• Quad-Core PowerPC G5 Processor

The new quad Power Mac G5 combines four processor cores on two silicon chips, for groundbreaking data processing. Compare a quad-core Power Mac G5 to the fastest dual-processor computer ever built, and you'll experience up to 69 percent faster performance running popular professional applications. Or make that up to three times faster, if you're comparing with a Power Mac G4.

• PCI Express Architecture

The new quad Power Mac G5 introduces a modern PCI Express architecture to the Mac platform, opening up a world of high-performance system technologies and peripherals. PCI Express paves the way for emerging solutions for media and networking, making it a future-savvy choice for your lab or studio. Built into the quad Power Mac G5 architecture is an all-new system controller. This fast application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) integrates a new lower-latency memory subsystem with support for ultrafast DDR2 main memory-plus 16-lane PCI Express graphics and the dual-channel, bidirectional front-side bus that made its debut in the original Power Mac G5.

• High-Performance I/O

The new quad Power Mac G5 architecture uses the HyperTransport protocol to integrate I/O subsystems and connect them to the system controller. Serial ATA, FireWire, USB, audio, and wireless technologies are integrated through two bidirectional 800MHz HyperTransport interconnects for a maximum throughput of 1.6GBps, providing ample throughput for a host of peripheral devices.

• 16x SuperDrive with Double-Layer Support

The SuperDrive built into every quad Power Mac G5 reads and writes to a wide variety of DVD and CD media, including double-layer (DVD+R DL) discs capable of holding up to 8.5GB of data. While traditional single-layer DVD-R discs hold up to 4.7GB of data, double-layer discs have two layers of data, one of them semitransparent. The SuperDrive in the quad Power Mac G5 can read and write on either layer, almost doubling the storage space. This means you can author discs with over 3.5 hours of video encoded in standard MPEG-2 format on one DVD+R DL disc, compared with 2 hours of video on a standard DVD-R disc.

• Analog and Digital Audio

The new quad Power Mac G5 features a comprehensive set of audio capabilities not commonly found in personal computers. State-of-the-art optical digital audio input and output ports use the S/PDIF (Sony/Philips Digital Interface) protocol over Toslink cables for connecting to devices such as decks, receivers, digital instruments, and even home theater systems. The optical digital audio ports on the quad Power Mac G5 support stereo and 5.1 surround sound speaker systems. Because optical digital audio transmits data as impulses of light rather than electrical signals, it delivers pristine digital sound. Completing the audio features of the Power Mac G5 are high-quality analog stereo audio line-level input and output ports for connecting self-powered microphones and analog audio decks and devices. An internal speaker is included, and a minijack on the front panel makes it easy to plug in headphones for individual listening.

• Real-World Advantages

The new quad Power Mac G5 and Mac OS X deliver performance and platform advantages that make it the system of choice for professionals in the creative and scientific fields. With a quad-core PowerPC G5 processor, a new PCI Express architecture, and workstation graphics features, this groundbreaking system opens up a wealth of possibilities for 2D and 3D designers, video and audio producers, scientists and researchers.

• Film and Video

No matter what the format-DV, SD, HDV, HD, or even film-the quad Power Mac G5 gives film and video professionals the freedom and power to create studio-quality projects. Quad-core Power Mac G5 systems speed up editing and enhance multi-stream and multi-cam production using Final Cut Studio -- supporting more simultaneous streams and real-time effects, as well as accelerating video processing and rendering.

• Loaded with Software

The quad Power Mac G5 comes with incredible software to have you set for every prosumer application need. Software included is as follows: Mac OS X, Spotlight, Dashboard, Mail, iChat AV, Safari, Address Book, Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac Test Drive and QuickBooks New User Edition. It also comes with QuickTime, iLife (includes iTunes, iPhoto, iMovie HD, iDVD and GarageBand), iCal, DVD Player, Classic environment, Art Directors Toolkit X, FileMaker Pro Trial, GraphicConverter, OmniGraffle, OmniOutliner, Zinio Reader and Xcode Development Tools.

• Built-In Support

Your new Apple product comes with some great tools to help you get started using it. Whenever you have a question about how to use your computer, use the on-screen Mac Help Center to find the step-by-step instructions and troubleshooting information you need.