Best 12" PowerBook G4 Prices

2012.01.23

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12-inch PowerBook G4 The 12" PowerBook G4 was discontinued in mid-2006 with the introduction of the 13.3" MacBook, 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 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 replace anything except for RAM.

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.

12-inch PowerBook G4 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 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

We try to factor in estimated shipping costs, which vary by location, in choosing the best prices. AirPort Extreme (APX) included except as noted. If you're going to maximum RAM, it costs a bit less to upgrade the 1.33 GHz and 1.5 GHz models than the 867 MHz and 1.0 GHz ones. We do not include GainSaver here, because they strip out the Combo drive or SuperDrive, replacing it with a CD-ROM drive.

1.0 GHz Combo, $298, Mac-Pro Online
1.0 GHz SD, $419 shipped, PowerMax
1.33 GHz Combo, $358, DV Warehouse
1.5 GHz Combo, $395, DV Warehouse
1.5 GHz SD, $449 shipped, PowerMax

Recent Prices for RAM

PC 2100 (867 MHz/1.0 GHz): 256 MB, $12.88; 512 MB, $14.97; 1 GB, $35.99
PC 2700 (1.33-1.5 GHz): 256 MB, $12.99; 512 MB, $15.97; 1 GB, $36.88

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

867 MHz: 2 USB 1.1 ports, 128 MB on logic board, GeForce4 420 video, 32 MB video memory
1.0 GHz: 2 USB 2.0 ports, 256 MB on logic board, GeForce FX Go5200 video, 32 MB video memory
1.33 GHz: 2 USB 2.0 ports, 256 MB on logic board, GeForce FX Go5200 video, 64 MB video memory
1.5 GHz: 2 USB 2.0 ports, 256 MB on logic board, GeForce FX Go5200 video, 64 MB video memory

Models are sorted by CPU speed, then price.

DV Warehouse

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

1.0 GHz Combo, 256/40, $339
1.33 GHz Combo, 512/60, $358
1.5 GHz Combo, 512/60, $395

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 with CD-ROM drives - you can upgrade to a Combo drive for $19, a SuperDrive for $39, or a double-layer SuperDrive for $79. Add $29 for an AirPort Extreme card, $79 for a new battery. 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.

867 MHz CD-ROM, 256/40, $169
1.0 GHz CD-ROM, 256/40, small dents, $199
1.0 GHz CD-ROM, 256/20, $219
1.33 GHz CD-ROM, 256/20, $249
1.5 GHz CD-ROM, 256/20, $269

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.

1.0 GHz Combo, 768/60, APX, $399 shipped
1.0 GHz SD, 768/40, APX, small dents, $419 shipped
1.5 GHz Combo, 1.25 GB/80, APX, small dents, $359 shipped
1.5 GHz SD, 256/80, APX, $449 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.