What are the differences between the 12-Inch, "1.65/1.5" or "Sudden Motion Sensor/Bluetooth 2.0+EDR" 15-Inch, and 17-Inch PowerBook G4 models introduced on January 31, 2005?

Please note that the 12-Inch, "1.67/1.5" 15-Inch, and 17-Inch PowerBook G4 models were introduced on January 31, 2005 and discontinued October 19, 2005 (with the exception of one 12-Inch configuration).

Apple formally dubbed the PowerBook G4/1.5 15" (SMS/BT2) and PowerBook G4/1.67 15" the "1.67/1.5" models, but the PowerBook G4/1.5 12" and PowerBook G4/1.67 17" also were introduced at the same time.

The "1.67/1.5" PowerBook G4 systems are similar to the "1.5/1.33" models, but some models have faster processors, more capable graphics, faster hard drives, or faster optical drives, Most notably, perhaps, all systems in the "1.65/1.5" series introduce "Sudden Motion Sensor" technlogy that stops the hard drive heads from moving if the notebook is dropped, a new "Scrolling Trackpad" that allows one to scroll or pan by touching the trackpad with two fingers instead of one, and Bluetooth 2.0+EDR.

The major differences between the "1.65/1.5" PowerBook G4 models are summarized below:

PB G4	1.5 12"	1.5 15" (SMS)	1.67 15"	1.67 17"
Processor:	1.5 GHz	1.5 GHz	1.67 GHz	1.67 GHz
System Bus:	167 MHz	167 MHz	167 MHz	167 MHz
On-Chip L2:	512k	512k	512k	512k
Memory:	PC2700	PC2700	PC2700	PC2700
Std. RAM:	512 MB	512 MB	512 MB	512 MB
Max. RAM:	1.25 GB	2.0 GB	2.0 GB	2.0 GB
Display:	12.1"	15.0"	15.0"	17.0"
Resolution:	1024x768	1280x854	1280x854	1440x900
Video Card:	Go5200†	9700†	9700†	9700†
Video RAM:	64 MB	64 MB	64 MB	128 MB
Hard Drive:	60 GB§	80 GB	80 GB	100 GB
Std. Optical††:	8X Combo§	8X Combo	8X Super	8X Super
802.11g:	Standard	Standard	Standard	Standard
Bluetooth:	2.0+EDR	2.0+EDR	2.0+EDR	2.0+EDR
PC Card:	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Ambient Light:	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Battery Life:	5 Hours	4.5 Hours	4.5 Hours	4.5 Hours
Width/Depth*:	10.9x8.6	13.7x9.5	13.7x9.5	15.4x10.2
Height*:	1.18	1.1	1.1	1.0
Weight:	4.6 lbs.	5.6 lbs.	5.6 lbs.	6.9 lbs.
Model No:	M9690LL/A	M9676LL/A	M9677LL/A	M9689LL/A
Orig. Price:	US$1499§	US$1999	US$2299	US$2699

† 12-Inch model has a NVIDIA GeForce FX Go5200 video card, the 15-Inch and 17-Inch models have an ATI Mobility Radeon 9700 video card.
†† "Combo" drive is capable of reading DVD-ROM and writing CD-R(W). "SuperDrive" is capable of reading and writing DVD and CD media.
* Width x Depth x Height (while closed) is provided in inches. For dimensions in centimeters, please refer to the specs page for the model of interest.
§ This model also was available with an 80 GB hard drive and an 8X "SuperDrive" for US$1699.

Site sponsor PowerMax sells a variety of used 12-Inch, 15-Inch, and 17-Inch PowerBook G4 systems free of sales tax.