Apple MacBook Pro (17-inch, Early 2006) vs Apple PowerBook G4 (17-inch, 1.67GHz)

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

MacBook Pro (17-inch, Early 2006) compared with PowerBook G4 (17-inch, 1.67GHz)
AppleMacBook Pro (17-inch, Early 2006)ApplePowerBook G4 (17-inch, 1.67GHz)
Overview
ReleasedMay 2006February 2005
Display
Screen size17″17″
Resolution1680 × 1050 (better)1440 × 900
Brightness300 nits–
TouchscreenNoNo
Display typeWidescreen TFT display; matte at launch, with glossy option added later in May 2006 with millions of colours. Exact panel technology and refresh rate unpublished in the maker sources read.17-inch TFT widescreen; panel technology and refresh unpublished.
Performance
ProcessorIntel Core Duo 2.16 GHz (MacBook Pro Early 2006)PowerPC G4 1.67 GHz (PowerBook 17-inch Early 2005)
CPU cores21
GraphicsATI Mobility Radeon X1600 (256 MB GDDR3)ATI Mobility Radeon 9700 (128 MB DDR)
Memory1 GB or 2 GB512 MB or 2 GB
Storage100 GB to 120 GB (better)80 GB to 100 GB
CPUDual-core Intel Core Duo at 2.16 GHz, with 2 MB shared L2 cache and 667 MHz frontside bus. The record retains the maker’s clock and model rather than copying an unverified retail-chip specification.1.67 GHz PowerPC G4, 512 KB on-chip L2 and 167 MHz bus. Exact silicon supplier omitted.
GPUATI Mobility Radeon X1600 (256 MB GDDR3)ATI Mobility Radeon 9700 with 128 MB DDR and dual-link DVI
Memory type667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM in two SO-DIMM slots; 1 GB standard, configurable to 2 GB.512 MB PC2700 DDR333 standard; two SO-DIMM slots, maximum 2 GB.
Storage type120 GB 5400-rpm Serial ATA hard drive, configurable to 100 GB at 7200 rpm. 8× SuperDrive with 2.4× double-layer DVD+R writing.100 GB 5400 rpm Ultra ATA/100 standard with Sudden Motion Sensor. Retained maker build-to-order list offers 80 GB or 100 GB on 15/17-inch models; 80 GB alternative represented without changing the 100 GB stock specification. 8× DVD±RW/CD-RW SuperDrive.
Battery and size
Battery life (maker's claim)Up to 5.5 hoursUp to 4.5 hours
Battery capacity68 Wh (better)58 Wh
Weight3.1 kg3.1 kg
Thickness25.9 mm–
Width × depth392 × 265 mm–
Battery life detailRemovable 68 Wh lithium-polymer battery; up to 5.5 hours in Apple’s test. Maker reference weight varies by configuration and manufacturing process.58 Wh lithium-ion, up to 4.5 hours. Maker reference 3.1 kg includes battery and optical drive and varies by configuration/manufacturing. Published dimensions: height 2.6 cm, width 39.2 cm, depth 25.9 cm.
Charger85 W MagSafe Power Adapter65 W power adapter
MaterialsAluminium enclosureAluminium enclosure
ColoursSilver–
Connections
Ports3 × 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 detail3 USB 2.0 ports, FireWire 400 and FireWire 800, 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 and 800, Gigabit Ethernet, 56K V.92 modem, DVI, S-video and PC Card/CardBus slot. Combined optical-digital/analogue input and output minijacks.
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.DVI dual-link: external display up to 2560 × 1600, including 30-inch Cinema HD display; VGA, S-video and composite supported with listed adapters.
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 illuminated fibre-optic keyboard with ambient light sensor; Apple states backlighting up to ten times brighter than previous generation.
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 speakersTwo stereo speakers
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 10.4.6 Tiger and iLife ’06. Apple’s 24 April 2006 notice states shipping the following week, supporting May month precision without an exact delivery day. The optional glossy screen was introduced later in May and is not treated as an original launch configuration.Apple announced 31 January 2005 with availability planned later that week. Ken Mingis’s 10 February Computerworld report says his unit shipped the previous week and arrived Monday; February precision retained without a verified first shipping day. Launch Mac OS X 10.3 Panther and iLife ’05.

More comparisons