Apple MacBook (13-inch, Early 2006) vs Apple PowerBook G4 12-inch (Early 2003)

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

MacBook (13-inch, Early 2006) compared with PowerBook G4 12-inch (Early 2003)
AppleMacBook (13-inch, Early 2006)ApplePowerBook G4 12-inch (Early 2003)
Overview
ReleasedMay 20062003
Display
Screen size13.3″12.1″
Resolution1280 × 800 (better)1024 × 768
Brightness250 nits–
TouchscreenNoNo
Display typeGlossy TFT widescreen display with millions of colours; panel technology and refresh rate unpublished by Apple. The launch announcement specifies 250 cd/m² brightness.12.1-inch TFT XGA active-matrix display. Exact panel technology, brightness and refresh unpublished.
Performance
ProcessorIntel Core Duo T2400 or Intel Core Duo T2500PowerPC G4 867 MHz (PowerBook 12-inch Early 2003)
CPU cores21
GraphicsIntel GMA 950 (64 MB shared DDR2)NVIDIA GeForce4 420 Go (32 MB DDR)
Memory512 MB, 1 GB or 2 GB (better)256 MB or 640 MB
Storage60 GB to 120 GB (better)40 GB
CPU1.83 GHz Intel Core Duo T2400 or 2.0 GHz Core Duo T2500; exact processor identities confirmed by Ars Technica. 2 MB shared L2 cache and 667 MHz front-side bus.867 MHz PowerPC G4 with Velocity Engine, 256 KB L2 cache and 133 MHz system bus. Exact supplier/SKU not inferred.
GPUIntel GMA 950 with 64 MB DDR2 shared with main memory; Apple notes a minimum 80 MB allocation including graphics and system use.NVIDIA GeForce4 420 Go, AGP 4 × and 32 MB DDR video memory.
Memory typeTwo SO-DIMM slots for 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM (PC2-5300); 512 MB standard, configurable to 1 GB or 2 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 type5400 rpm Serial ATA hard drive. White models start at 60 GB and black at 80 GB; 80 GB, 100 GB and 120 GB build-to-order drives. The 1.83 GHz model has a DVD-ROM/CD-RW Combo drive; 2.0 GHz models have a DVD-writing SuperDrive.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.
Battery and size
Battery life (maker's claim)–Up to 5 hours
Battery capacity55 Wh (better)47 Wh
Weight2.36 kg2.1 kg (better)
Thickness27.5 mm (better)30 mm
Width × depth325 × 227 mm277 × 219 mm
Battery life detailRemovable 55 Wh lithium-polymer battery. Maker reference weight varies with configuration and manufacturing process; battery-life hours are not published in the archived specification.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.
Charger60 W MagSafe Power Adapter–
MaterialsPolycarbonate enclosureAluminium alloy enclosure
ColoursWhite at 1.83 GHz or 2.0 GHz; black at 2.0 GHz. The configurations table combines colour variants with matching processor, memory and storage.–
Connections
Ports2 × USB-A, Ethernet, headphone jack, MagSafe2 × USB-A, Ethernet, headphone jack
Wi-FiAirPort Extreme 802.11gOptional AirPort Extreme 802.11b/g
Bluetooth2.0 + EDR1.1
WebcamiSight camera, 640 × 480 resolution–
Operating systemmacOSmacOS
Port detailTwo USB 2.0 ports, one FireWire 400 port (8 W), Gigabit Ethernet, MagSafe and Mini-DVI; separate combined optical digital audio input/line input and combined optical digital audio output/headphone output. Display adapters sold separately.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 displaysOne external display up to 1920 × 1200 alongside the built-in screen; Mini-DVI adapters support DVI, VGA, S-video and composite video.Dual display or mirroring; external display up to 1600 × 1200 at millions of colours.
KeyboardFull-size keyboard with 78 US or 79 ISO keys, 12 function keys, four arrow keys and an embedded numeric keypadFull-size keyboard, 78 US or 79 ISO keys, embedded numeric keypad.
TrackpadTrackpad with two-finger scrolling and a separate button–
SpeakersBuilt-in stereo speakersStereo speakers with midrange-enhancing third speaker
MicrophonesBuilt-in omnidirectional microphoneInternal omnidirectional microphone
In the boxMacBook, Apple Remote, removable battery, 60 W MagSafe Power Adapter with AC wall plug and power cord, install/restore DVDs and documentation; Mac OS X 10.4.6 Tiger and iLife ’06.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.

More comparisons