A Tale Of Two 15 Inch PowerBooks Which One Is faster And Has Better Features?

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A Tale Of Two 15 Inch PowerBooks - Which One Is faster And Has Better Features?

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

3/15/04

Introduction

This Buyer's 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.

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

PowerBook G4/1.0GHz (#M8980LL/A )
L2 Cache: 512K @ 1GHz
L3 Cache: None
Release Date: September, 2003

5.6 pounds

Battery Life: 46 -watt 4.5 Hours

PowerBook G4/1.25GHz (#M8981LL/A )
L2 Cache: 512K @ 1.25GHz
L3 Cache: None
Release Date: September, 2003

5.6 pounds

Battery Life: 46 -watt 4.5 Hours

Price Information

MSRP: $1,999
Apple Store
DealZone

MSRP: $2,599
Apple Store
DealZone

Bus Speed
(Mhz)

167 MHz

RAM
(MAX)

256MB PC2700 (333MHz) DDR SDRAM
(2 GB max)

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

Graphics Support

ATI Mobility Radeon 9600 with 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) ready

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

AirPort Extreme (54 Mbps) Installed

Hard Drive

60 GB Ultra ATA/100
4200rpm

80 GB Ultra ATA/100
4200rpm

Optical Drive

Combination drive
CD read - 24x
DVD read - 8x
CD R - 24x
CD-RW write - 10x

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

Connectivity & Communication

56k V.92 modem
Optional 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

Support for resolutions of
1280 by 854 (native)
1152 by 640,
1896 by 600,
720 by 480,
640 by 480
pixels at 3:2 aspect ratio;

1024 by 768,
800 by 600,
640 by 480 pixels
at 4:3 aspect ratio

2048 x 1536 support on external display

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

2048 x 1536 support on external display

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

Specification Notes

Has third speaker for midrange
Audio line in

Illuminated fiber-optic, backlit keyboard with ambient light sensor optional on 1GHz 15-inch model

Has third speaker for midrange
Audio line in

Illuminated fiber-optic, backlit keyboard with ambient light sensor

Performance

Machine

Power Mac G4/1.0GHz (#M8980LL/A )

Power Mac G4/1.25GHz (#M8981LL/A )

Processor

53.32 seconds

43.04 seconds - - 19% Faster

Graphics

539 Points

604 Points - - 12% Faster

Graphics Gaming

17.5 frames per second

19 frames per second - - 9% Faster

Drive

223.74. seconds

211.75 seconds - - 5% Faster

General - Interface

43.77 seconds

41.76 seconds - - 5% Faster

Notes

No big surprises here. In raw processing power the 1.25 GHz PowerBook will turn in a performance about 20% faster than the 1GHz model. Both machines have the same graphics card.
Graphics test is based on CineBench 2003
Processor Test based on AltiVec Fractal

For more detailed performance results see this page

Links To Further Information

Machine

Power Mac G4/1.0GHz (#M8980LL/A )

Power Mac G4/1.25GHz (#M8981LL/A )

Reviews

MacV2Net
MacHome
Macworld
PowerPage

MacAddict
PC Magazine
Geek Patrol
ComputerWorld
Macworld
TechNews.com
BareFeats
BareFeats
OS News

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 G4/1GHz Combination Drive #M8980LL/A
Store	Apple Store
Price & Shipping*	$1,999 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*	$1,994 Shipping $28
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 LaCie 20GB Mobile FireWire Hard Drive for $139 (full price, no rebate listed)

Store	MacConnection
Price & Shipping*	$1,994 $14 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 ($40 install) Epson Stylus Color C84 Inkjet Printer, free after mail-in rebates ($99 up front) Free case after mail-in rebate

Store	MacMall
Price & Shipping*	$1,994 $25 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 LaCie 20GB Mobile FireWire Hard Drive for $139 (full price, no rebate listed)

Store	MacZone ... Best Buy
Price & Shipping*	$1,995 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 free after mail-in rebate ($40 installation fee) Free airport card and case ($40 installation fee) Free battery
15.2" PowerBook G4/1.25GHz SuperDrive #M8981LL/A
Store	Apple Store
Price & Shipping*	$2,599 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*	$2,594 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*	$2,594 $17 shipping
Sales Tax	MA, NC, OH, TN
Deals & Bundles - Available - Unknown/Delay - Unavailable	Apple Promotions and one of the following: Base Machine Free 512MB RAM after mail-in rebate (768 MB total, $40 install) Epson Stylus Color C84 Inkjet Printer, free after mail-in rebates ($99 up front) Free case after mail-in rebate

Store	MacMall
Price & Shipping*	$2,594 $26 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 ... Best Buy
Price & Shipping*	$2,595 Free shipping for a "limited time"
Sales Tax	CA, IL, MO, NV, OH, TN, WA
- Available - Unknown/Delay - Unavailable	Apple Promotions and: Base Machine 512MB installed for $105 after mail-in rebate Free Battery

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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