Apple PowerBook G4 1.33 15" (Al) Specs (M9421LL/A)
PowerBook G4 Main | Ports | Support Links | Q&A | Forums
The PowerBook G4/1.33 15" features a 1.33 GHz PowerPC 7447a (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 and AirPort Extreme (802.11g), and ATI Mobility Radeon 9700 (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.
Please note that unlike the otherwise similar PowerBook G4/1.5 15", 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" was an optional upgrade for this model.
The PowerBook G4/1.33 15" also is similar to the PowerBook G4/1.0 15" (FW800) that it replaced, but is equipped with a faster processor, superior graphics, a faster optical drive, and AirPort Extreme (802.11g) installed by default.
Also see: What are the differences between the 12-Inch, "1.5/1.33" 15-Inch, and 17-Inch PowerBook G4 models introduced on April 19, 2004?
Visit site sponsor PowerMax to purchase new & used Macs, monitors, and peripherals.
Visit site sponsor Other World Computing to buy memory, drives, batteries, and more.
Click on the underlined category text for related details. The most commonly needed info is "open" by default, but all info is important.
Expand All Details | Contract All Details
| Introduction Date: |
April 19, 2004 |
Discontinued Date: |
January 31, 2005 |
| 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. |
| Processor Type: |
PowerPC 7447a (G4) |
Processor Speed: |
1.33 GHz |
| Details: |
The PowerPC G4 includes the AltiVec "Velocity Engine" vector processor. |
| Processor Upgrade: |
Soldered |
FPU: |
Integrated |
| System Bus Speed: |
167 MHz |
Cache Bus Speed: |
1.33 GHz (Built-in) |
| 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: |
2.0 GB |
| Details: |
Site sponsor Other World Computing sells PowerBook G4 memory, as well as hard drives, batteries, carrying cases, and accessories. |
| Motherboard RAM: |
None |
RAM Slots: |
2 |
| Video Card: |
Mobility Radeon 9700 |
VRAM Type: |
DDR SDRAM |
| Details: |
ATI Mobility Radeon 9700 (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 Hard Drive: |
60 GB (4200 RPM) |
Int. HD Interface: |
Ultra ATA/100 |
| Details: |
An 80 GB (5400 RPM) hard drive was available as a build-to-order configuration.
Also see: How do you replace or upgrade the hard drive in the PowerBook G4 models? |
| Standard Optical: |
8X "Combo" |
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 16X, 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 |
| Standard AirPort: |
802.11b/g (Standard) |
Standard Bluetooth: |
1.1 |
| Details: |
Internal AirPort Extreme (802.11g) and 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.
Also see: Complete Ports. |
| 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" |
| Apple Model No: |
M9421LL/A |
Apple Subfamily: |
15-Inch 1.5/1.33 |
| Details: |
The Apple model number should be unique to this system. |
| Gestalt/Model ID: |
N/A |
Machine Model: |
PowerBook5,4 |
| Details: |
Please note that these identifiers refer to more than one model. |
| Battery Type: |
50 W/Hr 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 10.3.3 |
Maximum MacOS: |
Current |
| Details: |
Please note that this system can run the current version of MacOS X as of the date last updated (see bottom of page).
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 MacOS 9 applications within the MacOS X "Classic" environment provided with MacOS X 10.4.11 "Tiger" and lower ("Classic" is not supported starting with MacOS X 10.5 "Leopard"). It cannot boot into MacOS 9.
Site-sponsor OHS specializes in heavily upgraded Macs capable of running both MacOS X and MacOS 9 applications. |
| Dimensions: |
1.1 x 13.7 x 9.5 |
Avg. Weight: |
5.7 lbs (2.6 kg) |
| Details: |
In inches while closed - height by width by depth, (2.8 cm, 34.8 cm, 24.1 cm). |
| Original Price: |
US$1999 |
Est. Current Retail: |
US$850-US$1000 |
| 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. |
Permalink | Del.icio.us | RSS | Add to Google | Add to My Yahoo! | Add to AOL
Report an Error/Typo | Ask a Question in the Forums
<< PowerBook G4 (Home)
EveryMac.com is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind whatsoever.
EveryMac.com, and the author thereof, shall not be held responsible or liable, under any circumstances, for any
damages resulting from the use or inability to use the information within. For complete disclaimer and copyright
information please read and understand the Terms
of Use and the Privacy Policy before
using EveryMac.com. Use of any content or images without expressed permission is not allowed, although links to any page are welcomed and appreciated.
