The MacComparisonZone: 15 Inch CRT G3/400MHz iMac DV vs 12 Inch G4/1.33GHz PowerBook - What Are The Performance, Feature And Price Differences
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6/13/04
Introduction
This Buyer's Guide compares the 15 inch CRT G3/400MHz iMac DV, which has a DVD-ROM optical drive, to the 12 Inch G4/1.33GHz PowerBook, which has a Combo Drive.
The G3/400MHz iMac DV was released in October of 1999. There was a mid and high-end G3/400 DV model, out of a family of three iMacs, which also included a 350MHz Blueberry machine. The high-end iMac DV Special Edition was the same as the iMac DV, execpt that it had more RAM and a larger hard drive, and only came in the color Graphite.
The current 1.33GHz 12 inch PowerBook, was released 43 months later, in April, 2004. It is the low-end model of a family of four, which includes a 1.5GHz 17 inch PowerBook, and 1.5GHz & 1.33GHz, 15 inch machines.
Major Technological Differences:
Processor Speed/Type
Screen Size
Cache Speed
Current Price Difference: $1,050
Bus Speed
RAM Type/Amount/Max
Graphics Card/Video Memory Amount
Airport Speed/Installation
Hard Drive Type/Size/Speed
Optical Drive Type/Speed
USB Port Speed
BlueTooth
External Video Support
Cooling System
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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2 USB 2.0 Ports (480 Mbps)
1 FireWire Port (400 Mbps)
Audio in & out
Bluetooth 1.1 built in
Video
15-inch
1024x768 resolutions with millions of colors
VGA video output for video mirroring on an external display or projector (24-bit color)
Video mirroring only
12.1-inch (diagonal) TFT
1024 x 768
2048 x 1536 support on external display
Mini-DVI port
DVI output using included mini-DVI to DVI adapter
ADC output using optional Apple DVI to ADC Adapter
VGA output using included mini-DVI to VGA adapter
S-video and composite video output using mini-DVI to video adapter (sold separately)
Dual display and video mirroring: Simultaneously supports up to 1024 by 768 pixels on the built-in display and up to 2048 by 1536 pixels on an external display, both at millions of color
Specification Notes
Harman Kardon speakers
Convection cooled (No fan)
Comes in a variety of colors
Unfortunately, because of the time gap between when we tested these two machines, we are not able to give a detailed comparison of them.
The processor score we have provided was obtained by running the same series of Photoshop filters on each computer. These particular filters do not take special advantage of the G4 processor. In instances where an application has been tuned to take advantage of the G4 you should see a significantly wider performance distance between the G3 iBook and G4 PowerBook.
Many processor intensive applications have been tuned, at least partially, to take advantage of the G4.
Again we are unable to provide reliable information on comparative graphics and hard drive performance. It is safe to say that the PowerBook will be significantly faster in both of these areas ... more so in graphics performance than in drive performance. And that in basic processing, the PowerBook, most likely, is even faster than the processor score above indicates.
Have questions about the performance of these machines?
For more detailed performance results see this page
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For Latest up-to-date prices check the online Buyer's Guides
G3 iMacs
iMac G3/700 256/60GB/CD-RW/56K Graphite ... Original price: $1,499
PowerMax - Used $869 .... 90 day warranty.... Shipping $25. Tax: None ... Extras ...Trade-in Program
iMac G3/600 384/40gb/CD-RW/56K Graphite ... Original price: $1,499
SmallDog - Used ... $479 to $559 .... 90 day warranty ... Shipping $29. Tax: VT
iMac G3/500 ... Original price: $999
PowerMax - Used $519 to $599 .... 90 day warranty.... Shipping $25. Tax: None ... Extras ...Trade-in ProgramSmallDog - Used ... $499 .... 90 day warranty ... Shipping $29. Tax: VT
iMac G3/450 ... Original price: $1,299
PowerMax - Used $629 .... 90 day warranty.... Shipping $25. Tax: None ... Extras ...Trade-in Program
iMac G3/400 128/13gb/DVD-ROM/56K ... Original price: $1,299
PowerMax - Used $549 to $569 .... 90 day warranty.... Shipping $25. Tax: None ... Extras ...Trade-in ProgramSmallDog - Used ... $379 to $389 .... 90 day warranty ... Shipping $29. Tax: VT
iMac G3/466
PowerMax - Used $499 .... 90 day warranty.... Shipping $25. Tax: None ... Extras ...Trade-in Program
iMac G3/400 256/10gb/DVD/56K ... Original price: $1,299
PowerMax - Used $449 to $549.... 90 day warranty.... Shipping $25. Tax: None ... Extras ...Trade-in Program
iMac G3/350 Blueberry ... Original price: $999
PowerMax - Used $349 to $475.... 90 day warranty.... Shipping $25. Tax: None ... Extras ...Trade-in Program
iMac G3/333 ... Original price: $1,200
PowerMax - Used $324 to $388.... 90 day warranty.... Shipping $25. Tax: None ... Extras ...Trade-in Program
iMac G3/266 ... Original price: $1,200
PowerMax - Used $298 .... 90 day warranty.... Shipping $25. Tax: None ... Extras ...Trade-in Program
iMac G3/233 Bondi ... Original price: $1,300
PowerMax - Used $258 to $329.... 90 day warranty.... Shipping $25. Tax: None ... Extras ...Trade-in Program
Base Machine DeskJet 5850 wireless printer, $100 after rebate ($199 up front) PSC 2410 multifunction printer, $200 after rebate ($299 up front) PSC 2175 all-in-one, $100 after rebate ($199 up front) Photosmart 7660 inkjet photo printer, $50 after rebate ($149 up front) DeskJet 5150 inkjet printer, free after rebate ($99 up front) DeskJet 5650 inkjet printer, $30 after rebate ($129 up front)
Base Machine DeskJet 5850 wireless printer, $100 after rebate ($199 up front) PSC 2410 multifunction printer, $200 after rebate ($299 up front) PSC 2175 all-in-one, $100 after rebate ($199 up front) Photosmart 7660 inkjet photo printer, $50 after rebate ($149 up front) DeskJet 5150 inkjet printer, free after rebate ($99 up front) DeskJet 5650 inkjet printer, $30 after rebate ($129 up front)
PowerMax does not provide availability information online...
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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The MacComparisonZone: 15 Inch CRT G3/400MHz iMac DV vs 12 Inch G4/1.33GHz PowerBook - What Are The Performance, Feature And Price Differences
Major Technological Differences:
iMac G3/700 256/60GB/CD-RW/56K Graphite ... Original price: $1,499
iMac G3/466 
iMac G3/400 256/10gb/DVD/56K ... Original price: $1,299
iMac G3/350 Blueberry ... Original price: $999
- Available
- Unknown/Delay
- Unavailable
Base Machine
DeskJet 5850 wireless printer, $100 after rebate ($199 up front)
DeskJet 5150 inkjet printer, free after rebate ($99 up front) 
Base machine
