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Low End Mac's Best Deals

Best Titanium PowerBook G4 Deals

2009.10.07 - updated monthly

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Apple introduced the first titanium PowerBook G4 (TiBook) in January 2001; the last one was discontinued in Sept. 2003 and replaced by the 15" aluminum PowerBook G4. All titanium models have 15.4" displays, FireWire 400, on CardBus slot, room for an AirPort Card (not the newer AirPort Extreme), and ports in the rear.

WiFi range with the original AirPort Card is limited due to the use of titanium. The best work-around is an 802.11g or 802.11n CardBus (a.k.a PCMCIA/PC Card) card or USB dongle (Headgap has one for $25 shipped). See WiFi Cards for PowerBooks with PC Card Slots for an overview of CardBus options. We suggest the Belkin F5D7010, which Amazon.com currently offers for $24.96.

All TiBooks support up to 1 GB of RAM with two 512 MB modules. With Mac OS X 10.3.9 and earlier, you can get by with 384 MB. "Tiger" (OS X 10.4.x) really wants at least 512 MB for decent performance, and Mac OS X 10.5 "Leopard" runs best with 1 GB.

Mac OS X 10.5 is officially supported on all 867 MHz and faster G4 Macs with at least 512 MB of RAM and the ability to run the DVD-based installer, and we've received reports that it runs decently even on first generation TiBooks (but better on newer ones). For more on that, see Unsupported Leopard installation and The Future of Titanium PowerBooks in the Age of Leopard.

The first two generations (400-667 MHz) have 1152 x 768 displays and VGA output, and the 400-500 MHz models don't support Quartz Extreme. Later TiBooks (667 MHz and higher) have 1280 x 854 displays and DVI output. Early TiBooks shipped with DVD-ROM drives, midway through the second verision (550/667 MHz VGA) Apple switched to Combo drives, and only the 1 GHz model was available with a SuperDrive.

For a more detailed comparison of the 8 models of the four generations of TiBooks, see Low End Mac's Compleat Guide to Titanium PowerBooks.

Listings note RAM/hard drive size/optical drive (DVD, Combo, or SuperDrive). "AP" means an AirPort Card is included. We try to factor in shipping costs (based on ground rate to Low End Mac headquarters in Michigan). Used Macs usually include a 90 day warranty. The best deals are marked in bold type.

Check details when buying a 667 MHz PowerBook G4. The VGA model has 1152 x 768 display, 16 MB video memory, and a DVD-ROM or Combo drive. The DVI model has 1280 x 854 display, 32 MB video memory, and a Combo drive.

We suggest at least 512 MB for good OS X performance, 768 MB for better performance with Tiger, and 1 GB if your budget allows.

Best Used Titanium PowerBook Prices

400 MHz DVD, $379, DV Warehouse
VERY HOT 800 MHz Combo, $395, DV Warehouse
867 MHz Combo, $500, Wegener Media
HOT 1 GHz Combo, $549, DV Warehouse
1 GHz SD, $629, Power Max

Recent Memory Prices

PC100 (400-550 MHz): 128 MB, $7.89; 256 MB, $9.99; 512 MB, $25.99
PC133 (all TiBooks): 128 MB, $7.89; 256 MB, $12.99; 512 MB, $25.99

Mac OS X and OS X Server 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, DVD compatible drive, and AGP graphics)

After 5+ years of use, original batteries may no longer hold much of a charge. We recommend NuPower replacement batteries, which are available from Other World Computing:

65 Watt-Hour/4400 mAH, 6-30% more capacity than original battery, $119.99
74 Watt-Hour/5000 mAH, 21-48% more capacity than original battery, $139.99
FastMac sells a 65 Watt-Hour/4400 mAH battery for $99.95

PowerBook G4 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

G4/400 & 500 (Jan. 2001): 1152 x 768 video, 8 MB VRAM, VGA video out, DVD-ROM, no FW 800
G4/550 & 667 (VGA) (Oct. 2001): 1152 x 768 video, 16 MB VRAM, VGA video out, DVD-ROM or Combo drive, no FW 800
G4 667 (DVI) & 800 (Apr. 2002): 1280 x 854 video, 32 MB VRAM, DVI video out, Combo drive, FW 800
G4 867 & 1 GHz (SuperDrive) (Nov. 2002): 1280 x 854 video, 32/64 MB VRAM, DVI video out, Combo drive or SuperDrive, FW 800

DV Warehouse

Ground shipping can add $25 or more.

400 MHz DVD, 256/10, $379
800 MHz Combo, 256/40, $395
1 GHz Combo, 256/40, $549

Mac-Pro

Ground shipping may add $17 or more. 60 day warranty.

800 MHz Combo, 256/40, $577.77

Operator Headgap

Operator Headgap thoroughly refurbishes and tests every Mac they sell. When ordering, please let them know you heard about them on Low End Mac when entering your shipping information. Thanks!

new 4400 mAH/65 Watt-hour replacement battery, $129.77 shipped
new 60W power adapter, $49.95 shipped
new USB 802.11g WiFi adapter, $24.77 shipped
new USB 802.11n WiFi adapter, $34.77 shipped
used AirPort Card, $109.77 shipped

PowerBook Guy

Ground shipping may add $26 or more. PowerBook Guy returns systems to their factory specifications as close as possible. This includes reinstalling the Mac OS as it originally shipped, replacing any failed parts, cleaning the system, and performing various tests to ensure that it functions correctly.

AirPort Card, $79.95

Power Max

Mac OS 9.2.2 and OS X 10.3.9 installed, OS discs not included. Ground shipping can add $20 or more. Power Max has the broadest selection of used Macs among dealers we track. Faster aluminum models are often less expensive.

667 MHz Combo, 512/20, $489 shipped
867 MHz Combo, 512/30, $519 shipped
1 GHz SD, 512/60, AP, $629 shipped

Wegener Media

Ground shipping may add $31 or more. 60 day warranty.

667 MHz DVI Combo, 256/30, $469.99
867 MHz Combo, 256/30, $499.99
1 GHz Combo, 256/60, $589.99
Belkin 802.11g card, requires OS X 10.3 or later, $39.99
many upgrades available

Can't afford a PowerBook G4 but need portability? Check out our best PowerBook G3 Deals and iBook G3 Deals. Need more power? Look at our iBook G4 Deals, 12" PowerBook G4 Deals, 15" Aluminum PowerBook G4 Deals, and 17" PowerBook G4 Deals.

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