Apple MacBook Pro (15-inch, Early 2006) vs Apple PowerBook G4 (12-inch, 1.5GHz)

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

MacBook Pro (15-inch, Early 2006) compared with PowerBook G4 (12-inch, 1.5GHz)
AppleMacBook Pro (15-inch, Early 2006)ApplePowerBook G4 (12-inch, 1.5GHz)
Overview
ReleasedFebruary 20062005
Display
Screen size15.4″12.1″
Resolution1440 × 900 (better)1024 × 768
Brightness300 nits–
TouchscreenNoNo
Display typeWidescreen TFT display with millions of colours. Exact panel technology and refresh rate unpublished in the maker sources read.12.1-inch TFT XGA active-matrix display; panel technology and refresh unpublished.
Performance
ProcessorIntel Core Duo 1.83 GHz (MacBook Pro Early 2006), Intel Core Duo 2 GHz (MacBook Pro Early 2006) or Intel Core Duo 2.16 GHz (MacBook Pro Early 2006)PowerPC G4 1.5 GHz (PowerBook 12-inch 2005)
CPU cores21
GraphicsATI Mobility Radeon X1600 (128 MB GDDR3) or ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 (256 MB GDDR3)NVIDIA GeForce FX Go5200 (64 MB DDR)
Memory512 MB, 1 GB or 2 GB (better)512 MB or 1.25 GB
Storage80 GB to 120 GB (better)60 GB to 100 GB
CPUDual-core Intel Core Duo at 1.83 GHz or 2.0 GHz, with a 2.16 GHz build-to-order option restricted to the 2.0 GHz base. Each has 2 MB shared L2 cache and a 667 MHz frontside bus. The January-announced 1.67 GHz configuration was replaced before shipping and is excluded.1.5 GHz PowerPC G4, 512 KB on-chip L2 and 167 MHz system bus. Exact silicon supplier omitted.
GPUATI Mobility Radeon X1600 (128 MB GDDR3); ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 (256 MB GDDR3). GPU memory varies with processor configuration.NVIDIA GeForce FX Go5200 with 64 MB DDR video memory and AGP 4×.
Memory type667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM in two SO-DIMM slots, up to 2 GB. Lower base has 512 MB; higher base has 1 GB.512 MB PC2700 DDR333 standard; one SO-DIMM slot, maximum 1.25 GB.
Storage typeLower base has an 80 GB 5400-rpm Serial ATA drive, configurable to 100 GB or 120 GB. Higher base has 100 GB and supports 120 GB; 100 GB was available at 5400 or 7200 rpm. Slot-loading 4× SuperDrive writes DVDs but does not write double-layer DVDs.5400 rpm Ultra ATA/100 hard drive with Sudden Motion Sensor. Combo base60GB; SuperDrive base80GB; 100GB build-to-order on either. 8× DVD±RW/CD-RW SuperDrive; optical-drive differences retained in details.
Battery and size
Battery life (maker's claim)Up to 4.5 hoursUp to 5 hours
Battery capacity60 Wh (better)50 Wh
Weight2.54 kg2.1 kg (better)
Thickness25.9 mm–
Width × depth357 × 243 mm–
Battery life detailRemovable 60 Wh lithium-polymer battery; up to 4.5 hours in Apple’s test. Maker reference weight varies by configuration and manufacturing process.50 Wh lithium-ion, up to five hours. Published reference weight 2.1 kg with battery and optical drive; varies by configuration/manufacturing. Published dimensions: height 3.0 cm, width 27.7 cm, depth 21.9 cm.
Charger85 W MagSafe Power Adapter45 W power adapter
MaterialsAluminium enclosureAluminium enclosure
ColoursSilver–
Connections
Ports2 × USB-A, Ethernet, headphone jack, MagSafe2 × USB-A, Ethernet, headphone jack
Wi-FiAirPort Extreme 802.11gAirPort Extreme 802.11g/b
Bluetooth2.0 + EDR2.0 + EDR
WebcamBuilt-in iSight camera–
Operating systemmacOSmacOS
Port detail2 USB 2.0 ports, FireWire 400, Gigabit Ethernet, MagSafe, dual-link DVI, ExpressCard/34, separate combined optical digital audio input/line input and combined optical digital audio output/headphone output, and Kensington lock slot. VGA adapter included; composite/S-video adapter optional.Two USB 2.0 ports, FireWire 400, 10/100 Ethernet, 56K V.92 modem, mini-DVI, audio input and headphone output. Mini-DVI-to-DVI and mini-DVI-to-VGA adapters included; television adapter separate.
External displaysOne external display up to 2560 × 1600 alongside the built-in screen through dual-link DVI; included VGA adapter, optional composite/S-video adapter.Dual display and mirroring; external resolution up to 2048 × 1536.
KeyboardFull-size backlit keyboard with ambient light sensors, 78 US or 79 ISO keys, 12 function keys and four arrow keys; embedded numeric keypadFull-size keyboard with embedded numeric keypad
TrackpadScrolling trackpad with a separate button; two-finger scrolling, tap, double-tap and drag.Two-finger scrolling/panning, tap, double-tap and drag support
SpeakersBuilt-in stereo speakersStereo speakers with midrange-enhancing third speaker
MicrophonesBuilt-in omnidirectional microphone under the left speaker grilleInternal omnidirectional microphone
In the boxMacBook Pro, removable battery, 85 W MagSafe Power Adapter with AC wall plug and power cord, install/restore DVDs and documentation. Apple Remote and DVI-to-VGA adapter included. Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger and iLife ’06. Higher base began shipping during the week of 14 February 2006 and lower base the following week; exact first-sale day is unestablished.Apple announced 31 January 2005 with availability planned later that week. Actual first on-sale month unestablished after a bounded search; year precision retained. Launch Mac OS X 10.3 Panther and iLife ’05; later units shipped Tiger.

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