If you are looking to buy, sell, or fix a Powerbook G4 ... hopefully this guide can help!

This guide covers Titanium & Aluminum G4 Powerbook models. The Laptops introduced by Apple beginning in 2006 switched to the name MacBook & MacBook Pro. These laptops were released from 2001 to mid 2006.

* Aluminum PowerBook G4 - followed by Titanium PowerBook G4 information

Look on the bottom of your machine (sometimes inside the battery bay) to find the Apple Family / Model number and check this guide for which specific model it is.

Aluminum Series G4 PowerBooks were made in 3 different screen sizes 12", 15" & 17 inches.

Aluminum Series Family Numbers: A1010, A1104, A1046, A1095, A1106, A1138, A1013, A1052, A1085, A1107, A1139 *

These numbers do not include refurbished designations, but should be somewhat similar and have an "RM" at the front of either the model number or serial number.

12" Aluminum Powerbook

867 Mhz, 1.0 Ghz, 1.33 Ghz (all 3 known as A1010) and 1.5 Ghz (A1104)

The 867 Mhz 12" model is VGA, all others are DVI

* DVI or VGA designation is important when trying to replace the screen assembly as connectors are different even on the logic board.

All 12" models have the same resolution of 1024 x 768

Bluetooth

The 867 Mhz has 128MB of built in onboard RAM / all other 12" models have 256MB

The 12" models do not have backlit keyboards

Maximum RAM is a 1GB DIMM on top of the logic board memory - yielding 1.12 GB or 1.25GB of memory

The inverter is soldered in - replacing it requires disassembling your entire Powerbook and replacing w/ Apple Part #922-6421 (DVI), or 922-5719 (VGA)

Logic boards are interchangeable w/ the DVI models, but not w/ the VGA 867 Mhz model.

Batteries: MODEL A1022, A1060, A1079

Battery Recall on Model #A1079, Serial #s: ZZ411 through ZZ427, 3K428 through 3K611, 3K425 through 3K601 check Apple's Webpage under support.

All 15" & 17" Aluminum PowerBook G4 models have backlit keyboards

All 15" & 17" Aluminum PowerBook G4 models have a PCMCIA/Cardbus peripheral/expansion slot

All 15" & 17" MacBook Pro models have ExpressCard slots for peripheral/expansion

15 inch Aluminum Powerbook

Model: A1046 (1st Generation)

1.0 & 1.25 Ghz

All models are DVI w/ a screen resolution of 1280 x 854

All have a maximum RAM capacity of 2GB (PC2700 DDR 333) (PC3200 can be used)

All 15" & 17" Aluminum models have backlit keyboards

Bluetooth 1.1

15 inch Aluminum Powerbook

Model: A1095 (2nd Generation)

1.33 & 1.5 Ghz

All have DVI display technology w/ a resolution of 1280 x 854 (DVI to VGA adapter was included)

Maximum RAM capacity of 2GB (PC2700 DDR 333) (PC3200 can be used)

Bluetooth 1.1

The 1.5 Ghz model had an optional video card on the logic board w/ 128MB video ram instead of the stock 64MB

15 inch Aluminum Powerbook

Model: A1106 (3rd Generation)

1.5 & 1.67 Ghz

Bluetooth 2.0+EDR

The 1.67 Ghz had an optional video card on the logic board w/ 128MB video ram instead of the stock 64MB the 1.5 Ghz A1106 can be easily identified vs the A1095, A1106 has a built in onboard airport extreme with no slot to place a card.

15 inch Aluminum Powerbook

Model: A1138 (4th Generation)

1.67 Ghz

Had higher display resolutiuon of 1440 x960

Maximum ram: 2GB (DDR2 PC2-4200)

Bluetooth 2.0 +EDR

Double Layer Superdrive +/- (previous models: single layer and DVD-R only)

The 15" Aluminum Powerbook Screen assembly is interchangeable among the A1046 & A1095 models. The logic board can only be changed among the same model ranges as the lower case differs. The 3rd Generation screen A1106 does not swap into early models and vise versa.

LCD used in A1046, A1095, A1106 : B152EW01, LTN152W4-L01, LTN152W4-L02, LTN152W4-L03, LTN152W5-L01, inverter is the same on all of them Part #922-6015

Battery Recall Model #A1078 and A1148, Serial Numbers: 6N530 through 6N551, 6N601 check Apple's Webpage under support.

The 17" Aluminum Powerbook (1st Generation)

1.0 Ghz (A1013), 1.33 Ghz (A1052),1.5 Ghz (A1085) and 1.67 GHZ (A1107)

Screen resolution of 1440 x 900 max ram 2gb (PC2700 DDR 333)

Bluetooth 1.1 - 1.67 Ghz model has Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR

The 1.5 Ghz had an optional video card on the logic board with 128mb video ram instead of the stock 64mb. The model number for both is the same.

17inch Aluminum Powerbook (2nd Generation)

1.67 Ghz (A1139)

Higher screen res of 1680 x 1050

Maximum ram 2gb (DDR2 PC2-4200)

Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR

Double Layer Superdrive +/- (previous models: single layer and DVD-R only)

The 17 inch Aluminum Powerbook Screen assembly is interchangeable among the A1013, A1052, A1085, A1107 models, the logic boards can only be changed among the same model numbers as the lower case differs. Top-case is only the same on the A1052 & A1085 and not interchangeable with the once from the model A1013 or A1107.

The Aluminum PowerBook LCD panel used for the models A1013, A1052, A1085, A1107 is LP171W01, the inverter is the same on all models.

The Aluminum Powerbook series has had no major issues other than the power adapter and battery being recalled. Adopting the white ibook hinge design makes this a major step up from the Titanium Series Powerbooks.

The Aluminum Series Powerbooks were made in 2 different resolution models for the 15" & 17 inch, please be sure you know which model you have before looking for parts.

The G4 Aluminum Powerbook has been replaced by the Intel Core Duo based MacBook Pro's which look very similar. The easiest way to identify the difference between a PowerBook G4 and MacBook Pro is by the built in iSight camera in the display. Only Intel based MacBooks and MacBook Pros have built in iSight cameras.

The G4 Aluminum series suffered from an occasional "slot blowout" for RAM - thus causing the unit to only recognize one slot (or 1/2) the RAM installed.

The Aluminum PowerBook G4's switch to a bottom 4 screw "RAM bay" vs the previous generations of PowerBooks that had RAM directly underneath the keyboard

* Titanium PowerBook Information follows *

If your PowerBook G4 has all the ports on the rear - it's a Titanium, if the ports are on the side it's an Aluminum.

Titanium Series Family Numbers: M5884, M8407, A1001, A1025 *

These numbers do not include refurbished designations, but should be somewhat similar and have an "RM" at the front of either the model number or serial number.

Side note:The MacBook Pro Family Model designations are: A1150, A1151, A1211, A1212 (MacBook Pro have an Intel Chipset - not a G4 PowerPC - but they do look similar to the Aluminum G4 Apple laptops.

PowerBook G3 Laptops were black (plastic) and produced from late 1998-2000 (These laptops were called Kanga, Lombard, & Pismo)

The Titanium Series & Aluminum Series Powerbooks SHOULD all have an ID tag in the battery compartment with it's specs, except for M8407 it only says Powerbook G4.

For the Titanium Series PowerBooks - if you lift up the keyboard (using the two tabs at the top and turning the small plastic screw in the middle) of the keyboard - there should be a sticker with the serial number of your Powerbook and the Mhz rating, use it to look below to see which generation Titanium Series Powerbook you have. (Viewing the serial number is the same process as putting more memory in the Titanium series PowerBooks - refer to your manual for more details if you are unclear about how to access the inside of your computer.)

Opening your Titanium PowerBook in this manner does not void ANY type of service warranty.

Titanium series PowerBooks were ONLY made with a 15.2 inch screen. If you have a 12" or 17" display, then you have an Aluminium PowerBook model.

Once you have the serial number of your Powerbook, you can also go to the Apple website and under the Support Tab enter the serial number in the lower right hand corner where it says About Your Support Coverage, once you click enter it will give you all the information you need - The model of your machine & AppleCare coverage information.

Some of the information below is pulled from www.apple-history.com

1st Generation - internal codename "Mercury"

Model: M5884
400 & 500 Mhz
Came standard w/ DVD/CD drive, optional DVD/CDRW combo drive upgrade was available from Apple
PC 100 ram (1gb max, 2 x 512mb)
Display Resolution: VGA Screen 1152 x 768

2nd Generation known as "Gigabit Ethernet" - internal codename "Onyx"

Model: M8407
550 & 667 Mhz

1st shipments came standard w/ DVD/CD drive, then later was offered w/ DVD/CDRW combo drive

PC 100 for the 550 Mhz model, PC 133 for the 667 Mhz model (1 gb max, 2 x 512mb)

Display Resolution: VGA Screen 1152 x 768 resolution

1st & 2nd generation Powerbooks share the same VGA screen & inverter, but the magnet in the screen that triggers the reed switch when you close the display is located in different places between the 1st and 2nd Generation models. Even though the screen is the same you should still get the one for the correct model; so that when you close your display the sleep function works properly.

3rd Generation known as "DVI" - internal codename "Ivory"

Model: A1001
667 or 800 Mhz
Standard w/ DVD/CDRW combo drive
PC 133 ram( 1gb max, 2 x 512mb )
DVI Screen 1280 x 854 resolution

4th Generation PowerBook G4 - internal codename "P88"

Model: A1025

867 Mhz or 1 Ghz

Apple online store configure: DVD/CDRW combo drive or super drive (DVD-R/CDRW)

PC 133 ram( 1gb max, 2 x 512mb )
DVI Screen 1280 x 854 resolution

3rd & 4th generation Powerbooks Titanium share the same DVI screen and inverter, the magnet for the reed switch location is the same in all DVI models and does cause a sleep issue like VGA models

Titanium Series Powerbooks logic board replacement needs to be done within the same generation, except for the 3rd & 4th generation which can be replaced and interchanged among models. Please note that a second cooling fan is required for the faster machines and needs to be installed in the area between the d/c power jack and the superdrive, it is powered of the logic board.

Titanium Series Powerbooks all suffer from Hinge failure problems that are caused by frequent opening and closing of the display. Failure is mostly catastophic and often leads to cut cabling to the display. While fixing this problem is possible by buying replacement hinges, I've rarely seen someone do a good job at installing new hinges. I recommend replacing the entire display with one of the correct kind, either VGA or DVI. One company called Wegener Media offers hinge replacement - DO NOT USE THEM. Google for problems with Wegener Media first!

Titanium series PowerBook G4s also suffered from paint flaking - it is recommended to just remove the paint if this has started on your unit.

Titanium Series Powerbooks G4's all have an airport card slot for the original 802.11b Apple Airport Card , they are famous for the extremely poor reception by these cards as the Titanium happens to act as a very good shield for these kind of transmissions. I suggest getting an aftermarket Cardbus/PCMCIA 802.11g card which in OS X over 10.2.5 if fully compatible with Apple's Airport Software in the Menu Bar. The Motorola PC Card 802.11g adapters work well and are recognized as an Airport Extreme Card because they use the same chipset as Apple's cards. You can also get an 802.11n card for even faster speeds and better reception from several vendors.

Titanium Series Powerbooks use the following batteries regardless of their Mhz rating. M6091, M8511, A1012, M8244G. Battery Life is considerably poor compared to earlier Powerbook G3's. I would highly recommend one of NewerTech's replacement batteries that offers 44% more capacity vs Apple's batteries.

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