Apple PowerBook G4 (15-inch, Double-Layer SD) vs Apple PowerBook G4 (17-inch, Double-Layer SD)

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, Double-Layer SD)
ApplePowerBook G4 (15-inch, Double-Layer SD)ApplePowerBook G4 (17-inch, Double-Layer SD)
Overview
ReleasedOctober 2005October 2005
Display
Screen size15.2″17″
Resolution1440 × 9601680 × 1050 (better)
TouchscreenNoNo
Display type15.2-inch TFT widescreen, 1440 × 960; panel technology and refresh unpublished.17-inch TFT widescreen; panel technology, absolute brightness and refresh rate unpublished on maker sheet
Display features–Millions of colours at native resolution; maker UK launch claims up to 46% brighter than preceding 17-inch model
Performance
ProcessorPowerPC G4 1.67 GHz (PowerBook 15-inch Late 2005)PowerPC G4 1.67 GHz (PowerBook 17-inch Late 2005)
CPU cores11
GraphicsATI Mobility Radeon 9700 (128 MB DDR)ATI Mobility Radeon 9700 (128 MB DDR)
Memory512 MB or 2 GB512 MB, 1 GB or 2 GB
Storage80 GB to 120 GB100 GB to 120 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 with Velocity Engine, 512 KB on-chip L2 SRAM and 167 MHz system bus; exact silicon supplier/process omitted
GPUATI Mobility Radeon 9700 with 128 MB DDR and dual-link DVI standardATI Mobility Radeon 9700 with AGP 4× support, 128 MB DDR video memory 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 PC2-4200 DDR2 SDRAM running at 333 MHz standard in one SO-DIMM; two slots, maximum 2 GB, with 512 MB and 1 GB module options
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.120 GB 5400 rpm Ultra ATA/100 standard or 100 GB 7200 rpm build-to-order, with Sudden Motion Sensor. Slot-loading 8× DVD±R SuperDrive supports 2.4× double-layer DVD+R, 4× DVD±RW, 24× CD-R and 16× CD-RW; optional DVD-ROM/CD-RW Combo drive
Battery and size
Battery life (maker's claim)Up to 5.5 hoursUp to 5.5 hours
Battery capacity–58 Wh
Weight–3.1 kg
Thickness–26 mm
Width × depth–392 × 259 mm
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 with charge indicator LEDs; maker up to 5.5 hours depends on configuration and use. Maker reference 3.1 kg includes battery and optical drive and varies by configuration/manufacturing. Metric dimensions are maker centimetres expressed in millimetres
ChargerPower adapter included; wattage not established for this exact generation in the read family sheet.65 W power adapter with cable management system
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 at up to 480 Mbps, FireWire 800 and 400, Gigabit Ethernet, 56K V.92 modem, DVI, S-video and Type I/II PC Card slot; combined optical-digital/analogue input and output minijacks; Kensington lock slot
External displaysDual-link DVI supports 30-inch Cinema HD display; DVI-to-VGA and S-video-to-composite adapters included.Simultaneous native 1680 × 1050 internal and up to 2560 × 1600 external display with millions of colours; dual-link DVI, including 30-inch Cinema HD display; mirroring, VGA with included DVI adapter, composite with included S-video adapter
KeyboardFull-size illuminated keyboard with ambient light sensorFull-size illuminated fibre-optic keyboard with ambient light sensor; 78 US or 79 ISO keys, 12 function keys, inverted-T arrows and embedded keypad
TrackpadTwo-finger scrolling/panning, tap, double-tap and drag supportSolid-state trackpad with tap, double-tap, drag and scrolling support
SpeakersStereo speakersTwo built-in 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.Power adapter, AC wall plug, power cord, lithium-ion battery, modem cable, DVI-to-VGA and S-video-to-composite adapters; Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger and iLife ’05 supplied. Apple UK confirms immediate availability on 19 October 2005

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