Using the First Apple iMac
Apple iMac G3 (2001) and Mac OS 9.1 — Still worth it?
The Apple iMac is an incredibly iconic piece of hardware. Candy-colored and tasty looking. These computers were designed to bring convenience to the user with everything you’d need built-in. Attach your keyboard and mouse and start computing like it’s the year 1999!
Running the operating system, Mac OS9.1, this iMac G3 can run all the classic Mac software. As Apple moved into OSX and beyond, they retained support for a Classic Mac mode on their PowerPC computers. Ultimately however, Apple dropped support once they moved into using Intel processors. It’s possible to emulate a lot of the older Macintosh OS’s but the original iMac G3 models look incredibly 90’s and really encapsulate a lot of design trends from the era.
Taking on the all-in-one design Apple rolled out with their original Macintosh 128k and Macintosh Classic computers, the iMac G3 was designed to get computer users set up as quickly as possible using their machine and getting online. Originally shipping with an ergonomic ‘puck mouse’ and matching colored keyboard, Apple replaced these with the Pro Mouse and Keyboard for later releases.
Apple also decided to move away from serial connectors and floppy disc drives with their all-in-one machines. Instead opting to focus on new technology like USB and CD, and what that experience would look like for users. Even though it’s easy to take it for granted now, it’s a bold move that helped simplify the experience with the end goal of getting users on-board and set up quicker than ever.
A range of iMac G3 models were released from 1998 through to 2001, but those heavy CRT screens still look as good and bright as ever. The brightly coloured plastic shells and range of accessories still make these machines incredibly collector friendly. Especially for users wanting to install Classic Macintosh operating systems like OS 8 and 9. Word of caution for the collector, the CD drives for a lot of these slot-loading models are becoming flaky as components start to wear down and fail to grip the CD properly.
Running Classic Macintosh
Notice the coloured Apple logo in the top left? Welcome back to the new millennium. Introduced in 1999, Apple created an Operating System designed to be Internet ready and easy to set up and go. Especially as they rolled out their iMac line of computers with everything users needed to get started quick. As promised, open the box and you’ll be online in less than 10 minutes.
Apple managed to roll a long list of improvements into their OS 9 operating system, with a lot of focus on making web access easier and more secure than ever.
- Sherlock 2.0 — File & Service Finder
- Support for multiple user accounts
- Voice login
- Keychain Password Storage and Encryption
- Automatic Software Updates
- Speakable Items 2.0 - Improved speech synthesis and recognition
- FontSync Font Management
- Several Enhanced Internet Features; Remote Access Personal Server 3.5, AppleScript, Personal File & Printer Sharing over TCP/IP
- 128-bit file encryption
- Support for files 2 GB+
- (OS 9.1) Burn CD in the Finder
- (OS 9.1) New ‘Window’ Menu
The birth of creativity
The 90’s was an incredible time for software as more professional applications started making their way into consumer packages. Apple released Final Cut Pro to tackle the professional editing solutions at home with both Adobe and Macintosh continuing to develop their own software. It’s an incredible point to look back on because I can see how the applications I use today clearly evolved from the products developed in the 90’s.
For the retro-enthusiast, a lot of these old applications are easy to find online and offer an incredible insight into how powerful these programs were becoming.
Classic Macintosh Games
One of the biggest reasons to run the classic Macintosh operating system was the access to early PC games. They’re incredibly nostalgic to me and I wanted to share that experience with my own children.
You can see one of my favourite 90’s adventure games, in all its glory here, as I review The Simpsons’ Virtual Springfield.
Early activity center games, cute simulations and simple puzzle style games were abundant, same as they were on Windows and DOS. One notable early Macintosh stand out, the killer app for 1994, was Marathon. It’s a first-person-shooter in the same vein as Doom, set aboard an old spaceship suffering from a classic case of alien invasion.
Marathon was developed by Bungie (from Halo fame) and eventually rolled out into a trilogy of games that made their home on the Apple Macintosh. With support for network multiplayer and a heavy emphasis on story, Marathon proved itself as a Macintosh exclusive and gave Apple users hope their platform could maintain a healthy stream of exclusive games.
