iMac Slot Loading DV SE 1999

Based on the Kihei architecture, the Apple iMac G3/400 DV Special Edition (Slot Loading) is powered by a 400 MHz PowerPC 750 (G3) processor with a 512k backside level 2 cache. It includes 128 MB of RAM, a 13.0 GB Ultra ATA hard drive, a 4X slot-loading DVD-ROM drive, and ATI Rage 128 VR 2D/3D (AGP 2X) graphics with 8 MB of VRAM. The system, featuring a Harmon-Kardon sound system, is housed in a translucent "graphite and ice" all-in-one chassis with a 15-inch CRT display.

Unlike its predecessors, the iMac "Slot Loading" series introduced convection cooling for quieter performance and lacked an internal metal housing, which enhanced its translucent appearance. This Special Edition model is virtually identical to the concurrently released iMac G3/400 DV (Slot Loading - Fruit Colors), but it features a more subdued "graphite" case instead of the five "fruit colors" and came standard with more RAM (128 MB) and a larger hard drive (13.0 GB).

Like its colorful counterpart, this "Special Edition" model has a slot-loading DVD-ROM drive, dual Firewire "400" ports, a VGA video out port, and support for an optional AirPort (802.11b) wireless card. It also shares an improved system bus, RAM standard (PC100), hard drive standard (Ultra ATA), video processor, and sound system, all of which were superior to the iMac G3/333 series it replaced.

The iMac G3/400 DV Special Edition was recognized as a significant step in the evolution of the iMac series. This model marked the transition from tray-loading to slot-loading optical drives, offering a more refined user interaction. Its adoption of a fanless, convection cooling system resulted in dramatically quieter operation, which greatly enhanced the user experience. Aesthetically, alongside the existing fruit-colored models, the introduction of a subdued "Graphite" color appealed to a more professional user base. Internally, the inclusion of a DVD-ROM drive, dual FireWire 400 ports, and a VGA video-out port opened up the world of digital video (DV) editing to consumers, materializing Apple's "digital hub" concept. Equipped with 128 MB of RAM and a 13.0 GB hard drive as standard, it firmly established itself as the top-of-the-line model in the iMac lineup of its time.