History
Apple decided to ditch the G3 from its whole range in October 2003, as it
introduced G4 power to the consumer portable range. An improved logic
board supporting DDR RAM and Airport Extreme gave the machine an overall
faster feel. The machines came with either Combo or SuperDrive optical
drives.
As with all of Apple's consumer level ("i" series) machines, they are not very upgradeable. Only the RAM and the hard drive may be upgraded.
The G4 iBooks are OSX only, so cannot boot into OS9.
The first iBook G4 was released in October 2003, with an 800MHz 12" model, and 933MHz and 1GHz 14" versions. Apple specs here.
In June 2004 a speed bump moved the 12" model to 1GHz, dropped the 933MHz 14" and brought in a 1.2GHz 14" model. Apple specs here.
Another speed bump in October 2004 saw a 12" 1.2GHz and 12" and 14" 1.33GHz models. Apple specs here.
The last revision in June 2005 moved to PC2700 memory (with 512MB built-in as opposed to 256MB on the earlier models) and added Bluetooth as standard. This revision was sold in a 12" 1.33GHz and 14" 1.42GHz configurations. The 14" 1.42 also increased the front side bus from 133MHz to 142MHz. Apple specs here.
The iBook G4 was replaced in May 2006 by the Intel Core Duo powered MacBook.
|
|
How to Identify these Machines
The G4 iBook Dual USB came in a number of different processor speeds, and with two screen sizes: a 12.1" and a 14.1" version. The 12.1" models have keyboards which run all the way across the case. The 14.1 units have a small gap between the edges of the keyboard and the sides of the laptop.
The units are very similar to the G3 Dual USB iBooks, and can only really be distinguished by using the Apple System profiler. This can be found from the About this Mac option in OS X. The first page in Apple system profile will list the processor speed and type (G3 or G4).
The G4 iBook is also fairly similar to the white version of the MacBook, again the easiest way is to check System Profile for your CPU type - the MacBook uses an Intel Core Duo processor.
If you are still unsure you can contact us on 01223 833 412 or by email for confirmation. If you want to upgrade but aren't happy to install your upgrades then we can help. Simply ask our engineers for further details.
Memory Upgrades
The iBook G4 Dual USBs use DDR RAM, and have one RAM slot which can take up to a 1GB module, in addition to the RAM built into the machine.
You may need to check your iBooks bus speed to check which RAM modules are compatible. You can do this by going to the Apple menu > About this Mac, and then
clicking the more info button. This opens System Profiler, on the Hardware Overview that comes up your bus speed will be reported in the right-hand panel.
| 1 | Compatible with the last revision iBooks (introduced July 2005), which have a CPU speed of 1.42 or 1.33GHz and 512MB of non-removable RAM. |
| 2 | Compatible with iBook G4s below 1.33GHz, and 1.33GHz sold before July 2005 which have 256MB of non-removable RAM. |
Any fitting information below is intended as a guide before purchase ONLY, when fitting these products you should refer to the original manual for your computer, and any instructions that come with the item. Please see this page for more information, or here for information on our fitting service.
Difficulty 3 / 5 - Reasonably easy.
Turn off the machine and remove the power cable and battery.
The RAM is housed below the keyboard. To remove the keyboard release the catches at the top of the keyboard (between ESC & F1 and F8 & F9). This reveals the internal parts.
Then remove the Airport Extreme card (if present), remove the 4 screws holding the grilled metal plate under the Airport card in place, remove this plate to access the memory socket.
Reassemble machine and the upgrade is done!
CD & DVD Drive Upgrades
The iBook G4 Dual USB came equipped with either a Combo or a SuperDrive. This is via a slot loading mechanism on the right hand side of the laptop.
We sell both internal and external CD and DVD writers, and offer fitting on the internal units.
| INSTALLATION - Internal CD/DVD Drive in an iBook | £39.00 + vat (£45.83) | |  |
| Internal Combo Drive for Aluminium PowerBook, G4 Cube, iBook G4 or Mac Mini | £85.00 + vat (£99.88) | | |
| Internal DVDRW for Al PowerBook, iBook G4, G4 Cube, iMac G5 or Intel, Mac Mini and MacBook Pro | £119.00 + vat (£139.83) | | |
| REFURB 8x Internal DVDRW for Al PowerBook, iBook G4, G4 Cube, iMac G5 or Intel, Mac Mini and MacBook Pro | £59.00 + vat (£69.33) | | |
Any fitting information below is intended as a guide before purchase ONLY, when fitting these products you should refer to the original manual for your computer, and any instructions that come with the item. Please see this page for more information, or here for information on our fitting service.
Difficulty 5/5 - Very Hard (internal)
The iBook G4 Dual USB's internal optical drive is very difficult to get to and is not classified by Apple as a user installed part. Mac Upgrades can install drives for you, please contact us for details.
You can purchase the drive for installation yourself, but Mac Upgrades cannot provide instructions or support for the install process.
Internal Hard Drive Upgrades
The iBook G4 Dual USB's will use any 9.5mm height 2.5" IDE hard drive, although user installation is advised against (see below).
If you don't want to fit a new hard drive yourself, you can take advantage of the MacUpgrades Installation Service. Add the installation service from the list below to your cart along with your chosen hard drive. We can also clone your existing hard drive onto the new one, simply add the Clone Original Hard Drive service below to your cart.
Once you have booked the service, send your machine to us, we will carry out the work and return it to you. Alternatively, we do offer a Collection Service with our courier, please see here for details.
| 1 | Professional installation recommended. |
Any fitting information below is intended as a guide before purchase ONLY, when fitting these products you should refer to the original manual for your computer, and any instructions that come with the item. Please see this page for more information, or here for information on our fitting service.
Difficulty 5 / 5 - Very Hard
The iBook G4 Dual USB's internal hard drive is very difficult to get to and is not classified by Apple as a user installed part. Mac Upgrades can install drives for you, please contact us for details.
You can purchase the drive for installation yourself, but Mac Upgrades cannot provide instructions or support for the install process.
Graphics Card Upgrades
The graphics card in your iBook G4 Dual USB is part of the main logic board. Unfortunately therefore it is
not possible to change the graphics card. It may be worth expanding your memory to its maximum
to try and compensate, but this will have at best a limited effect on your iBook's 3D capabilities.
There are no graphics card upgrades available for these Macs
Expansion Card Upgrades
Your iBook G4 Dual USB has no available PCMCIA sockets for connectivity expansion, therefore the only expansion card it can take is the Apple Airport Extreme Wireless networking card.
The last generation of iBook G4s (which had 512MB soldered onto the main board) do not use a standard Airport Extreme card, they use a combined AIrport Extreme and Bluetooth
card which can be sourced from Apple - all of these Macs would have been sold with the board in place.
| 1 | Not compatible with the last generation of iBook G4s (which have 512MB RAM fixed to the logic board). |
| 2 | Requires Mac OS 10.4 or later. |
Any fitting information below is intended as a guide before purchase ONLY, when fitting these products you should refer to the original manual for your computer, and any instructions that come with the item. Please see this page for more information, or here for information on our fitting service.
Difficulty 2 / 5 - Easy
Turn off the machine and remove the power cable and battery.
The hard drive and RAM are housed below the keyboard. To remove
the keyboard release the catches at the top of the keyboard (between
ESC & F1 and F8 & F9). This reveals the Airport Extreme card
slot. Apple's guide can be found here.
Keyboards & Mice
The following keyboards and mice are compatible with this Mac.
Any fitting information below is intended as a guide before purchase ONLY, when fitting these products you should refer to the original manual for your computer, and any instructions that come with the item. Please see this page for more information, or here for information on our fitting service.
Difficulty 1 / 5 - Very Easy
Keyboards plug into the relevant port on your Mac. Mice can either be plugged into your keyboard, or they can be plugged directly into your Mac.
Power Supplies & Batteries
Listed below are power supplies, batteries and related products
we supply for this Mac.
| 1 | For the 12" version of this iBook |
| 2 | For the 14" version of this iBook |
Any fitting information below is intended as a guide before purchase ONLY, when fitting these products you should refer to the original manual for your computer, and any instructions that come with the item. Please see this page for more information, or here for information on our fitting service.
Cables & Tools
Listed below are power cables, tools and related products
we supply for this Mac.
Any fitting information below is intended as a guide before purchase ONLY, when fitting these products you should refer to the original manual for your computer, and any instructions that come with the item. Please see this page for more information, or here for information on our fitting service.
External Hard Drive Upgrades
This Mac can use any of the following external hard drives.
| 1 | Only suitable for versions of this Mac with USB 2.0 built in, will not boot this Mac. |
| 2 | Cannot be used to boot this Mac. |
Any fitting information below is intended as a guide before purchase ONLY, when fitting these products you should refer to the original manual for your computer, and any instructions that come with the item. Please see this page for more information, or here for information on our fitting service.
Difficulty 1 / 5 - Very Easy
Install any supplied software and connect the new device.
You will need to format the drive before use. This is done with the "Drive Setup" utility, which can be found in Applications > Utilities.
