Which config of PB G4 Ti to look for

[Michael.S]

Well, after my recent purchase of a PB G4 Al 1.5 GHZ (Powerbook 5.6) I am thinking about going even further into the past and getting a PB G4 Ti - if the price and condition suit me, of course

Can someone give advise which configuration I should be looking for?

Right of the bat I'd say the latestt released one because that promises to have the least quirks, I believe.
Am I right?

But if not, maybe there is a configuration that can be upgraded further and promises a better value.

Looking forward to your suggestions.

 

[Dronecatcher]

I've had a few TiBooks in the past - 667, 667DVI, 800 and 1Ghz.

I found the 1Ghz noisy - fan kicking in a lot. I have fondest memories of the 667DVI (which I fitted with a 7200RPM disk) as it marked my return to making music and starting my first Youtube channel - it was more than capable of running Propellerhead Reason 3 with a USB MIDI keyboard attached.

I'd say go for a decent condition 667DVI - the final model tends to be more sought after and is priced accordingly.

 

[Amethyst1]

I’ve had 500 (original), 800 and 867 MHz (final) models.

I liked the 867; the 1 GHz is sought after and noisy. The 800 was also fine.

The 500 was interesting to me as it can run Mac OS 8.6 (yes, really) and X 10.0, but that’s about it. I should have tried X Public Beta on it…

Keep in mind 800 MHz and faster models downclock the CPU to 667 MHz and disable the L3 cache if you don’t have a working battery.

 

[Project Alice]

I have a 1GHz. I don’t really feel its that noisy, most PowerBooks are noisy. Or maybe fan noise just has never bothered me.
I have a Sony Vaio F series with an i7-2670qm that literally sounds like a jet plane, so for me the TiBook is silent by comparison.

I really like my 1Ghz, it feels faster than it is and is good at everything it does. It is the most sought after though.
I would just find any TiBook that looks to be in decent shape ans buy it if its a good price. I have like 4 or 5 of them and I’ve never actually shopped for a specific model, just bought random parts or not working auctions. The 1GHz was actually my first one ironically.

 

[Michael.S]

I found a 500MHz machine that shows the following start up issues.

Once the machine runs for a while the display recovers completely.

Any idea what it could be?

 

[galgot]

I found a 500MHz machine that shows the following start up issues.

Once the machine runs for a while the display recovers completely.

Any idea what it could be?

The graphic chip is cooked, or the display cable (very fragile) is damaged.
Strange that the display recovers after some time running. Maybe the thing (graphic chip ?) needs to heat up to display correctly. A girl friend had a G5 that couldn't boot when cold, I had to open the thing and heat the MB with a hair dryer for 10mn so it would accept booting, like an old diesel truck in winter, needed pre-heating.
The girl didn't had that problem... I kept the G5, serves as a small table in a corner.
Either way, I would not buy this Titanium.

 

[Amethyst1]

The graphic chip is cooked, or the display cable (very fragile) is damaged.

If this doesn't affect an external monitor hooked up via good ol' VGA, it points to the display cable.

Well, after my recent purchase of a PB G4 Al 1.5 GHZ (Powerbook 5.6) I am thinking about going even further into the past and getting a PB G4 Ti [...]

What are you planning to do with it?

 

[Michael.S]

If this doesn't affect an external monitor hooked up via good ol' VGA, it points to the display cable.


What are you planning to do with it?

Well, I guess the modern web will be out of question here.

I was thinking maybe running some system 8 or 9 + some old adobe software like illustrator or in design or sth else and maybe a little gaming with some 68k emulation.

But mainly for aesthetic reasons I wanted to have this computer.

 

[Michael.S]

What would be a good price for such a machine?

 

[Doq]

Depending on specification, condition, whether or not it works, expect to pay between $80 and $125 USD for such a machine, especially if you're looking for one that works without issue.

 

[Michael.S]

What about that one:
Specs:
Apple PowerBook G4 Ti Titanium (DVI)
G4 867Mhz, 512MB RAM, 40GB HDD, DVD drive

Function: Computer starts, with pressed option key you get to see the boot options without errors. After that the computer starts sometimes more or less well into the OS - here usually after a short time graphic errors become visible. Whether it is due to RAM, graphics card, cables, etc. I can not say. Please also have a look at the photos.

 

[theMarble]

I have an 867MHz model, which can natively run Leopard (though mine is running Void Linux), I personally haven't had any experience with the 1GHz model but mine is not too loud when browsing the web and is near silent when running out of the terminal.

I'd say the 867 you're looking at has a bad screen cable.

 

[Amethyst1]

Function: Computer starts, with pressed option key you get to see the boot options without errors. After that the computer starts sometimes more or less well into the OS - here usually after a short time graphic errors become visible.

That looks like a faulty GPU or display cable. Testing with an external monitor would prove interesting.

 

[galgot]

What would be a good price for such a machine?

You can get some very cheap with luck. There is one on the French bay now at 25€ (a 500Mhz m5884), it has some scratches here and there, and is listed as :
"for parts I no longer have the charger, but it worked at the time but not tested for years..."

That is usually how I buy these, 25 € is not much, and I often had machines booting on first try like that.
If not , then it's another one for the spare parts.

Or one just can't wait, and they are easier to find at 80 to 120 $ or €, yes like @Doq said.

 

[Michael.S]

Will the charger of a PB G4 Al also work in a PB G4 Ti?

 

[Michael.S]

You can get some very cheap with luck. There is one on the French bay now at 25€ (a 500Mhz m5884), it has some scratches here and there, and is listed as :
"for parts I no longer have the charger, but it worked at the time but not tested for years..."

Can you send me the link please?
I can’t find it😕

 

[theMarble]

Will the charger of a PB G4 Al also work in a PB G4 Ti?

Yes it will work.

 

[Michael.S]

I ha have seen one with 867MHz for little money.
Unfortunately the hinges are broken and need to be replaced,
Has anyone done this before?
Is this a lot of to mess around?

Ifixit says it’s complicated but some comments there also indicate that it’s not.

Anyway I would need another Ti for spare parts.

 

[galgot]

Can you send me the link please?
I can’t find it😕

Sure :

powerbook m5884 | eBay

Les meilleures offres pour powerbook m5884 sont sur eBay ✓ Comparez les prix et les spécificités des produits neufs et d'occasion ✓ Pleins d'articles en livraison gratuite!

www.ebay.fr

(usual disclaimer, not my sale)

Beware as I noted yesterday evening that the seller have put 890 € (!)for shipment ... I've send him a msg questioning about that. no answer so far... Maybe a typo , as his other items have normal shipping fees.
But better ask him anyway if you are interested...

 

[Doq]

Will the charger of a PB G4 Al also work in a PB G4 Ti?

You will need to make sure that it's a 65W charger as found with the 15 and 17-inch models, as opposed to the 45W charger as found with the 12. From my testing, a 45W charger will not actually charge the battery on a Ti.