IMac G4

iMac G4
	iMac G4 with speakers and peripherals
Manufacturer	Apple Computer
Product family	iMac
Type	All-in-one
Release date	January 2002
Discontinued	August 31, 2004
Predecessor	iMac G3
Successor	iMac G5

The iMac G4 is an all-in-one personal computer designed, manufactured, and sold by Apple Computer from January 2002 to August 2004. The computer is comprised of a hemispheric base that holds the computer components, including the PowerPC G4 processor, attached to a flatscreen liquid-crystal display (LCD) via a stainless steel arm that allows the monitor to be easily tilted and swiveled.

The iMac G3 (1998) was a commercial success for Apple, reversing the company's fortunes. As component prices fell, Apple began envisioning a replacement based around an LCD instead of the bulky cathode-ray tube of the iMac G3. The resulting iMac G4 took two years to develop; its design was inspired by a sunflower, and the desire to have each component of the computer be true to itself. The design largely eschewed the colorful translucency of the iMac G3 in favor of opaque white.

The iMac G4 was announced at Macworld San Francisco on January 7, 2002, and began shipping that month. The model was updated over the years with faster processors, components, and larger LCDs. The iMac G4 was a critical and commercial success for Apple, selling more than 1.3 million units in its first year. It was succeeded by the iMac G5 in 2004, which replaced its bold design language with a more conservative look that would influence later iMac models.