PowerBook G4
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224488227
2008-07-09T01:58:10Z
Sesmounseba
7438451
/* Models */
{{Infobox Computer
|name = PowerBook G4 (Aluminum)
|developer = [[Apple Inc.|Apple Computer, Inc.]]
|type = [[Laptop]]
|photo = [[Image:PowerBook redjar.jpg|200px]]
|caption = Aluminum PowerBook G4 (15.2")
|release_date = [[January 7]], [[2001]]
|discontinuation_date = [[May 16]], [[2006]]
|processor = [[PowerPC G4]], 1 GHz - 1.67 GHz
}}
The '''PowerBook G4''' was a series of [[notebook computers]] that was manufactured, marketed, and sold by [[Apple Inc.|Apple Computer, Inc.]] between 2001 and 2006 as part of its [[Powerbook]] line. It uses the [[PowerPC G4]] [[central processing unit|processor]], initially produced by [[Motorola]] and later by [[Freescale]], after Motorola spun off its [[semiconductor]] business under that name in [[2004]]. The PowerBook G4 had two different designs: one enclosed in a [[titanium]] body with a translucent black keyboard and a 15" screen; and another in an [[aluminum]] body with an aluminum-colored keyboard, in 12", 15" and 17" sizes.
Between 2001 and 2003, Apple produced the Titanium PowerBook G4; between 2003 and 2006, the Aluminum models were produced. Both models were hailed for their modern design, long battery life and processing power. When the Aluminum PowerBook G4s were first released in January 2003, however, only 12 and 17 inch models were available. The 15 inch retained the titanium body until September 2003 when a new aluminum 15 inch PowerBook was released. In addition to the change from titanium to aluminum, the new 15 inch model featured a [[FireWire 800]] port, which had been included with the 17 inch model since its debut nine months earlier.
The PowerBook G4 line was the last generation of the [[PowerBook]] series, and was succeeded by the Intel-powered [[MacBook Pro]] line in the first half of 2006.
==Titanium PowerBook G4==
{{Infobox Computer
|name = PowerBook G4 (Titanium)
|developer = [[Apple Inc.|Apple Computer inc.]]
|type = [[Laptop]]
|photo = [[Image:15-inch-titanium-powerbook.jpg|200px]]
|caption = Titanium PowerBook G4 (nicknamed TiBook)
|first_release_date = January [[2001]]
|discontinuation_date = September [[2003]]
|processor = [[PowerPC G4]], 400MHz - 1GHz
}}
The first generations of the PowerBook G4 were announced at [[Steve Jobs]]' [[Keynote (presentation creation software)|keynote]] at [[MacWorld Expo]] in January 2001. They featured a PowerPC G4 processor running at either 400 or 500 [[MHz]]. They were just 1 [[inch]] (25 mm) thick, 0.7 inches (18 mm) thinner than their predecessor, the [[PowerBook G3]]. The PowerBook G4 Titanium also featured a front-mounted slot-loading optical drive into which [[optical discs]] (initially [[DVD]]s or [[Compact Disc|CDs]]) could be inserted. The notebook was given the nickname "TiBook", a [[portmanteau]] of Titanium, the material used for the computer's case, and the brand name [[PowerBook]], Apple's professional-oriented line of laptop computers.
===Expansion/ports===
The first generations of the Titanium PowerBook G4 featured 2 built-in [[USB]] 1.1(12 [[megabit|Mbit]]/s) ports, one [[FireWire]] 400 port, a 1/8" audio output, a [[56k modem]], 10/100 Base-T [[Ethernet]], a [[PC card]] slot, a slot-loading CD/DVD drive, optional [[AirPort]] (Apple's name for 802.11 b/g networking), a [[VGA]] output, for operating a second display, and a built-in microphone. Later models featured similar I/O but the Ethernet was upgraded to [[Gigabit Ethernet]] (10/100/1000 Base-T), AirPort became standard (on high-end configurations), the CD/DVD drive was upgraded to a CD/DVD burner (on high-end configurations), and a 1/8" audio input was added. Also, the older VGA port was replaced with [[DVI]] output.
===Revisions===
There were three updates of the TiBook specification, featuring CPU speed increases, more powerful graphics chipsets, and other upgrades such as [[Gigabit Ethernet]], [[DVI]], and an optional [[SuperDrive|SuperDrive DVD burner]]. The four releases are referred to by Apple as follows:
*Mercury, January 2001
:This was the original iteration, featuring a 400 or 500 MHz PowerPC 7410 processor. It featured a 100 MHz FSB, 2 RAM slots (that took up to 512 [[MiB]] modules, allowing for a maximum of 1 [[GiB]]), and an ATI RAGE 128 Mobility graphics card (with 8 MiB of VRAM; running at 2x AGP). Discontinued in October of 2001.
*Onyx, October 2001
:Now with a 550 or 667 MHz PowerPC 7450 processor. The 667 MHz model featured a 133 MHz FSB, and both models had the same ATI Radeon Mobility graphics, running at 4x AGP with 16 MiB of VRAM. This was Apple's first powerbook to fully support [[Quartz Compositor|Quartz Extreme]] which is available in OS X 10.2 and later. Both models also now included Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000 Base-T); as a result this revision is also sometimes referred to as "Gigabit Ethernet". Discontinued in April of 2002.
*Ivory, April 2002
:Sporting a new DVI output, this PowerBook revision featured a 667 or 800 MHz PowerPC 7455 processor, with both models running a 133 MHz FSB. They also featured an improved ATI Radeon 7500 Mobility graphics chip-set, running at 4x AGP, with 32 MiB of VRAM. Discontinued in November of 2002.
*Antimony, 1 GHz/867 MHz, November 2002
:The only iteration to not receive a new incarnation of the PowerPC G4, it sported a minor speed bump to 867 MHz at the low end, and 1 GHz at the high end. It also featured an ATI Radeon 9000 Mobility running at 4x AGP, which shipped with 32 MiB of VRAM on the 867 MHz model and 64 MiB on the 1 GHz model. Additionally, Apple switched the font of hardware labels from the long-standing [[Apple Garamond]] to [[Apple_Garamond#Myriad|Apple Myriad]].
Following the release of the 12" and 17" Aluminum PowerBook G4s, the Titanium PowerBook G4 remained available until September of 2003, about nine months later, at which time it was replaced by the 15" Aluminum PowerBook G4.
===Industrial design===
The initial design of the PowerBook G4s was developed by Apple hardware designers Jory Bell, Nick Merz and Danny Delulis. The new design was a sharp departure from the black plastic, curvilinear [[PowerBook G3]] models that preceded it, more [[modernist]] than [[ergonomic]]. Apple's [[industrial design]], headed by British designer [[Jonathan Ive]], was to continue toward simple, elegant, and minimalistic designs—the TiBook laid the groundwork for the Aluminum PowerBook G4, the [[Power Mac G5]], the flat-screen [[iMac]], the [[Xserve]] and the [[Mac mini]].
===Quality issues===
The hinges on the Titanium PowerBook display are notorious for breaking under heavy use. Usually the hinge (which is shaped like an 'L') will break just to the left of where it attaches to the lower case on the right hinge, and just to the right on the left hinge (where the right hinge is on the right side of the computer when the optical drive is facing you). At least one manufacturer began producing sturdier replacement hinges to address this problem, though actually performing the repair is difficult as the display bezel is glued together.
==Aluminium PowerBook G4==
{{Infobox Computer
|name = PowerBook G4 (Aluminium)
|developer = [[Apple Computer]]
|type = [[Laptop]]
|photo = [[Image:PowerBook G4 12.jpeg|200px]]
|caption = Aluminium PowerBook G4 (12")
|first_release_date = January [[2003]]
|discontinuation_date = [[28 February]], 2006 (15")<br />[[24 April]], 2006 (17")<br />[[16 May]], 2006 (12")
|processor = [[PowerPC G4]], 867 MHz – 1.67 GHz
}}
In 2003 Apple introduced a new line of PowerBook G4s with 12- 15 and 17-inch screens and aluminium cases (prompting the new moniker "AlBook"). The new notebooks not only brought a different design to the PowerBook G4 line but also laid down the foundation for Apple’s notebook design for the next three years, and even the successor to the PowerBook G4, the [[MacBook Pro]], is still manufactured with an aluminium body and a very similar design. The 15" Titanium was still available until September 16th 2003 when the Aluminum model replaced it. Notably, the 12" model brought a welcome return to the Apple [[subnotebook]] configuration, conspicuously lacking in their product line since the discontinuation of the [[PowerBook 2400]] in [[1998]]. While the Titanium PowerBook G4s were capable of running [[Mac OS 9]] or [[Mac OS X]] operating systems, the Aluminum PowerBook G4s could only boot in Mac OS X from startup. Both series of machines could run Mac OS 9 in [[Classic (Mac OS X)|Classic]] mode from within Mac OS X.
===Industrial design===
The Aluminium PowerBook G4 was designed by Apple's VP of Industrial Design [[Jonathan Ive]], and used a radically different design from the preceding Titanium models. The most obvious change was the use of Aluminium, not Titanium, to manufacture the body. The keyboard, which was originally black, was changed to match the color of the body. On 15" and 17" models it was backlit. The design was considered superior to most other notebooks when it debuted in 2003, and consequently it made the PowerBook G4 one of the most desirable notebooks on the market.{{Fact|date=May 2007}} The external design of Apple's professional laptops has never really strayed from the original however.
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===Models===
{|class="wikitable" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0"
!'''Component'''
!colspan=13|'''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PowerPC_G4 Power Pc G4]'''
!
|-
!style="background:#ffdead;width:12%"|'''Model'''
!colspan=2 style="background:#ffdead;width:22%"|'''Jan 2003 (Rev A )''' [http://support.apple.com/kb/SP59 12"] [http://support.apple.com/kb/SP60 17"]
!colspan=3 style="background:#ffdead;width:22%"|'''Sept 2003 (Rev B)''' [http://support.apple.com/kb/SP90 12"] [http://support.apple.com/kb/SP91 15"] [http://support.apple.com/kb/SP92 17']
!colspan=3 style="background:#ffdead;width:22%"|'''April 2004 (Rev C)'''[http://support.apple.com/kb/SP82 12"] [http://support.apple.com/kb/SP83 15"] [http://support.apple.com/kb/SP84 17"]
!colspan=3 style="background:#ffdead;width:22%"|'''Jan 2005 (Rev D)''' [http://support.apple.com/kb/SP48 ALL models]
!colspan=2 style="background:#ffdead;width:22%"|'''Oct 2005 (Rev E)''' [http://support.apple.com/kb/SP38 15" and 17"]
|-
|'''[[Display device|Display]]'''<br>(all widescreen)
|12",TFT XGA, matte (1024x768)
|17", matte, (1440x960)
|12",TFT XGA, matte (1024x768)
|15", matte, 1280x854
|17", matte, (1440x960)
|12",TFT XGA, matte (1024x768)
|15", matte 1280x854
|17", matte, (1440x960)
|12",TFT XGA, matte (1024x768)
|15", matte, 1280x854
|17", matte, (1440x960)
|15", matte, (1440x960)
|17", matte, (1680x1050)
|-
|'''[[Computer graphics|Graphics]]'''
|colspan=1|NVIDIA GeForce4 420 Go with 32MB
|colspan=1|NVIDIA GeForce4 440 Go with 64MB
|colspan=1|NVIDIA GeForce FX Go5200 with 32MB
|colspan=2|ATI Mobility Radeon 9600 with 64MB
|colspan=1|NVIDIA GeForce FX Go5200 with 64MB
|colspan=1|ATI Mobility Radeon 9700 with 64MB
|colspan=1|ATI Mobility Radeon 9700 with 128MB
|colspan=1|NVIDIA GeForce FX Go5200 with 64MB
|colspan=1|ATI Mobility Radeon 9700 with 64MB or 128MB
|colspan=3|ATI Mobility Radeon 9700 with 128MB
|-
| '''[[Hard drive]]<sup>1</sup>'''
|colspan=1|40GB Ultra ATA/100
|colspan=1|60GB Ultra ATA 100
|colspan=1|40GB Ultra ATA/1005
|colspan=3|60GB or 80GB 5400rpm
|colspan=6|80GB 5400rpm
|colspan=1|120GB 5400rpm
|-
| '''[[Central processing unit|Processor]]'''
|867MHz (256kb L2)
|colspan=2|1GHz (256kb L2)
|1GHz or 1.25GHz (512kb L2)
|colspan=2|1.33GHz (512kb L2)
|colspan=3|1.5GHz (512kb L2)
|colspan=4|1.67GHz (512kb L2)
|-
| '''[[RAM|Memory]]'''
|256MB PC2100 (266MHz)
|512MB PC2700 (333MHz)
|256MB PC2100 (266MHz)
|256MB or 512MB PC2700 (333MHz)
|512MB PC2700 (333MHz)
|256MB PC2700 (333MHz)
|colspan=5|512MB PC2700 (333MHz)
|colspan=2|512MB PC2-4200 DDR2 SDRAM (333MHz)
|-
| '''[[AirPort#AirPort Extreme (802.11b/g)|AirPort Extreme]]'''
|Optional
|Integrated [[IEEE 802.11|802.11b/g]]
|colspan=2|Optional
|colspan=9|Integrated [[IEEE 802.11|802.11b/g]]
|-
|'''Internal Slot-Loading [[SuperDrive]]<sup>3</sup>'''
|colspan="1"| COMBO 8x DVD read, 24x CD-R and 10x CD-RW recording
|colspan="1"|2x DVD-R write, 6x DVD read, 8x CD-R write, 4x CD-RW write
|colspan="1"|2x DVD-R write, 8x DVD read, 16x CD-R write, 4x CD-RW write
|colspan="1"| COMBO 8x DVD read, 24x CD-R and 10x CD-RW recording
|colspan="1"|2x DVD-R write, 8x DVD read, 16x CD-R write, 4x CD-RW write
|colspan="1"|4x DVD-R write, 8x DVD read, 16x CD-R write, 4x CD-RW write
|colspan="1"|
|colspan="4"|4x DVD-R write, 8x DVD read, 16x CD-R write, 4x CD-RW write
|colspan="2"|8x DVD±R write, 4x DVD±RW write, 6x DVD± read, 24x CD-R write, 10x CD-RW write
|-
| '''Connections'''
|colspan=2| 2x USB 1.1
|colspan=11| 2x USB 2.0
|-
| '''''
|colspan=1|Mini VGA
|colspan=12|Mini DVI (15" and 17" have full size DVI)
|-
| '''''
|colspan=13|1x Firewire 400 (PLUS 1x Firewire 800 on 15" and 17")
|-
| '''''
|colspan=8|Bluetooth 1.1
|colspan=5|Bluetooth 2.0
|}
===Quality issues===
[[Image:PowerBook G4 17.jpg|thumb|Aluminium PowerBook G4 (17")]]
'''15"'''
People have experienced lower memory slot failures with the typical repair being the replacement of the logic board.
A petition Started in June 2005 at lowermemoryslot.editkid.com [http://lowermemoryslot.editkid.com]. Apple have started a Repair Extension Program concerning the issue [http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=303173] but it has been noted that some models displaying the issue have not been included.[http://lowermemoryslot.editkid.com]
Apple have previously had an Extension Repair program to fix the "white spot" issue on its 15" PB displays [http://www.apple.com/support/powerbook/displayprogram/]
There has also been a rash of reports concerning sudden and pervasive sleeping of 1.67 GHz mode.[http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=6744597] Symptoms will include the PowerBook suddenly entering sleep mode, no matter the battery level or if plugged into the mains, and System Logs will report "Received emergency signal from power management. Going to sleep now." The cause is generally the trackpad sensor monitoring the trackpad; it will sporadically spike to over 100+ C, causing the PowerBook to think it will melt if it does not immediately shut down. Often service groups will replace the motherboard or power converter, but the actual fix is to replace the top case which holds the trackpad and sensor. Alternatively, there are reports that removing key sensor .ktexts from /System/Extensions [http://people.aero.und.edu/~spoonk/powerbook.html Powerbook Sleeping Issue Fix] or rebuilding the kernel using the Darwin Open Source project, commenting-out the relevant sleepSystem() call.
'''17"'''
The 1.67GHz model may suffer from poor quality display. Other than suspected at first, this does not only affect type M9689 PowerBooks introduced in Q2 2005, but as well displays replaced by Apple Service Providers in this period (e.g. because of the bright spots issue). The devices were the last ones shipped with the matte 1440x900 pixel low resolution display. After around 15 months of usage, the displays may show permanently shining lines of various colors stretching vertically across the LCD. Various sites have been set up documenting this issue. [http://www.crosspond.com/apple/home] [http://powerbook17lines.blogspot.com/index.html] [http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=967815&tstart=0]
No official word from Apple on the issue.
==Discontinuation==
The [[PowerPC 970|PowerPC G5]], which powers Apple's now-discontinued [[Power Mac G5]] and [[iMac|iMac G5]] computers, proved to be too power-hungry and heat-intensive to use in laptops.<ref name=WWDC_2005>[[WWDC#WWDC_2005|WWDC 2005]]. Steve Jobs Keynote. ([http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghdTqnYnFyg youtube video])</ref> This, along with the stalling development of the G5, is said to be one of the main reasons for [[Apple Intel transition|Apple's transition]] from [[PowerPC]] to [[Intel]] processors. It should also be noted that development of x86-based [[Mac OS X]] had been occurring for some 8+ years before its release to the public.<ref name=WWDC_2005>[[WWDC#WWDC_2005|WWDC 2005]]. Steve Jobs Keynote. ([http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghdTqnYnFyg youtube video])</ref> On January 10, 2006, Apple released its first Intel-based laptop, the 15" [[MacBook Pro]]. A 17" version of the MacBook Pro followed on [[April 24]], [[2006]]. The 12" PowerBook G4 and the G4 [[iBook]] were discontinued and replaced by the 13.3" [[MacBook]] which was released on [[May 16]], [[2006]], ending the whole PowerBook line. However, an immediate replacement for the 12" subnotebook form factor was not immediately forthcoming. Apple's current subnotebook offering is the [[MacBook Air]], released in [[2008]].
Apple CEO Steve Jobs noted during the introduction of the MacBook Pro that Apple wants the word "Mac" in the name of all its Mac hardware products. Consequently, the trademark name "PowerBook" was retired in early 2006.
{{Timeline of portable Macintoshes}}
<sub>Subscript text</sub>
==References==
<references/>
* [http://developer.apple.com/documentation/Hardware/Developer_Notes/Macintosh_CPUs-G4/15inchPowerBookG4/ 15-inch PowerBook G4 Developer Note]
* [http://developer.apple.com/documentation/Hardware/Developer_Notes/Macintosh_CPUs-G4/17inchPowerBookG4/ 17-inch PowerBook G4 Developer Note]
* [http://www.mactracker.ca/ Mactracker] Detailed information on Apple Macintosh computers.
==External links==
{{commonscat|PowerBook G4}}
* [http://www.apple.com/support/powerbook/ Apple - Support - PowerBook G4]
* [http://lowermemoryslot.editkid.com/ Lower Memory Slot Failure]
* [http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/powerbook_g4/index.html EveryMac.com - PowerBook G4]
* [http://www.my-battery.co.uk/laptop-batteries/apple-macbook-pro-17--series.htm Macbook Pro 17" battery replacement]
* [http://www.my-battery.co.uk/laptop-batteries/apple-powerbook-g4-series-(15-inch-titanium).htm 12 and 15 inch Apple PowerBook G4 battery UK replacement Site]
* [http://people.aero.und.edu/~spoonk/powerbook.html Powerbook Sleeping Issue Fix]
* [http://dotjava.blogspot.com/ PowerBook narcolepsy - Part I & II]
* [http://discussions.apple.com/forum.jspa?forumID=1020&start=0 The PowerBook G4 17-inch Display (Apple Discussions)]
* [http://www.crosspond.com/apple.php PowerBook G4 17" LCD Defect Database]
* [http://scratchpad.wikia.com/wiki/Free_Repair_Campaign_for_Apple_17inch_PowerBooks PowerBook G4 17" LCD Defect wiki] Includes details of censorship at Apple Discussions.
* [http://www.edgetechcorp.com/memory-configuration/apple-powerbook-g4-specs.asp PowerMac G4 Memory Specification Guide]
* [http://www.pbreadme.com/ PowerBook History Site]
* [http://www.diyblog.net/how-to-change-a-powerbook-hard-drive/ DIYBlog.net] How to change 15" G4 1.5 PowerBook's Hard Drive.
{{Navbox with columns
|name = Navbox with columns/doc
|state = uncollapsed
|title = Apple Model Navigation
|colstyle = text-align:center;background:silver;
|colwidth = 25%
|col1header = Replaced
|col2header = Current Model
|col3header = Successor
|col1 = [[PowerBook G3]] (14 inch)<br><br> [[PowerBook 2400c]] (12 inch)
|col2 = [[PowerBook G4]]
|col3 = [[MacBook Pro]] (15 inch and 17 inch)<br><br>[[MacBook Air]] (12 inch)
|col1footer = Preceding Family Model
|col2footer = [[ January 7]], [[2001]]
|col3footer = Following Family Model
}}
{{Apple hardware since 1998}}
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