PowerBook G4 (Aluminum)
When it was introduced in 2001, the Titanium PowerBook brought the power of AIM's (Apple, IBM, Motorola) PowerPC G4 to the PowerBook line. It had its faults, and Apple knew they needed to fix them.
Enter the PowerBook G4 Aluminum.
Enter the PowerBook G4 Aluminum.
Released in early 2003, the PowerBook G4 Aluminum fixed the issues the Titanium PowerBook had, and introduced a new 12 " PowerBook. The first revision came only in 12 and 17" models with an 867MHz (12") and 1.0GHz (17") processor. Compared to later models, these were a bit stripped down; hard drives ran at 4200rpm, had Bluetooth 1.1, and USB 1.1. Later models included 5400rpm drives standard, Bluetooth 2.0+EDR, and USB 2.0.
Unfortunately, these models didn't go out with no problems. There were two wide spread issues, one where the bottom RAM slot in the 15 and 17" models would no longer response to an installed RAM chip and another dubbed "Narcoleptic PowerBook Syndrome" or NPBS. NPBS would kick in after the machine went to sleep. The thermal sensor on the trackpad ribbon cable will incorrectly report to the system that it is too warm and it would fall back asleep. Most of the time, restarting the machine reverses the effect, however some have reported that they need to let the computer completely drain until it would function again. The only way to completely fix the issue is to carefully de-solder the sensor from the ribbon cable.
Apple recalled the PowerBook G4 Aluminum for the bottom RAM slot. Users who brought in the machine would receive a replacement logic board, although over time the issue would occur again. Before that, Apple recalled about 128,000 rechargeable batteries found in the PowerBooks due to a short that would cause them to overheat, creating a fire hazard.
Unfortunately, these models didn't go out with no problems. There were two wide spread issues, one where the bottom RAM slot in the 15 and 17" models would no longer response to an installed RAM chip and another dubbed "Narcoleptic PowerBook Syndrome" or NPBS. NPBS would kick in after the machine went to sleep. The thermal sensor on the trackpad ribbon cable will incorrectly report to the system that it is too warm and it would fall back asleep. Most of the time, restarting the machine reverses the effect, however some have reported that they need to let the computer completely drain until it would function again. The only way to completely fix the issue is to carefully de-solder the sensor from the ribbon cable.
Apple recalled the PowerBook G4 Aluminum for the bottom RAM slot. Users who brought in the machine would receive a replacement logic board, although over time the issue would occur again. Before that, Apple recalled about 128,000 rechargeable batteries found in the PowerBooks due to a short that would cause them to overheat, creating a fire hazard.
In late 2004, rumors starting going around that Apple was going to release a PowerBook with a G5 processor. This never happened due to the heat and power draw of the G5, however later IBM created a G5 meant to be used in a portable. By then, Apple was already testing two new PowerBooks, one using dual G4s which had the same power draw problem as the G5, and one using an Intel processor. In 2006, Apple dropped the FireWire 800 port, the 12" model, added an iSight camera and switch the processor to Intel. The MacBook Pro was born.
The 12" PowerBook did not get a real replacement until 2009, when Apple released the 13" MacBook Pro.
After 15 years, the PowerBook name was retired.
The 12" PowerBook did not get a real replacement until 2009, when Apple released the 13" MacBook Pro.
After 15 years, the PowerBook name was retired.
