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PowerBook G4 Q&A - Updated February 26, 2007
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What are the differences between the 12-Inch, "1.5/1.33" 15-Inch, and 17-Inch PowerBook G4 models introduced on April 19, 2004?
Please note that the 12-Inch, "1.5/1.33" 15-Inch, and 17-Inch PowerBook G4 models were introduced on April 19, 2004 and discontinued January 31, 2005.
The awkwardly dubbed "1.5/1.33" PowerBook G4 models formally refers to the PowerBook G4/1.33 15" (Al) and PowerBook G4/1.5 15" (Al) but the PowerBook G4/1.33 12" (Al) and PowerBook G4/1.5 17" (Al) were introduced at the same time.
The "1.5/1.33" PowerBook G4 models are similar to the "Firewire 800" models that the line replaced, but the "1.5/1.33" have faster logicboard designs -- complete with faster processors and improved graphics. The 12-Inch model is equipped with a faster system bus and faster RAM than its predecessor -- the PowerBook G4/1.0 12" (DVI - Al) -- which brought it into line with the rest of the series. Higher-end configurations received faster optical drives as well.
The major differences between the "1.5/1.33" PowerBook G4 models are summarized below:
PB G4 |
||||
Processor: |
1.33 GHz |
1.33 GHz |
1.5 GHz |
1.5 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: |
256 MB |
256 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 |
64 MB |
Hard Drive: |
60 GB |
60 GB |
80 GB |
80 GB |
Std. Optical††: |
8X Combo |
8X Combo |
4X Super |
4X Super |
802.11g: |
Standard |
Standard |
Standard |
Standard |
Bluetooth: |
1.1 |
1.1 |
1.1 |
1.1 |
PC Card: |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Ambient Light: |
No |
Optional |
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. |
5.7 lbs. |
5.7 lbs. |
6.9 lbs. |
Model No: |
M9183LL/A |
M9421LL/A |
M9422LL/A |
M9462LL/A |
Orig. Price: |
US$1599§ |
US$1999 |
US$2499 |
US$2799 |
† 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 a 4X "SuperDrive" for US$1799.
Please refer to the Ultimate Mac Comparison feature to dynamically compare any PowerBook G4 model to any other G3 or later Mac.
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