Apple · PowerBook

PowerBook G4 (17-inch, 1.33GHz)

Released September 2003

A 17-inch aluminium PowerBook with a 1.33 GHz G4, Radeon 9600 graphics and a backlit keyboard.

Model history · 2 models, 2003–2003

2003PowerBook G4 17-inch (Early 2003)Compare
2003PowerBook G4 (17-inch, 1.33GHz)

Size: 17″
Display: –
Processor: PowerPC G4 1.33 GHz (PowerBook 17-inch 2003)
Memory: 512 MB – 2 GB
Weight: 3.1 kg
Battery: 4.5 h

What reviewers say

Reviewers praise the spacious screen and backlit keyboard as useful for creative work. Macworld finds strong performance but the size inconvenient for business travel. Hardware Upgrade likes quiet operation and build quality, while noting warmth after sustained use, a high price and a short standard warranty.

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Specifications

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Display

Screen size: 17″
Resolution: 1440 × 900
Touchscreen: No
Display type: 17-inch TFT widescreen; panel technology and refresh unpublished.

Performance

Processor: PowerPC G4 1.33 GHz (PowerBook 17-inch 2003)
CPU cores: 1
Graphics: ATI Mobility Radeon 9600 (64 MB DDR)
Memory: 512 MB or 2 GB
Storage: 80 GB
CPU: 1.33 GHz PowerPC G4, 512 KB on-chip L2 and 167 MHz bus. Exact silicon supplier omitted.
GPU: ATI Mobility Radeon 9600, 64 MB DDR video memory, AGP 4×.
Memory type: 512 MB PC2700 DDR333 standard; two SO-DIMM slots, maximum 2 GB.
Storage type: 80 GB 4200 rpm Ultra ATA/100 hard drive; 80 GB 5400 rpm build-to-order alternative. 2× DVD-R/CD-RW SuperDrive.

Battery and size

Battery life (maker's claim): Up to 4.5 hours
Battery capacity: 58 Wh
Weight: 3.1 kg
Battery life detail: 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.
Charger: 65 W power adapter
Materials: Aluminium enclosure

Connections

Ports: 2 × USB-A, Ethernet, headphone jack
Wi-Fi: AirPort Extreme 802.11g/b
Bluetooth: 1.1
Operating system: macOS
Port detail: Two 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.
External displays: Dual display/mirroring; external resolution up to 2048 × 1536. DVI-to-VGA and S-video-to-composite adapters included; ADC adapter separate.
Keyboard: Full-size illuminated fibre-optic keyboard with ambient light sensor
Trackpad: Tap, double-tap and drag support
Speakers: Two stereo speakers
Microphones: Internal omnidirectional microphone
In the box: Apple UK states immediate 17-inch availability on 16 September 2003. Launch Mac OS X 10.2.7; retained whole-family sheet lists later Panther software.

Configurations

Processor	Memory	Storage	Graphics
PowerPC G4 1.33 GHz (PowerBook 17-inch 2003)	512 MB	80 GB	ATI Mobility Radeon 9600 (64 MB DDR)
PowerPC G4 1.33 GHz (PowerBook 17-inch 2003)	2 GB	80 GB	ATI Mobility Radeon 9600 (64 MB DDR)

Pros and cons

Pros

Large widescreen and backlit keyboard
FireWire 800 and Gigabit Ethernet
AirPort Extreme and Bluetooth included

Cons

Large 3.1 kg reference weight
No built-in webcam
USB limited to 480 Mbps

Closest rivals

Model	Size	Display	Processor	Memory	Weight	Battery	Released
AppleMacBook Pro (17-inch, Early 2006)	17″	–	Intel Core Duo 2.16 GHz (MacBook Pro Early 2006)	1 GB – 2 GB	3.1 kg	5.5 h	May 2006
AppleMacBook Pro (17-inch, Early 2008)	17″	–	Intel Core 2	2 GB – 4 GB	–	–	Feb 2008
AppleMacBook Pro (17-inch, Late 2006)	17″	–	Intel Core 2	2 GB – 3 GB	–	5.5 h	Nov 2006

Previous model: PowerBook G4 17-inch (Early 2003). Newer model: PowerBook G4 (17-inch, 1.5GHz).

Sources

Photo: EveryMac 17-inch aluminium-family image linked from the exact 1.33 GHz model page; low-resolution front pose with later desktop artwork.

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