PowerBook G4 Titanium


History

Introduced: January 9, 2001

Discontinued: September 16, 2003

Original Retail Price: $3,199

Model #: A1001

Tech Specs

Display: 15.2” LCD

Processor: 800 MHz PowerPC G4

RAM: 512 MB

Hard Drive: 64 GB SSD (upgraded)

Optical Drive: Combo (CD-RW / DVD-ROM)

OS: 10.1.4


Condition & Notes

This unit is in excellent condition, with even the infamously brittle paint around the hinges in perfect condition. There is one slight wear spot near the trackpad. It is complete with all the original packaging, plastic bag, power cable, VGA-to-DVI adapter, S-video-to-composite adapter, software CDs, and documentation. The battery holds a very slight charge but any extended use requires operation while plugged in.

In 2024 I replaced the existing hard drive with a 64 GB SSD. HDD to SSD conversion is a common technique used in vintage computer preservation, as the original hard drives are prone to failure due to age. This upgrade also makes the computer quieter, faster, and more reliable. Scroll to the bottom of the page for more on this.

It is in fully working order and is currently running Mac OS X 10.1.4.


Model Identifier

 

This particular machine is the high-end 800 MHz model from 2002. This is one of the later Titanium PowerBook models that features a DVI port, higher-resolution display, and other enhancements.

 

 Packaging

 
 

 PowerBook

 
 

 Accessories

 

Charger and AC cable, DVI-to-VGA adapter, S-video-to-composite adapter, software CDs, and documentation packet.

Getting Started guide, warranty info, software license agreement, AppleCare guide, OS X documentation, software coupons, software CDs, and even the original Apple stickers from 2001!

 

 System Specs

 
 
 
 

mSATA SSD Installation

 

This upgrade makes the computer quieter, faster, and more reliable. I chose to install a 64 GB mSATA SSD using an mSATA-to-IDE 2.5” adapter housing.

The SSD (top) slots directly in to where the existing HDD (bottom) was installed, using the OEM IDE cable harness and installation bracket.

The existing HDD was 80 GB in size - much larger than the 40 GB drive that originally shipped with this PowerBook - and was dated September 2003, so it had already been upgraded by a previous owner anyway.