GENERATIONS
last updated May 2005
These three tech notes explain the various generations of G3, G4, and G5, when they were released, and the names associated with each. You can find much of this information at AppleSpec (below), but it is provided here as an easy-to-use note for quickly identifying which generation a machine is. Please refer to the AppleSpec for detailed information.
This reference does not go back further than the G3 processor.
************************************************ POWERBOOKS
THE G3 Origional aka the 3500
+ PowerBook G3 Origional, 250 mhz {SCA} ; looks like a PB3400; Nov 1997
THE MAIN STREEET & WALL STREET GENERATION – main street refers to the lower end models (cheaper); wall street refers to the higher end models (more expensive, faster processors)
+ PowerBook G3 Series, 233 mhz {SCA}; 12.1" display ; Oct 1998
– 233, 250 mhz {SCA}; 12.1" display ; Oct 1998
– 233, 250, 292 mhz {SCA} ; 13.3" display ; Sept 1998
– 233, 250, 292 mhz {SCA}; 14.1" display ; Sept 1998
– 233, 266, 300 mhz {SCA}; 14.1" display; Sept 1998
G4, Cube
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PowerMac G4, CUBE
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+ G4 Cube 450, 500 mhz {UF}; 1 AGP slot; Sept 1999
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POWERMAC G3s & G4s
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BEIGE GENERATIONS
+ G3 Mini Tower 266, 300 mhz {SCA}; 3 PCI, 1 Comm slot, beige; Nov 1997
+ G3 Desktop 266, 300 mhz {SCA}; 3 PCI slots, 1 comm, beige; Nov 1997
+ G3 Server 233, 266, 300 mhz {UA}; 3 PCI slots, beige; March 1998