PowerBook G4 500 (Original - Ti) Specs (PowerBook G4, M7710LL/A, PowerBook3,2, M5884, 1854): EveryMac.com

Apple PowerBook G4 500 (Original - Ti) Specs

Identifiers: PowerBook G4 - M7710LL/A - PowerBook3,2 - M5884 - 1854

All PowerBook G4 Models | All 2001 Models | Dynamically Compare This Mac to Others

Apple PowerBook G4 The PowerBook G4/500 (Titanium) features a 500 MHz PowerPC 7410 (G4) processor with the AltiVec "Velocity Engine" vector processing unit and 1 MB backside level 2 cache, 256 MB of PC100 SDRAM, a 20 GB Ultra ATA/66 hard drive, a slot-loading 6X DVD-ROM drive, and ATI Rage Mobility 128 (2X AGP) graphics with 8 MB of SDRAM in a 1-inch thick Titanium case with a 15.2" TFT display (1152x768 native resolution). Custom configurations also were available. It also is worth noting that the PowerBook G4/500 (Titanium) is much thinner than the PowerBook G3/400 (Firewire) that it replaced, but lacks swappable drive bays.

Also see: What are the differences between the original PowerBook G4 (400/500) 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 9, 2001

Discontinued Date:

October 16, 2001

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 2001.

Processors:

Geekbench 2:

325

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 PowerBook3,2 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:

500 MHz

Processor Type:

PowerPC 7410 (G4)

Details:

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

Processor Upgrade:

Soldered

FPU:

Integrated

Details:

N/A

System Bus Speed:

100 MHz

Cache Bus Speed:

250 MHz (2:1)

Details:

250 MHz dedicated 64-bit backside bus.

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:

1 MB (backside)

Details:

Includes a 1 MB level 2 cache on a 250 MHz backside bus.

RAM Type:

PC100 SDRAM

Min. RAM Speed:

8 ns

Details:

Supports 144-pin PC100 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:

1 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:

Rage Mobility 128

VRAM Type:

SDRAM

Details:

ATI Rage Mobility 128 with 8 MB SDRAM (2X AGP).

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:

8 MB

Maximum VRAM:

8 MB

Details:

The video cannot be upgraded.

Built-in Display:

15.2" Widescreen

Native Resolution:

1152x768

Details:

15.2" color widescreen TFT active-matrix display with a 1152 by 768 native resolution. Apple reports that it also supports "896 by 600, 720 by 480, and 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:

1280x960

Details:

The maximum resolution supported on an external VGA display is 1280x960 at millions of colors.

Standard Storage:

20 GB

Std. Storage Speed:

N/A

Details:

A 30 GB 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" (12.5 mm)

Storage Interface:

Ultra ATA/66

Details:

This model supports a single Ultra ATA/66 (ATA-5) 2.5" hard drive or SSD that is up to 12.5 mm thick.

Standard Optical:

6X DVD-ROM

Standard Disk:

None

Details:

Apple reports that the 6X slot-loading DVD-ROM drive also is capable of reading "DVD-Video, DVD-RAM, and CD-ROM discs".

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.90

Standard Ethernet:

10/100Base-T

Details:

N/A

Standard AirPort:

802.11b (Optional)

Standard Bluetooth:

None

Details:

Internal AirPort (802.11b) was available as a build-to-order option.

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 (1.1)

Firewire Ports:

1 (400)

Details:

Two USB 1.1 ports. One Firewire "400" 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 "77 (US) or 78 (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

Details:

Apple Order No:

M7710LL/A

Apple Subfamily:

PowerBook G4

Details:

The Apple order number should be unique to this system.

Apple Model No:

M5884 (EMC 1854)

Model ID:

PowerBook3,2

Details:

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

Also see: All Macs with the M5884 Model Number, the 1854 EMC Number, and the PowerBook3,2 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:

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:

9.1*

Maximum MacOS:

X 10.4.11

Details:

*Some also shipped with MacOS X 10.0.3 pre-installed.

This system cannot run versions of MacOS X more recent than 10.4.11.

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:

Boot/Classic Mode

Windows Support:

Emulation Only

Details:

This model is capable of booting in Mac OS 9 and using Mac OS 9 applications within the Mac OS X "Classic" environment.

Dimensions:

1.0 x 13.4 x 9.5

Avg. Weight:

5.3 lbs (2.4 kg)

Details:

In inches while closed - height by width by depth, (2.6 cm, 34.1 cm, 24.1 cm).

Original Price (US):

US$3499

Est. Current Retail:

N/A

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 (VGA)

Floppy (Ext.):

None

Details:

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 (1.1)

Firewire:

1 (400)

Details:

Two USB 1.1 ports. One Firewire "400" port.

Modem:

1 (RJ-11)

Ethernet:

1 (RJ-45)

Details:

Internal card provides 56k v.90 modem and 10/100Base-T Ethernet. 4-Mbps IrDA port also provided.

S-Video Input:

None

S-Video Output:

Details:

S-video to composite adapter also provided.

Microphone:

1 (Internal)

Sound In:

None

Details:

Internal omnidirectional microphone. No other audio input.

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 power adapter.

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

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