History
This page covers the first versions of the PowerBook G4. From the original
400/500MHz units, through the gigabit ethernet models, and finally onto the DVI capable
machines. All of these units use the same upgrades.
When the G4 PowerBook was announced in January 2001, it was a major
breakthrough in getting desktop power to the portable. Its innovate ultra
thin design was only one inch thick, and came in an eye catching titanium
enclosure. The machines shipped with slot loading optical drives, a change from
the older G3 machines, DVD-ROM to SuperDrive models were made.
The screen size was stretched to 15.2 inches giving an 1152 x 768 screen resolution.
The Titaniums all shipped with OS 9.1 and 10.x when it was released - they will
support every Mac OS from 9.1 upwards.
The first PowerBook G4 Titanium, released January 2001, was shipped in 400MHz and 500MHz configurations. Apple specs here.
In October 2001 a new model was released with gigabit ethernet, available in 550MHz and 667MHz versions. Apple specs here.
Another update in April 2002 moved the graphics output from an analogue VGA to a digital DVI type. This was available with 667MHz and 800MHz G4 processors. Apple specs here.
The final update to the PowerBook G4 before it moved from the Titanium to the Aluminium models, was in November 2002. This Mac came in 867MHz and 1GHz configurations. Apple specs here.
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How to Identify these Machines
The G4 Titanium has a black keyboard (as opposed to silver used on the 15" Aluminum PowerBook G4). This is the main
distinguishing method between these two revisions.
This group of machines were the first to be finished in a metal titanium finish. Configurations changed half way through
the series, with a change to the video output from VGA (3 row 15 pin connection) to a DVI connection. See bottom picture to the left for images of both configurations.
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
All PowerBook G4 Titaniums have two memory sockets. The machines can accept up to 1GB in RAM in two 512MB modules.
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 -
both sockets are now easily reached.
Apple's own instructions can be found here.
CD & DVD Drive Upgrades
The PowerBook G4 Titanium came equipped with a DVD or Combo or SuperDrive (slot loading at the front). At present we don't stock internal
CD or DVD writers which fit internally to this machine.
It is possible to use an external device
FireWire (or USB 2.0 if present).
There are no optical drive upgrades available for these Macs
Difficulty 1 / 5 - Easy
Install any supplied software, restart machine and connect the new device.
Internal Hard Drive Upgrades
This range of drives will work in your PowerBook G4 Titanium.
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.
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.
Turn the PowerBook upside down.
There are 8-10 holding screws on the bottom of the machine, which hold the bottom case in place.
Remove these with a
torx screwdriver. This will reveal the hard drive and internal components.
The hard drive is secured in place with 4 more
torx screws. Two are accessible through the battery bay - the drive can then be moved outwards.
Remember to disconnect
the IDE cable, and remove the other two screws.
Fit the new drive and reassemble machine in reverse order.
Start computer from CD and initialize the drive. If you are unsure call or email our team.
You can find Apple's own guide here.
Graphics Card Upgrades
This laptop can take a secondary graphics card through it's PCMCIA (Cardbus) slot, to allow it to control a wider range
of external displays that it can by default.
There are no graphics card upgrades available for these Macs
Difficulty 1 / 5 - Very Easy.
Install any supplied software, turn off the machine, and insert the PCMCIA card into the socket on the left of the machine.
Connect it to your monitor and your finished.
Expansion Card Upgrades
Your PowerBook G4 Titanium has one available PCMCIA socket for connectivity expansion. This port is located
to the left of the machine.
This credit card sized socket allows users to take advantage of newer connectivity such
as USB 2.0, FireWire 800 and Wireless networking.
| 1 | Requires Mac OS 10.4 or later. |
| 2 | Requires MacOS 10.3.5 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 1 / 5 - Very Easy
Install any supplied software, turn off the machine and insert PCMCIA Card into the socket on the left of the machine.
Restart machine and away you go.
For fitting an Airport card, see Apple's guide 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.
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 | Requires 9.2 or later or 10.1.5 or later. |
| 2 | Only suitable for this Mac if you have added USB 2.0 or eSATA with an expansion card. Will not 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.
