Apple Macintosh PowerBook 1400cs/166 vs Apple PowerBook G4 (15-inch, 1.67/1.5GHz)
Better figure, where one is clearly better
| AppleMacintosh PowerBook 1400cs/166 | ApplePowerBook G4 (15-inch, 1.67/1.5GHz) | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Released | 1997 | February 2005 |
| Display | ||
| Screen size | 11.3″ | 15.2″ |
| Resolution | 800 × 600 | 1280 × 854 (better) |
| Touchscreen | No | No |
| Display type | 11.3-inch 800 × 600 dual-scan passive-matrix FSTN LCD with 16-bit colour. Apple's family video table identifies cs displays as FSTN, and NotebookBlog confirms the exact 166 MHz sample's passive screen; the later Service Source cs/166 configuration entry instead says active matrix, conflicting with those sources | 15.2-inch TFT widescreen; panel technology and refresh unpublished. |
| Display features | Interchangeable BookCover inserts personalise the lid according to Apple Facts | – |
| Performance | ||
| Processor | PowerPC 603e 166 MHz (PowerBook 1400c/166) | PowerPC G4 1.5 GHz (PowerBook 15-inch Early 2005) or PowerPC G4 1.67 GHz (PowerBook 15-inch Early 2005) |
| CPU cores | 1 | 1 |
| Graphics | – | ATI Mobility Radeon 9700 (64 MB DDR) or ATI Mobility Radeon 9700 (128 MB DDR) |
| Memory | 16 MB | 512 MB or 2 GB (better) |
| Storage | 1.3 GB | 80 GB to 100 GB (better) |
| CPU | 166 MHz PowerPC 603e with integrated PMMU and FPU, 64-bit data path at 33.3 MHz and 32 KB L1 cache. Support and Apple Facts January 1998 specify 128 KB L2; Service Source's cs/166 entry instead says 256 KB | 1.5 or 1.67 GHz PowerPC G 4 with 512 KB on-chip L 2 and 167 MHz bus. Retained sheet processor paragraph omits 1.5 GHz, but factory configuration table and UK release confirm it. Exact silicon supplier omitted. |
| GPU | 1 MB video memory according to the maker family service specification; external video requires an optional card | ATI Mobility Radeon 9700 with 64 MB DDR standard; 128 MB plus dual-link DVI build-to-order restricted to 1.67 GHz. UK release higher-base bullet ambiguously mentions dual-link with 64 MB; its BTO paragraph and full sheet tie dual-link to 128 MB. |
| Memory type | 16 MB original RAM, expandable to 64 MB using 70 ns or faster cards; up to two memory cards can be stacked | 512 MB PC 2700 DDR 333 in a single SO-DIMM; two slots, maximum 2 GB. |
| Storage type | Internal ATA hard drive; exact support sheet lists a 1.3 GB minimum and 12× original CD-ROM. Service Source instead lists a 16 MB/2 GB/CD configuration alongside its conflicting display/cache entries. The 1.3 GB configuration is corroborated by NotebookBlog's exact-model sample | 80 GB 5400 rpm Ultra ATA/100 standard on both processors; 100 GB build-to-order alternative, with Sudden Motion Sensor. Combo on 1.5 GHz base, 8× DVD±RW/CD-RW SuperDrive on 1.67 GHz; SuperDrive upgrade available. |
| Battery and size | ||
| Battery life (maker's claim) | Up to 4 hours | Up to 4.5 hours |
| Battery capacity | 30 Wh | 50 Wh (better) |
| Weight | 3 kg | 2.5 kg (better) |
| Battery life detail | Removable 30 Wh nickel-metal hydride battery; Apple Facts claims two to four hours depending on usage and configuration. It gives PowerBook 1400cs weight as 3.0 kg with floppy module or 3.15 kg with CD-ROM; exact cs/166 support instead lists 6.6 lb with accessory-dependent weight. Support's six-inch height conflicts with Apple Facts' two inches; metric thickness and depth remain omitted because maker conversions also disagree | 50 Wh lithium-ion, up to 4.5 hours. Maker reference 2.5 kg includes battery and optical drive; varies by configuration/manufacturing. Published dimensions: height 2.8 cm, width 34.8 cm, depth 24.1 cm. |
| Charger | External 45 W power adapter according to Apple | 65 W power adapter |
| Materials | – | Aluminium enclosure |
| Connections | ||
| Ports | – | 2 × USB-A, Ethernet, headphone jack |
| Wi-Fi | – | AirPort Extreme 802.11g/b |
| Bluetooth | – | 2.0 + EDR |
| Operating system | macOS | macOS |
| Port detail | ADB, HDI-30 SCSI, RS-422 serial/LocalTalk, stereo sound input and output, infrared and two Type I/II PC Card slots or one Type III. Ethernet and mini-15 external video require optional expansion cards | 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 displays | – | DVI with VGA adapter and S-video/composite output; up to 2048×1536 external. Optional 128 MB dual-link configuration on 1.67 GHz supports 30-inch Cinema HD display. |
| Keyboard | Built-in keyboard with twelve function keys according to the service specification | Full-size illuminated fibre-optic keyboard with ambient light sensor on both processor configurations; Apple states up to ten times brighter backlighting than previous generation. |
| Trackpad | Built-in solid-state trackpad according to the service specification | Two-finger scrolling/panning, tap, double-tap and drag support |
| Speakers | Built-in speaker; 16-bit stereo audio input and output according to Apple Facts | Stereo speakers with midrange-enhancing third speaker |
| Microphones | Built-in omnidirectional microphone according to the service specification | Internal omnidirectional microphone |
| In the box | Apple support lists Mac OS 8.0, a 1.44 MB floppy drive and original 12× CD-ROM speed. Support dates introduction to 15 October 1997, Service Source labels the configuration November, and NotebookBlog places its market arrival at the end of 1997; no precise worldwide first-sale date is confirmed | Apple announced 31 January 2005 with availability planned later that week. Ken Mingis’s 10 February Computerworld account confirms 15-inch units had reached buyers by then; February precision retained without a verified first shipping day. Launch Mac OS X 10.3 Panther and iLife ’05. |
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