>> FORWORD Please don't make any assumptions, but READ the accompanying text – and look at the photos "very carefully" to avoid disappointments. Goodbye, boring computers! Meet THE ORIGINAL IMAC! For your consideration at this wonderful auction is the vintage and hard-to-find "Bondi-Blue" iMac G3 233 MHz, introduced in May 1998. When Steve Jobs returned to Apple in 1997, times were tough. Apple’s stock price was low, debt was high. Apple needed something innovative, something that people would remember. It was called the iMac and "this-piece-of-history" can be yours. This bundle includes the very popular "matching" BONDI-BLUE coloured Apple "Pro Keyboard" and "Hockey-Puck" Mouse. The original iMac is known by the moniker of "Bondi Blue" — inspired by the waters lapping up to the shore of Bondi Beach, a suburb of Sydney in Australia. // HERE's TO THE TO THE CRAZY ONES … … the misfits, the rebels, the troublemakers,… the ones who see things differently… This one is for the true Apple-fan who wants to add something very special & unique to his/her Collection! Remember. You are bidding on a TIME machine, including precious software of yesteryear, ready to use – and to give you a glimp of Apple's history. The first iMac model is widely known as "a milestone". The original iMac G3 was introduced in 1998 and started the “i” revolution. It marks "Steve Jobs" return to Apple and the rescue of "Apple" as a company. "Jonathan Ive" is credited with the design. With the iMac, Apple returned to Jobs’ vision of an "all-in-one" computer, with all of the guts in the same case as the display. In a world of messy PCs, the iMac stood out as a simple, elegant computing solution. While most of the computers at the time were beige boxes — the iMac G3 was packed into a "curvy (egg-shaped)", "translucent colorful", "retro futuristic" all-in-one case design, with a 15-inch "crystal clear" CRT display. The iMac stood out as a simple, elegant computing solution. While most of the computers at the time were beige boxes — the iMac G3 was Bondi Blue, curvy and translucent. // WHY BID - BUY? On a technical level, this entire computer is "disassembled, cleaned, checked and assembled again". The computer has been cleaned inside & outside (dust-free). The keyboard and mouse have also been completely disassembled and professionally cleaned. See the dozen of pictures. This 100 % working, professionally checked “Vintage” bundle includes "tons of pre-installed software*" – like the expensive "Adobe Design Collection" and the "Microsoft Office 2001" suite – ready to use and give you a glimp of the past! Including software: ADOBE DESIGN COLLECTION contains: – Adobe Photoshop 7; – Adobe Illustrator 10; – Adobe Pagemaker 7; – Adobe InDesign 2.0 (= the QuarkXPress killer). MICROSOFT OFFICE SUITE contains: – Word; – Powerpoint; – Excel. Note: Both the applications and the operating system are installed in ENGLISH. >> Disclaimer: The computer only includes software* that is classified as "abandonware" (= from the Public Domain, distributed over the internet and available freely, easily and readily). The software is supplied "free of charge" as a free service (for the retro-computing fan). This is an excellent opportunity for both the "Apple Fan" and the "Graphic Designer / student". In addition to being a "today" still perfectly usable "Desktop Publishing (DTP)" Computer, this "iMac" is also a true collector's item, which can be used as a design object. It gives you the best of both worlds! The standard RAM of "32 MB" was upgraded. This is to use and speed up "rendering" within the graphic ADOBE applications. The screen is COLOR-CALIBRATED * – Adobe RGB 1998 – by myself (I am a professional "Graphic Designer/ Teacher" for 30 years now). Color-Calibration* is a must for every Graphic Designer / Typographer / DTP'er – and for students at "Graphic courses". Last-but-not-least: the firmware is updated to run CLASSIC OS 9.2.2 (needed for the Adobe software). // IMPORTANT – WHY BUY FROM ME? (instead of other sellers) I am a Mac user from way back in the Legacy Era. I offer Vintage Apple computers as I would buy them myself. My admiration for Steve Jobs' legacy is so great that I want the Macs I sell, to stand "the test of time". Furthermore I only sell items I have "passion" for. – Hardware-wise, all my sold computers are completely disassembled, cleaned – and, if necessary, repaired – in order to extend their lifespan. See pictures. // ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST & BATTERY ACID – DUST: the inside of a 20-year-old computer looks the same as "the collection-container of a vacuum cleaner" (read: a dust bunny). And as you know "dust" can ruin your electronics; – LEAKS: 20-year-old batteries will someday leak, causing irreversible damage to the computer. So, if "time and date" are not displayed correctly, you sadly will know what time it is; A NEW pram battery is placed (to maintain certain important system settings including the system clock & currently date). Long-Story Short. Computers from other vendors may look the same on the outside. I can guarantee you that the inside is very different! So if you want to enjoy your investment for as long as possible, choosing "wisely" is advisable. – SAFE PACKAGING & SHIPMENT: did you know that shipping an iMac is nearly impossible? After more-than-20 years the plastics becomes brittle and due to the heavy CRT screen it can break easily during transport. Especially when courier companies drop packages (e.g. they fall off the conveyor belt during sorting). FYI: for the insurance companies, a box must be able to survive a fall from 1.5 meters. But don't worry. As an "experience seller" who ships retro CRT devices every week – to all parts of the world without a hitch – I put a lot of effort into "safe packaging". I pack all my retro-computers solidly in professional carton, styrofoam and lots of bubble wrap and other protection material. If you are not convinced, than I advise you to read all my positive reviews! // GERM-FREE APPLE PRO KEYBOARD (M2452) & APPLE PRO MOUSE (M4848) The "iMac" comes with the accompanying (bondi-blue coloured) Apple Pro keyboard (model M2452) and the Apple Hockey Puck Mouse (model M4848). Those objects alone are already worth a fortune on auction websites. The keyboard is completely disassembled and cleaned professionally (see pictures). It looks brand-new! In my opinion it is my responsibility (as a seller) to provide a Germ-Free keyboard (a 2018 study found that 96% of the keyboards were contaminated with bacteria). So, I think we can agree that nobody wants a nasty, infected keyboard. // CUSTOMIZE YOUR SET-UP: ENGLISH or FRENCH KEYBOARD Choose an English or French keyboard! Although "English" (QWERTY) is the default, I thought it was time to serve my "French"-speaking Apple colleagues too. "French-speaking Apple fans" … this is your chance ;) You can also choose the exceptional AZERTY keyboard. Send me a message "immediately after payment" if you are interested in this computer – but with a an AZERTY keyboard instead. // A BRIEF HISTORY LESSON Designed by "Jonathan Ive" – also responsible for the iPod – this computer became a true icon. After the return of "Steve Jobs" to "Apple", the colorful, distinctive and revolutionary design – revolutionized the history of the computer (it became the crown of the tech industry). The leading "MOMA museum New York" has the legendary iMac G3 in its collection for a reason. If you're making an investment … this is a good one! // MAC OS 9: SOME LOVE FOR THE CLASSICS ! Long before the current "macOS Big Sur" or even before any of the OS X systems, there was Mac OS 9. While not as aesthetically pleasing compared to current day operating systems, Mac OS 9 was sleek, super responsive and a joy to use. In fact. It still is! This iMac comes with a clean install of "System 9.2.2". Thus: "plug-and-play"! // IMPORTANT NOTES – the computer works as it should (extensively tested!). There is only one downside: the CD-ROM doesn't work anymore. This CD-ROM issue is well-known with all slot-loading G3 and G4 iMacs (as an alternative you can plug-in an external USB CD player (in the rare occasions you need a CD-ROM). PS: the CD-ROM cover breaks easily (so be careful, I had to glue it already). – The build-in speakers works "perfect"; – There is NOT a single plastic crack ( that is exceptional ! ); – The entire "interior" of the transparent plastic has been professionally cleaned so that it is dust-free and looks brand-new!; – A NEW pram battery is placed (to maintain certain important system settings including the system clock). Maybe not worth mentioning? The connection bay cover is missing (= this one often gets "lost") – see pictures (connections). TO SUM UP There are "normal signs of use" (e.g. very tiny scratches … which are to be expected with a device of this age). But as an experienced connoisseur I can guarantee that these items are in EXCELLENT condition (not a single crack in the plastic case)! View the numerous images to make your own judgment! // PORTS – 2 USB ports; – Ethernet; – Audio Line IN; – Audio Line OUT. // INCLUDING – iMac 233 MHz all-in-one computer; – original RARE Apple's first USB keyboard* (model M2452), introduced in 1998 with the first iMac desktop Macintosh. Color: Bondi Blue; – original RARE "Hockey-Puck" Mouse* (model M4848), Color: Bondi Blue; – European power cable; – tons of pre-installed Graphic & Office software; – digital files on the hard drive, of the legendary “Apple Think Different” campaign of time-honored visionaries like "Nelson-Mandela", "Charlie Chaplin", the "Dalai Lama", "John Lennon & Yoko", "Muhammad Ali", "Einstein", "Picasso", etc. See pictures. FYI: The RARE Apple "keyboard" and "Mouse", they alone are worth the bid! Check other bidding websites for an idea of their value! // DID YOU KNOW? The "i" in "iMac" stands for "internet", "individual", "instruct", "inform" and "inspire". //RETRO-COMPUTING EXPECTATIONS There are "normal signs of use" (which are to be expected with a device of this age). But as an experienced connoisseur I can guarantee that these items are in good condition! There is NO discoloration and there are NO cracks in the plastics (except the one in the top-right-corner). View the numerous images to make your own judgment! PS/ some tiny scratches (and other ware-out) are difficult to capture on picture (but they are there … thus: please have realistic expectations!). You also need to be careful with the handle (> plastic becomes brittle after more-than-20-years and can break easily). Thus: HANDLE with both love & care ;) – be aware that the mechanical hard drives (and fans) of 20 years ago make more noice (compared to modern computers)! Don't buy this mac if you think that will bother you. Please also have realistic expectations about "speed, etc"! This is a vintage computer (collectable). // PACKAGING & SHIPPING The IMAC BONDI bundle is packaged securely and carefully for safe shipment. Moreover, this bundle is shipped INSURED because of its precious value. Because of the precious content extra attention is paid to the CUSTOM packaging. This extra cost is included in the shipping price. "One More Thing" – Steve Jobs quote Don't miss this unique opportunity. Great opportunities don't come everyday! Let the bidding begin … for this legendary IMAC G3 BONDI! "One More Thing" When in doubt, check my positive customer reviews ;) (… because there are some "copycats" out there who copy my style/text and pretend to be me). There is only one "VISENTO"! That's me ;) "One More Thing" – Steve Jobs quote The most dramatically new macintosh since the original. Will you have one?