Intel Processor Upgrade for PowerBook G4

I'm not quite sure what you mean, but if you mean for the PowerBook G4 aluminum models in general, there already has in the form of the MacBook Pro which has been out for quite sometime. It utilizes the same (pretty much) form factor as the aluminum PowerBook save for a wider body by a few centimeters and an iSight camera built-in.

If you're referring to the 12-inch PowerBook G4, then join the party. I like some others, have been waiting for that kind of thing for quite sometime. Some of us thought that the was going to be the surprise announcement this year from Apple, and the answer was the MacBook Air.

If you're talking about a system upgrade, I don't believe that will ever happen. Such as a processor upgrade that you can install or have a company install. That would be cool, come to think of it.

As far as processor upgrades, Daystar Technology provides processor upgrades for the G4 aluminum line known as a "Mach Speed G4" upgrade that they perform on your machine, which brings any model up to a highest of 1.92GHz, depending on your PowerBook model. (I've mentioned this upgrade before on this forum).

Joshywah:

I was wondering If the PowerBook G4 12" has an Intel Processor that I can purchase and upgrade my 1.0 GHz?
Apple has clearly indicated its direction for developing computers for the next generation away from the PowerPC platform to the Intel processor platform. Any development of processor upgrades for current Aluminum PowerBook G4s will have to come from third parties, as Apple is not in that business. To the best of my knowledge there is nothing going on in that area at the present time.

The best that you can do is max out your RAM, install a larger of faster HDD and make the best of what you have. The PB G4 running Tiger is still a formidable machine. If you want Intel performance, the MacBook and MacBook Pro is now the cutting edge. Many of us prefer to remain in the PowerPC age, for now anyway. But if you are looking for Intel performance in a PowerBook G4, your choice, as I see it, is to get a MacBook Pro.

Good luck.

cornelius

You also have the option of running Virtual PC on your PowerBook. It is slow, but it works. I've tried it out on my 12-inch PowerBook, though I have a 1.5GHz and it's been upgraded to the maximum RAM of 1.25GB.

That's just a workaround if you want to keep your mini Mac.

Even a MacBook will suit your needs. It's not aluminum, but it does have the Core 2 Duo Intel Processor inside. And you can run Windows natively on it.

Like I said before, wouldn't it be nice if someone found a way to make Intel-based chip upgrades for our machines? I'd be the first to sign up for one so I can keep using my current machines well into the future.