Apple PowerBook G4 (15-inch FW800) 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 (15-inch FW800) compared with PowerBook G4 (17-inch, 1.67GHz)
ApplePowerBook G4 (15-inch FW800)ApplePowerBook G4 (17-inch, 1.67GHz)
Overview
ReleasedSeptember 2003February 2005
Display
Screen size15.2″17″
Resolution1280 × 8541440 × 900 (better)
TouchscreenNoNo
Display type15.2-inch TFT widescreen; panel technology and refresh unpublished.17-inch TFT widescreen; panel technology and refresh unpublished.
Performance
ProcessorPowerPC G4 1 GHz (PowerBook 15-inch FW800) or PowerPC G4 1.25 GHz (PowerBook 15-inch FW800)PowerPC G4 1.67 GHz (PowerBook 17-inch Early 2005)
CPU cores11
GraphicsATI Mobility Radeon 9600 (64 MB DDR)ATI Mobility Radeon 9700 (128 MB DDR)
Memory256 MB, 512 MB or 2 GB512 MB or 2 GB
Storage60 GB to 80 GB80 GB to 100 GB (better)
CPU1 or 1.25 GHz PowerPC G4 with 512 KB on-chip L2 cache and 167 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.
GPUATI Mobility Radeon 9600, 64 MB DDR video memory, AGP 4×.ATI Mobility Radeon 9700 with 128 MB DDR and dual-link DVI
Memory typeTwo PC2700 DDR333 SO-DIMM slots; base 256 MB at 1 GHz or 512 MB at 1.25 GHz; maximum 2 GB.512 MB PC2700 DDR333 standard; two SO-DIMM slots, maximum 2 GB.
Storage type60 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.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 4.5 hoursUp to 4.5 hours
Battery capacity46 Wh58 Wh (better)
Weight2.5 kg (better)3.1 kg
Battery life detail46 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.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.
Charger65 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/b; optional at 1 GHz, standard at 1.25 GHzAirPort Extreme 802.11g/b
Bluetooth1.12.0 + EDR
Operating systemmacOSmacOS
Port detailTwo 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.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/mirroring; external resolution up to 2048 × 1536. DVI-to-VGA and S-video-to-composite adapters included; ADC adapter separate.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; fibre-optic backlight and ambient light sensor included at 1.25 GHz, build-to-order at 1 GHz.Full-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 UK states immediate 15-inch availability on 16 September 2003. Launch Mac OS X 10.2.7; current retained sheet lists later Panther software.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.

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