Best 12" PowerBook G4 Deals

2008.05.02

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Memory To Go Special: MacPro 8 Core Memory 4GB kit $192 / 2GB kit $109. MacBook Pro / MacMini / iMac Intel Core2 DUO 2GB $44 1GB $23--Free shipping available.

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Mac users can finally play Party Poker for Mac. Not only that, they can also learn how to play PokerStars for Mac.

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Compare products like desktop computers, laptops, and LCD TVs side by side! All the information and reviews to make the best purchasing decision for a new cell phone GPS products or MP3 players. The Ciao network makes searching products easy for you.

NEW MacPro Memory 800Mhz With Apple Spec Heat Sink 2GB Kit $104 / 4GB Kit $184 / 8GB Kit $362 Click to Maximize your Macs...

Got a G4 PowerBook? Join the G4 'Books email list.

Two years after starting the Intel transition, Apple has finally introduced an ultralight notebook that may satisfy a lot of 12" PowerBook owners. The 13.3" MacBook Air weighs just 3 lb. and is only 3/4" thick. On the down side, it has a larger footprint than the 12" PowerBook, no internal optical drive, uses a relatively slow 1.8" hard drive, and has a built-in battery, meaning you can't carry a spare.

The 12" PowerBook remains a popular choice as the smallest portable Mac with a built-in Combo drive or SuperDrive, and inventories are lower than they were two weeks ago - and in a few cases, more expensive.

The 12" PowerBook was discontinued with the introduction of the 13.3" widescreen MacBook in 2006, yet it remains popular as Apple's smallest footprint notebook ever. Some have asked, "Is the 12" G4 the New Modern-Day 'Pismo' PowerBook?" In general, you'll find a $60-80 premium for SuperDrive models, so you may want to consider upgrading a Combo drive PowerBook with a third-party SuperDrive. The 12" PowerBooks only 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. We recommend no less than 512 MB for good OS X performance. Mac OS X 10.5 "Leopard" is supported on all 12" G4 PowerBooks with at least 512 MB of RAM.

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. Canadian and UK dealers are listed separately.

Best Used PowerBook Prices

If you're going to maximum RAM, it's $20 cheaper to upgrade the 1.33 GHz and 1.5 GHz models than the 867 MHz and 1 GHz ones.

HOT 867 MHz Combo, $490, Wegener Media
867 MHz SD, $600, Mac of All Trades
VERY HOT 1 GHz Combo, $530, Wegener Media
1 GHz SD, $660, Wegener Media
1.33 GHz Combo, $720, MegaMacs
HOT 1.33 GHz SD, $750, MegaMacs
1.5 GHz SD, $899, Mac Solutions

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)

Recent Prices for RAM

PC 2100 (867 MHz/1 GHz): 128 MB, $10; 256 MB, $14.89; 512 MB, $20.99; 1 GB, $48.99
PC 2700 (1.33-1.5 GHz): 256 MB, $14.89; 512 MB, $16.89; 1 GB, $29.99

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 to Dan Knight .

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

12" PowerBook G4 Profiles: 867 MHz, 1 GHz, 1.33 GHz, 1.5 GHz

Models are sorted by CPU speed, then price.

US Dealers

Mac of All Trades has the highest product turnover of any used Mac dealer we track.

867 MHz SD, 640/100, $599.99

60 day warranty.

867 MHz SD, 640/40, $647.77
1 GHz Combo, $677.77

1.5 GHz SD, 512/80, APX, $899

30 day warranty

1 GHz SD, 768/80, APX, $729.99
1.33 GHz Combo, 256/60, APX, $719.99
HOT 1.33 GHz SD, 768/80, APX, $749.99

Power Max has the broadest selection of used 'Books among dealers we track.

867 MHz SD, 640/40, $819

Wegener Media

HOT 867 MHz Combo, 256/40, $489.99
VERY HOT 1 GHz Combo, 256/40, $529.99
1 GHz SD, 512/80, $659.99
add AirPort Extreme, $34.99-39.99
SuperDrive upgrades from $99.99-129.99
many other upgrades available

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

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