PowerBook · The Digital Hub · 2001
PowerBook G4 (Titanium)
The "TiBook" was a revelation, a 1-inch-thin titanium widescreen laptop that made every rival look chunky and beige. The blueprint for the modern Mac notebook.
First widescreen Mac laptop and first in a titanium shell.
PowerBook G4 (Aluminum) (2003)
PowerBook G4 (Titanium): key facts
When was the PowerBook G4 (Titanium) released?
The PowerBook G4 (Titanium) arrived on January 9, 2001. Apple discontinued it in September 2003.
How much did the PowerBook G4 (Titanium) cost?
The PowerBook G4 (Titanium) launched at $2,599 in 2001, about $4,704 in today’s money (approximate, US CPI).
What specs stand out?
Key specs: PowerPC G4 at 400 MHz, 128 MB RAM, 9.8 GB storage, 15.2" widescreen, 1152×768 display.
Why does the PowerBook G4 (Titanium) matter?
First widescreen Mac laptop and first in a titanium shell.
Full specifications
| CPU | PowerPC G4 · 400 MHz |
|---|---|
| Cores | 1 |
| Memory (RAM) | 128 MB (up to 1 GB) |
| Storage | 9.8 GB |
| Display | 15.2" widescreen, 1152×768 |
| GPU | ATI Rage Mobility |
| Ports | USB, FireWire, Ethernet |
| Weight | 2.4 kg |
| Dimensions | 1-inch titanium widescreen |
| Operating system | Mac OS 9.1 |
| Released | January 9, 2001 |
| Discontinued | September 2003 |
| Launch price | $2,599 |
How the PowerBook G4 (Titanium) compares to today
A 16 GB Apple Silicon MacBook Pro has about 128× more memory than this device shipped with.
At 400 MHz, the clock is roughly 8.0× slower than a single performance core of a 16 GB Apple Silicon MacBook Pro, and that is before counting cores, width and IPC.
This held about 2,500 modern phone photos, a respectable library even today.
Launched at $2,599 in 2001, about $4,704 in today’s money (approx., US CPI).
Method note: clock comparisons use frequency only; price conversions use US CPI.
Sources
Specs checked against Apple technical specifications archive, EveryMac, Mactracker, Wikimedia Commons image credits.
Did you know?
Its paint chipped easily: a beloved laptop with a famously fragile finish.
Related PowerBook models
Open the PowerBook G4 (Titanium) in the interactive archive →
Last updated: 2026-08-11