Apple PowerBook G4 (15-inch, Double-Layer SD) 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, Double-Layer SD) compared with PowerBook G4 (17-inch, 1.67GHz)
ApplePowerBook G4 (15-inch, Double-Layer SD)ApplePowerBook G4 (17-inch, 1.67GHz)
Overview
ReleasedOctober 2005February 2005
Display
Screen size15.2″17″
Resolution1440 × 960 (better)1440 × 900
TouchscreenNoNo
Display type15.2-inch TFT widescreen, 1440 × 960; panel technology and refresh unpublished.17-inch TFT widescreen; panel technology and refresh unpublished.
Performance
ProcessorPowerPC G4 1.67 GHz (PowerBook 15-inch Late 2005)PowerPC G4 1.67 GHz (PowerBook 17-inch Early 2005)
CPU cores11
GraphicsATI Mobility Radeon 9700 (128 MB DDR)ATI Mobility Radeon 9700 (128 MB DDR)
Memory512 MB or 2 GB512 MB or 2 GB
Storage80 GB to 120 GB (better)80 GB to 100 GB
CPU1.67 GHz PowerPC G4 with 512 KB on-chip L2 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 9700 with 128 MB DDR and dual-link DVI standardATI Mobility Radeon 9700 with 128 MB DDR and dual-link DVI
Memory type512 MB PC2-4200 DDR2 running at 333 MHz; two SO-DIMM slots support up to 2 GB.512 MB PC2700 DDR333 standard; two SO-DIMM slots, maximum 2 GB.
Storage type80 GB 5400 rpm Ultra ATA/100 standard with Sudden Motion Sensor. Build-to-order: 100 GB 5400 or 7200 rpm, or 120 GB 5400 rpm. 8× SuperDrive with 2.4× double-layer DVD+R support; optional Combo drive. Speed/optical alternatives retained here rather than duplicate capacity rows.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 5.5 hoursUp to 4.5 hours
Battery capacity–58 Wh
Weight–3.1 kg
Battery life detailUp to 5.5 hours, dependent on configuration and use. Retained maker family sheet publishes 15-inch reference weight 5.6 pounds, footprint 13.7 × 9.5 inches and thickness 1.1 inches; no calculated metric main values. Its detailed 58 Wh battery section is explicitly 17-inch and is not borrowed.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.
ChargerPower adapter included; wattage not established for this exact generation in the read family sheet.65 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
Bluetooth2.0 + EDR2.0 + EDR
Operating systemmacOSmacOS
Port detailTwo USB 2.0 ports, FireWire 400 and 800, Gigabit Ethernet, 56K V.92 modem, DVI, S-video and Type I/II PC Card slot. Combined analogue/optical digital input and 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-link DVI supports 30-inch Cinema HD display; DVI-to-VGA and S-video-to-composite adapters included.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 illuminated keyboard with ambient light sensorFull-size illuminated fibre-optic keyboard with ambient light sensor; Apple states backlighting up to ten times brighter than previous generation.
TrackpadTwo-finger scrolling/panning, tap, double-tap and drag supportTwo-finger scrolling/panning, tap, double-tap and drag support
SpeakersStereo speakersTwo stereo speakers
MicrophonesInternal omnidirectional microphoneInternal omnidirectional microphone
In the boxApple UK confirms immediate availability on 19 October 2005. Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger and iLife ’05 supplied. The retained sheet’s configuration table covers all sizes but its detailed specification section describes the 17-inch; only the 15-inch table and explicit build-to-order fields are used here.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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