Great School – The iMac G3

It is colorful, still a cult today, and used to sit on our school desks for a long time. The Apple iMac G3 can even be found on a school desk in front of a blackboard in the time travel exhibition of the Enter Technikwelt Solothurn. But why was this particular product so successful in schools? And is this claim even true, or is it all just a false memory? To answer this question, it is important to understand what made the iMac G3, released in 1998, so special.

The Name

Even the name of the iMac was part of the new design philosophy: the word part "Mac" from Macintosh and the "i" for Internet, as the iMac was the first to have a built-in modem. [1, p. 157] Later, the "i" also stood for terms like innovative, individual, and imaginative. This element is found in later products like the iPod and iPhone and became a trademark of Apple. Other companies also adopted the "i," such as the BBC with their "iPlayer."

The Design

At that time, computers were primarily for tech enthusiasts or people who wanted to work with them: The typical computer was a beige monstrosity where only the internal values mattered. Sales arguments for this or that model were mainly device specifications: how fast is it? What storage capacities does it have? What connections are available? Buying a PC therefore required technical knowledge. Otherwise, it was difficult to choose the right one from the numerous devices. This complexity led to many people being technophobic and avoiding dealing with computers. [1, p. 143]

In contrast, emotions were at the forefront of the iMac's development: Instead of technical questions like "How fast should the processor be?" the team around Jonathan Ive asked, "How should people feel when using the computer?". [1, p. 142] This turned Apple's production process on its head: The interior had to adapt to the design, not the other way around. Guided by these considerations, a playful, transparent design with a carrying handle emerged. This was not particularly practical but suggested that the device could be touched. The striking, transparent shell allowed insights into the computer's interior and aroused curiosity. This visibility of technology demystified it and made it more accessible to the average person. The transparent case was not a completely new design idea: Apple had already brought some products with a similar aesthetic to the market. [1, p. 150] But it was only through the popularity of the iMac G3 that other manufacturers also began to use transparent plastic cases for a variety of devices – from game consoles and CD players to phones, inflatable furniture, vacuum cleaners, and paper clips: Everything now had to be made of colored, transparent plastic.

The design of the iMac G3 was very well received by consumers. The transparent, colorful case was an eye-catcher and had the intended effect: Suddenly, people wanted a computer who had never wanted one before. The iMac made the computer suitable for the masses and supported the transformation from a pure work tool to a fashionable everyday object. [1, p. 163]

The Interior

Apple also took new paths in the development of their hardware. The iMac was powered by a 233 MHz PowerPC G3 processor, accompanied by 32 MB of RAM (expandable to 128 MB) and a 4 GB hard drive, inside the translucent, colorful plastic case. Additionally, the first iMac generation included a CD-ROM drive. A 15-inch CRT display and integrated stereo speakers completed the equipment. Compared to other comparable models, however, the iMac was not particularly powerful, as can be seen in the comparison below [2]: The computing power of the iMac was achieved without the use of a fan, to enable the small form factor of the case [7]. It is also worth mentioning that the Compaq Presario 3060 was also an all-in-one computer, which housed the components, monitor, and speakers in one case [6]. This design already existed before the iMac G3.

Another bold decision was the omission of a floppy drive – a step that many were skeptical about. Instead, Steve Jobs relied on the use of a CD-ROM drive and had a very specific idea of how it should look. According to his vision of the iMac G3, it had to have a slot-loading optical drive. However, the first version was manufactured with a tray-loading drive, which almost led him to cancel the product launch. Only after being assured that future versions would have a slot-loading drive did he allow the launch to proceed as planned. [8]

The iMac was also pioneering in the selection of ports. Instead of serial interfaces like PS/2 or ADB, it had two USB ports, marking Apple's departure from older connectors. This decision was crucial for the popularization of the USB standard and influenced peripheral device manufacturers to adopt it. Additionally, the inclusion of a 56k modem facilitated internet access, a growing necessity at the time. [9]

The iMac in Schools

Fundamentally, it can be noted that Apple had been pursuing the strategy of gaining schools, primarily in the USA at the time, as customers long before the iMac G3 [10]. With their long-standing Apple Education Program, they still adhere to this philosophy today. Because in Switzerland, each municipality decides for itself which infrastructure to acquire, Apple could not use their strategy of direct mass offers here. Nevertheless, in 2002, Apple computers were found in half of all Swiss classrooms. [11] Precisely because each school could decide individually, there is no general answer to why this high proportion came about. However, some values can be found in experience reports that can explain the distribution of iMacs and Apple.

In particular, the easier integration of the modem, as well as the perceived simplicity of connecting to printers, is still cited by teachers at the time as reasons why the iMac was appreciated in schools. In conversations, the intuitive handling and easy setup of the iMac were repeatedly emphasized. This emphasis on simplicity can also be found in magazine reports around the turn of the millennium. Many teachers had already worked with Apple computers before the release of the iMac G3s [12] and found that both they and the students quickly got started using the devices. The colorful, reliably running computer took away the inhibition of using the technical devices from those involved. Apple's design philosophy was fully effective.

It is also repeatedly emphasized that the price differences between an iMac and another device were small. What the iMac required more in financial effort was saved in personnel effort, as fewer specialists were needed for device support.

This brings us to another crucial point: Schools are and were dependent on being supported by experts and specialized companies when acquiring technical infrastructure. Many teachers remember, for example, the company "Letec" at the time, now part of the company "DQ-Solutions," which specialized in Apple products [13]. Companies like "Letec" were appreciated for providing direct and uncomplicated support and were therefore gladly engaged by schools. Thus, even more iMacs found their way into classrooms.

Apple's Transformation

A crucial factor for the longevity of the iMac G3 in schools was Apple's initial philosophy of openness and accessibility. The iMac G3 was designed with detailed service manuals [14] and modular hardware, allowing users to perform repairs and upgrades relatively easily. This enabled educational institutions to extend the lifespan of the devices well beyond their original purchase dates, making them a cost-effective solution. However, with the introduction of the iBook in 1999 and later the MacBook Air in 2008, a shift began. Apple introduced Solid-State Drives (SSDs) and a sleeker design with the MacBook Air, ushering in an era of limited upgradability.

Unlike its predecessors, some components of the MacBook Air were soldered directly onto the motherboard, making upgrades and repairs difficult or even impossible for end users [15]. Apple's move towards proprietary components and the resulting need to use certified technicians for repairs created a closed ecosystem. Schools that had previously benefited from the ability to maintain and upgrade their Apple hardware internally now faced higher costs and logistical challenges if they wanted to continue using the operating system. Although Apple has introduced repair programs in recent years, the strict requirements and high costs make it difficult for many independent workshops to participate [16] [17] [18]. This contrasts with the open philosophy that originally supported the success of the iMac G3 in schools.

Conclusion

Through its widespread use in schools, the iMac G3 shaped an entire generation of students and teachers, changing the way computers are used and perceived. The iMac G3 is not only an example of technological innovation and creative design but also a symbol of change in the computer industry. Its combination of user-friendliness, attractive design, and practical features made it an optimal product for the educational sector of the time. In the Enter Technikwelt Solothurn, this spirit lives on, reminding us of how a single product can change the world of technology.

Authors:
Antonia Bonfa
Flurina Riner
Alexander Shanmugam
Rami Tarabishi