Apple MacBook Pro (15-inch, Early 2006) vs Apple PowerBook G4 (15-inch FW800)

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 (15-inch FW800)
AppleMacBook Pro (15-inch, Early 2006)ApplePowerBook G4 (15-inch FW800)
Overview
ReleasedFebruary 2006September 2003
Display
Screen size15.4″15.2″
Resolution1440 × 900 (better)1280 × 854
Brightness300 nits–
TouchscreenNoNo
Display typeWidescreen TFT display with millions of colours. Exact panel technology and refresh rate unpublished in the maker sources read.15.2-inch TFT widescreen; panel technology and refresh unpublished.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 GHz (PowerBook 15-inch FW800) or PowerPC G4 1.25 GHz (PowerBook 15-inch FW800)
CPU cores21
GraphicsATI Mobility Radeon X1600 (128 MB GDDR3) or ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 (256 MB GDDR3)ATI Mobility Radeon 9600 (64 MB DDR)
Memory512 MB, 1 GB or 2 GB256 MB, 512 MB or 2 GB
Storage80 GB to 120 GB (better)60 GB to 80 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 or 1.25 GHz PowerPC G4 with 512 KB on-chip L2 cache 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.ATI Mobility Radeon 9600, 64 MB DDR video memory, 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.Two PC2700 DDR333 SO-DIMM slots; base 256 MB at 1 GHz or 512 MB at 1.25 GHz; maximum 2 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.60 GB 4200 rpm at 1 GHz or 80 GB 4200 rpm at 1.25 GHz, Ultra ATA/100. 80 GB 4200/5400 rpm build-to-order options; capacities represented, drive speed alternatives retained here. Combo drive at 1 GHz or 2× DVD-R SuperDrive at 1.25 GHz, also optional on lower model.
Battery and size
Battery life (maker's claim)Up to 4.5 hoursUp to 4.5 hours
Battery capacity60 Wh (better)46 Wh
Weight2.54 kg2.5 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.46 Wh lithium-ion, up to 4.5 hours. Maker reference 2.5 kg includes battery and optical drive and varies by configuration/manufacturing. Published dimensions: height 2.8 cm, width 34.8 cm, depth 24.1 cm.
Charger85 W MagSafe Power Adapter65 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; optional at 1 GHz, standard at 1.25 GHz
Bluetooth2.0 + EDR1.1
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, one FireWire 400 and one FireWire 800, Gigabit Ethernet, 56K V.92 modem, Type I/II PC Card slot, DVI, S-video, audio input and headphone output.
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/mirroring; external resolution up to 2048 × 1536. DVI-to-VGA and S-video-to-composite adapters included; ADC adapter separate.
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; fibre-optic backlight and ambient light sensor included at 1.25 GHz, build-to-order at 1 GHz.
TrackpadScrolling trackpad with a separate button; two-finger scrolling, tap, double-tap and drag.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 UK states immediate 15-inch availability on 16 September 2003. Launch Mac OS X 10.2.7; current retained sheet lists later Panther software.

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