14 Inch G4 iBook Or 12 Inch PowerBook? Which One Is faster And Has Better Features?

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14 Inch G4 iBook Or 12 Inch PowerBook? Which One Is faster And Has Better Features?

Posted 2/21/04

Specially prepared for Ray ... Request your own Custom Comparison

Introduction

This Buyer's Guide compares the 14 Inch G4/1GHz MHz iBook which has the Combo optical drive, to the 12 Inch G4/1 GHz PowerBook.

Below you will find specifications and features, performance, and price comparisons. We also provide further links where you can do additional research, should you so wish.

How could this Guide be improved? ... Give us your feedback. Tell your friends about our service!

Specifications & Features

Model/Mhz

iBook G4/1GHz/1GH/256K
Release Date: October, 2003

14.1" Screen

Combination Drive
(#M9165LL/A )

5.9 pounds

Battery Life: 61-watt 6 Hours

PowerBook G4/1GHz/1GHz/512K
Release Date: September 2003

12.1" Screen

SuperDrive (#M9008LL/A)
Combination Drive (#M9007LL/A )

4.6 pounds

Battery Life: 47-watt 5 Hours

Price Information

MSRP: $1,499
DealZone

MSRP: $1,599 or $1,799
DealZone

Bus Speed
(Mhz)

133 MHz

RAM
(MAX)

256MB of PC2100 (266MHz) DDR SDRAM
(640 MB max)

256MB PC2100 (266MHz) DDR SDRAM
(1.25 GB max)

Graphics Support

ATI Mobility Radeon 9200
32MB of DDR SDRAM
4x AGP

NVIDIA GeForce FX Go5200
32MB of DDR SDRAM
4x AGP

Expansion
Slots

AirPort Extreme Ready

Hard Drive

60 GB Ultra ATA

40GB Ultra ATA/100
4200rpm

Optical Drive

Combination Drive (slot loading)

Writes CD-R at 24x
Writes CD-RW at 10x
Reads DVD-ROM at 8x
Reads CD-ROM at 24x

Combination drive
CD R - 24x
CD-RW write - 10x
DVD-ROM - 8x
CD -ROM - 24x
or
" SuperDrive"
CD-R write - 16x
CD-RW write - 4x
DVD-ROM - 8x
CD read - 24x
DVD write 2x

Connectivity & Communication

56k V.92 modem
Optional 54-Mbps AirPort Extreme Card (based on 802.11g standard; 802.11b Wi-Fi certified)

10/100 BT Ethernet

2 USB 2.0 Ports (480 Mbps)
1 FireWire Port (400 Mbps)

Optional internal Bluetooth

56k V.92 modem
Optional 54-Mbps AirPort Extreme Card (based on 802.11g standard; 802.11b Wi-Fi certified)

10/100 BT Ethernet

2 USB 2.0 Ports (480 Mbps)
1 FireWire Port (400 Mbps)

Bluetooth 1.1 built in

Video

14.1-inch (diagonal) TFT XGA active-matrix
1024x768
800x600
640x480
resolutions with millions of colors

Video Mirroring

Included Apple VGA Display Adapter.

S-video and composite video output to TV or projector (requires Apple Video Adapter, sold separately)

12.1-inch (diagonal) TFT XGA active-matrix
1024x768
800x600
640x480
resolutions with millions of colors

Dual display and video mirroring

Mini-DVI to DVI adapter, mini-DVI to VGA adapter

S-video and composite video output using mini-DVI to video adapter (sold separately)

Specification Notes

Has third speaker for midrange
Audio line in

Performance

Machine

iBook G4/1GHz/1GH/256K

PowerBook G4/1GHz/1GHz/512K

Processor

54.20 seconds

52.70 seconds - - Same (within the margin of error)

Graphics

217 Points

477 Points - - 120% Faster

Graphics Gaming

15 frames per second

14.5 frames per second - - Same (Within the margin of error

Drive

250.13 seconds

214.63 seconds - - 14% Faster

General - Interface

41.99 seconds

25.17 seconds - - 40% Faster

Notes

In the General Interface test, the PowerBook is helped by the larger L2 cache (512K compared to 256k on the iBook). This will give a boost to on-screen performance and light duty computer work

Graphics test is based on CineBench 2003.

The PowerBook has a better card for graphics intensive rendering, but in 3-D gaming both machines have similar performance

For more detailed performance results see this page

Links To Further Information

Machine

iBook G4/1GHz/1GH/256K

PowerBook G4/1GHz/1GHz/512K

Reviews

MacSpeedZone
ComputerWorld
Macworld
Macworld
BareFeats
BareFeats

Links to additional information

Additional Resources:
iBook Buyer's Guide
iBook InfoZone
iBook Performance
iBook Performance vs Others
iBook Specs and Features
iBook Discussion Forum
Apple's iBook Web Pages

Additional Resources:
PowerBook Buyer's Guide
PowerBook Info Zone
PowerBook Performance
PowerBook Performance vs Others
PowerBook Specs & Features
PowerBook Discussion Forum
Apple's PowerBook Web Pages

Price & Bundle Comparisons

Note

We receive a small commission on computers purchased using the links below. Though this adds no cost to your purchase price, it does help us defray the cost of running MacReviewZone and MacSpeedZone. Your support is appreciated! As always check your tax status at these merchants so that you don't get a nasty shock at checkout time.

For Latest up-to-date prices check the online Buyer's Guides

iBook G4/1 GHz 14.1" Screen, Combination Drive #M9165LL/A
Store	Apple Store
Price & Shipping*	$1,499 Free shipping
Sales Tax	All states with sales tax.
Deals & Bundles - Available - Unknown/Delay - Unavailable	Apple Promotions and: Base Machine Epson Stylus Color C84 Inkjet Printer, free after mail-in rebate ($99 up front) Epson Stylus CX5400 All-in-One, $50 after mail-in rebate ($149 up front) Epson Stylus CX6400 All-in-One, $100 after mail-in rebate ($199 up front) Epson Stylus Photo 1280 Inkjet Printer, $300 after mail-in rebate ($399 up front) Epson Stylus Photo 2200 Color Inkjet Printer, $600 after mail-in rebate ($699 up front)

Store	ClubMac ... Best Buy
Price & Shipping*	$1,494 Shipping $28 (free after mail-in rebate)
Sales Tax	CA, TN, WI
Deals & Bundles - Available - Unknown/Delay - Unavailable	Apple Promotions and any/all of the following: Base Machine Upgrade to 640MB RAM, free after rebate, $40 install Free case after mail-in rebate Epson Stylus C84 Printer, free after rebate Epson CX5400 multi-function printer for $30 after mail-in rebates ($149 up front) Epson CX6400 multi-function printer for $100 after mail-in rebate ($199 up front) MYOB FirstEdge for $10

Store	MacConnection
Price & Shipping*	$1,494 $13 shipping
Sales Tax	MA, NC, OH, TN
Deals & Bundles - Available - Unknown/Delay - Unavailable	Apple Promotions and: Base Machine 512MB, free after $100 mail-in rebate Free Macally "DotMouse" Epson Stylus Color C84 Inkjet Printer, free after mail-in rebates ($99 up front) Lexmark Z705, free after mail-in rebate ($50 up front) Free case after mail in rebate ($70 up front)

Store	MacMall ... Best Buy
Price & Shipping*	$1,494 Shipping $25 (free after mail-in rebate)
Sales Tax	CA, TN, WI
Deals & Bundles - Available - Unknown/Delay - Unavailable	Apple Promotions and any/all of the following: Base Machine Upgrade to 640MB RAM, free after rebate, $40 install Free case after mail-in rebate Epson Stylus C84 Printer, free after rebate Epson CX5400 multi-function printer for $30 after mail-in rebates ($149 up front) Epson CX6400 multi-function printer for $100 after mail-in rebate ($199 up front) MYOB FirstEdge for $10

Store	MacZone
Price & Shipping*	$1,495 Free shipping for a "limited time"
Sales Tax	CA, IL, MO, NV, OH, TN, WA
Deals & Bundles - Available - Unknown/Delay - Unavailable	Apple Promotions and: Base Machine Upgrade to 640MB RAM, free after mail-in rebate ($40 installation fee)

12.1" PowerBook G4/1GHz Combo Drive #M9007LL/A
Store	Apple Store
Price & Shipping*	$1,599 Free Shipping
Sales Tax	All states with sales tax.
Deals & Bundles - Available - Unknown/Delay - Unavailable	Apple Promotions and: Base Machine $300 (total) rebate on Final Cut Pro and DVD Studio Epson Stylus Color C84 Inkjet Printer, free after mail-in rebate ($99 up front) Epson Stylus CX5400 All-in-One, $50 after mail-in rebate ($149 up front) Epson Stylus CX6400 All-in-One, $100 after mail-in rebate ($199 up front) Epson Stylus Photo 1280 Inkjet Printer, $300 after mail-in rebate ($399 up front) Epson Stylus Photo 2200 Color Inkjet Printer, $600 after mail-in rebate ($699 up front)

Store	ClubMac ... Best Buy
Price & Shipping*	$1,594 Shipping $28 (free after mail-in rebate)
Sales Tax	CA, TN, WI
Deals & Bundles - Available - Unknown/Delay - Unavailable	Apple Promotions and any/all of the following: Base Machine Epson Stylus C84 Printer, free after mail-in rebate ($99 up front) Epson CX5400 multi-function printer for $30 after mail-in rebates ($149 up front) Epson CX6400 multi-function printer for $100 after mail-in rebate ($199 up front) Lexmark Z705 printer for $29 after mail-in rebate Lexmark P707 free after mail-in rebates Lexmark X1150 multi-function printer free after mail-in rebates Free 512 MB of RAM after mail-in rebate ($40 installation fee applies) Free case after mail-in rebate (a $30 value) MYOB FirstEdge for $10

Store	MacConnection
Price & Shipping*	$1,594 $14 shipping
Sales Tax	MA, NC, OH, TN
Deals & Bundles - Available - Unknown/Delay - Unavailable	Apple Promotions and one of the following: Base Machine 512MB, free after mail-in rebate Epson Stylus Color C84 Inkjet Printer, free after mail-in rebates ($99 up front) Lexmark Z705, free after mail-in rebate ($50 up front)

Store	MacMall ... Best Buy
Price & Shipping*	$1,594 $24 shipping charge. Free after mail-in rebate.
Sales Tax	CA, TN, WI
Deals & Bundles - Available - Unknown/Delay - Unavailable	Apple Promotions and any/all of the following: Base Machine Epson Stylus C84 Printer, free after mail-in rebate ($99 up front) Epson CX5400 multi-function printer for $30 after mail-in rebates ($149 up front) Epson CX6400 multi-function printer for $100 after mail-in rebate ($199 up front) Lexmark Z705 printer for $29 after mail-in rebate Lexmark P707 free after mail-in rebates Lexmark X1150 multi-function printer free after mail-in rebates Free 512 MB of RAM after mail-in rebate ($40 installation fee applies) Free case after mail-in rebate (a $30 value) MYOB FirstEdge for $10

Store	MacZone
Price & Shipping*	$1,595 Free shipping for a "limited time"
Sales Tax	CA, IL, MO, NV, OH, TN, WA
- Available - Unknown/Delay - Unavailable	Apple Promotions and: Base machine Free AirPort Card and Case ($40 installation fee)

12.1" PowerBook G4/1 GHz SuperDrive #M9008LL/A
Store	Apple Store
Price & Shipping*	$1,799 Free shipping
Sales Tax	All states with sales tax.
Deals & Bundles - Available - Unknown/Delay - Unavailable	Apple Promotions and: Base Machine $300 (total) rebate on Final Cut Pro and DVD Studio Epson Stylus Color C84 Inkjet Printer, free after mail-in rebate ($99 up front) Epson Stylus CX5400 All-in-One, $50 after mail-in rebate ($149 up front) Epson Stylus CX6400 All-in-One, $100 after mail-in rebate ($199 up front) Epson Stylus Photo 1280 Inkjet Printer, $300 after mail-in rebate ($399 up front) Epson Stylus Photo 2200 Color Inkjet Printer, $600 after mail-in rebate ($699 up front)

Store	ClubMac ... Best Buy
Price & Shipping*	$1,794 Shipping $28 (free after mail in rebate)
Sales Tax	CA, TN, WI
Deals & Bundles - Available - Unknown/Delay - Unavailable	Apple Promotions and any/all of the following: Base Machine Epson Stylus C84 Printer, free after mail-in rebate ($99 up front) Epson CX5400 multi-function printer for $30 after mail-in rebates ($149 up front) Epson CX6400 multi-function printer for $100 after mail-in rebate ($199 up front) Lexmark Z705 printer for $29 after mail-in rebate Lexmark P707 free after mail-in rebates Lexmark X1150 multi-function printer free after mail-in rebates Free 512 MB of RAM after mail-in rebate ($40 installation fee applies) Free case after mail-in rebate (a $30 value) MYOB FirstEdge for $10

Store	MacConnection
Price & Shipping*	$1,794 $13 shipping
Sales Tax	MA, NC, OH, TN
Deals & Bundles - Available - Unknown/Delay - Unavailable	Apple Promotions and one of the following: Base Machine 512MB RAM, free after mail-in rebate Epson Stylus Color C84 Inkjet Printer, free after mail-in rebates ($99 up front) Lexmark Z705, free after mail-in rebate ($50 up front)

Store	MacMall ... Best Buy
Price & Shipping*	$1,794 $24 shipping charge (free after mail-in rebate)
Sales Tax	CA, TN, WI
Deals & Bundles - Available - Unknown/Delay - Unavailable	Apple Promotions and any/all of the following: Base Machine Epson Stylus C84 Printer, free after mail-in rebate ($99 up front) Epson CX5400 multi-function printer for $30 after mail-in rebates ($149 up front) Epson CX6400 multi-function printer for $100 after mail-in rebate ($199 up front) Lexmark Z705 printer for $29 after mail-in rebate Lexmark P707 free after mail-in rebates Lexmark X1150 multi-function printer free after mail-in rebates Free 512 MB of RAM after mail-in rebate ($40 installation fee applies) Free case after mail-in rebate (a $30 value) MYOB FirstEdge for $10

Store	MacZone
Price & Shipping*	$1,795 Free shipping for a "limited time"
Sales Tax	CA, IL, MO, NV, OH, TN, WA
- Available - Unknown/Delay - Unavailable	Apple Promotions and: Base machine Free AirPort Card and Case ($40 installation fee)

Shipping charges are to California - your mileage may vary. Also prices quoted are for the bare machine and do not reflect RAM installation charges (usually $40), nor the in-store prices of add-on products for which there is a rebate. Shipping charges (if any) for bundled products , also are not reflected in the prices above.

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