MacComparisonZone: 14 Inch G4/1.2 Gz iBook vs 15 Inch G4/1.33 GHz PowerBook vs 15 Inch G4/1.5GHz PowerBook - What Are The Performance, Feature And Price Differences
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7/17/04
Introduction
This Buyer's Guide compares the 14 Inch G4/1.2 Gz iBook with the Combo optical drive, to the 15 Inch G4/1.33 GHz PowerBook with the Combo optical drive, to the 15 Inch 1.5 GHz PowerBook with the SuperDrive optical drive.
The 1.2GHz iBook was released in April of 2004. It is the high-end model of a family of three, which includes a 1.0 GHz 14 inch machine, and a 1GHz 12 inch.
The PowerBooks were released in April, 2004. They are the middle machines of a family of four. At the low-end is a 12 inch PowerBook with a G4/1.33 GHz processor, and at the high-end there is a 17 inch machine with a G4/1.5 GHz processor.
Major Technological Differences:
Processor Speed
Cache Speed
Battery Life
Price Difference: $500
Bus Speed
Graphics Card & Video Memory Amount
Expansion Slots
Hard Drive Size
Optical Drive Type/Speed
Ethernet Speed
FireWire Port Number/Speed
Audio in & out Options
Built-in Wireless Options
Screen Size/Resolution
External Video Support
Sound System
Additional Options: Keyboard illumination, Maximum Graphics Card Memory
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.
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Specifications & Features
Model/Mhz
iBook G4/1.2GHz (14")
(#M9165LL/A )
14 Inch Screen
L2 Cache: 512K @ 1.2GHz
L3 Cache: None
Release Date: April, 2004
2 USB 2.0 Ports (480 Mbps)
1 FireWire Port (400 Mbps)
1 FireWire 800 Port
Audio in & out
Bluetooth 1.1 built in
Video
14.1-inch (diagonal) TFT XGA active-matrix
1024x768 resolutions with millions of colors
VGA video output for video mirroring on an external display or projector (24-bit color) with included Apple VGA Display Adapter
S-video and composite video output to TV or projector (requires Apple Video Adapter, sold separately)
Video mirroring only
15.2-inch (diagonal) TFT
1280 x 854 resolutions with millions of colors
2048 x 1536 support on external display
DVI output port
ADC output using optional Apple DVI to ADC Adapter
VGA output using included DVI to VGA adapter
S-video output port
Composite video output using included S-video to composite adapter
Dual display and video mirroring: Simultaneously supports up to 1280 by 854 pixels on the built-in display and up to 2048 by 1536 pixels on an external display, both at millions of colors
15.2-inch (diagonal) TFT
1280 x 854 resolutions with millions of colors
2048 x 1536 support on external display
DVI output port
ADC output using optional Apple DVI to ADC Adapter
VGA output using included DVI to VGA adapter
S-video output port
Composite video output using included S-video to composite adapter
Dual display and video mirroring: Simultaneously supports up to 1280 by 854 pixels on the built-in display and up to 2048 by 1536 pixels on an external display, both at millions of colors
Specification Notes
Optional SuperDrive instead of Combo Drive
Has third speaker for midrange
Audio line in
Optional Illuminated fiber-optic, backlit keyboard with ambient light sensor
Has third speaker for midrange
Audio line in
Built in Illuminated fiber-optic, backlit keyboard with ambient light sensor
The 'percentage difference' for the 1.33 GHz PowerBook is related to the 1.2 GHz iBook. The 'percentage difference' for the 1.5 GHz PowerBook is related to the 1.33 GHz PowerBook
In basic processing power, the 1.33 GHz PowerBook appears to have about a 10 to 16 percent edge over the 1.2 GHz iBook. The 1.5 GHz PowerBook has a 11 to 13 percent improvement over the 1.33 GHz machine. The clock speed difference between the iBook and 1.33 GHz PowerBook is 11% and between the 1.33 GHz and 1.5 GHz machines, 13%.
In drive performance all three portables are pretty evenly matched.
The Graphics card of the PowerBooks turns in over twice the performance of the one in the iBook.
The iDVD Import, iMovie Render and QuickTime Encode Test results from the two PowerBooks are a little confusing, with the 1.33 GHz machine coming in ahead of the 1.5 GHz one. We think that there are some technical aspects of the machine's performance that can possibly explain some of this (such as the the 1.5 GHz's slightly slower single file copy performance and the fact that the iMovie Test only utilizes 95% of the processor's capability). But the performance differences seems to be excessive too us, and we feel that the 1.5 GHz should be (and may be) faster than it appears to be by these three specific results. So keep that caution in mind as you make your assessment.
Graphics (Card) Test is based on CineBench 2003. In this type of image rendering, the graphics card takes the lead
Graphics (Processor) Test is based on CineBench 2003. In this type of image rendering, the processor takes the lead
Graphics Gaming (Card) Test is based on the game 4x4 EVO2 .. a racing game. All settings are at highest quality. This game is more graphics card dependent
Graphics Gaming (Processor) Test is based on the game Giants.. All settings are at highest quality. This game is more processor dependent ... will also make used of dual processors if present
The 'General Interface' test is based on Let1kWindowsBloom, which is freely available.
The Photoshop (Workflow) score is based on the BareFeats Photoshop Action Script, which you can download and run on your own machine, if you have Photoshop.
Battery Life was tested by playing a DVD movie on the fully charged machine until it was completely drained.
Have questions about the performance of these machines?
For more detailed performance results see this page
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MacComparisonZone: 14 Inch G4/1.2 Gz iBook vs 15 Inch G4/1.33 GHz PowerBook vs 15 Inch G4/1.5GHz PowerBook - What Are The Performance, Feature And Price Differences 
Major Technological Differences:
- Available
- Unknown/Delay
- Unavailable
Base machine
HP DeskJet 5150 inkjet printer, free after rebate ($89 up front)
Base Machine