Tag: PowerPC

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PowerBook G4 (Titanium, 867MHz, 2002)

The Titanium PowerBook G4 with DVD burning SuperDrive was introduced on November 6, 2002. The laptop had the industry’s first slot-loading SuperDrive optical drive that allowed reading and burning both CDs and DVDs. It included integrated 802.11 wireless networking and the fastest mobile graphics processor until that time (ATI Mobility Radeon 9000). It weighed 5.4 pounds in a 1-inch-thick Titanium enclosure with a widescreen 15.2-inch display.

Apple touted the Titanium PowerBook G4’s speed as equal to or faster than desktop computers of the time:

“Combined with the power of Apple’s UNIX-based Mac OS X version 10.2 ‘Jaguar,’ the new PowerBook G4 runs professional applications including Adobe Photoshop up to 44 percent faster than a 2.2 GHz Pentium 4-based notebook. The fastest PowerBook ever now offers even more incredible 3D graphics performance with the ATI Mobility Radeon 9000 graphics processor featuring up to 64MB of dedicated Double Data Rate (DDR) video SDRAM and advanced capabilities such as programmable pixel and vertex shading for lighting and shadow effects, photorealistic 3D performance and cinematic-quality video.”

This laptop version included a 867MHz G4 processor, 512MB RAM, a 40GB hard drive, 56K modem, and AirPort wireless networking. The Apple model number is A1025. When released, it was “aggressively priced at only $2,299.”

A LoweEndMac review noted that this PowerBook now offered “Closed Lid Mode,” and described the feature:

“TiBooks support ‘lid closed’ (or clamshell) mode, which leaves the built-in display off and dedicates all video RAM to an external display.” The same website indicates that this laptop was also nicknamed the “TiBook,” short for “Titanium PowerBook.”

Sources: Apple (Newsroom), EveryMac, LowEndMac

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PowerBook G4 (Gigabit, Titanium, 2001)

In January 2001, Steve Jobs announced “the most revolutionary portable computer ever created”—the Titanium PowerBook G4. At the time, this laptop had Apple’s largest display and fastest processor. Apple stated that a “mega-wide display and blazingly fast PowerPC G4 processors make it the ultimate system for portable video editing using Apple’s iMovie…or Apple’s award-winning Final Cut Pro professional video editing, effects, and compositing software.” The display was a 15.2-inch TFT widescreen display.

The PowerBook G4 Titanium was given the unofficial nickname of “TiBook.” This particular PowerBook G4 Titanium model was released in December 2001 and was referred to as the “Gigabit TiBook” referring to its ultra-fast Gigabit (1000BASE-T) ethernet port (an upgrade from the previous model’s 100BASE-T ethernet port).

The PowerBook G4 Gigabit used a 667 MHz PowerPC 7440 G4 processor and was available with 256 MB or 512 MB SDRAM, and 30 GB hard drive. A slot-loading 6X DVD-ROM drive was located below and to the right of the trackpad on the front of the case. Overall, the PowerBook G4 Titanium was 1.1 inches thick, 13.4 inches wide, 9.5 inches deep, and weighed an average of 5.3 pounds.

Along with the original Titanium PowerBook G4, this model was known for its sometimes problematic hinge assembly that resulted in a broken hinge and/or display problems due to the video cable running through the left hinge. These quality issues were resolved in the third “DVI” iteration of this laptop.

Upon release, the design of the Titanium PowerBook G4 was a major departure from previous Apple laptops. Although its “Titanium” moniker referred to its internal chassis, the laptop’s exterior used two shades of silver metal—a design never repeated in an Apple laptop. Its mega-wide screen (at 1152×768 pixels) had a bezel smaller than current pro Mac laptops. Also, this was the first Apple laptop to feature an Apple logo that was “right way up” when the laptop lid was open—a design met with cheers from the Macworld audience when the laptop was first shown on stage.

This PowerBook G4 in my collection functions, but has a major dent in its trackpad and several cosmetic issues due to wear and tear.

Sources: Apple Newsroom, EveryMac, Wikipedia, Macworld

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Mac OS X Leopard v10.5.1 Retail Family Pack (2009)

This boxed retail version of Mac OS X is version 10.5.1, also known as “Leopard.” This particular box is the Retail Family Pack, licensed for “up to five computers in one household.”

Leopard (Mac OS X v10.5) was marketed to contain over 300 enhancements from its predecessor, Mac OS X v.10.4, Tiger. The Leopard Finder included a redesigned Desktop and Dock, a semi-transparent menu bar, and the addition of Cover Flow, a visual file navigation method borrowed from iTunes. This release also introduced Time Machine automated backups, Spotlight searches across multiple Macs, the Photo Booth app, and the Front Row system that served as a simple multimedia interface.

The design on the outside of the box is printed with a high-gloss finish and foil-metallic accents for the outer space design elements—a somewhat perplexing concept given the name of the OS was “Leopard.” The back of the box highlighted five operating system features: Cover Flow in the Finder, Time Machine automatic backups, iChat video chat effects, stationery in Mail, and Spaces window organization.

The box contained an install DVD and a color-printed manual. The exterior of the box lists the following contents:

DVD containing Mac OS X; printed and electronic documentation. Requirements Mac computer with an Intel, PowerPC G5, or PowerPC G4 (867MHz or faster) processor; 512MB of physical RAM; DVD drive for installation. • Some features require a compatible Internet service provider; fees may apply. • Time Machine requires an additional hard drive, sold separately. • iChat requires a compatible camera. • Some features have additional requirements; see www.apple.com/macosx/techspecs. 826-8133-A

Sources: Apple (product box), Wikipedia, Ars Technica

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Get a new Mac for $99. magazine insert (Mac OS 8.5, 1998)

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, part of Apple’s print advertising included magazine inserts. These inserts were “mini-magazines” within magazines. They were glued with a pliable rubber cement that could be easily removed.

The front page of this advertisement is just the words (in the Apple Garamond font) “Get a new Mac for $99.” with the Apple logo.

The 8-page folded and stapled insert opens to the first 2-page spread showing a Mac OS 8.5 CD in a hand with the headline, “Introducing our most powerful Macintosh yet. (Shown actual size.).” The center spread highlights Sherlock, Apple’s then-new search tool. The final spread highlights new Mac OS features for PowerPC Mac models.

The back cover shows the software box and the headline, “Small investment, big return.”

Folded, the size of the insert is 7.5 x 10.5 inches.

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Mini-brochures collection (2002)

These product mini-brochures were available in Apple Stores and elsewhere in the early 2000s. They measured 3 x 4.5 inches folded, and designs folded out into different configurations. All of these mini-brochures feature a photo of the product on the front panel, information inside, and specifications on the back panel.

iMac (January 2002)
This brochure features an indigo iMac on the cover. The horizontal 4-up layout features several tasks that can be completed on an iMac with four photos and the headlines “Surf the Internet,” “Make movies,” “Mix music,” and “Make a photo album.” The fully unfolded 8-up poster features a birds-eye view of an indigo iMac with the headline, “Your digital life starts here.”

The new iMac. (January 2002)
This brochure features the first flat-panel iMac (with a white half-sphere base) on the cover. The opening 2-up layout features the copy, “iMac redefined. With a state-of-the-art 15-inch digital flat panel display, a PowerPC G4 processor, and a SuperDrive that burn CDs and DVDs, the new iMac completely reinvents the all-in-one computer.” The fully unfolded 8-up mini-poster features the headline “Here we go again.”

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Twentieth Anniversary Macintosh (1997)

The Twentieth Anniversary Macintosh, sometimes referred to as the “TAM,” is a truly unique Macintosh.

It featured a 250 MHz PowerPC 603e processor, 32 MB of RAM, a 2.0 GB hard drive, a vertical 4X CD-ROM drive, S-video input, TV/FM Radio capability, a floppy Superdrive, and a custom Bose-designed speaker system. The TAM uses a unique ADB (Apple Desktop Bus) keyboard with an integrated trackpad and Italian leather palm rest. It did not ship with a mouse. The TAM includes a base unit that houses a subwoofer and the computer’s power supply, connected by a thick cable.

When powered on, the TAM plays a startup chime unique to this computer.

Apple manufactured 12,000 Twentieth Anniversary Macintosh computers and released 11,601 of them. When first offered, the price was $7,499. Halfway through its product cycle, Apple dropped the price to $3,500. When the product was discontinued in March 1998, the price dropped to $1,995.

When released, the Apple website devoted six full web pages to the TAM. One page boasted “Concierge Service” for TAM owners that described a “Three-Year Limited Hardware Warranty,” “Three-Year Call Telephone Support,” and a setup service:

“On-Site Setup. Apple will arrange to have your TAM delivered to your doorstep. A trained field technician will set up the hardware and basic software, make sure the system is operational, and answer questions you may have about the system.”

Another webpage highlighted the use of the TAM in the 1997 movie Batman and Robin (that also featured the eMate 300).

The Twentieth Anniversary Macintosh was created to celebrate April 1, 1996, the twentieth anniversary of the day that Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne formed Apple Computer. The TAM was announced on March 20, 1997.

The TAM was among the first design projects involving Jonathan Ive, Apple’s long-time CDO (Chief Design Officer).

The release of the Twentieth Anniversary Macintosh marked the appearance of Apple’s first all-in-one desktop computer to use a flat panel display. Another all-in-one flat panel Apple desktop would not be released until 2002 when the first flat panel iMac was released.

Sources: EveryMac.com, Wikipedia.com, Apple at web.archive.com