On August 15, 1998, exactly 24 years ago, the first iMac, introduced during Steve Jobs’ lifetime, went on sale, marking a turning point for Apple, as it was the company’s first true consumer-oriented desktop computer.
Comparing it to other desktop computers on the market in Jobs’ iconic keynote speech on May 6, 1998, the initial iMac looked to address every weak link with faster performance, better design, and newer I/O ports.
We decided to make this thing fast,” Jobs said, introducing the then-powerful G3/233 processor. The first iMac featured a 15-inch display equipped with 1024×768, 32MB of RAM, 4GB of disk storage, a 24x CD-ROM drive, a 100Mbps Ethernet port, a 33.6Kbps modem and a 4MB IrDA IR port. The initial iMac also supports stereo SRS sound, offers two 12Mbps USB ports, and a keyboard and mouse for I/O and peripherals, making it a luxury in both configuration and interface.
But most iconic of all is the translucent design of the first-generation iMac, which allows people to see inside the machine.” By the way, the back of this thing looks better than the front of the other guys,” Jobs joked, adding that its design was significantly more distinctive than its competitors in the market. Stereo surround speakers, an infrared port, a CD-ROM and a headphone jack are arranged below the front display of the iMac.
Retailing at $1,299, the initial iMac has changed and evolved considerably since its introduction 24 years ago. Apple’s latest iMac, the 24-inch iMac with M1, is similar to the original iMac also available in a variety of colors. iMac’s design has continued to change radically, becoming thinner, slimmer and more powerful over the years.
