Apple PowerBook G3 Series (Wallstreet, 1998) vs Apple PowerBook G4 (12-inch, 1.33GHz)

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PowerBook G3 Series (Wallstreet, 1998) compared with PowerBook G4 (12-inch, 1.33GHz)
ApplePowerBook G3 Series (Wallstreet, 1998)ApplePowerBook G4 (12-inch, 1.33GHz)
Overview
ReleasedMay 1998April 2004
Display
Screen size12.1″12.1″
Resolution800 × 600 or 1024 × 7681024 × 768
TouchscreenNoNo
Display type12.1-inch STN passive-matrix 800 × 600 screen or 13.3- and 14.1-inch TFT active-matrix 1024 × 768 screens; all are CCFL-backlit. The 14.1-inch case is 53 mm thick, compared with 51 mm for the smaller versions.12.1-inch TFT XGA active-matrix display; panel technology and refresh unpublished.
Performance
ProcessorPowerPC G3 233 MHz (PowerBook G3 Series 1998), PowerPC G3 250 MHz (PowerBook G3 Series 1998) or PowerPC G3 292 MHz (PowerBook G3 Series 1998)PowerPC G4 1.33 GHz (PowerBook 12-inch 2004)
CPU cores11
Graphics–NVIDIA GeForce FX Go5200 (64 MB DDR)
Memory32 MB or 64 MB256 MB or 1.25 GB (better)
Storage2 GB to 8 GB60 GB to 80 GB (better)
CPUPowerPC 750 (G3) at 233, 250 or 292 MHz. The 233 MHz launch version has no backside L2 cache; the 250 and 292 MHz versions each have 1 MB L2 cache. System bus is 66.7 MHz on 233 MHz models and 83.3 MHz on faster models.1.33 GHz PowerPC G4, 512 KB on-chip L2 and 167 MHz system bus. Exact silicon supplier omitted.
GPUATI 3D RAGE LT graphics with 2 MB or 4 MB SGRAM video memory, depending on configuration; built-in 2D and 3D acceleration.NVIDIA GeForce FX Go5200 with 64 MB DDR video memory and AGP 4×.
Memory type32 MB or 64 MB factory SDRAM in the listed regional configurations, using two SO-DIMM slots; Apple gives 192 MB as the original expansion limit.256 MB PC2700 DDR333 standard, one open SO-DIMM slot; maximum 1.25 GB.
Storage typeRemovable internal 2 GB, 4 GB or 8 GB EIDE hard drive, depending on configuration. The two expansion bays accept battery, floppy, CD-ROM or DVD-ROM modules; removable media are separate from internal storage.60 GB 4200 rpm Ultra ATA/100 standard; 80 GB 5400 rpm build-to-order alternative. Combo DVD-ROM/CD-RW or 4× DVD-R SuperDrive.
Battery and size
Battery life (maker's claim)Up to 3.5 hoursUp to 5 hours
Battery capacity49 Wh50 Wh (better)
Weight3.45 kg2.1 kg (better)
Thickness51 mm–
Width × depth323 × 265 mm–
Battery life detailRemovable 49 Wh lithium-ion battery. Apple's service data sheet claims up to 3.5 hours on one battery or seven hours with two batteries. Maker reference weight of 3.45 kg includes one battery and a CD-ROM module.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.
Charger–45 W power adapter
Materials–Aluminium enclosure
Connections
PortsEthernet, headphone jack2 × USB-A, Ethernet, headphone jack
Wi-Fi–AirPort Extreme 802.11g/b
Bluetooth–1.1
Operating systemmacOSmacOS
Port detailBuilt-in 10BASE-T Ethernet, VGA external video, HDI-30 SCSI, ADB, GeoPort serial, audio input and headphone output, infrared and two Type II CardBus slots (or one Type III). The 13.3- and 14.1-inch versions also have S-video output; some configurations included a K56flex modem.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 displaysVGA output on every configuration, up to 1280 × 960 pixels according to Apple's developer note; S-video output on 13.3- and 14.1-inch versions.Dual display and mirroring; external resolution up to 2048 × 1536.
KeyboardFull-size keyboard with an embedded numeric keypad and inverted-T arrow keys.Full-size keyboard with embedded numeric keypad
TrackpadSolid-state trackpad with tap, double-tap and drag support.Tap, double-tap and drag support
Speakers–Stereo speakers with midrange-enhancing third speaker
Microphones–Internal omnidirectional microphone
In the boxMac OS 8.1 and a 45 W adapter. Apple Canada said the 12.1- and 13.3-inch versions began shipping on 7 May 1998; the 14.1-inch version was planned for early June. The listed CPU, screen, RAM and disk pairings are four regional launch configurations recorded at Apple's May 1998 Japan announcement.Apple UK confirms immediate availability on 19 April 2004; Mac OS X 10.3 Panther and iLife ’04 supplied.

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