Apple PowerBook G4 (12-inch, 1.5GHz) 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

PowerBook G4 (12-inch, 1.5GHz) compared with PowerBook G4 (15-inch FW800)
ApplePowerBook G4 (12-inch, 1.5GHz)ApplePowerBook G4 (15-inch FW800)
Overview
Released2005September 2003
Display
Screen size12.1″15.2″
Resolution1024 × 7681280 × 854 (better)
TouchscreenNoNo
Display type12.1-inch TFT XGA active-matrix display; panel technology and refresh unpublished.15.2-inch TFT widescreen; panel technology and refresh unpublished.
Performance
ProcessorPowerPC G4 1.5 GHz (PowerBook 12-inch 2005)PowerPC G4 1 GHz (PowerBook 15-inch FW800) or PowerPC G4 1.25 GHz (PowerBook 15-inch FW800)
CPU cores11
GraphicsNVIDIA GeForce FX Go5200 (64 MB DDR)ATI Mobility Radeon 9600 (64 MB DDR)
Memory512 MB or 1.25 GB256 MB, 512 MB or 2 GB (better)
Storage60 GB to 100 GB (better)60 GB to 80 GB
CPU1.5 GHz PowerPC G4, 512 KB on-chip L2 and 167 MHz system bus. Exact silicon supplier omitted.1 or 1.25 GHz PowerPC G4 with 512 KB on-chip L2 cache and 167 MHz system bus. Exact silicon supplier omitted.
GPUNVIDIA GeForce FX Go5200 with 64 MB DDR video memory and AGP 4×.ATI Mobility Radeon 9600, 64 MB DDR video memory, AGP 4×.
Memory type512 MB PC2700 DDR333 standard; one SO-DIMM slot, maximum 1.25 GB.Two PC2700 DDR333 SO-DIMM slots; base 256 MB at 1 GHz or 512 MB at 1.25 GHz; maximum 2 GB.
Storage type5400 rpm Ultra ATA/100 hard drive with Sudden Motion Sensor. Combo base60GB; SuperDrive base80GB; 100GB build-to-order on either. 8× DVD±RW/CD-RW SuperDrive; optical-drive differences retained in details.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 5 hoursUp to 4.5 hours
Battery capacity50 Wh (better)46 Wh
Weight2.1 kg (better)2.5 kg
Battery life detail50 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.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.
Charger45 W power adapter65 W power adapter
MaterialsAluminium enclosureAluminium enclosure
Connections
Ports2 × USB-A, Ethernet, headphone jack2 × USB-A, Ethernet, headphone jack
Wi-FiAirPort Extreme 802.11g/bAirPort Extreme 802.11g/b; optional at 1 GHz, standard at 1.25 GHz
Bluetooth2.0 + EDR1.1
Operating systemmacOSmacOS
Port detailTwo 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.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 displaysDual display and mirroring; external resolution up to 2048 × 1536.Dual display/mirroring; external resolution up to 2048 × 1536. DVI-to-VGA and S-video-to-composite adapters included; ADC adapter separate.
KeyboardFull-size keyboard with embedded numeric keypadFull-size keyboard; fibre-optic backlight and ambient light sensor included at 1.25 GHz, build-to-order at 1 GHz.
TrackpadTwo-finger scrolling/panning, tap, double-tap and drag supportTap, double-tap and drag support
SpeakersStereo speakers with midrange-enhancing third speakerStereo speakers with midrange-enhancing third speaker
MicrophonesInternal omnidirectional microphoneInternal omnidirectional microphone
In the boxApple announced 31 January 2005 with availability planned later that week. Actual first on-sale month unestablished after a bounded search; year precision retained. Launch Mac OS X 10.3 Panther and iLife ’05; later units shipped Tiger.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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