iMac Ambient Light Sensor 2005

Replacing the iMac G5/1.8 17-Inch (M9249LL/A), the Apple iMac G5/1.8 17-Inch (Ambient Light Sensor) introduced several configuration changes, including more RAM, a larger hard drive, enhanced graphics, Gigabit Ethernet, and standard AirPort Extreme (802.11g) and Bluetooth 2.0+EDR. However, it featured a lesser optical drive and a US$200 lower launch price.

Like its predecessors, the "Ambient Light Sensor" iMac G5 models have a chassis that sits on an adjustable aluminum stand and is VESA-compliant for easy mounting. A key feature, as indicated by the name, is a sensor under the display that dims the sleep light in dark rooms, a thoughtful addition for bedroom use.

This model is equipped with a 1.8 GHz PowerPC 970 (G5) processor with an AltiVec "Velocity Engine" and a 512k on-chip L2 cache. It includes 512 MB of 400 MHz PC3200 DDR SDRAM, a 160 GB (7200 RPM) Serial ATA hard drive, a vertical slot-loading 8X DVD-ROM/CD-RW "Combo" drive, and ATI Radeon 9600 graphics with 128 MB of DDR SDRAM (AGP 8X). It features built-in stereo speakers designed to "bounce sound off the desk below". Connectivity includes Firewire "400", USB 2.0, and standard AirPort Extreme and Bluetooth 2.0+EDR.

The iMac G5 models are cooled by three quiet blowers drawing air through the speaker grill, with heat dissipating from a top slit.

This Ambient Light Sensor model was reviewed as a solid refinement of the original iMac G5. Overall performance was improved with increased RAM and hard drive capacity, and an upgraded ATI Radeon 9600 graphics card. The standardization of AirPort Extreme and Bluetooth was a significant step forward, considering the growing adoption of wireless environments. The subtle addition of an ambient light sensor was also praised as a thoughtful, Apple-like touch. Despite the optical drive being downgraded to a Combo drive, the reduced price made it an attractive model for a wider range of users.