Low End Mac's Best Deals

Best 15" PowerBook G4 Prices

2011.10.21

Short link: http://bit.ly/PlQgs

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15-inch Aluminum PowerBook G4 Apple last updated the 15" PowerBooks in October 2005, making dual-layer SuperDrives standard and putting in higher resolution displays along with a faster memory bus. These 1.67 GHz models are designated as "hi-res" (because of their 1440 x 960 resolution display vs. 1280 x 854 used by other 15" aluminum PowerBooks) in our listings to distinguish them from earlier models.

We posted an article looking at PowerBook value in late 2005, The October 2005 PowerBook Value Equation. For an overview of the whole line, see Low End Mac's Compleat Guide to the 15" PowerBook.

15-inch Aluminum PowerBook G4 The 15" PowerBook G4 has two memory slots, and earlier models come with256 MB of RAM. We recommend no less than 512 MB for good OS X performance with Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger and 1 GB for 10.5 Leopard, the highest version supported by G4 Macs. All aluminum G4 PowerBooks are able to run Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard - with 1.0 GHz to 1.67 GHz CPU speeds and room for 2 GB of RAM (which only costs $25-75 these days), they can handle it well.

The 15" and 17" aluminum PowerBooks include FireWire 800, gigabit ethernet, and a CardBus slot; 12" PowerBooks only support FireWire 400, 10/100 ethernet, and have no CardBus slot. 802.11g AirPort Extreme WiFi was standard with all 15" aluminum PowerBooks except for the 1.0 GHz model, so we do our best to note when it is not included.

15-inch Aluminum PowerBook G4 Note that original batteries have probably lost most of their capacity over the years. Other World Computing sells the NewerTech NuPowr 55.5 Watt battery, which has up to 20% more capacity than Apple's original battery, for $107.99.

The 15" MacBook Pro replaced the 15" PowerBook in early 2006; it has since been replaced by even more powerful models based on the Intel Core 2 Duo CPU.The best deals are marked in bold type in the full listings below. Prices are for used PowerBooks unless otherwise noted. Used PowerBooks typically include a 90-day warranty.

Best Used PowerBook Prices

1.67 GHz SD, $399, DV Warehouse
1.67 GHz hi-res SD, $800, Wegener Media

Recent Memory Prices

PC2700 (normal res 'Books): 256 MB, $12.99; 512 MB, $15.97; 1 GB, $36.88
PC4200 (hi-res 1.67 GHz): 1 GB, $19.99

Best Mac OS X Prices

Listings note RAM/hard drive size. We do our best to note when AirPort Extreme is not included. 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.

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.

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

Profiles

1.0/1.25 GHz (9/03) / 1.33/1.5 GHz (4/04) / 1.5/1.67 GHz (1/05) / 1.67 GHz hi-res (10/05)

DV Warehouse

Shipping may add $20 or more.

1.0 GHz SD, 512/60, $369
1.5 GHz SD, 512/80, $399
1.67 GHz SD, 512/80, $449

GainSaver

GainSaver appears to have an ongoing daily 10% off sale on Apple products, but we list the undiscounted price just in case. Prices include a 30 day warranty; 90 day warranty is $40 additional. Diagnostic testing costs $25, and shipping insurance costs $25.32. Price includes regular desktop version of Mac OS X. These have been downgraded from factory standard SuperDrives to CD--ROM drives - you can upgrade to a Combo drive for $19, a SuperDrive for $39 or a dual-layer SuperDrive for $79. Add $29 for an AirPort Extreme card, $79 for a new battery, $39 for an Apple power adapter. You can custom configure your PowerBook with larger hard drives, various memory configurations, and more. We strongly recommend that you verify the equipment you want is in stock before placing an order. Caveat emptor.

MacResource

Shipping may add $30 or more. 30 day store warranty.

1.67 GHz, 1 GB/80, one good memory slot and one defective one, $324.99

PowerMax

Free ground shipping. PowerMax has the broadest selection of used Macs of any dealer we track. Mac OS X 10.4.11 installed.

1.5 GHz Combo, 512/80, $469 shipped
1.67 GHz SD, 512/80, PC Card slot cover broken, $489 shipped
lots of other configurations listed, including several with dents, yellowish screens, etc.

Wegener Media

Shipping may add $26 or more. 60 day warranty.

1.0 GHz Combo, 512/60, $549.99
1.25 GHz Combo, 256/60, $559.99
1.33 GHz Combo, 256/60, $579.99
1.5 GHz Combo, 512/80, $595.99
1.67 GHz SD, 1 GB/80, $689.99
1.67 GHz hi-res SD, 512/80, $799.99
SuperDrive upgrades: $99.99 and $154.99
other upgrades available

Can't afford a 15" aluminum PowerBook but need portability? The 13.3" widescreen MacBook with its 1280 x 800 display might be perfect for you - see our MacBook Deals for prices. Also check out our 12" PowerBook G4 Deals, Titanium PowerBook G4 Deals, iBook G4 Deals, iBook G3 Deals, and PowerBook G3 Deals.

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