The MacComparisonZone: 12 Inch G4/1.33GHz PowerBook vs 15 Inch G4/1.33GHz PowerBook - What Are The Performance, Feature And Price Differences
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Introduction
Updated: 6/26/04
This Buyer's Guide compares the 12 Inch G4/1.33GHz PowerBook, which has the Combo optical drive, to the 15 Inch G4/1.33GHz PowerBook, which also has the Combo Drive.
These PowerBooks were released in April, 2004. The12 inch is the low-end model, and the 15 inch, one of the middle models, of a family of four PowerBooks. Also included in the family is 15 inch PowerBook with a G4/1.5 GHz processor, and at the high-end, a 17 inch machine with a G4/1.5 GHz processor.
Major Technological Differences:
Weight
Battery Life
Price Difference: $400
RAM Maximum
Graphics Card
Expansion Slots
Ethernet Speed
FireWire Speed
Audio In
Screen Size/Resolution
External Video Support
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)
1 FireWire 800 Port
Audio in & out
Bluetooth 1.1 built in
Video
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
15.2-inch (diagonal) TFT
1280 x 854
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
Has third speaker for midrange
Audio line in
Has third speaker for midrange
Audio line in
Optional Illuminated fiber-optic, backlit keyboard with ambient light sensor
In processor performance, as expected, the two machines turn in just about the same scores.
The graphics card on the 15 inch machine is clearly much faster than the one in the 12 inch PowerBook
The General Interface Test, which opens and closes 1,000 windows as fast as possible is a puzzle here. The difference between the two machines is dramatic. However we are not sure how seriously to take these test results. It could just be that the one graphics card is better at executing this particular test, and that it may not have any wider implications regarding performance. We are monitoring our use of this utility in our testing suite to see if it is still a relevant test to run ... so proceed with caution here.
In drive performance the PowerBooks are pretty evenly matched
It appears that the optical drive on the 12 inch PowerBook is somewhat slower. Perhaps this may have effected the iTunes Encode score difference. Still a 112% performance gap between the two machine must be confirmed elsewhere before we are fully confident in it. We did run the test several time ... always with the same result.
It appears that you are able to squeeze a little more time out of the smaller PowerBook's battery, which is perfectly understandable
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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The MacComparisonZone: 12 Inch G4/1.33GHz PowerBook vs 15 Inch G4/1.33GHz PowerBook - What Are The Performance, Feature And Price Differences
Major Technological Differences:
- Available
- Unknown/Delay
- Unavailable
Base Machine
DeskJet 5850 wireless printer, $100 after rebate ($199 up front)
PSC 2175 all-in-one, $100 after rebate ($199 up front)