Today in Apple history: Meet the ‘Blue and White’ Power Mac G3

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The Power Mac G3 brought a new look, and powerful new features, to Apple's pro computer line.
The Power Mac G3 brought a new look, and powerful new features, to Apple's pro computer line.
Image: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac/Apple

January 5: Today in Apple history: Meet the 'Blue and White' Power Mac January 5, 1999: Apple introduces its revised Power Mac G3 minitower, nicknamed the “Blue and White G3” or “Smurf Tower” to separate it from the earlier beige model.

The first new Power Mac since the colorful plastic iMac G3 shipped, the pro-level machine borrows the same transparent color scheme. Unfortunately, it doesn’t hang around too long.

Power Mac G3: Important, but short-lived

Apple launched the original beige Power Macintosh G3 series in November 1997, not too long after unveiling its “Think Different” ad campaign. It was the first Mac to employ the PowerPC G3 microprocessor, which also powered the later Blue and White model. The line of high-powered computers proved a hit for Apple, with 750,000 shipping by the middle of 1998.

When the iMac arrived, however, Steve Jobs and Jony Ive were keen to update the Power Mac to match Apple’s new design language, which also could be seen in the iBook laptop. (At the Macworld event where Jobs revealed the new Power Mac G3, he also announced five new iMac colors.)

New design, new hardware

Apple also wanted to keep its pro line up to date with the latest available hardware. Design-wise, the Power Mac G3 boasted a few nifty features.

The right side of the case was a hinged door with a recessed latch, providing easy access to components. You could open the case with the computer running, although changing components would require switching off the machine.

Apple code-named the design “Yosemite” (a name later recycled for the 2014 version of macOS), while the project was also known as “El Capitan” (again, a name Apple revisited) and “Gossamer II.”

Blue and White Power Mac G3 specs

One of the Power Mac G3's original ads shows the computer from the side, both open (to show its internal components) and closed.
One of the Power Mac G3’s original ads.
Photo: Apple

As for specs, the new computer was considerably different from its predecessor, despite sharing the same G3 processor. It was the first Apple machine to include FireWire, which became an important part of the company’s “digital hub” strategy (and actually won Apple an Emmy).

Apple’s first USB computer, it boasted a “legacy” ADB port so users didn’t need to rely on dongles. Still, a lack of regular serial ports, floppy drive and on-board SCSI caused controversy at the time. Prices started at $1,599 and topped out at close to $5,000 for the kitted-out server configuration versions.

The machine received a speed bump in April 1999, although it didn’t last much longer. Apple discontinued it in favor of the Power Mac G4 line in August 1999.

Did you own one of these computers? Leave your comments below.

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