PowerBook 15-Inch FW800 2003

The PowerBook G4/1.0 15" (FW800) was equipped with a 1.0 GHz PowerPC 7447 (G4) processor featuring the AltiVec "Velocity Engine" and 512k of on-chip level 2 cache. It included 256 MB of PC2700 DDR SDRAM, a 60 GB Ultra ATA/100 hard drive (4200 RPM), and a slot-loading 8X DVD/CD-RW "Combo" drive. Key connectivity features were Firewire "400" and "800" ports, built-in Bluetooth 1.1, and support for AirPort Extreme (802.11g) via an optional upgrade. Graphics were handled by an ATI Mobility Radeon 9600 (4X AGP) with 64 MB of DDR SDRAM, all within an attractive aluminum alloy case that housed a 15" widescreen TFT display (1280x854). The "Firewire 800" series notably introduced AirPort Extreme (802.11g), Bluetooth 1.1, USB 2.0, and Firewire "800" to the 15" models, along with a faster logic board and memory. It is important to note that this model, unlike the similar PowerBook G4/1.25 15" (FW800), lacked the fiber optic-based ambient light sensor for automatic keyboard and screen brightness adjustment.

The introduction of the aluminum body to the 15-inch line was met with positive reception for its sleek design and improved rigidity over the previous titanium models. [21] The inclusion of FireWire 800 and USB 2.0 provided a significant leap in data transfer speeds, which was a critical enhancement for video editors and other professionals handling large files. The ATI Mobility Radeon 9600 graphics card was considered a solid performer for the time. However, the absence of the backlit keyboard on this base model, a feature available on its higher-end sibling, was a noted drawback for some users. [12] Overall, it stood as a capable and well-connected machine, bridging the gap to modern connectivity standards.