PowerBook G4 1.0 15" (FW800 - Al) Specs (15-Inch FW800, M8980LL/A, PowerBook5,2, A1046, 1960): EveryMac.com

Apple PowerBook G4 1.0 15" (FW800 - Al) Specs

Identifiers: 15-Inch FW800 - M8980LL/A - PowerBook5,2 - A1046 - 1960

All PowerBook G4 Models | All 2003 Models | Dynamically Compare This Mac to Others

Apple PowerBook G4 15-Inch The PowerBook G4/1.0 15" (FW800) features a 1.0 GHz PowerPC 7447 (G4) processor with the AltiVec "Velocity Engine" vector processing unit and 512k on chip level 2 cache, 256 MB of PC2700 DDR SDRAM, a 60 GB Ultra ATA/100 hard drive (4200 RPM), a slot-loading 8X DVD/CD-RW "Combo" drive, a Firewire "400" and "800" port, built-in Bluetooth 1.1, support for AirPort Extreme (802.11g) with an optional upgrade, and ATI Mobility Radeon 9600 (4X AGP) graphics with 64 MB of DDR SDRAM in an attractive aluminum alloy case with a 15" widescreen TFT display (1280x854 native resolution). Custom configurations also were available.

The PowerBook G4 "Firewire 800" series adds AirPort Extreme (802.11g), Bluetooth 1.1, USB 2.0, and Firewire "800", as well as a faster logicboard and memory, to the 15" models.

Please note that unlike the otherwise similar PowerBook G4/1.25 15" (FW800), the PowerBook G4/1.0 15" (FW800) does not have the fiber optic based "ambient light sensor" that automatically "measures ambient light and works with integrated software to adjust keyboard illumination and screen brightness based on user preferences".

Also see: What are the differences between the 12-Inch, "Firewire 800" 15-Inch, and 17-Inch PowerBook G4 models introduced on September 16, 2003?

Despite the age of this system, site sponsor Other World Computing has RAM, hard drives, SSDs, and other upgrades available for this specific Mac while supplies last.

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Introduction Date:

September 16, 2003

Discontinued Date:

April 19, 2004

Details:

The "Introduction Date" refers to the date a model was introduced via press release. The "Discontinued Date" refers to the date a model either was replaced by a subsequent system or production otherwise ended.

Also see: All Macs introduced in 2003.

Processors:

Geekbench 2:

542

Details:

This model only is compatible with the 32-bit Geekbench 2 benchmark. These numbers reflect an average of user provided 32-bit and 64-bit results as submitted to the Geekbench website. Higher numbers are better.

You also might be interested in reviewing all 32-bit Geekbench 2 user submissions for Macs with the PowerBook5,2 Model Identifier, which may include multiple models.

To dynamically compare Geekbench results from different Macs side-by-side, see EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Comparison.

Processor Speed:

1.0 GHz

Processor Type:

PowerPC 7447 (G4)

Details:

The PowerPC G4 includes the AltiVec "Velocity Engine" vector processor.

Processor Upgrade:

Soldered

FPU:

Integrated

Details:

N/A

System Bus Speed:

167 MHz

Cache Bus Speed:

1.0 GHz (Built-in)

Details:

N/A

ROM/Firmware Type:

Open Firmware

ROM/Firmware Size:

1 MB

Details:

The Boot ROM is roughly 1 MB, other instructions are loaded into RAM.

L1 Cache:

64k

L2/L3 Cache:

512k (on chip)

Details:

Includes a 512k "on chip" level 2 cache that runs at processor speed.

RAM Type:

PC2700 DDR SDRAM

Min. RAM Speed:

333 MHz

Details:

Supports two 200-pin PC2700 DDR SDRAM SO-DIMM memory modules.

Also see: How do you upgrade the RAM in the PowerBook G4 models? How much RAM of what type do these systems support?

Standard RAM:

256 MB

Maximum RAM:

2 GB

Details:

In the US (and many other countries), site sponsor Other World Computing sells memory -- as well as other upgrades -- for this PowerBook G4.

In Germany, site sponsor CompuRAM sells memory and other upgrades for this PowerBook G4.

Also see: Actual Max RAM of All G3 & Later Macs.

Motherboard RAM:

None

RAM Slots:

Details:

N/A

Video Card:

Mobility Radeon 9600

VRAM Type:

DDR SDRAM

Details:

ATI Mobility Radeon 9600 (4X AGP) with 64 MB of DDR SDRAM.

Also see: What kind of video processor is provided by the PowerBook G4 models? What is the maximum resolution each can support on an external display?

Standard VRAM:

64 MB

Maximum VRAM:

64 MB

Details:

The video cannot be upgraded.

Built-in Display:

15.0" Widescreen

Native Resolution:

1280x854

Details:

15.0" TFT widescreen active-matrix display with a 1280 by 854 native resolution. Apple reports that it also supports 1152 by 640, 896 by 600, 720 by 480, 640 by 480 at 3:2 aspect ratio; and 1024 by 768, 800 by 600, and 640 by 480 at 4:3 aspect ratio.

2nd Display Support:

Dual/Mirroring

2nd Max. Resolution:

2048x1536

Details:

The maximum resolution supported on an external display is 2048x1536 at millions of colors.

Standard Storage:

60 GB HDD

Std. Storage Speed:

4200 RPM

Details:

Also see: How do you replace or upgrade the hard drive in the PowerBook G4 models?

Site sponsor Other World Computing sells storage upgrades for this PowerBook G4.

Also see: SSD Compatibility Guide for All G3 & Later Macs.

Storage Dimensions:

2.5" (12.5 mm)

Storage Interface:

Ultra ATA/100

Details:

This model supports a single Ultra ATA/100 (ATA-6) 2.5" hard drive or SSD that is up to 12.5 mm thick.

Standard Optical:

8X "Combo Drive"

Standard Disk:

None

Details:

Apple reports that the slot-loading DVD/CD-RW "Combo" drive is capable of reading DVD at 8X, writing CD-R at 24X, writing CD-RW at 10X, and reading CD-ROM at 24X.

Also see: What are the capabilities of the optical drive provided by the PowerBook G4 models? Can one upgrade the optical drive?

Standard Modem:

56k v.92

Standard Ethernet:

10/100/1000Base-T

Details:

N/A

Standard AirPort:

802.11b/g (Optional)

Standard Bluetooth:

1.1

Details:

Internal AirPort Extreme (802.11g) was available as a build-to-order option, Bluetooth 1.1 pre-installed.

Also see: Which PowerBook G4 models support AirPort? Which support AirPort Extreme? Which have internal support for Bluetooth or Bluetooth 2.0+EDR?

USB Ports:

2 (2.0)

Firewire Ports:

1 (400), 1 (800)

Details:

Two USB 2.0 ports. One Firewire "400" port and one Firewire "800" port.

Expansion Slots:

Type I/II PC Card

Expansion Bays:

None

Details:

Single PC Card slot supporting a Type I or Type II PC Card (CardBus compliant).

Also see: Is it possible to add external SATA to the PowerBook G4?

Incl. Keyboard:

Full-size

Incl. Input:

Trackpad

Details:

Apple reports that the integrated keyboard has "78 (US) or 79 (ISO) keys, including 12 function keys, 4 arrow keys (inverted "T" arrangement), and [an] embedded numeric keypad." The trackpad supports tap, double tap, and drag capabilities.

Case Type:

Notebook

Form Factor:

PowerBook G4 15"

Details:

Apple Order No:

M8980LL/A

Apple Subfamily:

15-Inch FW800

Details:

The Apple order number should be unique to this system.

Apple Model No:

A1046 (EMC 1960)

Model ID:

PowerBook5,2

Details:

Please note that these identifiers refer to more than one model.

Also see: All Macs with the A1046 Model Number, the 1960 EMC Number, and the PowerBook5,2 Model Identifier.

For more about these identifiers and how to locate them on each Mac, please refer to EveryMac.com's Mac Identification section.

Battery Type:

46 W h LiIon

Battery Life:

4.5 Hours

Details:

4.5 hours under "normal usage conditions" as estimated by Apple.

Also see: What is the battery life of the PowerBook G4 models?

Pre-Installed MacOS:

X 10.2.7

Maximum MacOS:

X 10.5.8

Details:

This system cannot run versions of MacOS X more recent than 10.5.8.

Also see: Which PowerBook G4 models can boot MacOS 9? Which PowerBook G4 models can only run MacOS 9 applications in the "Classic" environment?

MacOS 9 Support:

Classic Mode Only*

Windows Support:

Emulation Only

Details:

*This model is capable of using Mac OS 9 applications within the Mac OS X "Classic" environment provided with Mac OS X 10.4.11 "Tiger" and lower ("Classic" is not supported starting with Mac OS X 10.5 "Leopard"). It cannot boot into Mac OS 9.

Dimensions:

1.1 x 13.7 x 9.5

Avg. Weight:

5.6 lbs (2.5 kg)

Details:

In inches while closed - height by width by depth, (2.8 cm, 34.8 cm, 24.1 cm).

Original Price (US):

US$1999

Est. Current Retail:

US$50-US$100

Details:

Please note that on average the estimated current retail pricing of used systems is updated twice a year (please refer to the date on the bottom of the page for the date last updated).

Photo Credit: Apple Computer.

Click on a category for additional details. The most commonly needed info is "open" by default, but all info is important. The icons correspond with the icons for each port on the computer.

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Video (Monitor):

1 (DVI)

Floppy (Ext.):

None

Details:

VGA capable with provided DVI-to-VGA adapter.

Also see: What is a "DVI" port? Which PowerBook G4 models have DVI ports? Which do not?

ADB:

None

SCSI:

None

Details:

N/A

Serial (Standard):

None

Serial (Geoport):

None

Details:

N/A

USB:

2 (2.0)

Firewire:

1 (400), 1 (800)

Details:

Two USB 2.0 ports. One Firewire "400" port and one Firewire "800" port.

Modem:

1 (RJ-11)

Ethernet:

1 (RJ-45)

Details:

Internal card provides 56k v.92 modem and 10/100/1000Base-T (Gigabit) Ethernet. Blueooth 1.1 standard.

S-Video Input:

None

S-Video Output:

Details:

*Also supports composite with included adapter.

Microphone:

1 (Internal)

Sound In:

Details:

Internal omnidirectional microphone. Single 16-bit stereo sound input minijack.

Sound Out:

Headphone:

None

Details:

Single 16-bit stereo sound output minijack also can be used with headphones.

Security (Lock):

Joystick (PC):

None

Details:

N/A

Power:

N/A

Power Adapter:

Details:

100V-240V AC, 65 W power adapter.

Ten of the most popular Q&As about the PowerBook G4 models follow.

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