Editing PowerBook G4

{{Short description|Series of notebook computers created by Apple Computer}}
{{More citations needed|date=March 2023}}
{{Infobox information appliance
| name = PowerBook G4
| developer = [[Apple Computer]]
| type = [[Laptop]]
| photo = PowerBook redjar.jpg
| caption = An aluminum PowerBook G4 with a 15.2-inch screen
| release date = January 9, 2001
| discontinued = May 16, 2006
| processor = [[PowerPC G4]], 400&nbsp;MHz–1.67&nbsp;GHz
| predecessor = [[PowerBook G3]]<br/>[[PowerBook 2400c]]
| successor = [[MacBook Pro (Intel-based)]]
}}
The '''PowerBook G4''' is a series of [[notebook computers]] manufactured, marketed, and sold by [[Apple Computer]] between 2001 and 2006 as part of its [[PowerBook]] line of notebooks. The PowerBook G4 runs on the [[Reduced instruction set computing|RISC]]-based [[PowerPC G4]] [[central processing unit|processor]], designed by the AIM ([[Apple Inc.|Apple]]/[[IBM]]/[[Motorola]]) development alliance and initially produced by [[Motorola]]. It was built later by [[Freescale]], after Motorola spun off its [[semiconductor]] business under that name in 2004. The PowerBook G4 has had two different designs: one with a [[titanium]] body with a translucent black keyboard and a 15-inch screen; and another in an [[aluminum]] body with an aluminum-colored keyboard, in 12-inch, 15-inch, and 17-inch 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, 12-inch and 17-inch models were introduced first, while the 15-inch model retained the titanium body until September 2003, when a new aluminum 15-inch PowerBook was released. The aluminum 15-inch model also includes a [[FireWire 800]] port, which had been included with the 17-inch model since its debut nine months earlier.

The PowerBook G4 is the last revision of the PowerBook series, and was succeeded by the Intel-powered [[MacBook Pro]] line in the first half of 2006. The last version of macOS that most PowerBook G4 computers can run is [[Mac OS X Leopard]], which was released in 2007.<ref name="applepr">{{Cite press release |title=Apple Previews Mac OS X Snow Leopard to Developers |date=June 9, 2008 |publisher=Apple Inc. |url=https://www.apple.com/pr/library/2008/06/09snowleopard.html |access-date=June 11, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120225222101/http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2008/06/09Apple-Previews-Mac-OS-X-Snow-Leopard-to-Developers.html |archive-date=February 25, 2012 |df=mdy-all}}</ref> When [[Mac transition to Intel processors|Apple switched to Intel x86 processors in 2006]], some design features of the PowerBook G4's form and aluminum chassis were retained for the MacBook Pro.

==Titanium (2001-2002)==
{{Infobox information appliance
| name = PowerBook G4 (titanium)
| developer = [[Apple Computer]]
| type = [[Laptop]]
| photo = 1ghz Titanium Apple PowerBook G4.jpg
| caption = The titanium PowerBook G4 (nicknamed TiBook)<ref name="CNNUK"/>
| release date = January 9, 2001
| discontinued = September 16, 2003
| processor = [[PowerPC G4]], 400 MHz–1 GHz
}}
The first PowerBook G4 models were announced at [[Steve Jobs]]' [[MacWorld Expo]] [[keynote]] on January 9, 2001. The two models featured a PowerPC G4 processor running at either 400 or 500 [[MHz]], housed in a titanium-clad case that was 1 [[inch]] (25&nbsp;mm) deep. This was 0.7&nbsp;inches (18&nbsp;mm) shallower than the G4's predecessor, the [[PowerBook G3]]. The G4 was one of the first laptops to use a screen with a widescreen [[Display aspect ratio|aspect ratio]]. It also featured a front-mounted slot-loading optical drive.<ref name="MWUK">{{Cite web |last=Jary |first=Simon |date=January 10, 2001 |title=MW Expo: Titanium G4 PowerBook stunner |url=http://www.macworld.co.uk/mac/news/?newsid=2323&pagtype=allchandate |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131229023645/http://www.macworld.co.uk/mac/news/?newsid=2323&pagtype=allchandate |archive-date=December 29, 2013 |access-date=September 20, 2012 |publisher=Macworld UK}}</ref> The notebook was given the unofficial nickname "TiBook", after the titanium case and the [[PowerBook]] brand name;<ref name="CNNUK">{{Cite web |last1=Schlender |first1=Brent |last2=Schiff |first2=Lenore |date=May 14, 2001 |title=Steve Jobs The Graying Prince Of a Shrinking Kingdom Older and smarter, the CEO whipped his company back into the black. Is Apple on the verge of big things, or is it becoming perfectly irrelevant? |url=https://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/2001/05/14/302936/index.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130314041656/http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/2001/05/14/302936/index.htm |archive-date=March 14, 2013 |access-date=September 20, 2012 |website=Fortune Magazine |publisher=CNN}}</ref> it was sold alongside the cheaper [[iBook]]. The 1&nbsp;GHz version of the titanium G4 is the last, and fastest, PowerBook that can natively run [[Mac OS 9]] (version 9.2.2).

===Industrial design===
The initial design of the PowerBook G4 was developed by Apple hardware designers Jory Bell, Nick Merz, and Danny Delulis.<ref name="BW">{{Cite web |date=May 2009 |title=The Next Wide Thing |url=http://images.businessweek.com/ss/05/09/applespawn/source/7.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130721182905/http://images.businessweek.com/ss/05/09/applespawn/source/7.htm |archive-date=2013-07-21 |access-date=2012-09-20 |publisher=Business Week}}</ref> [[Quanta Computer|Quanta]], an [[original design manufacturer]], also helped in the design.{{Citation needed|date=September 2012}} The new machine was a sharp departure from the black plastic, curvilinear PowerBook G3 models that preceded it. The orientation of the Apple logo on the computer's lid was switched so that it would "read" correctly to onlookers when the computer was in use.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Inside the Titanium Powerbook G4 |url=https://www.macworld.com/article/1002182/powerbook.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170925040045/https://www.macworld.com/article/1002182/powerbook.html |archive-date=2017-09-25 |access-date=2017-09-24 |website=Macworld}}</ref> PowerBook G3 and prior models presented it right-side-up from the perspective of the computer's owner when the lid was closed. Apple's [[industrial design]] team, headed by British designer [[Jonathan Ive]], converged around a minimalist aesthetic—the titanium G4's design language laid the groundwork for the aluminum PowerBook G4, the [[MacBook Pro]], the [[Power Mac G5]], the flat-screen [[iMac]], the [[Xserve]], and the [[Mac mini]].

=== Reception ===
In a review, ''Macworld''{{'s}} Andrew Gore praised the PowerBook's weight, wider screen, and Velocity Engine, but criticized the difficulty of replacing the hard drive. In a battery test, he found that Apple's stated 5 hours of battery life could only be achieved with the screen dimmed and the processor clocked down to 300&nbsp;MHz, though he described battery life in normal use, of slightly over three hours, as "very respectable".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gore |first=Andrew |date=April 30, 2001 |title=Inside the Titanium Powerbook G4 |url=https://www.macworld.com/article/151603/powerbook-2.html |access-date=2023-05-13 |website=Macworld |language=en}}</ref> ''ATPM''{{'s}} Trevor Boehm rated it "excellent", describing it as pricy but a good [[Mobile workstation|desktop replacement]], and praising its speed, screen, and ports, though he criticized the trackpad as oversensitive and inconvenient for [[drag and drop]].<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Boehm |first=Trevor |date=August 2001 |title=Review: PowerBook G4 Titaniuim |url=http://www.atpm.com/7.08/tibook.shtml |magazine=About This Particular Macintosh |volume=7 |issue=8 |access-date=2023-05-13}}</ref> ''PC World''{{'s}} Carla Thornton praised its design, screen and performance, but criticized its graphics, DVD speed, battery life and price.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Thornton |first=Carla |date=March 28, 2001 |title=Review: Apple's ultrathin PowerBook G4 |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2001/TECH/ptech/03/28/powerbook.g4.idg/index.html |access-date=2023-05-13 |website=PC World |via=[[CNN]]}}</ref>

===Quality issues===
The hinges on the titanium PowerBook display are notorious for breaking under typical 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 the user). When the 667&nbsp;MHz and 800&nbsp;MHz "DVI" PowerBooks were introduced, Apple changed the hinge design slightly to strengthen it. At least one aftermarket manufacturer began producing sturdier replacement hinges<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Truth About Titanium G4 Hinges Steel |url=http://www.powerbookmedic.com/The-Truth-About-Titanium-G4-Hinges-Steel-p-34.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181120095715/http://www.powerbookmedic.com/The-Truth-About-Titanium-G4-Hinges-Steel-p-34.html |archive-date=November 20, 2018 |access-date=November 19, 2018 |website=PowerbookMedic |language=en}}</ref> to address this problem, though actually performing the repair is difficult as the display bezel is glued together. In addition some discolouration, bubbling or peeling of paint on the outer bezel occurred, notably around the area where the palm would rest while using the trackpad, and around the rear of the hinges where paint on the back of the machine was often worn off. This appeared on early models but not on later titanium PowerBooks.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The laptop that made Apple switch to aluminum |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYz_U2lo1gQ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/oYz_U2lo1gQ |archive-date=2021-12-21 |access-date=May 18, 2021 |website=YouTube | date=7 May 2021 |language=en}}{{Cbignore}}</ref>

===Display issues===
The video cable is routed around the left-side hinge. This will cause the cable to weaken under heavy usage. Many owners have reported display problems such as random lines or a jumbled screen, although a few owners have replaced just the video cable to successfully resolve this problem. There is also a backlight cable that might fail; The best option is to replace either or both cables before replacing LCD screen.

===Technical specifications===
{{All are obsolete}}

{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible" style="font-size:small; text-align:center"
! colspan=2 | Model<ref>{{Citation |title=Apple PowerBook G4 Specs (All PowerBook G4 Technical Specs): EveryMac.com |url=https://everymac.com/systems/apple/powerbook_g4/index-powerbook-g4.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220726205624/https://everymac.com/systems/apple/powerbook_g4/index-powerbook-g4.html |access-date=2022-07-27 |archive-date=2022-07-26}}</ref>
! colspan=2 style="background:#FF9999" | "Mercury", Original TiBook<ref>{{Cite web |title=PowerBook G4 400 (Original - Ti) Specs (PowerBook G4, M7952LL/A, PowerBook3,2, M5884, 1854) @ EveryMac.com<!-- Bot generated title --> |url=http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/powerbook_g4/stats/powerbook_g4_400.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120403005744/http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/powerbook_g4/stats/powerbook_g4_400.html |archive-date=2012-04-03 |access-date=2008-08-07}}; {{Cite web |last=LLC |first=Kyle Media |title=PowerBook G4 500 (Original - Ti) Specs (PowerBook G4, M7710LL/A, PowerBook3,2, M5884, 1854): EveryMac.com |url=http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/powerbook_g4/stats/powerbook_g4_500.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081005050047/http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/powerbook_g4/stats/powerbook_g4_500.html |archive-date=2008-10-05 |access-date=2008-08-07 |website=www.everymac.com}}</ref>
! colspan=2 style="background:#FF9999" | "Onyx", Gigabit TiBook
! colspan=2 style="background:#FF9999" | "Ivory", DVI TiBook
! colspan=2 style="background:#FF9999" | "Antimony", TiBook

|-
! rowspan=2 | Timetable
! Released
| colspan=2 | January 9, 2001
| colspan=2 | October 16, 2001
| colspan=2 | April 29, 2002
| colspan=2 | November 6, 2002

|-
! Discontinued
| colspan=2 | October 16, 2001
| colspan=2 | April 29, 2002
| colspan=2 | November 6, 2002
| colspan=2 | September 16, 2003

|-
! rowspan=3 | Model info.
! Model number
| colspan=2 | M5884 (EMC 1854)
| colspan=2 | M8407 (EMC 1895)
| colspan=2 | A1001 (EMC 1913)
| colspan=2 | A1025 (EMC N/A)

|-
! Model identifier
| colspan=2 | PowerBook3,2
| colspan=2 | PowerBook3,3
| colspan=2 | PowerBook3,4
| colspan=2 | PowerBook3,5

|-
! Order number
| M7952
| M7710
| M8362
| M8363
| M8591
| M8592
| M8858
| M8859

|-
! rowspan=3 | [[Display device|Display]]
! Size
| colspan=8 | 15.2" (widescreen)
|-
! Method
| colspan=8 | TFT matte LCD display
|-
! Resolution
| colspan=4 | 1152×768
| colspan=4 | 1280×854

|-
! rowspan=4 | Performance
! [[Central processing unit|Processor]]
! colspan=2 | [[PowerPC 7410|PowerPC G4 (7410)]]
! colspan=2 | [[PowerPC 7450|PowerPC G4 (7450)]]
! colspan=4 | [[PowerPC 7455|PowerPC G4 (7455)]]
|-
! Processor speed
| 400&nbsp;MHz
| 500&nbsp;MHz
| 550&nbsp;MHz
| colspan=2 | 667&nbsp;MHz
| 800&nbsp;MHz
| 867&nbsp;MHz
| 1&nbsp;GHz

|-
! [[CPU Cache|Cache]]
| colspan=2 | 1&nbsp;MB backside L2 cache (2:1)
| colspan=2 | 256 KB on-chip L2 cache (1:1)
| colspan=2 | 256 KB on-chip L2 cache<br/>1&nbsp;MB L3 cache (1:1)
| colspan=2 | 256 KB on-chip L2 cache<br/>1&nbsp;MB DDR L3 cache (1:1)

|-
! [[Front Side Bus]]
| colspan=3 | 100&nbsp;MHz
| colspan=5 | 133&nbsp;MHz

|-
! rowspan=2 | [[RAM|Memory]]
! Range
| 128&nbsp;MB (two 64&nbsp;MB)<br/>{{Gray|Expandable up to 1&nbsp;GB}}
| 256&nbsp;MB (two 128&nbsp;MB)<br/>{{Gray|Expandable up to 1&nbsp;GB}}
| 128&nbsp;MB (two 64&nbsp;MB)<br/>{{Gray|Expandable up to 1&nbsp;GB}}
| 256&nbsp;MB (two 128&nbsp;MB)<br/>{{Gray|Expandable up to 1&nbsp;GB}}
| colspan=4 | 256&nbsp;MB (two 128&nbsp;MB) or 512&nbsp;MB (two 256&nbsp;MB)<br/>{{Gray|Expandable up to 1&nbsp;GB}}
|-
! Type
| colspan=2 | PC100 SDRAM
| colspan=6 | PC133 SDRAM

|-
! rowspan=3 | [[Computer graphics|Graphics]]
! Amount
| colspan=2 | 8&nbsp;MB of SDRAM
| colspan=2 | 16&nbsp;MB of SDRAM
| colspan=2 | 32&nbsp;MB of DDR SDRAM
| colspan=2 | 32&nbsp;MB or 64&nbsp;MB of DDR SDRAM
|-
! Type
| colspan=2 | ATI Rage Mobility 128
| colspan=2 | ATI Radeon
| colspan=2 | ATI Radeon 7500
| colspan=2 | ATI Radeon 9000
|-
! [[Accelerated Graphics Port|AGP]]
| colspan=2 | 2x
| colspan=6 | 4x

|-
! rowspan=2 | Storage
! [[Hard drive]]<br/>Ultra ATA/66
| 10&nbsp;GB<br/>{{Gray|''Optional 30&nbsp;GB''}}
| 20&nbsp;GB<br/>{{Gray|''Optional 30&nbsp;GB''}}
| 20&nbsp;GB<br/>{{Gray|''Optional 48&nbsp;GB''}}
| 30&nbsp;GB<br/>{{Gray|''Optional 48&nbsp;GB''}}
| 30&nbsp;GB at 4200&nbsp;rpm<br/>{{Gray|''Optional 60&nbsp;GB at 5400&nbsp;rpm''}}
| 40&nbsp;GB at 4200&nbsp;rpm<br/>{{Gray|''Optional 60&nbsp;GB at 5400&nbsp;rpm''}}
| 40&nbsp;GB at 4200&nbsp;rpm
| 60&nbsp;GB at 4200&nbsp;rpm
|-
! Optical drive<br/>(slot-loading)
| colspan=2 | 6x DVD-ROM
| colspan=2 | 6x DVD-ROM<br/>{{Gray|''Optional 24x CD-ROM read, 8x CD-R write, 8x CD-RW write''}}
| colspan=2 | 8x DVD read, 8x CD-R write, 24x CD-R read
| colspan=2 | 8x DVD read, 8x CD-R write, 24x CD-R read or 1x DVD-R write, 6x DVD read, 8x CD-R write, 24x CD read

|-
! rowspan=3 | Connections
! Connectivity
| colspan=2 | Optional [[AirPort]] [[IEEE 802.11|802.11b]]<br/>10/100 BASE-T [[Fast Ethernet]]<br/>56k V.90 modem<br/>Infrared (IrDA)
| Optional [[AirPort]] [[IEEE 802.11|802.11b]]<br/>[[Gigabit Ethernet]]<br/>56k V.90 modem<br/>Infrared (IrDA)
| Integrated [[AirPort]] [[IEEE 802.11|802.11b]]<br/>[[Gigabit Ethernet]]<br/>56k V.90 modem<br/>Infrared (IrDA)
| colspan=4 | Optional or Integrated [[AirPort]] [[IEEE 802.11|802.11b]]<br/>[[Gigabit Ethernet]]<br/>56k V.92 modem
|-
! Peripherals
| colspan=4 | 2x [[USB]] 1.1<br/>1x [[FireWire]] 400<br/>[[PC Card]] I/II<br/>Built-in stereo speakers<br/>Audio output mini-jack
| colspan=4 | 2x [[USB]] 1.1<br/>1x [[FireWire]] 400<br/>[[PC Card]] I/II<br/>Built-in stereo speakers<br/>Audio output mini-jack<br/>Audio input mini-jack
|-
! Video out
| colspan=4 | [[VGA]] and [[S-Video]]
| colspan=4 | [[Digital Video Interface|DVI]] and [[S-Video]]

|-
! colspan=2 | Battery
| colspan=2 | 50 [[watt hour]] removable lithium-ion
| colspan=4 | 55.3 [[watt hour]] removable lithium-ion
| colspan=2 | 61 [[watt hour]] removable lithium-ion

|-
! colspan=2 | Maximum [[operating system]]
| colspan=6 | [[Mac OS X 10.4.11]] “Tiger” and [[Mac OS 9.2.2]]<br/>{{Gray|Unofficially, can run [[Mac OS X 10.5.8]] with third-party software.}}
| colspan=2 | [[Mac OS X 10.5.8]] “Leopard” and [[Mac OS 9.2.2]]

|}

==Aluminum (2003-2005)==
{{Infobox information appliance
| name = PowerBook G4 (aluminum)
| developer = [[Apple Computer]]
| type = [[Laptop]]
| photo = Powerbook G4 17" 1.67ghz Late-2005.jpg
| caption = An aluminum PowerBook G4 with a 17-inch screen
| release date = January 7, 2003
| discontinued = February 28, 2006 (15")<br/>April 24, 2006 (17")<br/>May 16, 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 aluminum cases. 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 five years, replaced initially in January 2008 by the [[MacBook Air]] and the subsequent [[MacBook]] and [[MacBook Pro]] redesigns in October. The 15" titanium model was still available until September 16, 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|PowerBook 2400c]] in 1998. While the titanium PowerBook G4s were capable of booting into [[Mac OS 9]] or [[Mac OS X]] operating systems, the aluminum PowerBook G4s could only boot into Mac OS X. Both series of machines could run Mac OS 9 in [[Classic (Mac OS X)|Classic]] mode from within Mac OS X.

===Industrial design===
The aluminum PowerBook G4 was designed by Apple's Vice President of Industrial Design, [[Jonathan Ive]], and used a radically different design from the preceding titanium models. The most obvious change was the use of aluminum instead of titanium to manufacture the body. The keyboard, which was originally black, was changed to match the color of the body. Additionally, the aluminum keyboard was backlit on the 17" model and on one of the 15" models. This was the first case of keyboard internal backlighting seen on a notebook computer. The design was considered{{By whom|date=November 2018}} 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. The external design of Apple's professional laptops continued to remain similar to the aluminum PowerBook G4 until Apple announced the Unibody Macbook Pro at its special event on October 14, 2008.

=== Reception ===
''CNET''{{'s}} Molly Wood described the 17-inch PowerBook as a "rock star's notebook", praising its design, screen, bundled software suite (which included [[iLife]], [[QuickBooks]], [[OmniOutliner]] and [[OmniGraffle]]), and backlit keyboard, though she said that the keyboard backlighting required the room to be quite dark, and that there was no option to increase its sensitivity. In benchmarks, she found that the 12-inch, 15-inch and 17-inch models all had about the same "acceptable" battery life, and that the PowerBooks had similar performance to the 17-inch [[iMac]] desktop.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wood |first=Molly |date=April 2, 2003 |title=Apple PowerBook G4 (PowerPC G4 1GHz) review |url=https://www.cnet.com/reviews/apple-powerbook-g4-powerpc-g4-1ghz-512mb-ram-60gb-hdd-macos-x-10-3-review/ |access-date=2023-05-13 |website=CNET |language=en}}</ref>

===Quality issues===
Some owners have experienced failure of the lower memory slot on some of the 15" models, with the typical repair being the replacement of the logic board. Apple had started a Repair Extension Program concerning the issue,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Official Apple Support |url=http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=303173 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080507154553/http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=303173 |archive-date=2008-05-07 |access-date=2008-06-14 |website=docs.info.apple.com}}</ref> but it has been noted that some models displaying the issue have not been included. This leaves some PowerBook G4 owners with a maximum of only 1 GB of RAM to use instead of a full 2 GB.

Apple previously had a Repair Extension Program to fix the "white spot" issue on its 15" PowerBook displays.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Apple - Support - Search |url=https://www.apple.com/support/powerbook/displayprogram |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130123024148/http://www.apple.com/support/powerbook/displayprogram |archive-date=2013-01-23 |access-date=2016-09-01 |website=www.apple.com}}</ref>

There has also been a rash of reports concerning sudden and pervasive sleeping of 1.5 and 1.67&nbsp;GHz models known as Narcoleptic Aluminum PowerBook Syndrome.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 14, 2007 |title=Narcoleptic PowerBook Cured |url=http://knit1spin1.wordpress.com/2007/11/14/narcoleptic-powerbook-cured |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090213143232/http://knit1spin1.wordpress.com/2007/11/14/narcoleptic-powerbook-cured |archive-date=February 13, 2009 |website=knit1, spin1}}</ref> Symptoms include the PowerBook suddenly entering sleep mode, regardless of the battery level or whether the PowerBook is plugged in. One cause is the ambient light sensing,<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 18, 2007 |title=The Cure for a Narcoleptic Laptop: Take-apart (and blog me in the morning) |url=http://www.webmonk.net/index.php/2007/05/the-cure-for-a-narcoleptic-laptop-take-apart-and-blog-me-in-the-morning |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080329221739/http://www.webmonk.net/index.php/2007/05/the-cure-for-a-narcoleptic-laptop-take-apart-and-blog-me-in-the-morning |archive-date=March 29, 2008 |access-date=June 4, 2019 |website=Web Monk}}</ref> and associated instruction set coding, with possible keyboard backlight and sleep light issues accompanying the so-called "narcolepsy". Another cause is the trackpad area heat sensor; system logs report ''"Power Management received emergency overtemp signal. Going to sleep."''.{{Citation needed|date=March 2009}}

To correct this, service groups will often replace the logic board or power converter, but the actual fix (depending on the model) for the first cause is to replace or remove the left or right ambient light sensors; and for the second cause, disconnect, remove, or replace the heat sensor, or the entire top case which holds the trackpad heat sensor. Alternatively, there are reports which detail success in removing certain sensor kernel extensions or rebuilding the kernel using the Darwin Open Source project after commenting out the relevant <code>sleepSystem()</code> call; permanent resolution of the sleep issue in this manner is little documented.<ref>{{Cite web |title=.java: PowerBook narcolepsy issue hack |url=http://dotjava.blogspot.com/2006/10/powerbook-narcolepsy-issue-hack.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080906014755/http://dotjava.blogspot.com/2006/10/powerbook-narcolepsy-issue-hack.html |archive-date=2008-09-06 |access-date=2009-02-21 |website=dotjava.blogspot.com}}</ref>

The 1.67&nbsp;GHz model may suffer from manufacturing or design defects in its display. Initial reports pointed to this only being a problem with type M9689 17" PowerBooks introduced in Q2 2005, but then this problem was also seen in displays replaced by Apple Service Providers in this period (e.g. because of the bright spots issue). The devices were the last 17" models shipped with the matte 1440×900 pixel low-resolution display. After many months of usage, the displays may show permanently shining lines of various colors stretching vertically across the LCD. Often this will start with one-pixel-wide vertical lines being "stuck" in an "always-on" mode. Various sites have been set up documenting this issue.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Apple retail preps for iPhone, 17-inch PBG4 defect, EU deadline |url=http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/07/06/05/apple_retail_preps_for_iphone_17_inch_pbg4_defect_eu_deadline.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080917155258/http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/07/06/05/apple_retail_preps_for_iphone_17_inch_pbg4_defect_eu_deadline.html |archive-date=2008-09-17 |access-date=2008-08-21 |website=AppleInsider|date=5 June 2007 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=17-inch PowerBooks starting to see new vertical-line screen defects? |url=https://www.engadget.com/2007/06/02/17-inch-powerbooks-starting-to-see-new-vertical-line-screen-defe |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180519032647/https://www.engadget.com/2007/06/02/17-inch-powerbooks-starting-to-see-new-vertical-line-screen-defe |archive-date=2018-05-19 |access-date=2017-09-08 |website=engadget.com|date=2 June 2007 }}</ref>

On May 20, 2005, Apple recalled 12-inch iBook G4, and 12- and 15-inch PowerBook G4 batteries (model number A1061, first 5 characters HQ441 – HQ507 for the iBook, model # A1079, serial # 3X446 – 3X510 for 12" PowerBook, model # A1078, serial # 3X446 – 3X509.)<ref>{{Cite web |title=CPSC, Apple Announce Recall of iBook and PowerBook Computer Batteries |url=http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml05/05179.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120703080946/http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml05/05179.html |archive-date=July 3, 2012 |access-date=July 14, 2012 |publisher=CPSC}}</ref> They were recalled due to short-circuiting which caused overheating and explosion. The batteries were made by [[LG Chemical]], in Taiwan and China. Apple has since removed the recall from its website.

=== Technical specifications ===
{{All are obsolete}}

{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible" style="font-size:small; text-align:center"
! colspan=2 | Model
! colspan=2 style="background:#FF9999" | Early 2003
! colspan=5 style="background:#FF9999" | Late 2003
! colspan=5 style="background:#FF9999" | Early 2004
! colspan=5 style="background:#FF9999" | Early 2005
! colspan=2 style="background:#FF9999" | Late 2005

|-
! rowspan=2 | Timetable
! Introduced
| colspan=2 | January 7, 2003
| colspan=5 | September 16, 2003
| colspan=5 | April 19, 2004
| colspan=5 | January 31, 2005
| colspan=2 | October 19, 2005

|-
! Discontinued
| colspan=2 | September 16, 2003
| colspan=5 | April 19, 2004
| colspan=5 | January 31, 2005
| October 19, 2005
| May 16, 2006
| colspan=3 | October 19, 2005
| January 10, 2006
| April 26, 2006

|-
! rowspan=3 | Identifiers
! Model number
| A1010 (EMC 1931)
| A1013 (EMC N/A)
| colspan=2 | A1010 (EMC 1986)
| colspan=2 | A1046 (EMC 1960)
| A1052 (EMC N/A)
| colspan=2 | A1010 (EMC 1986)
| colspan=2 | A1095 (EMC N/A)
| A1085 (EMC 1983A)
| colspan=2 | A1104 (EMC 2030)
| colspan=2 | A1106 (EMC 2029)
| A1107 (EMC N/A)
| A1138 (EMC N/A)
| A1139 (EMC N/A)
|-

|-
! Model identifier
| PowerBook6,1
| PowerBook5,1
| colspan=2 | PowerBook6,2 (DVI)
| colspan=2 | PowerBook5,2 (FW800)
| PowerBook5,3
| colspan=2 | PowerBook6,4
| colspan=2 | PowerBook5,4
| PowerBook5,5
| colspan=2 | PowerBook6,8
| colspan=2 | PowerBook5,6 (SMS/BT2)
| PowerBook5,7
| PowerBook5,8 (DLSD/HR)
| PowerBook5,9 (DLSD/HR)

|-
! Order
| M8760
| M8793
| M9007
| M9008
| M8980
| M8981
| M9110
| M9183
| M9184
| M9421
| M9422
| M9462
| M9690
| M9691
| M9676
| M9677
| M9689
| M9969
| M9970

|-
! colspan=2 | [[Display device|Display]]
| 12.1" 1024×768 [[Thin-film transistor|TFT LCD]]
| 17" 1440×900 [[Thin-film transistor|TFT LCD]]
| colspan=2 | 12.1" 1024×768 [[Thin-film transistor|TFT LCD]]
| colspan=2 | 15.2" 1280×854 [[Thin-film transistor|TFT LCD]]
| 17" 1440×900 [[Thin-film transistor|TFT LCD]]
| colspan=2 | 12.1" 1024×768 [[Thin-film transistor|TFT LCD]]
| colspan=2 | 15.2" 1280×854 [[Thin-film transistor|TFT LCD]]
| 17" 1440×900 [[Thin-film transistor|TFT LCD]]
| colspan=2 | 12.1" 1024×768 [[Thin-film transistor|TFT LCD]]
| colspan=2 | 15.2" 1280x854 <ref>{{Cite web |title=PowerBook G4 1.67 15" (Al) Specs (15-Inch 1.67/1.5, M9677LL/A, PowerBook5,6, A1106, 2029): EveryMac.com |url=https://everymac.com/systems/apple/powerbook_g4/specs/powerbook_g4_1.67_15.html |access-date=2023-05-02 |website=everymac.com}}</ref> [[Thin-film transistor|TFT LCD]]
| 17" 1440×900 [[Thin-film transistor|TFT LCD]]
| 15.2" 1440×960 [[Thin-film transistor|TFT LCD]]
| 17" 1680×1050 [[Thin-film transistor|TFT LCD]]

|-
! rowspan=3 | [[Central processing unit|Processor]]
! CPU
! colspan=2 | [[PowerPC 7455]] v3.3 (G4)
! colspan=5 | [[PowerPC 7447]] (G4)
! colspan=5 | [[PowerPC 7447A]] (G4)
! colspan=7 | [[PowerPC 7447B]] (G4)
|-
! Speed
| 867&nbsp;MHz
| colspan=4 | 1&nbsp;GHz
| 1.25&nbsp;GHz
| colspan=4 | 1.33&nbsp;GHz
| colspan=5 | 1.5&nbsp;GHz
| colspan=4 | 1.67&nbsp;GHz
|-
! Backside cache
| 256&nbsp;KB L2 backside cache
| 256&nbsp;KB L2 backside cache<br/>1&nbsp;MB L3 backside cache
| colspan=17 | 512&nbsp;KB L2 backside cache

|-
! rowspan=2 | [[RAM|Memory]]
! Base
| 256&nbsp;MB (two 128&nbsp;MB) 266&nbsp;MHz PC-2100 DDR SDRAM
| 512&nbsp;MB (two 256&nbsp;MB) 333&nbsp;MHz PC-2700 DDR SDRAM
| colspan=2 | 256&nbsp;MB (soldered) 266&nbsp;MHz PC-2100 DDR SDRAM
| colspan=2 | 256&nbsp;MB (two 128&nbsp;MB) 333&nbsp;MHz PC-2700 DDR SDRAM
| 512&nbsp;MB (two 256&nbsp;MB) 333&nbsp;MHz PC-2700 DDR SDRAM
| colspan=2 | 256&nbsp;MB (soldered) 333&nbsp;MHz PC-2700 DDR SDRAM
| colspan=8 | 512&nbsp;MB (two 256&nbsp;MB) 333&nbsp;MHz PC-2700 DDR SDRAM
| colspan=2 | 512&nbsp;MB 533&nbsp;MHz PC2-4200 DDR2 SDRAM
|-
! Expansion
| {{Gray|Expandable to 1152&nbsp;MB}}
| {{Gray|Expandable to 2&nbsp;GB}}
| colspan=2 | {{Gray|Expandable to 1.25&nbsp;GB}}
| colspan=3 | {{Gray|Expandable to 2&nbsp;GB}}
| colspan=2 | {{Gray|Expandable to 1.25&nbsp;GB}}
| colspan=3 | {{Gray|Expandable to 2&nbsp;GB}}
| colspan=2 | {{Gray|Expandable to 1.25&nbsp;GB}}
| colspan=5 | {{Gray|Expandable to 2&nbsp;GB}}

|-
! rowspan=2 | [[Computer graphics|Graphics]]
! Processor
| [[GeForce FX series|NVIDIA GeForce4 Go 420]] 32&nbsp;MB DDR SDRAM
| [[GeForce FX series|NVIDIA GeForce4 Go 440]] 64&nbsp;MB DDR SDRAM
| colspan=2 | [[GeForce FX series|NVIDIA GeForce FX Go5200]] 32&nbsp;MB DDR SDRAM
| colspan=3 | [[Radeon|ATI Radeon 9600]] 64&nbsp;MB DDR SDRAM
| colspan=2 | [[GeForce FX series|NVIDIA GeForce FX Go5200]] 64&nbsp;MB DDR SDRAM
| colspan=3 | [[Radeon|ATI Radeon 9700]] 64&nbsp;MB DDR SDRAM<br/>{{Gray|''Optional [[Radeon|ATI Radeon 9700]] 128&nbsp;MB DDR SDRAM''}}
| colspan=2 | [[GeForce FX series|NVIDIA GeForce FX Go5200]] 64&nbsp;MB DDR SDRAM
| colspan=3 | [[Radeon|ATI Radeon 9700]] 64&nbsp;MB DDR SDRAM<br/>{{Gray|''Optional [[Radeon|ATI Radeon 9700]] 128&nbsp;MB DDR SDRAM''}}
| colspan=2 | [[Radeon|ATI Radeon 9700]] 128&nbsp;MB DDR SDRAM
|-
! Ports
| colspan=19 | [[Accelerated Graphics Port|AGP]] 4x

|-
! rowspan=2 | [[Hard drive]]
! Capacity
| 40&nbsp;GB 4200&nbsp;rpm
| 60&nbsp;GB 4200&nbsp;rpm
| colspan=2 | 40&nbsp;GB 4200&nbsp;rpm
| 60&nbsp;GB 4200&nbsp;rpm
| colspan=2 | 80&nbsp;GB 4200&nbsp;rpm
| colspan=2 | 60&nbsp;GB 4200&nbsp;rpm
| colspan=3 | 80&nbsp;GB 4200&nbsp;rpm
| 60&nbsp;GB 5400&nbsp;rpm
| colspan=3 | 80&nbsp;GB 4200&nbsp;rpm
| 100&nbsp;GB 4200&nbsp;rpm
| 80&nbsp;GB
| 120&nbsp;GB

|-
! Types
| colspan=19 | Ultra ATA/100

|-
! colspan=2 | Optical Drive<br/>Slot Loading
| [[Combo drive]]
| [[SuperDrive]]
| [[Combo drive]]
| [[SuperDrive]]
| [[Combo drive]]
| colspan=2 | [[SuperDrive]]
| [[Combo drive]]
| [[SuperDrive]]
| [[Combo drive]]
| colspan=2 | [[SuperDrive]]
| [[Combo drive]]
| [[SuperDrive]]
| [[Combo drive]]
| colspan=2 | [[SuperDrive]]
| colspan=2 | DL [[SuperDrive]]

|-
! rowspan=4 | Connectivity
! [[AirPort]]
| colspan=6 | {{Gray|Optional or Integrated [[AirPort#AirPort Extreme (802.11b/g)|AirPort Extreme]] [[IEEE 802.11|802.11b/g]]}}
| colspan=13 | Integrated [[AirPort#AirPort Extreme (802.11b/g)|AirPort Extreme]] [[IEEE 802.11|802.11b/g]]

|-
! [[Ethernet]]
| [[Ethernet over twisted pair|10/100 BASE-T]]
| [[Gigabit Ethernet|Gigabit]]
| colspan=2 | [[Ethernet over twisted pair|10/100 BASE-T]]
| colspan=3 | [[Gigabit Ethernet|Gigabit]]
| colspan=2 | [[Ethernet over twisted pair|10/100 BASE-T]]
| colspan=3 | [[Gigabit Ethernet|Gigabit]]
| colspan=2 | [[Ethernet over twisted pair|10/100 BASE-T]]
| colspan=5 | [[Gigabit Ethernet|Gigabit]]

|-
! [[Modem]]
| colspan=19 | 56k V.92 modem

|-
! [[Bluetooth]]
| colspan=6 | [[Bluetooth]] 1.1
| colspan=13 | [[Bluetooth]] 2.0+EDR

|-
! rowspan=4 | Peripherals
! [[USB]]
| colspan=2 | 2x [[USB]] 1.1
| colspan=17 | 2x [[USB]] 2.0

|-
! [[FireWire]]
| 1x [[IEEE 1394#FireWire 400 (IEEE 1394-1995)|FireWire 400]]
| 1x [[IEEE 1394#FireWire 800 (IEEE 1394b-2002)|FireWire 800]]
| colspan=2 | 1x [[IEEE 1394#FireWire 400 (IEEE 1394-1995)|FireWire 400]]
| colspan=3 | 1x [[IEEE 1394#FireWire 800 (IEEE 1394b-2002)|FireWire 800]]
| colspan=2 | 1x [[IEEE 1394#FireWire 400 (IEEE 1394-1995)|FireWire 400]]
| colspan=3 | 1x [[IEEE 1394#FireWire 800 (IEEE 1394b-2002)|FireWire 800]]
| colspan=2 | 1x [[IEEE 1394#FireWire 400 (IEEE 1394-1995)|FireWire 400]]
| colspan=5 | 1x [[IEEE 1394#FireWire 800 (IEEE 1394b-2002)|FireWire 800]]

|-
! [[PC Card]]
| {{N/a}}
| [[PC Card]] I/II
| colspan=2 {{N/a}}
| colspan=3 | [[PC Card]] I/II
| colspan=2 {{N/a}}
| colspan=3 | [[PC Card]] I/II
| colspan=2 {{N/a}}
| colspan=5 | [[PC Card]] I/II

|-
! Audio
| colspan=16 | Built-in stereo speakers<br/>Audio input mini-jack<br/>Audio output mini-jack
| colspan=3 | Built-in stereo speakers<br/>Analog/optical digital audio input mini-jack<br/>Analog/optical digital audio output mini-jack

|-
! colspan=2 | Video out
| [[Mini-VGA]]
| [[Digital Visual Interface|DVI]]
| colspan=2 | [[Mini-DVI]]
| colspan=3 | [[Digital Visual Interface|DVI]]
| colspan=2 | [[Mini-DVI]]
| colspan=3 | [[Digital Visual Interface|DVI]]
| colspan=2 | [[Mini-DVI]]
| colspan=5 | [[Digital Visual Interface|DVI]]

|-
! colspan=2 | Battery
| 47&nbsp;[[Watt-hour|Wh]] removable lithium-ion
| 55&nbsp;[[Watt-hour|Wh]] removable lithium-ion
| colspan=2 | 47&nbsp;[[Watt-hour|Wh]] removable lithium-ion
| colspan=2 | 46&nbsp;[[Watt-hour|Wh]] removable lithium-ion
| 58&nbsp;[[Watt-hour|Wh]] removable lithium-ion
| colspan=12 | 50&nbsp;[[Watt-hour|Wh]] removable lithium-ion (12" and 15")<br/>58&nbsp;[[Watt-hour|Wh]] removable lithium-ion (17")

|-
! colspan=2 | Maximum [[operating system]]
| colspan=19 | [[Mac OS X Leopard|Mac OS X 10.5.8]] “Leopard”

|}

==Discontinuation==
One major factor that led to the discontinuation of the PowerBook G4 was Apple's internal experimentation with the [[PowerPC 970|PowerPC G5]] for the company's next line professional-grade notebooks at that time. However, the G5, which also powered the [[Power Mac G5]] and [[iMac G5]], proved to be too power-hungry and heat-intensive to use in a notebook form factor.<ref name="WWDC_2005">[[WWDC#WWDC 2005|WWDC 2005]] {{YouTube|ghdTqnYnFyg|Steve Jobs Keynote}}</ref> Stalled development of the mobile G5 is also said to be another main factor in [[Mac transition to Intel processors|the Mac's transition from PowerPC to Intel processors]].<ref name="MW">{{Cite web |last=McLaughlin |first=Laurianne |date=September 15, 2005 |title=Analysis: Why Apple picked Intel over AMD |url=http://www.macworld.com/article/46961/2005/09/intelvsamd.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110810104248/http://www.macworld.com/article/46961/2005/09/intelvsamd.html |archive-date=August 10, 2011 |access-date=September 1, 2016 |website=Macworld}}</ref>

After awaiting a new professional-grade notebook to replace the G4, on January 10, 2006, Apple released the 15" [[MacBook Pro]], its first Intel-based notebook.<ref name="mbprelease">{{Cite web |date=January 10, 2006 |title=Apple Introduces MacBook Pro |url=https://www.apple.com/pr/library/2006/jan/10macbookpro.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100108140023/http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2006/jan/10macbookpro.html |archive-date=January 8, 2010 |access-date=April 11, 2010 |publisher=[[Apple Inc.|Apple]] |df=mdy-all}}</ref> A 17" version of the MacBook Pro followed on April 24, 2006.<ref name="mbp17release">{{Cite web |date=April 24, 2006 |title=Apple Introduces 17-inch MacBook Pro |url=https://www.apple.com/pr/library/2006/apr/24macbookpro.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100328153158/http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2006/apr/24macbookpro.html |archive-date=March 28, 2010 |access-date=April 11, 2010 |publisher=[[Apple Inc.|Apple]] |df=mdy-all}}</ref> The new "MacBook Pro" name was given to the new series of notebooks after Apple changed the portable naming schemes from "Power" for professional products (and "i" for consumer products), in favor of including "Mac" in the title of all computer lines, with the suffix "Pro" denoting a pro product. Finally, on May 16, 2006, the 12" PowerBook G4 and the G4 [[iBook]] were discontinued and replaced by the 13.3" [[MacBook (2006-2012)|MacBook]], ending the whole PowerBook line.<ref name="CNN">{{Cite web |last=Cantrell |first=Amanda |date=May 16, 2006 |title=Apple launches Intel-based MacBook |url=https://money.cnn.com/2006/05/16/technology/apple_macbook/index.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120724012153/http://money.cnn.com/2006/05/16/technology/apple_macbook/index.htm |archive-date=July 24, 2012 |access-date=September 20, 2012 |publisher=CNN}}</ref>

However, a replacement for the 12" subnotebook form factor (i.e. the 12" PowerBook G4) was not immediately forthcoming; the [[MacBook Air]], released in 2008, served as an indirect replacement while the 13" MacBook Pro released in 2009 is the direct replacement for the 12" PowerBook G4.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cohen |first=Peter |date=January 15, 2008 |title=Apple introduces MacBook Air |url=http://www.macworld.com/article/131583/2008/01/macbookair.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110903070753/http://www.macworld.com/article/131583/2008/01/macbookair.html |archive-date=September 3, 2011 |access-date=January 21, 2008 |website=[[Macworld]]}}</ref><ref name="cnet09 comparison">{{Cite web |title=Review of 10 Best 13 Inch Laptop Recommendations (Latest 2022) |url=https://www.tomslead.com/best-13-inch-laptop |access-date=April 11, 2010 |publisher=[[CNET Networks|CNET]]}}{{Dead link|date=June 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Apple returned to the 12" screen size with the [[MacBook (2015 version)|MacBook]] released in 2015.<ref name="Macbook2015">{{Cite web |last=Snell |first=Jason |date=April 9, 2015 |title=Review: The new 12-inch MacBook is a laptop without an ecosystem |url=http://www.macworld.com/article/2908115/review-the-new-12-inch-macbook-is-a-laptop-without-an-ecosystem.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150602010225/http://www.macworld.com/article/2908115/review-the-new-12-inch-macbook-is-a-laptop-without-an-ecosystem.html |archive-date=June 2, 2015 |access-date=June 6, 2015 |website=Macworld |publisher=IDG}}</ref>

== Supported operating systems ==
{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible style="font-size: 90%;

|-
! colspan="10" style="text-align:center;" | Supported Mac OS releases

|-
! rowspan=2 | OS release
! colspan=4 | Titanium
! colspan=5 | Aluminum

|-
! colspan=1 | Early 2001
! colspan=1 | Late 2001
! colspan=1 | Early 2002
! Late 2002
! colspan=1 | Early 2003
! Late 2003
! Early 2004
! Early 2005
! Late 2005

|-
! [[Mac OS 9]]
| {{Ya|text=9.1}}
| {{Ya|text=9.2.1}}
| colspan="2"{{Ya|text=9.2.2}}
| colspan="5"{{Partial|Emulation only}}

|-
! [[Mac OS X 10.0|10.0 Cheetah]]
| {{Ya}}
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}

|-
! [[Mac OS X 10.1|10.1 Puma]]
| {{Ya}}
| {{Ya}}
| {{Ya|text=10.1.4}}
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}

|-
! [[Mac OS X Jaguar|10.2 Jaguar]]
| {{Ya}}
| {{Ya}}
| {{Ya}}
| {{Ya|text=10.2.2}}
| {{Ya|text=10.2.3}}
| {{Ya|text=10.2.7}}
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}

|-
! [[Mac OS X Panther|10.3 Panther]]
| {{Ya}}
| {{Ya}}
| {{Ya}}
| {{Ya}}
| {{Ya}}
| {{Ya}}
| {{Ya|text=10.3.3}}
| {{Ya|text=10.3.7}}
| {{N/a}}

|-
! [[Mac OS X Tiger|10.4 Tiger]]
| {{Ya}}
| {{Ya}}
| {{Ya}}
| {{Ya}}
| {{Ya}}
| {{Ya}}
| {{Ya}}
| {{Ya}}
| {{Ya|text=10.4.2}}

|-
! [[Mac OS X Leopard|10.5 Leopard]]
| {{Partial|patch}}
| {{Partial|patch}}
| {{Partial|patch}}
| {{Ya}}
| {{Ya}}
| {{Ya}}
| {{Ya}}
| {{Ya}}
| {{Ya}}

|}

== Timeline ==
{{Timeline of portable Macintoshes}}

== Notes ==
{{Notelist|30em}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

;General
{{Refbegin}}
* {{Cite web |date=2005-10-27 |title=15-inch PowerBook G4 Developer Note |url=https://developer.apple.com/documentation/Hardware/Developer_Notes/Macintosh_CPUs-G4/15inchPowerBookG4 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090510083751/http://developer.apple.com/documentation/Hardware/Developer_Notes/Macintosh_CPUs-G4/15inchPowerBookG4 |archive-date=2009-05-10 |access-date=8 February 2023}}
* {{Cite web |date=2005-10-19 |title=17-inch PowerBook G4 Developer Note |url=https://developer.apple.com/documentation/Hardware/Developer_Notes/Macintosh_CPUs-G4/17inchPowerBookG4 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081229154742/http://developer.apple.com/documentation/Hardware/Developer_Notes/Macintosh_CPUs-G4/17inchPowerBookG4 |archive-date=2008-12-29 |access-date=8 February 2023}}
* {{Cite web |title=Mactracker (Detailed information on Apple Macintosh computers.) |url=http://www.mactracker.ca |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180124060157/http://mactracker.ca |archive-date=2018-01-24}}
{{Refend}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|PowerBook G4}}
*[https://www.apple.com/support/powerbook/ Apple - Support - PowerBook G4]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20090212164851/http://www.thestandard.com/news/2009/01/01/steve-jobs-greatest-macworld-video-hits-1998-2008?page=0%2C4 Video of Jobs launching PowerBook G4 Titanium at Macworld 2001]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20090503140907/http://www.thestandard.com/news/2009/01/01/steve-jobs-greatest-macworld-video-hits-1998-2008?page=0,6 Video of Jobs launching PowerBook G4 Aluminum at Macworld 2003]
*[http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/powerbook_g4/index.html PowerBook G4], EveryMac.com
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20160322192708/http://xlr8yourmac.com/systems/pb_g4_15_al_takeapart/ Alu G4 Disassembly]

{{Apple hardware since 1998}}

[[Category:PowerBook|G4]]
[[Category:PowerPC Macintosh computers]]
[[Category:Computer-related introductions in 2001]]
[[Category:Discontinued Apple Inc. products]]