15″ PowerBook G4 (Mid 2004)

The same size and weight its 1.0 and 1.25 GHz predecessors, the 2004 15″ PowerBook G4 runs faster (at 1.33 and 1.5 GHz) and moves to the Mobility Radeon 9700 graphics processor.

The 1.5 GHz model has the same illuminated keyboard found on the 17″ PowerBook G4. The SuperDrive on the faster PowerBook officially supports 4x DVD burning, twice as fast as on the 2003 model. The SuperDrive model is priced at $100 less than its predecessor.

Battery life is rated at 4.5 hours.

Closed Lid Mode: G4 PowerBooks support “lid closed” (or clamshell) mode, which leaves the built-in display off and dedicates all video RAM to an external display. To used closed lid mode, your ‘Book must be plugged into the AC adapter and connected to an external display and a USB or Bluetooth mouse and keyboard (you might also want to consider external speakers). Power up your ‘Book until the desktop appears on the external display and then close the lid. Your ‘Book will go to sleep, but you can wake it by moving the mouse or using the keyboard. The built-in display will remain off, and the external monitor will become your only display. Since all video RAM is now dedicated to the external monitor, you may have more colors available at higher resolutions. The TiBook is designed to run safely in closed lid mode, but if yours runs hot (perhaps due to overclocking or high ambient temperatures), you may want to open the lid when in closed lid mode: The screen will remain off and the computer will more readily vent heat from the CPU.

To resume use of the internal display, you need to disconnect the external display, put the computer to sleep, and then open the lid. This will wake up your ‘Book and restore use of the built-in display.

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Details

introduced 2004.04.19 at US$1,999 (1.33 GHz/Combo) and US$2,499 (1.5 GHz/SuperDrive); replaced by 1.5 GHz and 1.67 GHz models 2005.01.31
model numbers: M9421, M9422
requires Mac OS X 10.3 Panther though 10.5 Leopard
CPU: 1.33/1.5 GHz G4 (7457)
Bus: 167 MHz
Performance:
- Geekbench 2 (Tiger): 711 (1.33 GHz), 816 (1.5 GHz)
ROM: 4 MB, NewWorld ROM in RAM architecture
RAM: 256/512 MB, expandable to 2 GB using two PC2700 DDR SDRAM modules
Level 2 cache: 512 KB at CPU speed
Video: ATI Mobility Radeon 9700 AGP4x
VRAM: 64 MB
Video out: S-video and DVI connectors (VGA supported with adapter)
display: 15.2″ (38 cm) 24-bit 1280 x 854 101 ppi color active matrix
supports 1152 x 768, 896 x 600, and 720 x 480 pixels at 3:2 aspect ratio; 1024 x 768, 800 x 600, and 640 x 480 pixels at 4:3 aspect ratio
allows mirroring to external display or extended desktop mode
Hard drive: 60/80 GB 4200 rpm ATA/100
optical drive: Combo drive or 4x SuperDrive
- Combo drive reads DVDs at up to 8x, writes CD-R at up to 24x, writes CD-RW at up to 16x, reads CDs at up to 24x
- SuperDrive writes DVD-R at up to 4x, reads DVDs at up to 8x, writes CD-R at up to 16x, writes CD-RW at up to 8x, reads CDs at up to 24x
floppy drive: external USB only
expansions bays: none
USB: 2 USB 2.0 ports
FireWire: 1 FW400 port, 1 FW800 port
IR port: none
Ethernet: 10/100/gigabit
Modem: v.92 56k
WiFi: 802.11g AirPort Extreme standard
Bluetooth: Built in
PC Card slots: 1
size: 9.5 x 13.7 x 1.1″ (241 x 348 x 28 mm)
Weight: 5.6 pounds (2.5 kg)