iMac G5 (iSight): External Ports and Connectors

If you've got an iMac G5 (iSight), here's a guide to its external ports and connectors. You'll find all of the ports and connectors mentioned in this article on the Input/Output (I/O) panel located on the back of the computer on the bottom-right side.

This article has been archived and is no longer updated by Apple.

I/O Ports

Sound Output

This headphone/line output features a D/A converter that supports 24-bit, 32-96 kHz audio for both digital optical audio and analog audio output. For analog output, you can use a standard audio cable with a 3.5 mm metal plug. For digital audio, you should use a fiberoptic cable with a 3.5 mm plastic or nylon optical plug.

Audio Line In

This analog line input features up to a 16-bit stereo, 44.1 kHz sampling rate.

The 3.5 mm audio input minijack accepts line-level stereo signals. You can also connect a stereo miniplug-to-RCA cable adapter to connect stereo equipment to the computer.

The iMac G5 (iSight) also has a built-in microphone near the built-in iSight camera at the top of the computer screen bezel.

Three USB 2.0 ports

The back of the iMac G5 (iSight) features three USB 2.0 ports. You can connect both USB 2.0 and USB 1.1 devices to these ports. The included keyboard also features a USB hub with two USB 1.1 ports.

All of the USB ports use USB Type A connectors, which have four pins each.

The USB 2.0 ports support low-speed, full-speed, and high-speed data transfers at up to 1.5 megabits per second (Mbit/s), 12 Mbit/s, and 480 Mbit/s, respectively.

Two FireWire 400 ports

The iMac G5 (iSight) features two 400 Mbit/s FireWire (IEEE 1394) ports. 400 Mbit/s is a theoretical maximum load, and actual rates will vary. You can use these ports to connect third-party devices such as video cameras and external drives.

The iMac G5 (iSight) computer also supports Target Disk Mode.

Ethernet port (10/100 Base-T)

The iMac G5 (iSight) has a built-in 10/100 Mbit/s Ethernet port. You can connect a cable or DSL modem, hub, switch, router, or another Macintosh computer to an iMac G5 (iSight) computer using an Ethernet cable. The connected device can be either a 10Base-T or a 100Base-TX device; the port automatically detects which type of device is connected. You don't have to use an Ethernet crossover cable to connect to other Ethernet devices.

Video Out

The video output port allows video mirroring, which allows you to see the same image on your iMac G5 (iSight) flat-panel display and on an external monitor, television, or projector.

You can mirror video to an external display by connecting a compatible VGA display to the iMac G5 (iSight) video out port using the Apple VGA Display Adapter.

You can also mirror video to a connected television or projector that has S-video or composite video connectors when you use the Apple Video Adapter.

For more information about the video out port, see About the iMac G5 Video Out port and video mirroring.

Power port

This is where you connect the power cord to power your iMac G5 (iSight).

Power button

The iMac G5 (iSight) power button is located on the back of the computer in the lower-left corner. This placement ensures that connected cables will be out of your way when you use the power button to turn on the computer, put it to sleep, or reset it (to reset the computer during troubleshooting, press and hold the power button).

Security slot

This slot is designed to fit a lock and cable to prevent theft. Such locks are available through the Apple Store.

Last Modified: