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PowerBook G4 Q&A - Updated February 26, 2007
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What are the differences between the 12-Inch, "1.65/1.5" or "Sudden Motion Sensor/Bluetooth 2.0+EDR" 15-Inch, and 17-Inch PowerBook G4 models introduced on January 31, 2005?
Please note that the 12-Inch, "1.67/1.5" 15-Inch, and 17-Inch PowerBook G4 models were introduced on January 31, 2005 and discontinued October 19, 2005 (with the exception of one 12-Inch configuration).
Apple formally dubbed the PowerBook G4/1.5 15" (SMS/BT2) and PowerBook G4/1.67 15" the "1.67/1.5" models, but the PowerBook G4/1.5 12" and PowerBook G4/1.67 17" also were introduced at the same time.
The "1.67/1.5" PowerBook G4 systems are similar to the "1.5/1.33" models, but some models have faster processors, more capable graphics, faster hard drives, or faster optical drives, Most notably, perhaps, all systems in the "1.65/1.5" series introduce "Sudden Motion Sensor" technlogy that stops the hard drive heads from moving if the notebook is dropped, a new "Scrolling Trackpad" that allows one to scroll or pan by touching the trackpad with two fingers instead of one, and Bluetooth 2.0+EDR.
The major differences between the "1.65/1.5" PowerBook G4 models are summarized below:
PB G4 | ||||
Processor: | 1.5 GHz | 1.5 GHz | 1.67 GHz | 1.67 GHz |
System Bus: | 167 MHz | 167 MHz | 167 MHz | 167 MHz |
On-Chip L2: | 512k | 512k | 512k | 512k |
Memory: | PC2700 | PC2700 | PC2700 | PC2700 |
Std. RAM: | 512 MB | 512 MB | 512 MB | 512 MB |
Max. RAM: | 1.25 GB | 2.0 GB | 2.0 GB | 2.0 GB |
Display: | 12.1" | 15.0" | 15.0" | 17.0" |
Resolution: | 1024x768 | 1280x854 | 1280x854 | 1440x900 |
Video Card: | Go5200† | 9700† | 9700† | 9700† |
Video RAM: | 64 MB | 64 MB | 64 MB | 128 MB |
Hard Drive: | 60 GB§ | 80 GB | 80 GB | 100 GB |
Std. Optical††: | 8X Combo§ | 8X Combo | 8X Super | 8X Super |
802.11g: | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard |
Bluetooth: | 2.0+EDR | 2.0+EDR | 2.0+EDR | 2.0+EDR |
PC Card: | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Ambient Light: | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Battery Life: | 5 Hours | 4.5 Hours | 4.5 Hours | 4.5 Hours |
Width/Depth*: | 10.9x8.6 | 13.7x9.5 | 13.7x9.5 | 15.4x10.2 |
Height*: | 1.18 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 1.0 |
Weight: | 4.6 lbs. | 5.6 lbs. | 5.6 lbs. | 6.9 lbs. |
Model No: | M9690LL/A | M9676LL/A | M9677LL/A | M9689LL/A |
Orig. Price: | US$1499§ | US$1999 | US$2299 | US$2699 |
† 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.
†† "Combo" drive is capable of reading DVD-ROM and writing CD-R(W). "SuperDrive" is capable of reading and writing DVD and CD media.
* 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.
§ This model also was available with an 80 GB hard drive and an 8X "SuperDrive" for US$1699.
Please refer to the Ultimate Mac Comparison feature to dynamically compare any PowerBook G4 model to any other G3 or later Mac.
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