Apple PowerBook G4 (17-inch, 1.5GHz) vs Apple PowerBook G4 (17-inch, Double-Layer SD)

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PowerBook G4 (17-inch, 1.5GHz) compared with PowerBook G4 (17-inch, Double-Layer SD)
ApplePowerBook G4 (17-inch, 1.5GHz)ApplePowerBook G4 (17-inch, Double-Layer SD)
Overview
Released2004October 2005
Display
Screen size17″17″
Resolution1440 × 9001680 × 1050 (better)
TouchscreenNoNo
Display type17-inch TFT widescreen; panel technology and refresh unpublished.17-inch TFT widescreen; panel technology, absolute brightness and refresh rate unpublished on maker sheet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 1.5 GHz (PowerBook 17-inch 2004)PowerPC G4 1.67 GHz (PowerBook 17-inch Late 2005)
CPU cores11
GraphicsATI Mobility Radeon 9700 (64 MB DDR) or ATI 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 GB100 GB to 120 GB (better)
CPU1.5 GHz PowerPC G4, 512 KB on-chip L2 and 167 MHz 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 64 MB DDR; 128 MB video-memory build-to-order option.ATI Mobility Radeon 9700 with AGP 4× support, 128 MB DDR video memory and dual-link DVI
Memory type512 MB PC2700 DDR333 standard; two SO-DIMM slots, maximum 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 4200 rpm Ultra ATA/100 hard drive; 80 GB 5400 rpm build-to-order alternative. 4× DVD-R/CD-RW SuperDrive.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 4.5 hoursUp to 5.5 hours
Battery capacity58 Wh58 Wh
Weight3.1 kg3.1 kg
Thickness–26 mm
Width × depth–392 × 259 mm
Battery life detail58 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.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
Charger65 W power adapter65 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
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 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 display/mirroring; external resolution up to 2048 × 1536. DVI-to-VGA and S-video-to-composite adapters included; ADC adapter separate.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 fibre-optic 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
TrackpadTap, double-tap and drag supportSolid-state trackpad with tap, double-tap, drag and scrolling support
SpeakersTwo stereo speakersTwo built-in stereo speakers
MicrophonesInternal omnidirectional microphoneInternal omnidirectional microphone
In the boxApple announced 19 April 2004 and expected the 17-inch model in early May. Actual first on-sale month unestablished after a bounded search; year precision retained. Mac OS X 10.3 Panther and iLife ’04 supplied.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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