Apple PowerBook G4 (15-inch FW800) vs Apple PowerBook G4 (Original 2001)

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 (Original 2001)
ApplePowerBook G4 (15-inch FW800)ApplePowerBook G4 (Original 2001)
Overview
ReleasedSeptember 2003January 2001
Display
Screen size15.2″15.2″
Resolution1280 × 854 (better)1152 × 768
TouchscreenNoNo
Display type15.2-inch TFT widescreen; panel technology and refresh unpublished.15.2-inch TFT widescreen active-matrix display. Exact panel technology, brightness and built-in refresh unpublished.
Performance
ProcessorPowerPC G4 1 GHz (PowerBook 15-inch FW800) or PowerPC G4 1.25 GHz (PowerBook 15-inch FW800)PowerPC G4 400 MHz (PowerBook Original 2001) or PowerPC G4 500 MHz (PowerBook Original 2001)
CPU cores11
GraphicsATI Mobility Radeon 9600 (64 MB DDR)ATI Rage Mobility 128 (8 MB SDRAM)
Memory256 MB, 512 MB or 2 GB (better)128 MB, 256 MB or 1 GB
Storage60 GB to 80 GB (better)10 GB to 30 GB
CPU1 or 1.25 GHz PowerPC G4 with 512 KB on-chip L2 cache and 167 MHz system bus. Exact silicon supplier omitted.400 or 500 MHz PowerPC G4 with Velocity Engine; 1 MB backside L2 cache on 200 or 250 MHz dedicated 64-bit cache bus, 100 MHz system bus, 64 KB L1 (32 KB data/32 KB instruction). Exact supplier/SKU omitted.
GPUATI Mobility Radeon 9600, 64 MB DDR video memory, AGP 4×.ATI Rage Mobility 128 with 8 MB SDRAM and AGP 2 ×.
Memory typeTwo PC2700 DDR333 SO-DIMM slots; base 256 MB at 1 GHz or 512 MB at 1.25 GHz; maximum 2 GB.128 MB stock at 400 MHz or 256 MB at 500 MHz; two PC100 SO-DIMM slots support up to 1 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.400 MHz stock 10 GB, 500 MHz stock 20 GB Ultra ATA/66. Maker-listed 30 GB build-to-order option retained for both with published RAM maxima; no intermediate capacities invented. Slot-loading DVD-ROM reads DVD-ROM, DVD-Video, DVD-RAM and CD-ROM.
Battery and size
Battery life (maker's claim)Up to 4.5 hoursUp to 5 hours
Battery capacity46 Wh50 Wh (better)
Weight2.5 kg2.4 kg (better)
Thickness–26 mm
Width × depth–341 × 241 mm
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.50 Wh lithium-ion; up to five hours maker claim. Published 2.4 kg includes battery and varies by configuration/manufacturing process. Metric dimensions 34.1 × 24.1 × 2.6 cm are from the exact Apple technical sheet preserved by SavageTaylor, not calculated from inches.
Charger65 W power adapter–
MaterialsAluminium enclosureTitanium 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 GHzOptional AirPort 802.11b
Bluetooth1.1–
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 12 Mbps USB ports, one 400 Mbps FireWire port, 10/100BASE-T Ethernet, 56K V.90 modem, 4 Mbps IrDA, one Type I/II PC Card/CardBus slot with ZoomVideo support, VGA, S-video and stereo output; no microphone input jack.
External displaysDual display/mirroring; external resolution up to 2048 × 1536. DVI-to-VGA and S-video-to-composite adapters included; ADC adapter separate.VGA 24-bit video output and S-video, with S-video-to-composite adapter. 8 MB video memory supports millions of colours on external monitors up to 21 inches (preserved exact maker sheet).
KeyboardFull-size keyboard; fibre-optic backlight and ambient light sensor included at 1.25 GHz, build-to-order at 1 GHz.77 US or 78 ISO keys; 12 function keys, four arrows and embedded numeric keypad.
TrackpadTap, double-tap and drag supportTap, double-tap and drag support
SpeakersStereo speakers with midrange-enhancing third speakerTwo built-in 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.Power adapter, DVD software, iMovie 2 and iTunes. Maker promised January availability; LowEndMac reported actual retail collection on 31 January 2001. First sale day unestablished, so month retained.

More comparisons