A family of laptop computers from Apple that was introduced in 1991. PowerBook was the first Apple brand name for a series of portable computers, which lasted until 2006, when they were superseded by the MacBook Pro. Prior to the PowerBook, Apple introduced a portable computer that was not very widely used (see Macintosh Portable). The first color PowerBook was the 165C in 1993.
Like the Macintosh desktop evolution, the first PowerBooks used Motorola 68K CPUs and subsequently changed to PowerPC chips in 1995.
Very Popular
Throughout their history, the PowerBooks were very popular. In 2001, Apple introduced a thin, silver PowerBook in a titanium case that became a cult machine. The titanium model was followed by anodized aluminum cases in keeping with Apple's new look. The last PowerBook was the PowerBook G4 in 2006, which was superseded by the MacBook line, also maintaining the silver case design. See iBook, MacBook and Macintosh.
An Early PowerBook
Introduced in 1994, this PowerBook model used a touchpad instead of the trackball found on earlier models. Except for a brief period in the mid-1990s when certain models were experiencing battery problems, Apple's PowerBooks were very popular. (Image courtesy of Apple Inc.)
Titanium PowerBook
Introduced in 2001, the 99.5% pure titanium body and 15.2" wide screen set this G4-based PowerBook apart from the crowd. Only one inch thick and weighing five pounds, its thin, crisp look began a new era in Macintosh laptop design.
Like the Macintosh desktop evolution, the first PowerBooks used Motorola 68K CPUs and subsequently changed to PowerPC chips in 1995.
Very Popular
Throughout their history, the PowerBooks were very popular. In 2001, Apple introduced a thin, silver PowerBook in a titanium case that became a cult machine. The titanium model was followed by anodized aluminum cases in keeping with Apple's new look. The last PowerBook was the PowerBook G4 in 2006, which was superseded by the MacBook line, also maintaining the silver case design. See iBook, MacBook and Macintosh.
An Early PowerBook
Introduced in 1994, this PowerBook model used a touchpad instead of the trackball found on earlier models. Except for a brief period in the mid-1990s when certain models were experiencing battery problems, Apple's PowerBooks were very popular. (Image courtesy of Apple Inc.)
Titanium PowerBook
Introduced in 2001, the 99.5% pure titanium body and 15.2" wide screen set this G4-based PowerBook apart from the crowd. Only one inch thick and weighing five pounds, its thin, crisp look began a new era in Macintosh laptop design.
 | Reproduced with permission from Computer Desktop Encyclopedia. Copyright (c) 1981-2008 The Computer Language Company Inc. All rights reserved. |
Additional Resources
- Security vs. convenience: Apple chooses poorly
- Guest post by Oliver Day My PowerBook is in the third year of its life and has begun falling apart on a regular basis. I've had the laptop in for repair at least five times this year alone. Every time I bring my laptop...
- Blog posts 2008-08-18
- Numbers on the NBC's Silverlight Olympic Coverage
- Numbers on the NBC's Silverlight Olympic CoverageWould have loved to watchbut the GARBAGE known as Silverlight won't run on my PowerPC Mac the last PPC Powerbook.I sent them an e-mail about this and that they should have picked Flash or generic MPRG4 for the transport so ALL could see the...
- Discussion threads 2008-08-11
- FastMac taking pre-orders for U-Charge battery charger
- Back on 15 May 2008 I gave you an exclusive look at FastMac's TruePower U-Charge (US$69.95) portable battery charger. FastMac has announced that they're now accepting pre-orders for the innovative little charger. U-Charge looks like an AC adapter with a special charger tail that snaps onto the...
- Blog posts 2008-08-08
- Lenovo announces plans to enter the netbook market with the S10
- Lenovo announces plans to enter the netbook market with the S10Price and Size/WeightI agree. A major part of the appeal is the low price. I've got a 4 year old 12" Powerbook, and I want something smaller and cheaper for traveling. The original Asus eeePCs are looking very attractive.AnnoyingI see...
- Discussion threads 2008-08-06
- Yes, Macs are expensive ... so what?
- Yes, Macs are expensive ... so what?I'm telling you whatBuy a pc twice as fast as a mac in hardware performance terms.RE: Yes, Macs are expensive ... so what?I can agree with him. I wouldn't want to pay out that much money for a desktop or laptop when they will...
- Discussion threads 2008-08-06
- Apple drops iPhone 2.0.1 update
- Apple drops iPhone 2.0.1 updateThey don't know what they are doing!Talk about a keystone cops company!Microsoft makes updates and sticks by them otherwise user confidence will be erroded! -FSBhttp://fakesteveballmer.blogspot.comThese iTards are growing toooo fast, they are beninnging to remind me of Gaggle!RE: Apple drops iPhone 2.0.1 updateI know you mean...
- Discussion threads 2008-08-04
- New MacBooks going glass
- It's no secret that Apple's MacBooks are next in line for an update. The MacBook was speed-bumped on 16 February 2008 and its enclosure was introduced 16 May 2006 – two years and two months ago. The MacBook Pro was speed-bumped on 26 February 2008 and the...
- Blog posts 2008-07-29
- Appearance: PPUG meets tomorrow in Philly
- If you're in the Philadelphia area I'd like to invite you to attend the Philadelphia PowerBook User Group PPUG meeting tomorrow at the Manayunk Brewery and Restaurant. We meet from 12 noon to 3pm over lunch and fine local beer. Want to debate my theory on...
- Blog posts 2008-07-25
- Are all-in-one desktops a decent deal?
- Are all-in-one desktops a decent deal?Don't eliminate the OS differenceOS X is the equivalent of Vista Ultimate, not Home Premium (try and VPN into work using Home Premium; you can't). Try using media center on Vista Business; you can't. You gotta have Ultimate to match a stock OS X. That...
- Discussion threads 2008-07-08
- I'm done with the MacBook Air (for now)
- I'm done with the MacBook Air for nowSince your MBA will just be lying around...So, since you're done with your MBA, can I have it?Must agreeI must agree with you. I also have MBA and MBP. The performance is a bit of an issue. But I think the portability overcomes...
- Discussion threads 2008-06-24
- How to repair a dropped Wi-Fi signal on Vista laptops
- How to repair a dropped Wi-Fi signal on Vista laptops2 reports about the same issueI have a desktop at home that is connected wirelessly; never had a problem with Vista dropping the connection (I used to have WEP and then changed to WPA2 and both worked fine).then i bought a...
- Discussion threads 2008-06-17
- How to repair a dropped Wi-Fi signal on Vista laptops
- I have seen one gazillion message-board posts from users who grumble that Vista unexpectedly drops the Wi-Fi connection to their notebooks. The dropped signal occurs without warning, and at differing frequencies--some users report that they can only get a constant connection for 5 minutes...
- Blog posts 2008-06-17
- More notes on the active-passive noise cancellation debate
- More notes on the active-passive noise cancellation debateActive-Passive noise cancellationI bought a pair of Sony ear bud ANC headphones and found that while they reduced aircraft noise my tinnitus became significantly louder. Apparently this is due to the tinnitus being a portion of "signal to noise". If the noise is...
- Discussion threads 2008-05-29
- Can a 256GB SSD save the MacBook Air?
- Can a 256GB SSD save the MacBook Air?What's the point of that?The Macbook Air has no way of really taking advantage of all that storage space. It has no FireWire or Gigabit ethernet. Personally, if I'm gonna spend that much money, I wanna be able to serve out...
- Discussion threads 2008-05-27
- Disaster averted: But (sob) my next notebook might not be an Apple one
- I'm thinking I owe GreenTech Pastures readers an update on the state of my Apple PowerBook G4, which now is resting comfortably on the desk behind me, although it's in a bit of rehab with some applications that have disappeared. (Yes, I have two computers, so shoot me.) One of...
- Blog posts 2008-05-17
- Exclusive: First look at the Fast Mac U-Charge
- Exclusive: First look at the Fast Mac U-ChargeRe: PowerDefinitely want one of those to use before we get on the Train! (http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/2008/05/15/to-eee-or-not-to-eee/)Thought Dan : http://www.thoughtden.co.ukRE: Exclusive: First look at the Fast Mac U-ChargeWoo hoo!! About time someone offered to satisfy this simple requirement!RE: Exclusive: First look at the Fast Mac...
- Discussion threads 2008-05-15
- Exclusive: First look at the FastMac U-Charge (updated)
- Here's an exclusive sneak peak of FastMac's newest product: U-Charge. U-Charge is a portable, standalone charger that connects directly to the battery's terminals to recharge the battery quickly and efficiently. It's compatible with over nine years of Apple laptop batteries as well as after-market/third party replacements like...
- Blog posts 2008-05-15
- Geekbench: Psystar v. Mac mini (and all three MacBooks)
- Geekbench: Psystar v. Mac mini and all three MacBooksI meant MacBook....ntMac Powerbook G3 Wallstreet PDQMy Mac Powerbook G3 Wallstreet PDQ is far more stylish than any of the current heap of Laptops.RE: Geekbench: Psystar v. Mac mini and all three MacBooksWho cares about comparing apples to apples in this case?...
- Discussion threads 2008-05-15
- First, a game of green. Then, fade to black
- It is truly astonishing that I mention the word Apple in a post and I get more talkbacks than pretty much anything I write about. Puh-leeze, get a grip. Anyway, just back from reluctantly leaving my old PowerBook G4 with the kindly (actually, can someone half my age be kindly?)...
- Blog posts 2008-05-13
- TechTurn specializes in hand-me-downs with a tech twist
- One of my neighbors actually set a television out curbside as garbage a few weeks back, which reminded me that in spite all of the media coverage about green tech over the past year guilty as charged, there's still a big problem with how to handle electronic gadgets at the...
- Blog posts 2008-05-02
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