Apple · PowerBook

PowerBook G4 12-inch (Early 2003)

Released 2003

The original compact aluminium PowerBook, with an 867 MHz G4, Bluetooth and optional AirPort Extreme.

Size: 12.1″
Display: –
Processor: PowerPC G4 867 MHz (PowerBook 12-inch Early 2003)
Memory: 256 MB – 640 MB
Weight: 2.1 kg
Battery: 5 h

What reviewers say

Reviewers praised the compact, sturdy aluminium enclosure, clear display and useful everyday performance. Macs Only found it broadly comparable to an older 15-inch PowerBook, with weaker performance in some graphics tasks. Small Business Computing valued its portability but noted slower demanding work and the absence of a PC Card slot.

From macsonly.com and smallbusinesscomputing.com

Specifications

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Display

Screen size: 12.1″
Resolution: 1024 × 768
Touchscreen: No
Display type: 12.1-inch TFT XGA active-matrix display. Exact panel technology, brightness and refresh unpublished.

Performance

Processor: PowerPC G4 867 MHz (PowerBook 12-inch Early 2003)
CPU cores: 1
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce4 420 Go (32 MB DDR)
Memory: 256 MB or 640 MB
Storage: 40 GB
CPU: 867 MHz PowerPC G4 with Velocity Engine, 256 KB L2 cache and 133 MHz system bus. Exact supplier/SKU not inferred.
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce4 420 Go, AGP 4 × and 32 MB DDR video memory.
Memory type: 256 MB PC2100 DDR266 stock: 128 MB onboard plus 128 MB SO-DIMM. Maker-supported maximum 640 MB retained; third-party 1152 MB maximum in EveryMac is not a maker configuration.
Storage type: 40 GB 4200 rpm Ultra ATA/100 hard drive. Combo reads DVD 8 ×, writes CD-R 24 × and CD-RW 10 ×; optional SuperDrive writes DVD-R 1 ×, CD-R 8 × and CD-RW 4 ×. No unlisted drive capacity combinations.

Battery and size

Battery life (maker's claim): Up to 5 hours
Battery capacity: 47 Wh
Weight: 2.1 kg
Thickness: 30 mm
Width × depth: 277 × 219 mm
Battery life detail: 47 Wh, up to five hours maker claim. Published 2.1 kg includes battery and optical drive and varies by configuration/manufacturing process; closed metric dimensions 27.7 × 21.9 × 3.0 cm.
Materials: Aluminium alloy enclosure

Connections

Ports: 2 × USB-A, Ethernet, headphone jack
Wi-Fi: Optional AirPort Extreme 802.11b/g
Bluetooth: 1.1
Operating system: macOS
Port detail: Two 12 Mbps USB 1.1 ports, one FireWire 400, 10/100 Ethernet, 56K V.92 modem, audio line in and headphone output. Mini-VGA supports included VGA and S-video/composite adapters. No PC Card slot.
External displays: Dual display or mirroring; external display up to 1600 × 1200 at millions of colours.
Keyboard: Full-size keyboard, 78 US or 79 ISO keys, embedded numeric keypad.
Speakers: Stereo speakers with midrange-enhancing third speaker
Microphones: Internal omnidirectional microphone
In the box: Apple Video Adapter, VGA adapter, modem cable, 45 W power adapter, plug and cord. January 7 maker launch promised later-January availability; full production review on February 3 confirms subsequent availability but exact first sale month is unestablished, so year retained.

Configurations

Processor	Memory	Storage	Graphics
PowerPC G4 867 MHz (PowerBook 12-inch Early 2003)	256 MB	40 GB	NVIDIA GeForce4 420 Go (32 MB DDR)
PowerPC G4 867 MHz (PowerBook 12-inch Early 2003)	640 MB	40 GB	NVIDIA GeForce4 420 Go (32 MB DDR)

Pros and cons

Pros

Compact aluminium enclosure
Bluetooth built in
Combo drive with optional DVD writing

Cons

No PC Card slot or DVI output
Maker-supported memory limited to 640 MB
AirPort Extreme sold separately

Closest rivals

Model	Size	Display	Processor	Memory	Weight	Battery	Released
AppleiBook (1999)	12.1″	–	PowerPC G3 300 MHz (iBook 1999)	32 MB – 288 MB	–	6 h	Sept 1999
AppleiBook (Early 2000)	12.1″	–	PowerPC G3 300 MHz (iBook Early 2000) or PowerPC G3 366 MHz (iBook Early 2000)	64 MB – 320 MB	–	6 h	Feb 2000
AppleiBook (FireWire)	12.1″	–	PowerPC G3 366 MHz (iBook FireWire 2000) or PowerPC G3 466 MHz (iBook FireWire 2000)	64 MB – 320 MB	–	6 h	Sept 2000

Newer model: PowerBook G4 (12-inch DVI).

Sources

Photo: Apple image hosted and credited by EveryMac for the exact original 12-inch model; low-resolution front view.

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