iMac PowerPC 970 (G5) 2004

The Apple iMac G5/1.6 17-Inch, released alongside the iMac G5/1.8 17-Inch and iMac G5/1.8 20-Inch, showcases a groundbreaking design that integrates the entire computer into a flat-panel display enclosure, roughly two inches thick. These "non-iSight" iMac G5 models are supported by an adjustable aluminum stand and are VESA-compatible, allowing for easy mounting on walls or articulating arms.

This model was equipped with a 1.6 GHz PowerPC 970 (G5) processor featuring an optimized AltiVec "Velocity Engine" and a 512k on-chip L2 cache. It included 256 MB of 400 MHz PC3200 DDR SDRAM, an 80 GB (7200 RPM) Serial ATA hard drive, a vertical slot-loading 8X DVD-ROM/CD-RW "Combo" Drive, and NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200 Ultra graphics with 64 MB of DDR SDRAM (AGP 8X). Integrated stereo speakers are located beneath the 17" TFT Active Matrix LCD (1440x900), designed to project sound off the desk surface. Connectivity options include Firewire "400" and USB 2.0, with optional cards for AirPort Extreme (802.11g) and Bluetooth.

The iMac G5 series is cooled by three low-noise blowers that pull air through the speaker grill, with heat dissipating through a slit at the top of the rear case.

Shifting from the unique design of the iMac G4, this model, which integrated the computer behind the display, shocked the market with its simplicity and thinness, establishing the blueprint for modern iMacs. The inclusion of the PowerPC G5 processor was highly praised for delivering Power Mac G5-like performance in an all-in-one form factor. This 17-inch entry-level model played a key role in bringing the world of the iMac G5 to a wider audience. However, some users lamented the loss of the G4's design, and concerns were raised regarding thermal issues.