What are the differences between the 12-Inch, "Firewire 800" 15-Inch, and 17-Inch PowerBook G4 models introduced on September 16, 2003?

Please note that the "Firewire 800" PowerBook G4 series was introduced on September 16, 2003 and discontinued April 19, 2004.

As the informal name implies, the "Firewire 800" PowerBook G4 series brought Firewire 800 ports -- and Bluetooth 1.1 -- to the PowerBook G4 15-Inch models -- the PowerBook G4/1.0 15" (FW800 - Al) and G4/1.25 15" (FW800 - Al).

This series also includes the PowerBook G4/1.0 12" (DVI - Al) (which does not have a Firewire 800 port) and the PowerBook G4/1.33 17" (Al) (which has a Firewire 800 port like its predecessor, the PowerBook G4/1.0 17" (Al)).

Although "Firewire 800" gets the glory, this series also brought USB 2.0 ports to the PowerBook G4 line for the first time. The 12-Inch model -- the PowerBook G4/1.0 12" (DVI - Al) received an upgrade from Mini-VGA out to Mini-DVI out as well.

The major differences are summarized below in this handy chart:

PB G4	1.0 12"	1.0 15"	1.25 15"	1.33 17"
Processor:	1.0 GHz	1.0 GHz	1.25 GHz	1.33 GHz
System Bus:	133 MHz	167 MHz	167 MHz	167 MHz
On-Chip L2:	512k	512k	512k	512k
Memory:	PC2100	PC2700	PC2700	PC2700
Std. RAM:	256 MB	256 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†	9600†	9600†	9600†
Video RAM:	32 MB	64 MB	64 MB	64 MB
Hard Drive:	40 GB	60 GB	80 GB	80 GB
Std. Optical††:	8X Combo	8X Combo	2X Super	2X Super
802.11g:	Optional	Optional	Standard	Standard
Bluetooth:	1.1	1.1	1.1	1.1
PC Card:	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Ambient Light:	No	No	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:	M9007LL/A	M8980LL/A	M8981LL/A	M9110LL/A
Orig. Price:	US$1599§	US$1999	US$2599	US$2999

† 12-Inch model has a NVIDIA GeForce FX Go5200 video card, the 15-Inch and 17-Inch models have an ATI Mobility Radeon 9600 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 a 2X "SuperDrive" for US$1799.

Site sponsor PowerMax sells a variety of used 12-Inch, 15-Inch, and 17-Inch PowerBook G4 systems free of sales tax.

Please refer to the Ultimate Mac Comparison feature to dynamically compare any PowerBook G4 model to any other G3 or later Mac.