What are the differences between the 12-Inch, 15-Inch, and 17-Inch "Double Layer SuperDrive/High-Resolution" PowerBook G4 models?

Please note that the 15-Inch and 17-Inch PowerBook G4 "Double Layer SuperDrive/High Resolution" models were introduced on October 19, 2005 and the last model was discontinued May 16, 2006.

Apple formally dubbed the PowerBook G4/1.67 15" (DLSD) and PowerBook G4/1.67 17" (DLSD) the "Double Layer SuperDrive" PowerBook G4 models and continued to sell the "non-Double Layer SuperDrive" PowerBook G4/1.5 12" from the previous "1.67/1.5" series at a lower price.

The "Double Layer SuperDrive" PowerBook G4 models are quite similar to the "1.67/1.5" PowerBook G4 systems that each replaced, but are equipped with a Double Layer SuperDrive -- as the unofficial name implies -- as well as a revised logicboard that uses faster RAM and a higher-resolution display. The "Double Layer SuperDrive" models also provide an additional hour of battery life.

The major differences between the "Double Layer SuperDrive/High-Resolution" PowerBook G4 models are summarized below:

PB G4	1.5 12"	1.67 15" (DLSD)	1.67 17" (DLSD)
Processor:	1.5 GHz	1.67 GHz	1.67 GHz
System Bus:	167 MHz	167 MHz	167 MHz
On-Chip L2:	512k	512k	512k
Memory:	PC2700	PC2-4200	PC2-4200
Std. RAM:	512 MB	512 MB	512 MB
Max. RAM:	1.25 GB	2.0 GB	2.0 GB
Display:	12.1"	15.0"	17.0"
Resolution:	1024x768	1440x960	1680x1050
Video Card:	Go5200†	9700†	9700†
Video RAM:	64 MB	128 MB	128 MB
Hard Drive:	80 GB	80 GB	120 GB
Std. Optical††:	8X Super	2.4X DL Super	2.4X DL Super
802.11g:	Standard	Standard	Standard
Bluetooth:	2.0+EDR	2.0+EDR	2.0+EDR
PC Card:	No	Yes	Yes
Ambient Light:	No	Yes	Yes
Battery Life:	5 Hours	5.5 Hours	5.5 Hours
Width/Depth*:	10.9 x 8.6	13.7 x 9.5	15.4 x 10.2
Height*:	1.18	1.1	1.0
Weight:	4.6 lbs.	5.6 lbs.	6.9 lbs.
Model No:	M9691LL/A	M9969LL/A	M9970LL/A
Orig. Price:	US$1499	US$1999	US$2499

† 12-Inch model has a NVIDIA GeForce FX Go5200 video card, the 15-Inch and 17-Inch models have an ATI Mobility Radeon 9700 video card.
†† The "SuperDrive" is capable of reading and writing DVD and CD media. The "DL SuperDrive" is capable of reading and writing dual-layer DVD media as well as DVD and CDs.
* Width x Depth x Height (while closed) is provided in inches. For dimensions in centimeters, please refer to the specs page for the model of interest.

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