Apple PowerBook G4 1.0 17" (Al) Specs (M8793LL/A)
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The PowerBook G4/1.0 17" (Al) features a 1.0 GHz PowerPC 7455 (G4) processor with the AltiVec "Velocity Engine" vector processing unit, 256k on chip level 2 cache, and 1.0 MB level 3 cache, 512 MB of PC2700 DDR SDRAM, a 60 GB Ultra ATA/100 hard drive (4200 RPM), a slot-loading 2X DVD-R/CD-RW "SuperDrive", a Firewire "800" port, built-in Bluetooth 1.1 and AirPort Extreme (802.11g), and NVIDIA GeForce4 440 Go (4X AGP) graphics with 64 MB of DDR SDRAM in an attractive aluminum alloy case with a 17" widescreen TFT display (1440x900 native resolution). Custom configurations also were available.
The PowerBook G4/1.0 17" was the first notebook to ship with a 17" display and a 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". It also was the first Mac to include a Firewire "800" port.
Also see: What are the differences between the original 12-Inch and 17-Inch PowerBook G4 models?
Buy This Mac -- and all other new & used Macs -- at site sponsor PowerMax!
Upgrade This Mac at site sponsor Other World Computing. Memory, drives, & more!
Click on the underlined category text for related details. The most commonly needed info is "open" by default, but all info is important.
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| Introduction Date: |
January 7, 2003 |
Discontinued Date: |
September 16, 2003 |
| 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 7455 (G4) |
Processor Speed: |
1.0 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: |
1.0 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: |
256k (on chip), 1 MB |
| Details: |
Includes a 256k "on chip" level 2 cache that runs at processor speed and a 1 MB level 3 cache (static DDR SDRAM) with 3.2 GBps throughput (2:1). |
| 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: |
512 MB |
Maximum RAM: |
1.0 GB* |
| Details: |
*Apple officially reports that the maximum memory capacity of this system is 1.0 GB using two 512 MB memory modules. However, third-parties have been able to upgrade the RAM to 2.0 GB with two 1.0 GB memory modules.
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: |
GeForce4 440 Go |
VRAM Type: |
DDR SDRAM |
| Details: |
NVIDIA GeForce4 440 Go (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: |
17.0" Widescreen |
Native Resolution: |
1440x900 |
| Details: |
17.0" TFT widescreen active-matrix display with a 1440 by 900 native resolution. Apple reports that it also supports "1152 by 720, 1024 by 768, 1024 by 640, 800 by 600 at 16:10 aspect ratio; [and] 1024 by 768, 800 by 600, 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: |
Also see: How do you replace or upgrade the hard drive in the PowerBook G4 models? |
| Standard Optical: |
2X "SuperDrive" |
Standard Disk: |
None |
| Details: |
Apple reports that the slot-loading DVD-R/CD-RW "SuperDrive" is capable of writing DVD-R at 2X, reading DVD at 6X, writing CD-R at 8X, writing CD-RW at 4X, 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 (1.1) |
Firewire Ports: |
1 (400), 1 (800) |
| Details: |
Two USB 1.1 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 17" |
| Apple Model No: |
M8793LL/A |
Apple Subfamily: |
17-Inch |
| Details: |
The Apple model number should be unique to this system. |
| Gestalt/Model ID: |
N/A |
Machine Model: |
PowerBook5,1 |
| Details: |
Please note that these identifiers refer to more than one model. |
| Battery Type: |
55 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 10.2.4 |
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: |
1.0 x 15.4 x 10.2 |
Avg. Weight: |
6.8 lbs (3.1 kg) |
| Details: |
In inches while closed - height by width by depth, (2.6 cm, 39.2 cm, 25.9 cm). |
| Original Price: |
US$3299 |
Est. Current Retail: |
US$750-US$900 |
| 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. |
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