Apple PowerBook G4 (12-inch DVI) 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

PowerBook G4 (12-inch DVI) compared with PowerBook G4 (17-inch, 1.67GHz)
ApplePowerBook G4 (12-inch DVI)ApplePowerBook G4 (17-inch, 1.67GHz)
Overview
Released2003February 2005
Display
Screen size12.1″17″
Resolution1024 × 7681440 × 900 (better)
TouchscreenNoNo
Display type12.1-inch TFT XGA active-matrix display; panel technology and refresh unpublished.17-inch TFT widescreen; panel technology and refresh unpublished.
Performance
ProcessorPowerPC G4 1 GHz (PowerBook 12-inch DVI)PowerPC G4 1.67 GHz (PowerBook 17-inch Early 2005)
CPU cores11
GraphicsNVIDIA GeForce FX Go5200 (32 MB DDR)ATI Mobility Radeon 9700 (128 MB DDR)
Memory256 MB or 1.25 GB512 MB or 2 GB (better)
Storage40 GB to 80 GB80 GB to 100 GB (better)
CPU1 GHz PowerPC G4, 512 KB on-chip L2 and 133 MHz system bus. Exact silicon supplier omitted.1.67 GHz PowerPC G4, 512 KB on-chip L2 and 167 MHz bus. Exact silicon supplier omitted.
GPUNVIDIA GeForce FX Go5200 with 32 MB DDR video memory and AGP 4×.ATI Mobility Radeon 9700 with 128 MB DDR and dual-link DVI
Memory type256 MB PC2100 DDR266 standard, one open SO-DIMM slot; up to 1.25 GB.512 MB PC2700 DDR333 standard; two SO-DIMM slots, maximum 2 GB.
Storage type40 GB 4200 rpm Ultra ATA/100 standard; the retained whole-family sheet confirms an 80 GB 4200 rpm build-to-order option. Combo DVD-ROM/CD-RW or 2× DVD-R SuperDrive. Individual table repeats Combo for both SKUs; descriptive drive section and launch release confirm SuperDrive option.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 hoursUp to 4.5 hours
Battery capacity47 Wh58 Wh (better)
Weight2.1 kg (better)3.1 kg
Battery life detail47 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.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.
Charger45 W power adapter65 W power adapter
MaterialsAluminium enclosureAluminium enclosure
Connections
Ports2 × USB-A, Ethernet, headphone jack2 × USB-A, Ethernet, headphone jack
Wi-FiOptional AirPort Extreme 802.11g/bAirPort Extreme 802.11g/b
Bluetooth1.12.0 + EDR
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, 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 displaysDual display and mirroring; external resolution up to 2048 × 1536.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 keyboard with embedded numeric keypadFull-size illuminated fibre-optic keyboard with ambient light sensor; Apple states backlighting up to ten times brighter than previous generation.
TrackpadTap, double-tap and drag supportTwo-finger scrolling/panning, tap, double-tap and drag support
SpeakersStereo speakers with midrange-enhancing third speakerTwo stereo speakers
MicrophonesInternal omnidirectional microphoneInternal omnidirectional microphone
In the boxApple announced 16 September 2003 and expected the 12-inch model later that month. Actual first on-sale month unestablished after bounded contemporary source search; year precision retained.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