The iMac G3, originally released as the iMac, is a series of Macintosh personal computers Apple Computer sold from 1998 to 2003. The iMac was Apple's first major product release under its CEO Steve Jobs, who had recently returned to the financially troubled company he co-founded after eleven years away. Jobs reorganized the company and simplified the product line. The iMac was designed as Apple's new consumer desktop product—an inexpensive, consumer-oriented computer that would easily connect to the Internet.
The iMac's all-in-one design is based around a cathode-ray tube display; the G3 processor, components, and connectivity were all included in a single enclosure. Apple's head of design Jony Ive and his team developed a teardrop-shaped, translucent plastic case that was a radical departure from the look of the company's previous computers. The company developed new working methods to quickly finish the computer, and new workflows they used for designing future products. The iMac G3 eschewed legacy technologies like serial ports and floppy disk drives in favor of CD-ROMs and USB ports.
Critical response to the iMac was mixed; journalists said the machine would be good for new computer users but bemoaned the lack of legacy technology, and said the mouse and keyboard were uncomfortable. Despite the reviews the iMac was an immediate commercial success, selling more than 5 million units in its lifetime and becoming Apple's fastest-selling computer. The original model was revised several times, improving the processor speed, the amount of random-access memory, hard drive space, and other capabilities. The iMac is credited with saving Apple from financial ruin, and for turning personal computers from niche, technical products to mass-consumer fashion. Other computers and consumer products appropriated the translucent plastic look, leading to legal action from Apple. The G3-based series of iMac models was suceeded by a G4-powered successor, and the iMac G3's role in education markets was replaced by the eMac.
Background
In the late 1990s, Apple Computer was experiencing severe financial difficulties. At the end of 1997, the company was selling 1.8 million Macs per year, in comparison with 4.5 million two years earlier. Apple's sales were compromised by licensed Mac systems that undercut and out-performed Apple's own products. Unable to quickly distribute its products and compete in the low-cost computer market, Apple entirely abandoned the sector.
In December 1996, Apple purchased the computer maker NeXT. NeXT founder Steve Jobs returned to Apple, the company he had co-founded and then was ousted from, as part of the deal. Apple also acquired NeXT's operating system NeXTSTEP, which would become the foundation for Apple's next-generation operating system Mac OS X. Jobs returned to Apple as an advisor but the company's board of directors dismissed CEO Gil Amelio on July 9, 1997, and Jobs replaced him as interim CEO.
Upon his return, Jobs streamlined the company and returned Apple to profitability by cost-cutting, but the company still needed new hit products. Jobs planned to reduce Apple's computer offerings, which were confusing and extensive, to four products: a laptop and desktop model each for professionals and consumers. The planned consumer-oriented desktop computer became the iMac; it would be inexpensive and prioritize easy Internet connectivity. The engineering and design teams had less than a year to deliver a finished product.
Design
In 1996, Apple's industrial design director Robert Brunner left the company and was replaced by 29-year-old Jony Ive, who inherited the company's award-winning design team. Ive was dispirited with Apple's leadership and also considering leaving the company. At a meeting announcing Jobs's appointment as Apple's CEO, Jobs told staff Apple's problems stemmed from its poor products. Ive noted Jobs' focus on making industrial design a core part of Apple's comeback strategy. Ive and Jobs quickly developed a rapport, and Jobs decided to retain Apple's industrial design team under Ive's leadership.