PowerBook Model: PowerBook G4 (A.K.A. Mercury or TiBook)
Began: 01/9/2001

Original Price: (400 Mhz-$2,599 or 500Mhz-$3,499). Dropped to $2,199 & $2,999 on 08/25/2001 respectively.

Specs

• G4 400 or 500 Mhz (PowerPC 7410 with Velocity Engine)
• FPU & PMMU integrated
• Data Path: 64-bit @ 100 Mhz bus speed
• 64K of L1 Cache & 1MB (2:1) of L2 Cache

• Ports/inputs/outputs: 1 Type I or Type II PC Card slot, 2 USB, 1 FireWire, 1 VGA out, 1 10/100 Base-T Ethernet, 1 built in mono omni-directional mic, 2 built in 16-bit stereo speakers, IRDA 4 mbps wireless window, 1 10/100 Base-T Ethernet RJ-45, 1 56K fax modem RJ-11, 24-bit video output port (VGA-style connector), optional 11-Mbps AirPort Card (IEEE 802.11 DSSS compliant), 1 s-video port, slot load CD-ROM/6x DVD-ROM reads DVD-RAM & DVD-R's, and 1 audio out port (16-bit CD quality)
• Memory: 2 PC100 SO-DIMM slots (Min 64 MB - Max 1 GB). Ram sizes: Expandable to 1 GB using two PC100 3.3 volt unbuffered low-power 144-pin 100 MHz SO-DIMMs
• Electrical: 45 Watts max, 1.2 Amps, 153.9 BTU per Hr., 100-240 volts, 50-60 Hz (Freq. range) and a 50 Watt per Hr Lithium-ion battery (softpower)
• Shipped with 10 GB (UltraATA-66) (400 Mhz) or 20 GB (UltraATA-66) or 30 GB (UltraATA-66 - BTO 500 Mhz model)
• 15.2" TFT active matrix screen displaying millions of colors (24-bit 1152 x 768) supports 896x600 and 720x480 pixels at 3:2 aspect ratio; 1024x768, 800x600 and 640x480 pixels at 4:3 aspect ratio with 8 MB VRAM (ATI RAGE 128 Mobility 2x AGP 2D/3D acceleration).
• Displays millions of colors on Ext. monitors up to 21".
• ROM: 4 MB NewWorld
• Gestalt ID:
• 5.3 Ibs @ 1" H x 13.4" W x 9.5" D
• OS 9.0 through to X supported

   

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. Can I upgrade the processor?
2. How large of a hard drive will the TiBook?
3. What other upgrade options to I have?
4. What is the most functional and effiecient OS to run on the TiBook?
5. Any defects?
6. Buying advice.

1. Processor Upgrades?

None yet. Try putting a 500 MHz or higher G4 chip from another TiBook into a 400 MHz model or a higher MHz G4 into the 500 MHz model. One other option is to overclock your chip. Not sure how to do this though. Email me if you know how.

2. HD Upgrades?

One can easily upgrade the TiBook's HD to a larger ATA/IDE drive (size is limitless), and a faster one too (5400 rpm or maybe a 7200 rpm drive). Any 2.5" x no more than 9.5 mm drive will work (ATA interface). One nice thing about having a large hard drive is you can use your PowerBook as a backup for files or even as a server. Check OWC for HD upgrades. I suggest a 5400 rpm or faster HD with lots of cache (8 MB would be desirable). With a drive such as the latter, you will experience a marked performance increase compared to the stock 4200 rpm drives that shipped with TiBook's. IBM Travelstars are the going trend in laptop HD's.

3. Other Upgrade Options?

Firstly, max out the RAM if you can. 256 MB or RAM or better is what I recommend for the TiBook. The memory in the TiBook is expandable to 1 GB using two PC100 3.3 volt unbuffered low-power 144-pin 100 MHz SO-DIMMs (2 slots: 1 upper and 1 lower slot). Check RamSeeker for all your RAM needs.

RAM Disk: Load the operating system (pre-OS X systems) onto a Ram disk to increase both the speed and efficiency of your PowerBook.  It also results in longer battery life, as the hard drive is not constantly spinning.  Check the help section within your Operating System for instructions on setting up a RAM Disk. RAM disks are particularly important to have in case your computer crashes. Upon restart, it will boot from the RAM Disk and you can diagnose problems with the HD from there, provided you included both a system folder and a copy of Norton Disk Doctor on it.

Add a Compact Flash Card: Compact flash cards are used in order for owners of digital camera’s to load their files onto their computers. However, as these cards insert into the pcmcia slot (pc card slot), they can also act as a second hard drive (when formatted as a mac volume). Flash cards come in sizes of 6 MB to 1 GB and higher. 128 MB card goes for about $50US. Also, Compact flash cards, acting like a hard drive in your computer, can be used to increase the amount of available ram that your computer has (using VM). In addition, store a system folder on it and boot from it (when formatted as a mac volume).
The benefits of the latter are silent operation, longer battery life (no hard drive spinning) and a faster computer. (Please note, with the speed of newer laptop hard drives reaching 7200 rpm’s, a flash card might actually slow the computer down. However, on older laptops, this is not the case, as the original hard drives in these machines are significantly slower than the newer, faster drives). You will need: (1) Compact Flash Card (2) A PC card slot or USB (3) An adapter for the Compact Flash Card if necessary. Flash card speeds peak at about 4.2 Mbps and write at about 2.2 Mbps. Make sure to get one of the faster cards.
 
Battery Information: Please note: All TiBook batteries are interchangeable. Replace the battery via BTI. Need more power on the road? Buy more batteries as spares or try an external 7.2 volt NiCad battery pack (approx 5 hours running time under heavy usage). Try Lind to purchase one. Want even more portable power or don’t want to use a battery? A solar panel solution called the “Sun Catcher Professional” made by Power Quest might work. You must have your PB plugged in to boot, however.

Another option to extend battery life up to 12 hours (in conjunction with the TiBooks internal battery) is via MCE's N-Charge Extended-Life Super Battery. MCE also offers external battery chargers for the TiBook (see picture below).

Also, to help conserve battery life, reduce the processor speed in OS X accomplished by checking off the appropriate box in the Advanced EnergySaver control panel under system prefrences (reduces processor speed by 100 MHz by default).

If you are having battery troubles (i.e. battery does not hold a charge or is losing power), your ac adapter is not recognized or your computer does not wake from sleep, and the like, try the following method first to remedy the problem:

Reset the Power Manager:

The Following Applies to: PowerBook G4 and PowerBook G4 (Gigabit Ethernet)

1. If the computer is on, turn it off.
2. Press and release the reset button located on the rear panel of the computer between the external video and modem ports.
3. Wait 5 seconds.
4. Press the Power button to restart the computer.

PC Card Slot (PCMCIA): Ethernet cards and modem cards will work as well as a compact flash card (see above). The PC Card Slot's on the TiBooks are CardBus compliant (32-bit data path capable). Thus, firewire cards, USB cards, SCSI cards (TiBook does not support SCSI disk mode) and video cards are compatible (supports zoomed video PC cards).

More HD Uprgade options via PC Card slot: One can add a PC card that accepts external HD's. Just obtain an enclosure for a HD or a complete external HD compatible with a PC Card HD acceptor, plug in the HD, and you are ready to go. Alternatively, you can buy PC Card HD's (Type III) with a Type II-III adapter.

Add Zoomed Video: To add Zoomed video, you will need the correct PC Card. Look for them at OWC. The appropriate software is free from Apple.

Add Airport: Purchase an Apple airport card and base station (transfer rates up to 54mbps) and you can surf the web, print files, and the like without any wires, providing your battery has a charge of course. Other wireless networking solutions such as the latter will work as well (i.e. Linksys makes wireless cards and base stations that will work with the TiBook). To install an airport card, you have to open up the bottom of the TiBook where the airport card slot resides.

Goodies to Add on: The TiBook is ready to be furnished with all sorts of peripheral devices and will also support external monitors (dual desktop in addition to video mirroring). 
 
The TiBook will support external zip drives, scanners, printers, cd-roms, cd-r's, floppy drives, digital cameras, etc - both firewire and USB. Check out MCE or OWC for tons of USB and firewire peripheral products available to TiBook owners (i.e. Lacie CD-RW's, Lacie DVD-RW's, External firewire HD's, etc.).

Add an Internal CD-RW or DVD-RW: MCE makes an internal 8x8x24x CD-RW/DVD for the TiBook. Also, add an MCE 2X Internal DVD-R/RW/RAM drive. For this upgrade, you will probably need a professional to install it. Check out MCE to find out more and for pricing and availability.

More TiBook Stuff: Get an AC/Auto adapter (plugs into standard cigarette lighters in addition to standard household ac outlets) as well as an Air adapter for more portable power on Airplanes available via MCE.

BookEndz Docking Station: If you are tired of disconnecting the various wires plugged into your TiBook, the Bookendz Docking Station might be for you. Just plug the TiBook into the Docking station. The docking station stays connected to all cords. When you want to take your TiBook away from the Dock, you just slide it out of the assembly, as seen in the below picture, without having to unplug the TiBook from existing corded connections. Check MCE to purchase one.

Add a Clamshell Style Handel to the TiBook: See picture below (simple installation). Once installed, the Tote and Tilt handle will let you carry your TiBook around like owners of the older clamshell iBooks could. Also serves as a tilt mechanism for the TiBook making typing on flat surfaces more comfortable in addition to helping the TiBook rid itself of heat.

Drop Apples "Door Knob" ac adapters and opt for the newer style Apple ac adapters that are more compact than the door knobs, pictured to the left. These AC adapters have a light built in that shows you whether the battery is charging (amber light), or whether it is charged (green light).

Internet/Networking
 
Add a Faster Internal Ethernet: See the tips section on speeding up browsing to improve the PowerBooks Internet performance (or any mac for that matter). I am not sure, but an ethernet PCI at 10/100/1000 baseT may be available and compatible (note that the stock ethernet on a TiBook is 10/100 baseT).
 
Ethernet/Networking:  It is possible to connect the TiBook to an Ethernet network.  To achieve the latter, try one of the following: (1) Simply use the built-in Ethernet to connect to an Ethernet network or other Ethernet compatible computer. If your Ethernet/modem is not operational (i.e. broken), you have lots of other options to try. (2) Use a PC ethernet card and insert it into one of your PC card bays. (3) Simply connect the ethernet cord to another ethernet equipped mac or ethernet network. (4) Connect to another modem equipped computer via the modem cable. (5) Use the TiBook in FireWire Target Disk mode which makes it act like an external HD. Connecting to another Mac is also useful if you want to install software from a CD but your PowerBook lacks a CD-ROM or you lack the software CD-ROM but the software is on another computer. Simply connect to another CD-ROM equipped Mac by trying one of the aforementioned ways , mount the disc image on your TiBooks desktop (or drag installers over to your desktop), and install the software. Lastly, aiport or wireless LAN's are two other options previously covered that will allow one to connect to a Network to surf the web, share files, send faxes and more.

4. Best OS?

Run OS X, the G4 chip is designed for it (Jaguar is the best, earlier OS X versions, like the first release, are much slower compared to the newest version of Jaguar/Panther). Can't decide? Partition your HD if it is large enough and throw on multiple OS' (i.e. One partition with OS 9.2.2 and all its features and yet another partition with OS X if you so desire).

Tip for Those Running Earlier Versions of OS X to Improve Screen output: You can improve the look of the screen by using a better Color Sync calibration software program compared to what is built into earlier versions of the Mac OS X. Click here for more information and for a download link.

Please note: Do not use the Password Security control panel with the TiBook or with any PowerBook running Mac OS 9 (see Apple TIL #58612) -- it will render your PowerBook inoperable. The only fix is to put the drive in an older PowerBook, open Password Security, go to Setup, and click the Reset button; then put the drive back in the Pismo.

Please note: OS X: Macworld UK noted on 2001.03.28 that the OS 9.1 CD bundled with the OS X will not install on the PowerBook G4, Power Mac G4 (133 MHz bus), or 2001 iMacs. Solution: use the Mac OS 9.1 CD that came with the computer.

5. Defects?

(1) The TiBook gets extremely hot. Solution, try Road Tools' Cool Pad.As can be seen from the picture, it angles the computer in such a way that enables better heat dissipation, not to mention allowing for more comfortable typing on flat surfaces. (2) Slow firewire data transmission, some reports indicating that firewire speeds were about half what the speed of the then current iBook was/is (3) Static electricity from the user transmittd to the TiBook can cause the system to hang, particularly when the TiBook gets this static electricity around the keyboard by the function keys. Solution: Wear an anti-static strap (kind of a joke). (4) Flakey DVD/CD mechanism. Solution: Be careful with it. (5) Poor Airport reception due to the placement of the airport antennas inside the Titanium casing. (6) This may not be a common defect, but click here to find out how you can fix a broken screen hinge on your TiBook for $10. (7) Keyboard impressions on screen. Go here to get a screen protector. (8) Peeling casing paint. Go here to get the touch-up paint kit. (9) The 400 MHz was prone to poor DVD playback, however there are many steps that can be taken to improve DVD playback. Try some or all of the following:

• Turn off Virtual Memory
• Turn off Apple Talk
• Disconnect the PowerBook from a Network
• Reduce color bit depth to thousands of colors
• Quit other open applications
• Make sure you have the latest software (DVD player 1.3 is the latest for the Wallstreet)
• Dual layered discs can cause stuttering, avoid these discs if need be
• Turn off Speakable Items
• Make sure disc surface is clean
  

6. Buying Advice.

The TiBook, with its G4 PPC processors, widescreen 15.2" active matrix screen and a host of modern ports, is a wise choice for consumers looking to purchase a modern new or used PowerBook. It runs OS X very well, albeit the 400 and 500 MHz models are a little slower than the newer TiBooks, with their pedestrian 8 MB graphics cards that are not supported by Quartz Extreme OS X graphics acceleration technology. I would recommend staying away from the 400 MHz model. See BareFeats for benchmark scores with the 400 and 500 MHz TiBook pitted against the Pismo 500 Mhz and upgraded Wallstreet. Based on the testing undergone by BareFeats, the TiBook 400 MHz is about equivalent in speed to a Pismo 500, with the upgraded Wallstreet doing very well as well against the competition.