I'm looking to buy. can any Os later than Os X 10.5 Leopard. I want to get the newest 17" version the last made with the Superdrive, Max ram I figure is 2Gbs?? I will get a solid state drive obvi!! I have a 10.6 snow leopard disc, its damn near the same thing?? smart people let me know please!! Thanks! Much love!
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Latest (Last) Powerbook G4 models, Fastest processor on PBG4?
- Thread starter Smf920
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
A1139: https://everymac.com/systems/apple/powerbook_g4/specs/powerbook_g4_1.67_17_hr.html
2GB ram, max.
OS X 10.5.8 Leopard max. This is a PowerBook using a PowerPC chip. It doesn't matter that you think Snow Leopard is 'damn near the same thing'. Snow Leopard requires an Intel processor, which PowerPC does not use.
If you get an SSD you will need some sort of adapter. PowerBook G4s use IDE, not SATA.
2GB ram, max.
OS X 10.5.8 Leopard max. This is a PowerBook using a PowerPC chip. It doesn't matter that you think Snow Leopard is 'damn near the same thing'. Snow Leopard requires an Intel processor, which PowerPC does not use.
If you get an SSD you will need some sort of adapter. PowerBook G4s use IDE, not SATA.
PowerBooks have a Power PC processor, and Snow Leopard will only install to an Intel based Mac, so you are limited to 10.5 Leopard as the latest OS you can run 
There are plenty of older Intel MacBooks and MacBook Pros that will run 10.6 and may suit you better.
Cheers
Hugh
There are plenty of older Intel MacBooks and MacBook Pros that will run 10.6 and may suit you better.
Cheers
Hugh
Apple unfortunately removed the majority of PPC code from Mac OS 10.6.
Even the earliest MacBook will outperform the PowerBook in almost every task, minus anything GPU related. If its the aesthetic you like, they made Aluminum MacBook Pro's up to 2008 that look near identical to the G4s. Just watch those 8600M GTs.. They are the best model, but some have defective GPUs. They can be replaced with a service that @dosdude1 offers however. Those 2008 models can un-officially run up to the latest Mojave, and 10.11 el capitan officially.
Even the earliest MacBook will outperform the PowerBook in almost every task, minus anything GPU related. If its the aesthetic you like, they made Aluminum MacBook Pro's up to 2008 that look near identical to the G4s. Just watch those 8600M GTs.. They are the best model, but some have defective GPUs. They can be replaced with a service that @dosdude1 offers however. Those 2008 models can un-officially run up to the latest Mojave, and 10.11 el capitan officially.
Pretty much everything everyone’s said before me, but adding how there’s perhaps one other aftermarket addition you could consider if you’re insistent on PPC/PowerBook tech and not Intel/MacBook Pro aluminium tech: swapping the OEM dual-layer Superdrive (model UJ-846C) with the UJ-225 (also ATAPI/IDE and made by Matshita/Matsushita/Panasonic) which also has the capability to burn Blu-Ray discs — if, you know, that’s your jam.
That, and also adding a PC Card (like the Linksys WPC600N) which allows AirPort to use 802.11n natively.
That, and also adding a PC Card (like the Linksys WPC600N) which allows AirPort to use 802.11n natively.
Good luck finding one of these, but Daystar Technology used to upgrade aluminum PowerBooks up to 2.0 GHz. I've only ever seen one of these in the wild, a 1.9 GHz-upgraded 12" PB for sale on eBay probably ten years ago. I didn't have the means to purchase, and don't remember what it sold for, but I'm certain it was a relatively princely sum.
If one of those turned up now in good, running order and in cosmetically good shape, I wouldn’t be too surprised if they sold for double, if not more, than what the standard DLSD counterparts tend to sell for.
I almost feel as if swapping the DLSD’s 7447B with a 7448 is a future project for @LightBulbFun and/or @dosdude1 to try.
I have a feeling we've frightened the OP off, or they've gone and hidden under a bridge somewhere
Cheers
Hugh
Cheers
Hugh
I have a feeling we've frightened the OP off, or they've gone and hidden under a bridge somewhere
Cheers
Hugh
They were scared away early once everyone said, “Yeah no, you get the Leopard and you will like it” and “Snow Leopard is
By the time we got to everything else, they were either done or else probably rooting around for a pre-Unibody MacBook Pro to run Snow Leopard and have 4GB RAM.
True? now if i could get the custom tailored help finding the 17" 1.67b Dual layer SD/Hi-Res display? does anyone have; honestly, yes I'm sorry i could use some help finding one so i'm looking to see if you/ anyone can use there skills to searching good leads to catch a SD/ Hi-Res 2006 model in a top notch, to use mostly for word processing so i like the older keyboards for the physical satisfying response from them! anything is appreciated greatly,
Smf920.
Hello again, there's been lots of comments already, but what is the reason you must have the most sought after PowerBook model, as it will cost you more if one can be found?
The previous model (a1106 - https://everymac.com/systems/apple/powerbook_g4/specs/powerbook_g4_1.67_15.html ), although it is only 15", has the closest specs and actually benchmarks slightly higher, is far more easy to find and probably much cheaper to buy.
Where are you, so anyone who can help points you in the right direction?
Good luck in your search.
Cheers
Hugh
The previous model (a1106 - https://everymac.com/systems/apple/powerbook_g4/specs/powerbook_g4_1.67_15.html ), although it is only 15", has the closest specs and actually benchmarks slightly higher, is far more easy to find and probably much cheaper to buy.
Where are you, so anyone who can help points you in the right direction?
Good luck in your search.
Cheers
Hugh
In that case, go for any of the Aluminium models - for word processing that extra CPU/GPU/SSD bump won't amount to much.
Hello again, there's been lots of comments already, but what is the reason you must have the most sought after PowerBook model, as it will cost you more if one can be found?
The previous model (a1106 - https://everymac.com/systems/apple/powerbook_g4/specs/powerbook_g4_1.67_15.html ), although it is only 15", has the closest specs and actually benchmarks slightly higher, is far more easy to find and probably much cheaper to buy.
Where are you, so anyone who can help points you in the right direction?
Good luck in your search.
Cheers
Hugh
The only reason I ended up getting a DLSD is because even though the earlier models are easier to secure, they supposedly have frequent problems with the lower RAM slot not functioning, leading them to end up having a max capacity of 1GB. This was fixed in the DLSD with a revised motherboard design.
Frankly, for his planned usage, I'd even suggest the 1GHz PowerBook G4 Titanium. It's definitely fast enough, the keyboard is just as good, and is probably cheaper, too. Slap in an SSD, and you're all set.
You get the identical keyboard on any of the pre-unibody MacBook Pros between 2006 and 2008 and on any of the aluminium PowerBooks between 2003 and 2005 (yes, including the 12" PowerBooks). Only the 12" PowerBooks lack backlighting, but the keyboard on everything aluminium and PowerBook/MacBook Pro between 2003 and 2008 is verbatim-identical.
You get the same processing power and video memory with the SLSD PowerBooks of early 2005. Swapping out the SLSD with a DLSD or even a hecking BD-RW/DVD-RW/CD-RW drive is fairly easy, and even bumping up the LCD is do-able.
Here’s how you find one:
1) Exercise patience
2) Look locally/regionally
3) Expect that the one you find will need some work (these are all over a dozen years old)
4) Use iFixit’s helpful guides to repair and maintain stuff
5) Don’t make a business out of flipping and/or arting PowerBook G4s (or any Macs, for that matter)
Maybe you ought to start with a 1GHz 17" PowerBook G4, which will give you the backlighting and the keyboard — perfect for word processing all the way up to Office Mac 2008.
Really??
Well then, somebody here has been spouting misinformation! Curse it all!
Hello again, there's been lots of comments already, but what is the reason you must have the most sought after PowerBook model, as it will cost you more if one can be found?
The previous model (a1106 - https://everymac.com/systems/apple/powerbook_g4/specs/powerbook_g4_1.67_15.html ), although it is only 15", has the closest specs and actually benchmarks slightly higher, is far more easy to find and probably much cheaper to buy.
Where are you, so anyone who can help points you in the right direction?
Good luck in your search.
Cheers
Hugh
I almost bought one, but thankfully noticed it has a different, and inferior display. The correct 15" to buy is A1138.
Check in with @netsrot39 and the project of upgrading the display on the A1106: it’s definitely doable.
Quick correction: My post/thread is about a panel upgrade on A1107 (and earlier 17" PowerBook G4s like the 1.5 GHz and 1.33 GHz ones). A panel upgrade on the 15" PowerBook G4s is a slightly different story. I've tried to put an A1138 panel in an A1106 before. The connectors are different but if you have the LVDS cable of the DLSD you could theoretically hook up a high res display to the A1106 (since the cable and socket will match in that case). Like I said I've tried that before but I wasn't so lucky because I only got a black screen with the backlight on once I booted up the A1106 with the A1138 screen. But it is definitely something I want to go back to in the future (maybe with another panel). As far as 17" PowerBooks are concerned, my findings so far have been that pretty much any screen that has CCFL backlight and a 30pin LVDS connection will work with them.
A-ha. Thanks for clarifying that. It’s definitely worth keeping in mind when trying one of these upgrades.
Thanks. This is very helpful to know.
And a different aspect ratio. A1138 is 3:2, A1139 is 16:10. A shame really. 3:2 rules.
Last edited: