Unboxing the most interesting iMac ever made 

Should Apple bring back this iconic design?

You're absolutely, 100%, right. Hasn't been topped.

I love this thing, even 19 years later it still looks so sleek and modern. Definitely one of the best Apple designs ever

Apple should reintroduce this as an “iMac SE” with a 20” monitor and M1 chip. Add a white key wireless keyboard and white Magic Mouse, done. I think it would fly off the shelves. I KNOW I’d get one.

What made Apple special in the early and mid-2000s was the whimsy in their software and the uniqueness in their hardware. Being different and special is what it took to draw you away from the ubiquitousness and affordability of the commonplace Windows PC. I feel that Apple has lost a lot of that, certainly in their software. The eye-candy of the iLife Suite and the color of OS X 10.6 is what drew me in and I just don't get that as much anymore. It is getting better, a bit, slowly, but overall Apple has become the thing they raillied against for so long, a huge mega-corp churning out cookie-cutter computers. The sunflower iMac is a perfect example of how to stand out in the industry and make people want a product beyond simply what it can do. Supercars are impractical but people dream of them because the represent some special and Apple used to feel that way as well, as shown by their success in the past twenty years anyway. I hope the whimsy and fun come back as the current products are excellent but feel like they work in a cubicle with a tie rather than in a t-shirt and jeans.

This form factor would work excellently with the M1 series of chips as well since this is not much larger than a Mac Mini for the base. Add on the 24" display from the M1 iMac and TaDa!

I think when Steve said that design was gonna last a decade he didn't mean that computers would still look exactly like that a decade later, but rather that the design is still going to look great and fresh a decade later - and he was DAMN right about that

This was my first Mac. I graduated college in 2009 and that was my present. It worked perfectly for what I needed, upgraded it the best I could and was fun to make the display dance. I gave it to my daughter to use as her first computer and she called it “The Dancing Computer” lol. She loved it like I did. I’d love if they brought this design back!

This is one of my absolute favorite Apple products. My parents’ design studio had a bunch of the 20” ones, and they did NOT like to stand up. The 17” was probably the more reasonable choice.

I love this design. We still have a working one at work. It just sits there as decoration. It's beautiful

The reason, I suspect, that Apple discontinued this design, was that the articulated arm mechanism that allowed the screen to float tended to fail so that it would no longer allow the screen to stay where it was put. One would adjust the screen where one wanted it and it would immediately start to sag. Apparently, the only way to fix it was to replace the arm mechanism, and they all eventually failed in this manner.

That iMac and the G4 Cube are the best looking computers Apple has come out with. They both still look great all these years later. In fact, I would love to see the Mac mini go back into the G4 Cube chassis.

Hey Luke, it would be awesome if you did an M1 internal conversion like you did with the aluminum one you had before. I’m currently trying to convert my 17” g4 iMac to M1 Mac mini internals, while keeping the disc drive and exterior appearance intact. I’ve even seen someone upgrade the display panel as well, but that may be further down the line for me.

I never had one of these but I definitely remember what I felt when I saw it in a store as a kid. I think it might honestly be the reason I’m a Mac user today. It was just so much more exciting than any of the other computers. Everyone was making essentially the same thing and then there was this beauty. I loved the creativity. Really a shame they didn’t at least try to make another one like it.

That tilting swiveling mechanism is a glorious piece of engineering and probably cost a fortune to manufacture. It's what got me into Macs, and it's probably what killed it.

When I bought my first iMac, back in 2005, i wished it had inherited this design but, unfortunately, it was a slim rectangular white box on a aluminum stand. What seems ironic is that Apple, since then, never bothered to implement ergonomic features back into the iMac design…

My model had those EXACT specs. I miss that computer so much. The swivel is probably the best piece of Apple engineering ever. It really makes the lame tilt of the current iMacs look pathetic. And yes, the pro speakers by Harman Kardon were wonderful!

I love that design. I’ve been kicking around the idea of getting one to swap the guts out with an M1 Mac Mini.

In my opinion this is definitely one of the most unique and aesthetically appealing computers ever built. Still my favourite imac design. I wish it would make its way back in some form

One of the most beautiful consumer products ever made. Even after all this time one can't but help be wowed.

I remember when the 20" models came out. Apple used to have a big stand at the Mac Expo in London each year - they had a big line of them down one side of their demo stand and they made quite an impression. I thought a 20" LCD was incredible. The design of these G4s still holds up beautifully.

Interestingly enough, even though it was discontinued well before 2007, it was featured many times in iCarly with a cool little round decoration on the monitor. I always thought that was pretty neat. While the colorful G3 is still my fave, the G4 is up there as a close second imo. The design is absolutely adorable.

I was just thinking about the “sunflower” iMac the other day. I had one for about a year at work. It was pretty great for adjusting and showing your screen to someone without them needing to stand behind you.

Great video. I remember these machines very well. Love Luke's channel - just as likely to get a detailed review of the latest hardware as a look back at a long forgotten old school Apple product. And always presented in a fun, knowledgeable and enthusiastic way.

Thanks for sharing dude! I love walking down memory lane with some of these iconic Mac designs! I'm glad I'm able to see the great systems Apple made during the early 2000s when I was too poor to afford them. Keep up the good work! And keep 'em coming!

This is my all time favorite design !! I really wish Apple would find a way to bring back that articulation for the monitor. Thanks for this video Luke 👍🏼

Ahead of its time for sure. I remember these coming out and was just so fasinated with the style and looks!

I'm 56 and I was born on Commodore 64 and DOS, then moved on Windows, then Linux, then Windows again and then, in 2002, this 15" iMac was my very first Mac ever! Loved the design and loved the brand new OSX! Amazing machine and amazing new Operating System made this iMac the best iMac! In 2002 I left Italy for Australia where, in 2003, I bought the 17" ones. The best iMac EVER! Fullstop! I've worked for many years on it making video production and the design was just mind blowing, and it still is... I think that the 20" one, though, wasn't as good as the screen was too bulky and wobbling... But, damn me, when I left Australia in 2011 I sold it... Damn.. I should have kept it, even if now it would not be so usable as computer, but its design, man, it is still so amazing! It would be e great piece of interior design!

Beautiful, and still my fave Mac. I've still got a fully functioning 20" and will keep that forever...

I've had one of these since it was new. I think it's the best iMac design, and I've had them all. It's run perfectly 24x7 almost continuously since then. I use Final Cut Pro 4 to capture and edit old VHS tapes. It works better for that purpose than my 2019 Mac Mini. The only issue is that the screen arm doesn't always hold the screen up properly.

Completely agree. Got one of these myself to go with my bondi blue G3 iMac and blueberry iBook. Love it!

I had one and loved it.... nice video.. gave me lots of memories..

These retro unboxing’s are amazing

When this came out it reminded me of the Pixar lamp. I thought it was super cute. Also: the speakers still look good nearly two decades later, IMO. (Later: YES! YOU MENTIONED THE PIXAR LAMP!)

We had this in my childhood!!! I ALWAYS thought the design of this imac was the BEST!! This video was sooo nostalgic for me!!! ❤❤❤ used to watch my dad play solitare on here all the time.

This was an ingenius design. Frankly, the single handed BEST design ever created for a computer. The engineering involved in this was state of the art. I'm blown away that people throw these away or sell them for $50.

The base of that thing just looks hilarious

That is the most beautiful machine ever made. I still have mine in near mint condition and it's probably my most prized possession (as far as gadgets go).

I absolutely love all the vintage unboxings. Idk where you find all these things, but they're amazing.

Loving your retro vids Luke!

Agreed - the iMac G4 is the best all-in-one design Apple has ever produced. I have a fully operational 15" model. It's not a lot of use these days but I switch it on every now and then just to hear the start-up "bong" from those Pro speakers. Glorious!

I am no Apple fanboy, but the lampstand is design genius even now. I am still intending to put an M1 Mac Mini inside a 20" G4

Happy memories. I had one of those. Thank you for reminding us!

adjustable screen was the best design ever for a computer. I wish I had it today!

I've always loved this design. When people talk about smushing together an iPad and a HomePod this is what I think of. A modern version of this would be outstanding.

This thing is so cool! Thanks for covering it, Luke!

It's almost 2022 and I think this design is absolutely A M A Z I N G!!!!!!!! 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥😍😍😍😍😍

I really love your videos, they are so nice made. Thank you so much.

Totally agree! I ran into a 20” about 2 years ago and added airport, usb bluetooth, larger hard drive, totalled up the ram and i now have an amazing music center. Not much other uses but a beautiful piece it is. Great channel, btw.

Easily my favorite iMac design. Such a creative expression of display and computer. I always thought of it as a cousin to the Pixar desk lamp. Still beautiful to me today, but it was my first exposure to flat panel displays in an era of CRTs, and I was stunned.

Bought mine in oktober 2002. Have another one from march 2003. Best design ever.

I love that design. Would be wonderful in my kitchen or any room. Great video!

Props to this guy for blowing stupid amounts of money on old Macs just to keep us entertained.

They had these in the Mac labs when I was in college and man I'd love a modern version with an M chip

The nostalgia! We had like four of these G4s and four G5s in our middle school library for our multi media class. It was my first experience with OS X and iMovie. This and the polycarb macbooks are my favorite Apple designs ever.

I always wanted one of these! Brilliant design… Wow, even with the 17” display it still looks good! Thanks for doing this video, what a treat!

I'm glad to have the opportunity to see this iMac at school in our design computer lab in 2005. (*See, not touch) Our school only had one of these because of our budget. I have not seen one in person since. it was a privilege to see it, and an envy to watch whom ever was allowed to use it. The rest of us just had to deal with working on CRTs and old IBM keyboards attached to HP CPUs.

I love that iMac! Your videos are amazing! Keep it up!

Totally agreed with what you said about this iMac G4...! Awesome !

I had one of these. the hinge is like butter. I love em

Imagine the Mac Mini with M1 on the bottom, the same arm as the G4 in the middle, and a 2021 MacBook Pro quality display on the top

Man like Chris and Ethan for keeping literally every booklet and box in tip top shape

I agree with you Luke. It is definitely one of the best designs that Apple has ever released. I love all the angles you could place the monitor at and the round base. Such a beautiful design!

This, together with the G4 Cube, is the most beautiful Apple computer. Period.

Had one of those - loved it

grateful, always wanted to see one of those!

Agreed, one of their best designs ever. I have a 17" iMac G4 in my office as well, mostly because it looks so dang cool.

this was an awesome video Luke, more of this Mac throwback kinda things please! featuring Jobs' keynote and arguments also makes this even more enjoyable

What a thing of beauty, design and functionality all rolled up into one.

The screen is basically modern tablet. The dock combined with a flat screen is essentially modern Pixel Tablet. The flexible stand is essentially what so many iPad stands are trying to get at. This model is a prototype of so many modern gadgets, it's like the Plato of modern computer and accessories.

Nice, great view into the history of the iMac.

It truly is a beauty! Would have loved to hear a demo of the speakers. Keep the great info flowing.🙏🏻

Its very nostalgic to me this is 20 years old, I can remember 1st Feb 2003, was a big gig for our band that day i remember so well, it feels like yesterday and this mac was manufactured a few days earlier. Really does not feel like over 20 years. Its crazy

I still have mine in the garage. Loved it. I remember calling it "Humpty Dumpty with a sail."I still use the keyboard and mouse if I have Bluetooth issues and need to recover my iMac.

I been a mac user for 30 years and this is the best design ever, I saw this at a Frys. Up close and in person and I loved this I wish I had this, the iMac later on is and was ok... I still have a 2009 iMac!

Yes --- I had one & totally LOVED it.... I had to leave it behind me when I moved; still missing it, for sure .... Of course there's other macs I have, and from time to time I move "up" a level. But you're quite right that the mobility of screen has not been replicated by any other Mac

Had one of these back in the day. It was truely the nicest Mac desktop ever. Remarkably ergonomic and also looked great in a room.

I have always been in love with the Sunflower. It is so beautiful and I wish it could be reimagined in the future with a new seriously powerful Mac. Have it include the speakers as well. Its so graceful, beautiful, functional and be soooo powerful in so many ways. It was a work of art.

Had one of those, brings back memories.

Amazing piece of machinery!! 🎉

We used these for art class in high school. Loved this design so much in the early 2000s

Omg that brought back so many memories Luke! This exact iMac was my first new apple computer as a teenager! I was attending computer lessons when I was 13 years old and my first experience with an apple computer was an apple Lisa. Then my teachers brought to the school an iMac G3 that they weren’t using anymore and I was immediately in love with it that I bought it off of them. I was hooked immediately with apple and when this iMac was announced I knew I had to have it so I was working an entire summer to gather money and buy it! I kept this iMac for 10 years and I even brought it with me from Greece to London when I went to university until I sold it eventually to buy a MacBook Pro. Such nice memories…

Steve said it’s beauty and grace would last a decade. The fact that you’re making a video like this now means it’s lasted 2 decades :)

They really really really really REALLY need to bring this design back. I love the new iMacs bringing back the color and creativity of the G3 era, but I would LOVE this design to be used again

I've got the first 15" flat panel iMac (Jan 2002), completely refurbished it, maxed out the RAM and added an SSD. It's the last iMac that runs OS9 natively (rock solid, thank you OS9 lives) so i must now keep it forever since it's so adorable. And yes it has the speakers.

Really good video. I learned a lot.

I LOVED the Sunflower Mac!

I had one in our kitchen growing up. You couldn't get me out of the kitchen. Lol. Love being online using the g4. I still consider it the cutest thing on earth. Its huggable.

When i was 13 years old , this beauty literally pulled me into one of the Apple Store . And that's the moment where i fell in love with Apple

omg i still have these, it was given by my grandma(very young at the time) but sadly overtime the prospeakers diaphragm broke but the G4 still works, it was soo cool back then thinking i got a mac in my teens and here in cebu philippines.

I love the way you collect all Apple products and I bet you have enough stuff to open an Apple museum.

I always wanted that one after having the G3 one for several years. Never got one because my G3 lasted so long! When it finally died, I got the 2009 20" Mac. After that I transitioned to laptops. Your video brought back fond memories of that era of Mac.

You are correct. Amazing design.

Its beautiful! They need to bring this back!

I have this exact computer! Speakers/mouse/keyboard and everything! It was my family’s desktop when I was little

Just bought one, I love it!

These were my first modern Apple device when I wen't off to college. I remember typing up many papers on these in the school library and being impressed not only with the tech functionality but also how functional it was physically. The display adjustability was great and something I still wish was common for public computers.

Luke you’ve just taken me back home! I went from a G-3 to THIS baby… and it was the doorway into the 21st Century… “ The Gooseneck” ( never heard “ sunflower”) Great Great job explaining why this machine is STILL great ! Thank you!

yes have one, it was a great great design

Hello from Ireland. This brought me back to Apple. I loved it. Had the pro speakers as well. Sound was amazing. Also got my first iPod. (We had an Apple IIe when I was growing up). Loved it. Small screen meant I moved on - so fickle. Would love to see it come back - no idea how they could though. Love the nostalgia…..