2004 iBook G4

From AzNate's Tech Wiki
2004 iBook G4
Apple logo
My iBook G4
2004 iBook G4
ManufacturerApple
Product familyiBook
TypeLaptop computer
Release dateOctober 19, 2004
Introductory price$1299
Operating systemMac OS X 10.3.9 Panther, English
CPUPowerPC G4 @ 1.33 GHz
Memory512 MB (DDR PC2100 266 MHz)
Storage60 GB HDD
Display14.1 in (36 cm)
GraphicsATI Mobility Radeon 9200
Connectivity2 USB 2.0, 1 FireWire, 1 Audio jack, 1 Mini-VGA
Power50 W AC adapter
Websitehttps://www.apple.com

2 versions of the iBook G4 were released in 2004. One was released in April 2004, then an updated one came out in October 2004. The iBook I have is the October 2004 model. This iBook had 3 configuration options ranging from $999 to $1,499. The $999 option was the smaller 12.1 in (31 cm) version with a 1.2 GHz PowerPC processor, 256 MB of RAM, a 30 GB hard drive, and a CD-RW/DVD-ROM Combo Drive. The $1,299 option had a 14.1 in (36 cm) display, a faster, 1.33 GHz PowerPC processor, and a larger 60 GB hard drive. The most expensive $1,499 option only upgraded the Combo Drive to a SuperDrive with DVD burning capabilities.

Collection Specifics

My specific iBook G4 is the $1,299 configuration, along with an upgraded 512 MB of RAM instead of the default 256 MB. I bought it for $35 on eBay in October 2018.

Operating System

Originally, this iBook would've shipped with Mac OS X 10.3.5 Panther; however, when I received my iBook it had already been upgraded to OS X 10.4 by the school that had previously owned it. I could upgrade it further to OS X 10.5 Leopard, but then I would lose older application compatibility.

On October 29, 2023, I decided to reinstall the original OS X 10.3.5 to get Classic support working, due to issues setting it up on Tiger.

Hardware

I have not done any hardware upgrades to this machine, nor do I currently have any plans to do so. As previously mentioned, it seems this iBook has been upgraded from the original 256 MB of memory to 512 MB.