so. it was built to go in place of a CRT on a desk, making its design not suitable for today. it also wouldn't work with larger displays (the biggest it shipped with is the smallest iMac display today). I think it's great to look back at, but it wouldn't work today. Edit: I finished watching the video and you basically made the points that I wrote here.
Heck yes! The flexible screen-adjustments is something I would LOVE to see in a new iMac. Add to that, the round foot is absolutely gorgeous.
Apple can simply slap this design on Mac mini and make it the best all in one in the world or they can make it replace the Mac Pro
Idea: take apart a broken iMac G4 and put a M1 Mac mini inside :) Great video!
They just have to combine the XDR display stand with a 27 inch M1 Pro iMac and we are back in business. The iMac could even rotate both vertically and horizontally .
I still have a15 and a17 inch sunflower iMac at my office. To me clearly the most beautiful and ergonomic Mac ever. The 20 inch model was just awesome
You're absolutely, 100%, right. Hasn't been topped.
hello there 👋
wow
Hello I’m a big fan
Yep
Mac address can comment?
Apple should reintroduce this as an “iMac SE” with a 20” monitor and M1 chip.
Add a white key wireless keyboard and white Magic Mouse, done.
I think it would fly off the shelves. I KNOW I’d get one.
iT WOULD BE MY DREAM
YES
OMFG YES
brilliant idea!
I have a fully functioning 20” G4 that is screaming for a MacMini M1 to be placed inside the dome. The only thing holding me back is the horrific wiring conversion for the display connector… and I’d sort of feel bad for getting the original G4 out of it. As it is it’s a lovely ornament, but I’d love to bring it into daily use.
This form factor would work excellently with the M1 series of chips as well since this is not much larger than a Mac Mini for the base. Add on the 24" display from the M1 iMac and TaDa!
I've thought about doing this to mine.
The base would need to be bigger to balance out the display so it doesn't fall over and the arm needs to handle the weight
Unfortunately, in those recent dark years where macs lost their edge (2013 to 2020), and microsoft looked like the new apple in design and innovation. Microsoft took on this idea and made surface studio, which i feel is like the spiritual sucessor to the imac g4, maybe someone can make a hackintosh from that. And this way be the first mac desktop with a touch screen, which is something that to this day apple still doesn't offer.
The day apple introduced the first iphone with that multitouch screen, i imagined the day apple put that technology on the imac. If steve jobs whould have lived a little longer, maybe the surface concept have happened in the macintosh world first
Someone did a hackintosh from it
@@sergiocecilio5938 steve jobs famously said that macs shouldnt have touchscreens many times
What made Apple special in the early and mid-2000s was the whimsy in their software and the uniqueness in their hardware. Being different and special is what it took to draw you away from the ubiquitousness and affordability of the commonplace Windows PC. I feel that Apple has lost a lot of that, certainly in their software. The eye-candy of the iLife Suite and the color of OS X 10.6 is what drew me in and I just don't get that as much anymore. It is getting better, a bit, slowly, but overall Apple has become the thing they raillied against for so long, a huge mega-corp churning out cookie-cutter computers. The sunflower iMac is a perfect example of how to stand out in the industry and make people want a product beyond simply what it can do. Supercars are impractical but people dream of them because the represent some special and Apple used to feel that way as well, as shown by their success in the past twenty years anyway. I hope the whimsy and fun come back as the current products are excellent but feel like they work in a cubicle with a tie rather than in a t-shirt and jeans.
You really hit the nail with this comment.
Hey Luke, it would be awesome if you did an M1 internal conversion like you did with the aluminum one you had before. I’m currently trying to convert my 17” g4 iMac to M1 Mac mini internals, while keeping the disc drive and exterior appearance intact. I’ve even seen someone upgrade the display panel as well, but that may be further down the line for me.
i was about to say this
this is on my to-do list for sure . i have one 17" with botched LCD so i may have to that macbook LCD conversion. i doubt the arm could hold more than a 17" display.
This is one of my absolute favorite Apple products. My parents’ design studio had a bunch of the 20” ones, and they did NOT like to stand up. The 17” was probably the more reasonable choice.
The reason, I suspect, that Apple discontinued this design, was that the articulated arm mechanism that allowed the screen to float tended to fail so that it would no longer allow the screen to stay where it was put. One would adjust the screen where one wanted it and it would immediately start to sag. Apparently, the only way to fix it was to replace the arm mechanism, and they all eventually failed in this manner.
Yes, the arm had a habit of failing. Plus it was an expensive component to manufacture (and replace). Too bad, since this is my favorite computer design of all time, with the best ergonomics too. I still have two of these in my collection, a 15" and a 20".
Yes that's a really good point. For iMac G4 owners that would be a major bummer having the mechanism fail. But it would be an even bigger problem for Apple.
@umkc73 Arm failure was a relatively common problem with these iMacs. That doesn't by any means suggest that most people had it, but nonetheless it was a real issue, and I've seen examples of this myself. However, for the record, both my G4 iMacs' arms are fine too.
I think mostly for the 20” model
My model had those EXACT specs. I miss that computer so much. The swivel is probably the best piece of Apple engineering ever. It really makes the lame tilt of the current iMacs look pathetic.
And yes, the pro speakers by Harman Kardon were wonderful!
What happened to it? Did you sell it?
Pro speakers are insane even today.
When I bought my first iMac, back in 2005, i wished it had inherited this design but, unfortunately, it was a slim rectangular white box on a aluminum stand. What seems ironic is that Apple, since then, never bothered to implement ergonomic features back into the iMac design…
I love this design. We still have a working one at work. It just sits there as decoration. It's beautiful
So do I
I love this thing, even 19 years later it still looks so sleek and modern. Definitely one of the best Apple designs ever
Agreed
The design was really made to look timeless and was already way ahead of time
I've got two 17" 1.25 GHz ones, one bought new and the other used. They did briefly make a 20" one, but I've never seen one for sale used.
This was my first Mac. I graduated college in 2009 and that was my present. It worked perfectly for what I needed, upgraded it the best I could and was fun to make the display dance. I gave it to my daughter to use as her first computer and she called it “The Dancing Computer” lol. She loved it like I did. I’d love if they brought this design back!
I love that design. I’ve been kicking around the idea of getting one to swap the guts out with an M1 Mac Mini.
exactly my thought
It’s been done, but it’s definitely a passion project as you certainly are not saving any money or doing your eyes any favors with the screen resolution compared to any cheap high resolution screen available now.
Good project for fun and nostalgia though.
@@ghost-user559 Unless you replace the panel with a modern laptop panel.... I do have an original one of these (14 or 15", I don't remember) in storage somewhere.
@@myquealer True, but then you are essentially not using the original machine. Sort of a ship of Theseus analogy at that point, when you replace so much of the original you no longer are even working on the same device to begin with. Essentially it’s just a lightly modded case at that point not even a g4 iMac.
A question for future philosophers I am sure.
@@myquealer the panel for the 17” MacBook Pro fits this case. With a converter card it can be output to hdmi and connected to the Mini M1. I would love to see that done again
I have never owned an iMac with the new design but I have used one. I hate the design where the base is just a piece of metal. To me, it looks flimsy (I know that it probably won't fall over though).
The iMac G4 in the video I have always admired the design. I haven't even seen one of these in person though. The G4 was probably released well before I was born.
I use an M1 Mac mini as my first Mac, too disappointed with the design of the newer iMacs.
Ahead of its time for sure. I remember these coming out and was just so fasinated with the style and looks!
I remember when the 20" models came out. Apple used to have a big stand at the Mac Expo in London each year - they had a big line of them down one side of their demo stand and they made quite an impression. I thought a 20" LCD was incredible. The design of these G4s still holds up beautifully.
I never had one of these but I definitely remember what I felt when I saw it in a store as a kid. I think it might honestly be the reason I’m a Mac user today. It was just so much more exciting than any of the other computers. Everyone was making essentially the same thing and then there was this beauty. I loved the creativity. Really a shame they didn’t at least try to make another one like it.
This is my all time favorite design !! I really wish Apple would find a way to bring back that articulation for the monitor. Thanks for this video Luke 👍🏼
That iMac and the G4 Cube are the best looking computers Apple has come out with. They both still look great all these years later. In fact, I would love to see the Mac mini go back into the G4 Cube chassis.
Totally agree. Pretty sure they could figure out how to get the M1 inside the G4 and take care of the thermals too
I've had one of these since it was new. I think it's the best iMac design, and I've had them all. It's run perfectly 24x7 almost continuously since then. I use Final Cut Pro 4 to capture and edit old VHS tapes. It works better for that purpose than my 2019 Mac Mini. The only issue is that the screen arm doesn't always hold the screen up properly.
I wonder if you can tighten the arms on the back of the screen or put something in the hinge (e.g. tiny piece of rubber) to stop it from moving around so easily?
@@Epicgamer_Mac I looked, but I couldn't figure out how. There appear to be no user servicable parts in the arm. I read somewhere that you pretty much have to dissasemble the arm to tighten it.
When this came out it reminded me of the Pixar lamp. I thought it was super cute.
Also: the speakers still look good nearly two decades later, IMO.
(Later: YES! YOU MENTIONED THE PIXAR LAMP!)
This iMac is actually the inspiration where the Pixar lamp came from!
Props to this guy for blowing stupid amounts of money on old Macs just to keep us entertained.
I think when Steve said that design was gonna last a decade he didn't mean that computers would still look exactly like that a decade later, but rather that the design is still going to look great and fresh a decade later - and he was DAMN right about that
Exactly my point.
Interestingly enough, even though it was discontinued well before 2007, it was featured many times in iCarly with a cool little round decoration on the monitor. I always thought that was pretty neat. While the colorful G3 is still my fave, the G4 is up there as a close second imo. The design is absolutely adorable.
The base of that thing just looks hilarious
Well, back in the day it looked a lot better than my all tan ... Apple All-in-One 5500 desktop (smile...smile).
Beautiful, and still my fave Mac. I've still got a fully functioning 20" and will keep that forever...
Me too ! I love it ! Use it all the time 🙂
13:46 YES! It is the best Apple product ever made!
(Obviously excluding the Apple Polishing Cloth)
Thanks for sharing dude! I love walking down memory lane with some of these iconic Mac designs! I'm glad I'm able to see the great systems Apple made during the early 2000s when I was too poor to afford them. Keep up the good work! And keep 'em coming!
📌 Apple should design a new version of this rotating the screen to vertical and we can watch vertical videos on a bigger scale like the “portal plus from Facebook” (but much better)
I am no Apple fanboy, but the lampstand is design genius even now. I am still intending to put an M1 Mac Mini inside a 20" G4
Luke Your channel is my favorite tech channel ever! If you would like, can i have a pin please? I have an Early 2015 macbook air? Should I consider an upgade?
Great video. I remember these machines very well. Love Luke's channel - just as likely to get a detailed review of the latest hardware as a look back at a long forgotten old school Apple product. And always presented in a fun, knowledgeable and enthusiastic way.
Obviously not.
1. Cube is silent, this thing not.
2. Cube can use native OS9 and OSX, this thing not
3. Cube has ATI-gfx and therefore is supported by amiga-os (morphos), this thing not.
That is the most beautiful machine ever made. I still have mine in near mint condition and it's probably my most prized possession (as far as gadgets go).
The problem is that it’s literally just a round Mac Mini with a monitor attached to the top. I would absolutely buy one if they reintroduce a similar design for their new M1 stuff.
It's almost 2022 and I think this design is absolutely A M A Z I N G!!!!!!!! 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥😍😍😍😍😍
Agreed - the iMac G4 is the best all-in-one design Apple has ever produced. I have a fully operational 15" model. It's not a lot of use these days but I switch it on every now and then just to hear the start-up "bong" from those Pro speakers. Glorious!
One of the most beautiful consumer products ever made. Even after all this time one can't but help be wowed.
I've always loved this design.
When people talk about smushing together an iPad and a HomePod this is what I think of. A modern version of this would be outstanding.
LUKE! You should buy a broken G4 and but an M1 Mac mini in it!
I had one and loved it.... nice video.. gave me lots of memories..
I have this exact computer! Speakers/mouse/keyboard and everything! It was my family’s desktop when I was little
Nice video on the 2003 iMac, BUT it would have been nice to see what (little) it could still do. Playwright Anton Chekhov said "Don"t bring a gun on stage unless someone is going to fire it." Same concept applies to tech videos!
They had these in the Mac labs when I was in college and man I'd love a modern version with an M chip
Belgian design 😊 ripped off by jobs. That’s why they stopped the production
I really think the only reason the abandoned this design was they could not make that hinge reliable enough in a PC with a 20 inches screen. So they make the Imac G5 as a remediation and gave the Ipod markting for a excuse for the G5 have less functiunality that the G4.
Imagine the Mac Mini with M1 on the bottom, the same arm as the G4 in the middle, and a 2021 MacBook Pro quality display on the top
I've never been interested in buying an iMac because the all in one form felt so damn limiting. A display should be able to be adjusted in all the angles you spoke about.
I'd love to see a Apple Silicon based rehash of this design - I imagine it went away due to the Intel migration. How could you thermally fit those components in that little box?
I keep one 15 in in my living room and one in my work office. It never feels like old tech. Just something I wish I could run as fast as my m1. I don’t use them, they are just for show. But I’ll get around to putting an add in one some day.
the most beautiful apple or any P.C.
you forgot the most important thing.
Manufacturing costs !!!!!
That tilting swiveling mechanism is a glorious piece of engineering and probably cost a fortune to manufacture. It's what got me into Macs, and it's probably what killed it.
In my opinion this is definitely one of the most unique and aesthetically appealing computers ever built. Still my favourite imac design. I wish it would make its way back in some form
iMacs have always been just for people, who love the design. Nobody really needs a desktop computer that is thin, you only really need thin portable devices, because they are easier to carry around! Lol
The thing is pretty cool! They can definitely add some Flame on the quite boring Stuff right now LOL🔥🔥
Now I want to buy one and see if I can hack the internals of a m1 Mac mini into it…. Wonder if I can get a 24 inch screen in a similar form factor?
Bought mine in oktober 2002. Have another one from march 2003. Best design ever.
Happy memories. I had one of those. Thank you for reminding us!
Defo the best looking iMac's i have ever owned. i'm sure you could retrofit an M1 mac mini in to that base though :-)
I bought one on vacation and had to take it apart to fit it inside my luggage to get home. Turned out that the luggage handlers didn’t treat it well 😭
Apple could easily bring it back by essentially making it out of a Mac Mini and a scaled up laptop screen.
Moral: minimalism ruined everything
Apple in the past really have some good innovative design, meanwhile these days just boring same shit again
I was just thinking about the “sunflower” iMac the other day. I had one for about a year at work. It was pretty great for adjusting and showing your screen to someone without them needing to stand behind you.
These stupid credit adds on youtube make me happy that I don't live in the USA.
I would buy this if they made a modern version of it. It looks very aesthetic.
Ahhh the classic G4! So many great memories! Albeit secondhand, this was my first Mac - I loved the design. While the swivelling screen was awesome, I really liked the Super Drive door/tray. What did you think of the speakers - how was the sound? I wish I'd kept those when I eventually got rid of the G4.
With this design you could even add a touch display today
It looks better than anything in the past or the present. Even OSX looks modern.
I still have old G4, along with two Mac mini's and an old MacBook Pro.
i wqas actally 20 something minutes early but didnt watch the video but i seen it
This design/computer belongs in an art museum. Iconic.
I think they should offer a tilt and swivel stand option for their new displays, at the very least.
I been a mac user for 30 years and this is the best design ever, I saw this at a Frys. Up close and in person and I loved this I wish I had this, the iMac later on is and was ok... I still have a 2009 iMac!
adjustable screen was the best design ever for a computer. I wish I had it today!
I have the exact same scissors as the one Luke using for unboxing the box.
Who does NOT get a happy face when seeing this iMac?? 😛😊
Can this iMac have nowaday’s Apple software???
iPod Mac terrible, - bring back G4 MAC!!!!!
Now we need to see a video of you making this one into an m1 fan made mac g4 🥰
apple now: Yeah youll have to destroy the case to replace your battery
U’re killing me. One day i hope to have one,,,
I had one of those but the dvd drive stopped working and the neck kept falling so I recycled it
Back then I didn’t know anywhere who can repair it today I do I really like the thing I wish almost they would upgrade it in a small version imagine an M2 chip in a lamp iMac that would be cool
There’s also talk in rumors that we have a mini version of the cheese grater Mac Pro think it would be cool to have a special edition Mac Pro or Mac mini in a bag cube case and upgrade everything todays ports with a card reader.
Easily my favorite iMac design. Such a creative expression of display and computer. I always thought of it as a cousin to the Pixar desk lamp. Still beautiful to me today, but it was my first exposure to flat panel displays in an era of CRTs, and I was stunned.
I agree with you Luke, it’s a great design. But I was hoping to hear the Pro speakers in action - I’ve always wondered what they sounded like!
When you're finished, turn it into a desk lamp, like MKBHD did for Linus...
Actually, I take that back. it's too pretty to destroy.
I learned how to use iMovie on one of these in elementary school. Feels like forever ago, but I probably wouldn't have started a TH-cam channel without those very early skills.
You gonna do the G4 Cube next, right? 🤞🏾
Imagine this with an M2, a 32 inch screen with 4 K and 2 tb of storage and a lot of ram.
Add it won’t follow you around the room like an echo show or record you.
I still have the pro speakers but what I hate about them is Apple put this connector on them you can’t use them with any other Mac unless you cut the things and solder them and change in the US be there are people who have done modifications where they put light in them and all of that
The inside paper or whatever it’s made out of will rot after a while and you have to somehow replace it and it’s really hard to get the things open
I agreed with you, this is the best iMac ever made.
I usually never agree with you, but I think you're right. They hit a very good balance with that iMac. The only issue was longevity of the design.
As a kid born in 02 this was my dream computer as a kid , in our school there were only few macs and good students use to assist teachers in using it, I was privileged enough to use it for like 5 times and even dared to adjust it from neck, I wish they bring the sunflower design now being 19 years old I wish I find it somewhere on a reasonable price, will keep it in my reading room between yellow pages
I love this design, both forms and function. I can see Luke's point that this would have been very difficult to pull off engineering wise once they got to 24 inch models. I flat ot don't think it could work at all on a 27 inch sized monitor for practical reasons let alone engineering ones. Still, I love this design, and I wish something as strangely innovative in some new way could happen again.
I have one of these on display in my living room. Absolutely love the design of it! Just too bad it's not possible to install any modern OS that supports Spotify so I could use it as a sort of jukebox 😀
I agree totally with you on the design of that G4, and APPLE can still remake and improve on that design, which would take APPLE to a whole new level in computing design elements. Hopefully APPLE sees this video of yours and take it into consideration.
I would use that keyboard, apple make a mechanical keyboard!
I only use Apple mechanical keyboards but say away from the G4 vintage. The models from the G5 iMac era and higher work well and never turn "yellow". I own several both Apple white wired keyboards and Apple white wireless keyboards (both mechanical).
The biggest Revolution was Not the flat imac on the Display. It was as Apple Switch from ppc to Intel becouse i still have one of this White imacs with Computer behind Display and i only buy it becouse they did Intel. Intel and ati did Games makes Happen and today they Switch again from Intel to M1 .... Not Sure If this was a clever move
It looks absolutely stunning! Still!
I've had a few of those. I liked them but they aren't really useful in 2021 except as decoration