Apple Macintosh PowerBook 1400cs/166 vs Apple PowerBook G4 (17-inch, Double-Layer SD)
Better figure, where one is clearly better
| AppleMacintosh PowerBook 1400cs/166 | ApplePowerBook G4 (17-inch, Double-Layer SD) | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Released | 1997 | October 2005 |
| Display | ||
| Screen size | 11.3″ | 17″ |
| Resolution | 800 × 600 | 1680 × 1050 (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matrix, conflicting with those sources | 17-inch TFT widescreen; panel technology, absolute brightness and refresh rate unpublished on maker sheet |
| Display features | Interchangeable BookCover inserts personalise the lid according to Apple Facts | Millions of colours at native resolution; maker UK launch claims up to 46% brighter than preceding 17-inch model |
| Performance | ||
| Processor | PowerPC 603e 166 MHz (PowerBook 1400c/166) | PowerPC G4 1.67 GHz (PowerBook 17-inch Late 2005) |
| CPU cores | 1 | 1 |
| Graphics | – | ATI Mobility Radeon 9700 (128 MB DDR) |
| Memory | 16 MB | 512 MB, 1 GB or 2 GB (better) |
| Storage | 1.3 GB | 100 GB to 120 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 | 1.67 GHz PowerPC G4 with Velocity Engine, 512 KB on-chip L2 SRAM and 167 MHz system bus; exact silicon supplier/process omitted |
| GPU | 1 MB video memory according to the maker family service specification; external video requires an optional card | ATI Mobility Radeon 9700 with AGP 4× support, 128 MB DDR video memory and dual-link DVI |
| 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 PC2-4200 DDR2 SDRAM running at 333 MHz standard in one SO-DIMM; two slots, maximum 2 GB, with 512 MB and 1 GB module options |
| 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 | 120 GB 5400 rpm Ultra ATA/100 standard or 100 GB 7200 rpm build-to-order, with Sudden Motion Sensor. Slot-loading 8× DVD±R SuperDrive supports 2.4× double-layer DVD+R, 4× DVD±RW, 24× CD-R and 16× CD-RW; optional DVD-ROM/CD-RW Combo drive |
| Battery and size | ||
| Battery life (maker's claim) | Up to 4 hours | Up to 5.5 hours |
| Battery capacity | 30 Wh | 58 Wh (better) |
| Weight | 3 kg (better) | 3.1 kg |
| Thickness | – | 26 mm |
| Width × depth | – | 392 × 259 mm |
| 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 | 58 Wh lithium-ion with charge indicator LEDs; maker up to 5.5 hours depends on configuration and use. Maker reference 3.1 kg includes battery and optical drive and varies by configuration/manufacturing. Metric dimensions are maker centimetres expressed in millimetres |
| Charger | External 45 W power adapter according to Apple | 65 W power adapter with cable management system |
| 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 at up to 480 Mbps, FireWire 800 and 400, Gigabit Ethernet, 56K V.92 modem, DVI, S-video and Type I/II PC Card slot; combined optical-digital/analogue input and output minijacks; Kensington lock slot |
| External displays | – | Simultaneous native 1680 × 1050 internal and up to 2560 × 1600 external display with millions of colours; dual-link DVI, including 30-inch Cinema HD display; mirroring, VGA with included DVI adapter, composite with included S-video adapter |
| Keyboard | Built-in keyboard with twelve function keys according to the service specification | Full-size illuminated fibre-optic keyboard with ambient light sensor; 78 US or 79 ISO keys, 12 function keys, inverted-T arrows and embedded keypad |
| Trackpad | Built-in solid-state trackpad according to the service specification | Solid-state trackpad with tap, double-tap, drag and scrolling support |
| Speakers | Built-in speaker; 16-bit stereo audio input and output according to Apple Facts | Two built-in stereo speakers |
| 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 | Power adapter, AC wall plug, power cord, lithium-ion battery, modem cable, DVI-to-VGA and S-video-to-composite adapters; Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger and iLife ’05 supplied. Apple UK confirms immediate availability on 19 October 2005 |
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