Apple MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, 2017) vs Apple PowerBook G4 12-inch (Early 2003)

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Only show differences

Better figure, where one is clearly better

Share comparison

MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, 2017) compared with PowerBook G4 12-inch (Early 2003)

	AppleMacBook (Retina, 12-inch, 2017)	ApplePowerBook G4 12-inch (Early 2003)
Overview
Released
Released	June 2017	2003
Display
Screen size
Screen size	12″	12.1″
Resolution
Resolution	2304 × 1440 (better)	1024 × 768
Panel
Panel	IPS LCD	–
Touchscreen
Touchscreen	No	No
Display type
Display type	Retina display; LED-backlit IPS; 16:10 aspect ratio; millions of colours	12.1-inch TFT XGA active-matrix display. Exact panel technology, brightness and refresh unpublished.
Pixel density
Pixel density	226 ppi	–
Display features
Display features	Supported scaled resolutions of 1440 × 900, 1280 × 800 or 1024 × 640	–
Performance
Processor
Processor	Intel Core m3-7Y32, Intel Core i5-7Y54 or Intel Core i7-7Y75	PowerPC G4 867 MHz (PowerBook 12-inch Early 2003)
CPU cores
CPU cores	2	1
CPU threads
CPU threads	4	–
Graphics
Graphics	Intel HD Graphics 615	NVIDIA GeForce4 420 Go (32 MB DDR)
Memory
Memory	8 GB or 16 GB (better)	256 MB or 640 MB
Storage
Storage	256 GB to 512 GB (better)	40 GB
CPU
CPU	Dual-core seventh-generation Intel Core m3 at Apple's specified 1.2 GHz with Turbo Boost up to 3.0 GHz, Core i5 at 1.3 GHz with up to 3.2 GHz, or Core i7 at 1.4 GHz with up to 3.6 GHz; all with 4 MB shared L3 cache. Exact m3-7Y32, i5-7Y54 and i7-7Y75 identifiers confirmed by TechRadar. Apple's configured clocks differ from Intel's nominal base frequencies of 1.1, 1.2 and 1.3 GHz respectively.	867 MHz PowerPC G4 with Velocity Engine, 256 KB L2 cache and 133 MHz system bus. Exact supplier/SKU not inferred.
GPU
GPU	Intel HD Graphics 615	NVIDIA GeForce4 420 Go, AGP 4 × and 32 MB DDR video memory.
Memory type
Memory type	8 GB of 1866 MHz LPDDR3 onboard memory; configurable to 16 GB	256 MB PC2100 DDR266 stock: 128 MB onboard plus 128 MB SO-DIMM. Maker-supported maximum 640 MB retained; third-party 1152 MB maximum in EveryMac is not a maker configuration.
Storage type
Storage type	PCIe-based onboard SSD; 256 GB with the 1.2 GHz Core m3 base or 512 GB with the 1.3 GHz Core i5 base. The 256 GB base can be configured with Core i5 or i7; the 512 GB base can be configured with Core i7.	40 GB 4200 rpm Ultra ATA/100 hard drive. Combo reads DVD 8 ×, writes CD-R 24 × and CD-RW 10 ×; optional SuperDrive writes DVD-R 1 ×, CD-R 8 × and CD-RW 4 ×. No unlisted drive capacity combinations.
Cooling
Cooling	Fanless design (TechRadar)	–
Battery and size
Battery life (maker's claim)
Battery life (maker's claim)	Up to 12 hours	Up to 5 hours
Battery capacity
Battery capacity	41.4 Wh	47 Wh (better)
Weight
Weight	0.92 kg (better)	2.1 kg
Thickness
Thickness	13.1 mm (better)	30 mm
Width × depth
Width × depth	280.5 × 196.5 mm	277 × 219 mm
Battery life detail
Battery life detail	Lithium-polymer battery; up to 10 hours wireless web, 12 hours iTunes movie playback or 30 days standby. Apple's tests used the 1.3 GHz Core i5, 8 GB memory and 512 GB storage. Chassis tapers from 3.5 to 13.1 mm; weight varies by configuration and manufacturing process.	47 Wh, up to five hours maker claim. Published 2.1 kg includes battery and optical drive and varies by configuration/manufacturing process; closed metric dimensions 27.7 × 21.9 × 3.0 cm.
Charger
Charger	30 W USB-C Power Adapter, as listed in Apple's current technical specifications	–
Materials
Materials	Aluminium enclosure	Aluminium alloy enclosure
Colours
Colours	Silver, Gold, Space Grey, Rose Gold	–
Connections
Ports
Ports	USB-C, headphone jack	2 × USB-A, Ethernet, headphone jack
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi	Wi-Fi 5	Optional AirPort Extreme 802.11b/g
Bluetooth
Bluetooth	4.2	1.1
Webcam
Webcam	480p FaceTime	–
Operating system
Operating system	macOS	macOS
Port detail
Port detail	One USB-C port supporting charging, USB 3.1 Gen 1 up to 5 Gb/s and native DisplayPort 1.2; VGA and HDMI through separate USB-C multiport adaptors. 3.5 mm headphone jack.	Two 12 Mbps USB 1.1 ports, one FireWire 400, 10/100 Ethernet, 56K V.92 modem, audio line in and headphone output. Mini-VGA supports included VGA and S-video/composite adapters. No PC Card slot.
External displays
External displays	One external display up to 4096 × 2304 at 60 Hz alongside the built-in screen, at millions of colours	Dual display or mirroring; external display up to 1600 × 1200 at millions of colours.
Keyboard
Keyboard	Second-generation butterfly switches (TechRadar); full-size keyboard with 78 US or 79 ISO keys, individual LED backlighting, 12 function keys, four arrow keys and ambient light sensor	Full-size keyboard, 78 US or 79 ISO keys, embedded numeric keypad.
Trackpad
Trackpad	Force Touch trackpad with pressure sensing, Force clicks and Multi-Touch gestures	–
Speakers
Speakers	Stereo speakers	Stereo speakers with midrange-enhancing third speaker
Microphones
Microphones	Dual microphones	Internal omnidirectional microphone
In the box
In the box	MacBook; 30 W USB-C Power Adapter; USB-C Charge Cable (2 m), as listed in Apple's current technical specifications	Apple Video Adapter, VGA adapter, modem cable, 45 W power adapter, plug and cord. January 7 maker launch promised later-January availability; full production review on February 3 confirms subsequent availability but exact first sale month is unestablished, so year retained.