Low End Mac's Best Deals

Best 12" PowerBook G4 Prices

2012.05.23

Short link: http://bit.ly/12OvQ9

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The 12" PowerBook G4 was discontinued in mid-2006 with the introduction of the 13.3" MacBook, 12-inch PowerBook G4 yet it remains a popular choice as the smallest portable Mac with a built-in optical drive. It is available in speeds from 867 MHz to 1.5 GHz. See Low End Mac's Compleat Guide to the 12" PowerBook for a comprehensive overview of the most compact PowerBook ever.

The 13.3" MacBook Air (MBA) weighs just 3 lb. and is only 3/4" thick, but many don't consider it a full replacement for the 12" PowerBook G4. The 13" MBA has a larger footprint, no internal optical drive, uses a relatively low capacity solid state drive (SSD), and has a built-in battery, meaning you can't carry a spare.

The biggest drawback to the 12" PowerBook: It's a bear to upgrade anything except for memory.

12" PowerBooks support FireWire 400, 10/100 ethernet, and have no CardBus slot. If you need FireWire 800, gigabit ethernet, or CardBus support, look at the 15" and 17" PowerBooks.

Except for the 867 MHz model, which has 128 MB onboard RAM, the 12" PowerBooks have 256 MB on the motherboard. There is only a single memory expansion slot. 12-inch PowerBook G4 We recommend no less than 384 MB total RAM for good OS X 10.2 and 10.3 performance and 512 MB for 10.4 Tiger. Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard is supported on all 12" G4 PowerBooks with at least 512 MB of RAM, and we strongly recommend adding a 1 GB module if you plan to use Leopard.

Batteries tend to lose capacity over time, so you may want to buy a new battery - we have prices for two listed below.

Prices are for used PowerBooks. Listings note RAM/hard drive size. Be sure to factor in shipping costs and possible sales tax. Your best value depends on whether you need/want a color printer, extra RAM, etc. The best deals are marked in bold type in the full listings below. Used Macs usually have a 90 day warranty.

Best 12" PowerBook Prices

867 MHz SD, $359 shipped, PowerMax
1.0 GHz Combo, $300, Mac Pros
HOT 1.5 GHz Combo, $329, DV Warehouse
1.5 GHz SD, dent, $399 shipped, PowerMax

Recent Prices for RAM

PC 2100 (867 MHz/1.0 GHz): 512 MB, $14.97; 1 GB, $32.99
PC 2700 (1.33-1.5 GHz): 512 MB, $15.97; 1 GB, $33.59

High Capacity Batteries

Newer Tech NuPowr 56 Watt-Hours, 5200 mAh, 20% more capacity than original, $99

Mac OS Prices

Best Classic Mac OS Deals (use 9.2.2 for Classic Mode)
Best Mac OS X 10.0-10.3 Deals
Best Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger Deals
Best Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard Deals (requires 512 MB of RAM and DVD compatible drive)

Unless otherwise noted, there is no surcharge for credit card purchases, and shipping is not included. Vendors are listed in alphabetical order. Be sure to visit their sites for full details.

Prices may be limited to quantity on hand. Not responsible for typos. Please email any corrections or additional sources with competitive prices toDan Knight .

Buying through some of these links benefits Low End Mac. Buying at these prices benefits you.

Profiles

All models have 2 USB ports and accept a 1 GB memory upgrade.

867 MHz: USB 1.1, 128 MB on logic board, GeForce4 420 video with 32 MB
1.0 GHz: USB 2.0, 256 MB on logic board, GeForce FX Go5200 video with 32 MB
1.33 GHz: USB 2.0, 256 MB on logic board, GeForce FX Go5200 video with 64 MB
1.5 GHz: USB 2.0, 256 MB on logic board, GeForce FX Go5200 video with 64 MB

Models are sorted by CPU speed, then price.

DV Warehouse

Ground shipping can add $25 or more. Mac OS X 10.4 installed.

1.5 GHz Combo, 512/60, $329

Mac Pro Online

1.0 GHz Combo, 512/40, APX, $297.77

PowerMax

Free ground shipping. Most have Mac OS X 10.4.11 Tiger installed. PowerMax has the broadest selection of used 'Books among dealers we track.

867 MHz SD, 640/60, APX, $349 shipped
1.33 GHz Combo, 1280/100, APX, some bowing, worn keys, $359 shipped
1.33 GHz Combo, 1280/80, APX, $399 shipped
1.5 GHz Combo, 512/60, APX, $369 shipped
1.5 GHz SD, 512/80, APX, dent, $399 shipped
many other configurations listed

Wegener Media

Ground shipping may add $26 or more. 60 day warranty.

867 MHz Combo, 256/40, no APX, $439.99 (add $34.99 for APX, $99.99 for SD)
1.0 GHz Combo, 256/40, no APX, $489.99 (add $39.99 for APX)
1.5 GHz SD, 512/80, no APX, $579.99 (add $39.99 for APX)

Can't afford a 12" PowerBook G4 but need portability? Check out our PowerBook G3 Deals, iBook G4 Deals, iBook G3 Deals, and Titanium PowerBook G4 Deals. Need more power? See our 13" MacBook Deals.

PC Liquidations

Estimate $14 for UPS ground shipping.

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