PowerBook G4 - 15”
(Aluminum)
History
Introduced: September 16, 2003
Discontinued: February 28, 2006
Original Retail Price: $2,599
Model #: A1046
Tech Specs
Display: 15.0” TFT LCD
Processor: 1.25 GHz PowerPC G4
RAM: 256 MB
Hard Drive: 128 GB SSD (upgraded)
Optical Drive: SuperDrive
OS: 10.3
Condition & Notes
This unit is in excellent condition, with a few slight dings on the case. It is complete with all the original packaging, foam bag, power cable, modem cable, DVI-to-VGA adapter, S-video-to-composite adapter, software CDs, and documentation. As is normal for a machine of this age, its battery is completely dead so it must be plugged in to AC power to operate.
In 2024 I replaced the existing 80 GB hard drive with a 128 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 currently has OS X 10.3 installed.
Model Identifier
This particular machine is the high-end 1.25 GHz 15” model from late 2003. It also has a backlit keyboard with ambient light sensing, which was a considerable novelty back in 2003 when this machine was new.
Packaging
PowerBook
Accessories
Charger, AC cable, modem cable, DVI-to-VGA adapter, S-video-to-composite adapter, software CD, AirPort Extreme documentation, and PowerBook documentation.
Getting Started guide, warranty info, software license agreement, AppleCare guide, OS X Panther documentation, software coupons, AirPort Extreme and Bluetooth documentation, PowerBook and AirPort Extreme software CDs, and the original Apple stickers.
System Specs
mSATA SSD Installation
This upgrade makes the computer quieter, faster, and more reliable. I chose to install a 128 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The existing HDD was not an OEM part and was dated 2008, so it had already been replaced by a previous owner anyway.