MacComparisonZone: 15 Inch G4/1.25GHz PowerBook vs 15 Inch G4/1.5GHz PowerBook? How Much Faster Is The 1.5GHz Model

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The MacComparisonZone: 15 Inch G4/1.25GHz vs PowerBook vs 15 Inch G4/1.5GHz PowerBook - What Are The Performance, Feature And Price Differences - Updated

Specially updated for Dave ... Request your own Custom Comparison

Introduction

Updated 9/28/04

This Buyer's Guide compares the 15 Inch G4/1.25 GHz PowerBook which has the SuperDrive optical drive, to the 15 Inch G4/1.5GHz PowerBook, which also has the SuperDrive.

The 125GHz machine was released in September of 2003. At the time is was a middle model of a family of four, which included a 1.33 GHz 17 Inch machine, a 1GHz 15 Inch machine, and a 12 inch PowerBook running at 1GHz.

The current 1.5 GHz 17 Inch PowerBook was released in April, 2004 ... 8 months later. It is also a middle model of a family of four, which includes a 1.5GHz 17 inch PowerBook, a 1.33GHz 15 Inch machine, and a 12 inch PowerBook running at 1.33GHz

Major Technological Difference:

Processor Speed
Current Price Difference $559
Graphics Card
Optical Drive Speed
Video Upgrades

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

PowerBook G4/1.25GHz (#M8981LL/A )

15 Inch Screen
L2 Cache: 512K @ 1.25GHz
L3 Cache: None
Release Date: September, 2003

5.6 pounds

Battery Life: 46 -watt 4.5 Hours

PowerBook G4/1.5GHz (#M9422LL/A )

15 Inch Screen
L2 Cache: 512K @ 1.5GHz
L3 Cache: None
Release Date: April, 2004

5.7 pounds

Battery Life: 50 -watt 4.5 Hours

Price Information

MSRP: $2,599 .. Current Price: $1,940
DealZone

MSRP: $2,499
Apple Store
DealZone

Bus Speed
(Mhz)

167 MHz

RAM
(MAX)

512MB
PC2700 (333MHz) DDR SDRAM
(2 GB max)

Graphics Support

ATI Mobility Radeon 9600
64MB of DDR SDRAM
4x AGP

ATI Mobility Radeon 9700
64MB of DDR SDRAM
4x AGP

Expansion
Slots

One PC Card/CardBus slot supporting one Type I or Type II card

AirPort Extreme (54 Mbps) Installed

One PC Card/CardBus slot supporting one Type I or Type II card

AirPort Extreme (54 Mbps) slot

Hard Drive

80 GB Ultra ATA/100
4200rpm

Optical Drive

"SuperDrive"
CD read - 24x
DVD read - 8x
DVD write 2x
CD-R write - 16x
CD-RW write - 4x

"SuperDrive"
CD read - 24x
DVD read - 8x
DVD write 4x
CD-R write - 16x
CD-RW write - 8x

Connectivity & Communication

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

10/100/1000 BT Ethernet

2 USB 2.0 Ports (480 Mbps)
1 FireWire Port (400 Mbps)
1 FireWire 800 Port

Audio in & out

Bluetooth 1.1 built in

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

10/100/1000 BT Ethernet

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

15.2-inch (diagonal) TFT active-matrix
1280 by 854

2048 x 1536 support on external display

ADC output using optional Apple DVI to ADC Adapter

DVI output port

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

2048 x 1536 support on external display

ADC output using optional Apple DVI to ADC Adapter

DVI output port

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

Illuminated fiber-optic, backlit keyboard with ambient light sensor

Has third speaker for midrange
Audio line in

Illuminated fiber-optic, backlit keyboard with ambient light sensor

Optional 128MB of video memory on 1.5 GHz model

Performance

Machine

PowerBook G4/1.25GHz (#M8981LL/A )

PowerBook G4/1.5GHz (#M9422LL/A )

Processor

113 Points

137 Points- - 21% Faster

Processor Multitasking

261.04 seconds

228.22 seconds- - 14% Faster

Processor G4 Tuned

43.04 seconds

32.16 seconds- - 34% Faster

Graphics (Card)

604 Points

740 Points - - 23% Faster

Graphics (Processor)

136 Points

162 Points - - 19% Faster

Graphics Gaming
(Graphics Card)

19 frames per second

25 frames per second - - 32% Faster

Graphics Gaming
(Processor)

24.7 frames per second

29.8 frames per second - - 21% Faster

Drive Muti-Files

211.75 seconds

193.62 seconds - - 9% Faster

Drive Single File

138.22 seconds

137.80 seconds - - Same

Burn CD

110.06 seconds

115.34 seconds - - 5% Slower

General - Interface

41.76 seconds

42.05 seconds - - 1% Slower

QuickTime Encode

40.84 seconds

35.71 seconds - - 14% Faster

iMovie Render

157.73 seconds

138.80 seconds - - 14% Faster

Photoshop Workflow

47.35 seconds

40.61 seconds - - 17% Faster

Photoshop Filters

110.83 seconds

96.27 seconds - - 15% Faster

StuffIt Expand

58.75 seconds

51.74 seconds - - 14% Faster

MS Word

78.78. seconds

69.01 seconds - - 14% Faster

MS Excel

45.77. seconds

39.38 seconds - - 16% Faster

Battery Life

Unknown

115 Minute

Notes

Processor performance based on CineBench 2003

Processor G4 Tuned Test based on AltiVec Fractal program

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 these performance numbers?

For more detailed performance results see this page

Links To Further Information

Machine

PowerBook G4/1.25GHz (#M8981LL/A )

PowerBook G4/1.5GHz (#M9422LL/A )

Reviews

MacComparisonZone: 15 Inch G4/1.25 GHz PowerBook vs 15 Inch G4/1.33 GHz PowerBook

MacComparisonZone: 15 Inch G4/1.25 GHz PowerBook vs 12 Inch G4/1.33 GHz PowerBook

This Guide compares the 15 Inch G4/1.0 GHz PowerBook which has the Combo optical drive, to the 15 Inch G4/1.25 GHz PowerBook

BareFeats
MacV2Net (1.25GHz)
MacHome (1.25GHz)
MacAddict
PC Magazine
Geek Patrol
ComputerWorld
Macworld (1.25 GHz)
Macworld
TechNews.com
OS News (1.25 GHz)
PowerPage (1.25 GHz)
BareFeats
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Links to additional information

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

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

15.2" PowerBook G4/1.5GHz SuperDrive #M9422LL/A
Store	Apple Store
Price & Shipping*	$2,499 .... Education Discount Price: $2,299 Free shipping
Sales Tax	All states with sales tax.
Deals & Bundles - Available - Unknown/Delay - Unavailable	Apple Promotions and: Base Machine HP PSC 2410 Multifunction Printer, $200 after mail-in rebate ($299 up front) PSC 2175 all-in-one, $80 after rebate ($179 up front) DeskJet 5740 inkjet printer, free after rebate ($99 up front)

Store	ClubMac
Price & Shipping*	$2,494 $2 shipping 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 Sennheiser MX300 earbuds, free after mail-in rebate ($10 up front) Sennheiser HD437 headphones, free after mail-in rebate ($20 up front) Yamakawa DVD player, free after mail-in rebate ($40 up front) Final Cut Express 2.0 for $99 "You Control" software for $10 (a $50 value) 512 MB RAM, free after mail-in rebate Free case after mail-iin rebate ($30 up front) Epson Stylus C86 Printer, $79 discount via mail-in rebates ($99 up front) HP deskjet 6127, $99 discount via mail-in rebate ($249 up front) Epson Stylus Photo RX600, $129 discount via mail-in rebate ($349 up front) Epson Stylus Photo R800, $50 discount via mail-in rebate ($399 up front) Epson Stylus Photo RX500, $50 discount via maill-in rebate ($249 up front)

Store	MacConnection
Price & Shipping*	$2,494 $14 shipping
Sales Tax	MA, NC, OH, TN
Deals & Bundles - Available - Unknown/Delay - Unavailable	Base Machine 512MB, free after mail-in rebate ($40 install) Free Lowepro Tropolis 1200 case after mail-in rebate ($70 up front) Epson C84 printer, free after mail-in rebate ($100 up front)

Store	MacMall
Price & Shipping*	$2,494 Free shipping 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 Sennheiser MX300 earbuds, free after mail-in rebate ($10 up front) Sennheiser HD437 headphones, free after mail-in rebate ($20 up front) Yamakawa DVD player, free after mail-in rebate ($40 up front) Final Cut Express 2.0 for $99 "You Control" software for $10 (a $50 value) 512 MB RAM, free after mail-in rebate Free case after mail-iin rebate ($30 up front) Epson Stylus C86 Printer, $79 discount via mail-in rebates ($99 up front) HP deskjet 6127, $99 discount via mail-in rebate ($249 up front) Epson Stylus Photo RX600, $129 discount via mail-in rebate ($349 up front) Epson Stylus Photo R800, $50 discount via mail-in rebate ($399 up front) Epson Stylus Photo RX500, $50 discount via maill-in rebate ($249 up front)

Store	MacZone ... Best Buy
Price & Shipping*	$2,495 Free shipping for a "limited time"
Sales Tax	CA, IL, MO, NV, OH, TN, WA
- Available - Unknown/Delay - Unavailable	Apple Promotions and: Base Machine 512MB RAM (1 GB total), $100 after mail-in rebate (plus $40 install) Free Battery

Store	PowerMax
Price & Shipping*	$2,488 $27 shipping charge
Sales Tax	None
Deals & Bundles - Available - Unknown/Delay - Unavailable	Apple Promotions and any/all of the following: Base Machine Free ScreenSavrz laptop pad/screen protector $100 mail-in rebate on any RAM purchased with PowerBook ($35 install fee) Free USB "Mega Memory" watch after mail-in rebate ($50 up front) Final Cut Express 2.0 for $99 HP DeskJet 5150, free after mail-in rebate ($100 up front) PowerMax does not provide availability information online...

PowerBook G4 1.25GHz/512MB/80GB/SuperDrive/AP Extreme Card/GigE/15"TFT #M8981LL/A ... Original price: $2599

ClubMac - Open Box (search for item M8981LL/A ) .... 90 day warranty .... Shipping Free. Tax: CA, TN, WI ... Bundled Extras .... $1940

ClubMac - New .... one year warranty .... Shipping Free. Tax: CA, TN, WI ... Bundled Extras .... $2294

MacConnection - Refurbished (search for item M8981LL/A ) ... 90 day warranty .... Shipping Free Tax: MA, NC, OH, TN ... Bundled Extras ... $1,999

MacConnection - New (search for item M8981LL/A ) ... 1 year warranty .... Shipping Free Tax: MA, NC, OH, TN ... Bundled Extras ... $2,099

MacMall - Open Box (search for item M8981LL/A ) .... 90 day warranty .... Shipping Free. Tax: CA, TN, WI ... Bundled Extras .... $1940

MacMall - New .... one year warranty.... Shipping Free. Tax: CA, TN, WI ... Bundled Extras .... $2294

PowerMax - Open Box .... one year warranty .... Shipping $19. Tax: None ...Trade-in Program ... Bundled Extras ... $2,228

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.

Weekly Buyer's Guides

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The MacComparisonZone: 15 Inch G4/1.25GHz vs PowerBook vs 15 Inch G4/1.5GHz PowerBook - What Are The Performance, Feature And Price Differences - Updated Specially updated for Dave ... Request your own Custom Comparison

Weekly Buyer's Guides

The MacComparisonZone: 15 Inch G4/1.25GHz vs PowerBook vs 15 Inch G4/1.5GHz PowerBook - What Are The Performance, Feature And Price Differences - Updated

Specially updated for Dave ... Request your own Custom Comparison