GoKawiilApple's 1998 iMac G3 confirmed as first mainstream USB-only computer
A tech trivia feature identifies the original iMac G3, released in 1998, as the first widely used computer to drop all legacy ports in favor of USB exclusively. The machine shipped with two USB 1.1 ports and no ADB, serial, SCSI, or floppy connectors, while retaining Ethernet, a modem jack, and audio. The piece also examines near-misses like Sony's VAIO 505 and Compaq's iPaq Desktop, which came later or kept some legacy ports.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
The iMac's commercial success at $1,299 helped push peripheral makers to adopt USB en masse, according to the feature, effectively standardizing a connector that had existed since 1996 but saw little uptake. This illustrates how a single popular product's design choice can accelerate an entire industry's transition away from legacy hardware standards.
- The 1998 iMac G3 is cited as the first mainstream computer to rely solely on USB for peripherals.
- Sony's VAIO 505 and Compaq's iPaq Desktop are noted as close but ultimately later or less complete examples.
- The iMac's popularity is credited with driving broader adoption of USB peripherals across the industry.
Anker USB-A 4-Port Hub — The iMac G3's all-USB design started the trend of ditching legacy ports, and modern computers have followed suit by trimming ports even further. A compact hub like this lets you expand a single USB connection into multiple ports, echoing that same spirit of simple, universal connectivity the iMac pioneered. It's a handy way to plug in mice, keyboards, or external drives without hunting for adapters.
See Anker USB-A 4-Port Hub on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: techspot.com, 2026-09-23
Published there as: “What was the first mainstream computer to use USB as the only port for connecting peripherals?”
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