PowerBook G4 1.5 12" (Al) Specs (12-Inch 1.5 GHz, M9690LL/A*, PowerBook6,8, A1104, 2030): EveryMac.com

Apple PowerBook G4 1.5 12" (Al) Specs

Identifiers: 12-Inch 1.5 GHz - M9690LL/A* - PowerBook6,8 - A1104 - 2030

All PowerBook G4 Models | All 2005 Models | Dynamically Compare This Mac to Others

Apple PowerBook G4 12-Inch The PowerBook G4/1.5 12" features a 1.5 GHz PowerPC 7447a (G4) processor with the AltiVec "Velocity Engine" vector processing unit and 512k on chip level 2 cache, 512 MB of PC2700 DDR SDRAM, a 60 GB (M9690LL/A) or 80 GB (M9691LL/A) Ultra ATA/100 hard drive (5400 RPM), either a slot-loading 8X "Combo" drive (M9183LL/A) or 8X "SuperDrive" (M9184LL/A), built-in Bluetooth 2.0+EDR and AirPort Extreme (802.11g), and NVIDIA GeForce FX Go5200 (4X AGP) graphics with 64 MB of DDR SDRAM in an attractive aluminum alloy case with a 12.1" TFT XGA display (1024x768 native resolution). Custom configurations also were available.

Compared to the PowerBook G4/1.33 12" that it replaced, the PowerBook G4/1.5 12" is quite similar, but is equipped with a faster processor, a faster hard drive complete with "Sudden Motion Sensor" technology that stops the hard drive heads from moving if the notebook is dropped, a new "Scrolling Trackpad" that allows one to scroll or pan by touching the trackpad with two fingers instead of one, and Bluetooth 2.0+EDR.

Also see:

What are the differences between the 12-Inch, "1.65/1.5" or "Sudden Motion Sensor/Bluetooth 2.0+EDR" 15-Inch, and 17-Inch PowerBook G4 models introduced on January 31, 2005?
What are the differences between the 12-Inch PowerBook G4 models?

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:

January 31, 2005

Discontinued Date:

May 16, 2006*

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.

*The configuration that shipped with a "Combo" drive and a 60 GB hard drive (M9690LL/A) was discontinued October 19, 2005.

Also see: All Macs introduced in 2005.

Processors:

Geekbench 2:

725

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 PowerBook6,8 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:

1.5 GHz

Processor Type:

PowerPC 7447a (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:

1.5 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 a single 200-pin PC2700 DDR SDRAM SO-DIMM memory module.

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:

512 MB

Maximum RAM:

1.25 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:

256 MB

RAM Slots:

Details:

256 MB onboard, single SO-DIMM slot.

Video Card:

GeForce FX Go5200

VRAM Type:

DDR SDRAM

Details:

NVIDIA GeForce FX Go5200 (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:

12.1" TFT XGA

Native Resolution:

1024x768

Details:

12.1" TFT XGA active-matrix display with a 1024 by 768 native resolution. Apple reports that it also supports "800 by 600 [and] 640 by 480" when scaled.

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, 80 GB HDD

Std. Storage Speed:

5400 RPM

Details:

M9690LL/A shipped with a 60 GB hard drive and M9691LL/A with an 80 GB hard drive. A 100 GB (5400 RPM) hard drive also was available as a build-to-order option.

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" (9.5 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 9.5 mm thick. A thicker 12.5 mm hard drive or SSD will physically fit, but it will block air flow inside the case and cause overheating.

Standard Optical:

8X "Combo Drive"*

Standard Disk:

None

Details:

This model was available configured with an 8X "Combo" drive (M9690LL/A) and an 8X "SuperDrive" (M9691LL/A).

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.

The DVD�RW/CD-RW "SuperDrive" is capable of writing DVD-R at 8X, DVD-RW at 4X, DVD+R at 8X, DVD+RW at 4X, reading DVD at 8X, reading DVD-R,+R,-RW, and +RW at 6X, 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:

10/100Base-T

Details:

N/A

Standard AirPort:

802.11b/g (Standard)

Standard Bluetooth:

2.0+EDR

Details:

AirPort Extreme (802.11g) and Bluetooth 2.0+EDR built-in.

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)

Details:

Two USB 2.0 ports. One Firewire "400" port.

Expansion Slots:

None

Expansion Bays:

None

Details:

This model has no available expansion slots.

Also see: Is there a replacement wireless card that offers better wireless reception for the 12-Inch 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, drag, and scroll capabilities.

Case Type:

Notebook

Form Factor:

PowerBook G4 12"

Details:

Apple Order No:

M9690LL/A*

Apple Subfamily:

12-Inch 1.5 GHz

Details:

*The M9690LL/A Apple order number refers to the configuration that shipped with a "Combo" drive and a 60 GB hard drive. The configuration with the "SuperDrive" and an 80 GB hard drive was assigned M9691LL/A.

Apple Model No:

A1104 (EMC 2030)

Model ID:

PowerBook6,8

Details:

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

Also see: All Macs with the A1104 Model Number, the 2030 EMC Number, and the PowerBook6,8 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:

50 W h LiIon

Battery Life:

5 Hours

Details:

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 10.3.7*

Maximum MacOS:

X 10.5.8

Details:

*Shipped with MacOS X 10.4 "Tiger" starting October 19, 2005.

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:

1.18 x 10.9 x 8.6

Avg. Weight:

4.6 lbs (2.1 kg)

Details:

In inches while closed - height by width by depth, (3.0 cm, 27.7 cm, 21.9 cm).

Original Price (US):

US$1499, US$1699*

Est. Current Retail:

US$50-US$100

Details:

*Originally US$1499 with 60 GB hard drive and "Combo" drive (M9690LL/A) and US$1699 with 80 GB hard drive and "SuperDrive". On October 19, 2005, the low-end configuration was discontinued and the high-end configuration was offered for US$1499.

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 (Mini-DVI)

Floppy (Ext.):

None

Details:

DVI, VGA, composite, and S-video capable with provided adapters.

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)

Details:

Two USB 2.0 ports. One Firewire "400" port.

Modem:

1 (RJ-11)

Ethernet:

1 (RJ-45)

Details:

Internal card provides 56k v.92 modem and 10/100Base-T Ethernet. Blueooth 2.0+EDR standard.

S-Video Input:

None

S-Video Output:

Details:

S-video adapter provided for Mini-DVI port.

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, 45 W power adapter.

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

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