Did you ever think you’d see a full-featured notebook computer that weighed less than five pounds and gave you the power to do cool things like burning your own CDs and DVDs? That’s just one of the nifty features built into the 4.6-pound, 12-inch PowerBook G4. And at 5.7 pounds and 6.9 pounds, respectively, the 15-inch and 17-inch models continue to astonish even the die-hard road warrior.

For example, after you’re finished admiring their stunning displays and marveling at their fit and finish, take a good look at the number of ports each provides. That’s when the realization hits you: not only are these models superslim and ultralight, but they also ship with an astonishing lineup of built-in professional capabilities.

Therein lies the vast difference between the PowerBook G4 and its PC counterparts: Unlike some PC manufacturers who ship lightweight PC notebooks that shed pounds by shedding functionality (even to the point of shipping notebooks without so much as an optical drive), Apple maintains a thin and light design while adding more functionality. Case in point: Notice that you can order all three PowerBook models with the phenomenal SuperDrive (DVD-R/CD-RW) that lets you listen to CDs, watch DVDs, or burn CDs and DVDs of your own.

And check out the strategically located ports: all the PowerBook G4 models feature FireWire 400 and USB 2.0, with an additional FireWire 800 port on the 15-inch and 17-inch models. Need video out capabilities so you can connect to an external display or projector? The DVI port on the 17-inch and 15-inch models and the mini-DVI port on the 12-inch model let you do just that.

Huge hard drives? You bet. How about a 56K modem? That’s standard across the line. AirPort Extreme? With the new PowerBook family, both Bluetooth and AirPort Extreme come standard on all models. How’s that for out-of-the-box wireless connectivity? What’s more, the 15-inch and 17-inch models come with Gigabit Ethernet (10/100BASE-T Fast Ethernet on the 12-inch model). In other words, the PowerBook G4 gives you exactly what you’re looking for in a notebook computer — everything.

Configurations

Price
4.2004		 12-inch
Combo drive
$1,599.00		 12-inch
SuperDrive
$1,799.00 		15-inch
Combo drive
$1,999.00		 15-inch
SuperDrive
$2,499.00		 17-inch
SuperDrive
$2,799.00
Processor 1.33GHz PowerPC G4 1.5GHz PowerPC G4
Memory 256MB PC2700 (333MHz) DDR SDRAM 512MB PC2700 (333MHz) DDR SDRAM
Display 12.1-inch (diagonal), 1024x768 resolution, TFT 15.2-inch (diagonal), 1280x854 resolution, TFT widescreen 17-inch (diagonal), 1440x900 resolution, TFT widescreen
Graphics NVIDIA GeForce FX Go5200 with 64MB of DDR SDRAM ATI Mobility Radeon 9700 with 64MB of DDR SDRAM (available with 128MB as BTO option on 1.5GHz configurations)
Hard disk drive (1) 60GB Ultra ATA/100 80GB Ultra ATA/100
Slot-loading optical drive Combo drive (DVD-ROM/CD-RW) SuperDrive (DVD-R/CD-RW) Combo drive (DVD-ROM/CD-RW) SuperDrive (DVD-R/CD-RW)
Ethernet Built-in 10/100BASE-T Built-in 10/100/1000BASE-T (Gigabit)
Wireless (2) Built-in 54-Mbps AirPort Extreme; built-in Bluetooth
Modem (3) Built-in 56K V.92 modem
Keyboard Full size Full size, illuminated with ambient light sensor
System software Mac OS X v10.3 Panther
Software Mail, iChat, Safari, Sherlock, Address Book, QuickTime, iLife (includes iTunes, iPhoto, iMovie, Garageband and iDVD[4]), iSync, iCal, DVD Player, Classic environment, Acrobat Reader, Art Directors Toolkit, EarthLink TotalAccess (includes 30 days of free dial-up service with Earthlink activation), FileMaker Pro Trial, GraphicConverter, OmniGraffle, OmniOutliner, QuickBooks for Mac New User Edition, Zinio Reader, Developer Tools and Apple Hardware Test
Video accessories Mini-DVI to DVI adapter, mini-DVI to VGA adapter S-video to composite adapter, DVI to VGA adapter
Hardware accessories Modem cable, power adapter, AC wall plug, power cord
Limited warranty and service Your PowerBook G4 comes with 90 days of telephone support and a one-year limited warranty. Purchase the AppleCare Protection Plan and get three years of service and support. Only the AppleCare Protection Plan provides you with direct telephone support from Apple technical experts and the assurance that repairs will be handled by Apple-certified technicians using genuine Apple parts. For more information, visit Apple support or call 800-823-2775.
Internet access All models also include 30 days of free Internet service through EarthLink. Internet access requires a compatible Internet service provider; fees may apply.

Technical Specifications
Processor and Memory
  • 12-inch models
    • 1.33GHz PowerPC G4 processor with Velocity Engine, 512K SRAM on-chip L2 cache, 167MHz system bus
    • 256MB of PC2700 (333MHz) DDR SDRAM; one open SO-DIMM slot; support for up to 1.25GB
  • 15-inch models
    • 1.33GHz or 1.5GHz PowerPC G4 processor with Velocity Engine, 512K SRAM on-chip L2 cache, 167MHz system bus
    • 256MB or 512MB of PC2700 (333MHz) DDR SDRAM; two SO-DIMM slots support up to 2GB
  • 17-inch model
    • 1.5GHz PowerPC G4 processor with Velocity Engine, 512K SRAM on-chip L2 cache, 167MHz system bus
    • 512MB of PC2700 (333MHz) DDR SDRAM; two SO-DIMM slots support up to 2GB
Storage (1)
  • 60GB 4200-rpm Ultra ATA/100 hard drive (12-inch models)
  • 60GB or 80GB 4200-rpm Ultra ATA/100 hard drive (15-inch models)
  • 80GB 4200-rpm Ultra ATA/100 hard drive (17-inch model)
  • 80GB 5400-rpm Ultra ATA/100 hard drive available as CTO option on all models (available only from the online Apple Store)
  • One of the following slot-loading optical drives
    • Combo drive (DVD-ROM/CD-RW): reads DVDs at up to 8x speed, writes CD-R discs at up to 24x speed, writes CD-RW discs at up to 16x speed, reads CDs at up to 24x speed (12- and 15-inch models)
    • SuperDrive (DVD-R/CD-RW): writes DVD-R discs at up to 4x speed, reads DVDs at up to 8x speed, writes CD-R discs at up to 16x speed, writes CD-RW discs at up to 8x speed, reads CDs at up to 24x speed
Communications
  • Built-in 54-Mbps AirPort Extreme wireless networking (based on 802.11g standard; Wi-Fi Certified for 802.11g and 802.11b interoperability) (2)
  • Built-in Bluetooth 1.1
  • Built-in 10/100BASE-T Ethernet (RJ-45 connector) (12-inch models)
  • Built-in 10/100/1000BASE-T Gigabit Ethernet (RJ-45 connector) (15-inch and 17-inch models)
  • Built-in 56K V.92 modem (RJ-11 connector) (3)
Expansion
  • One FireWire 400 (IEEE 1394a) port at up to 400 Mbps (5)
  • One FireWire 800 (IEEE 1394b) port at up to 800 Mbps (15-inch and 17-inch models) (5)
  • Two USB 2.0 ports at up to 480 Mbps
  • One PC Card/CardBus slot supporting one Type I or Type II card (15-inch and 17-inch models)
Display
  • 12.1-inch (diagonal) TFT display (12-inch models)
    • Support for millions of colors at 1024 by 768 pixel resolution
    • Support for resolution scaling to 800 by 600 pixel and 640 by 480 pixel resolution with millions of colors
  • 15.2-inch (diagonal) TFT display (15-inch models)
    • Support for millions of colors at 1280 by 854 pixel resolution
    • Support for resolutions of 1280 by 854 (native), 1152 by 768, 896 by 600, 720 by 480, and 640 by 480 pixels at 3:2 aspect ratio; 1024 by 768, 800 by 600, and 640 by 480 pixels at 4:3 aspect ratio
  • 17-inch (diagonal) TFT display (17-inch model)
    • Support for millions of colors at 1440 by 900 pixel resolution
    • Supported resolutions: 1440 by 900 (native), 1152 by 720, 1024 by 768, 1024 by 640 and 800 by 600 pixels at 16:10 aspect ratio; 1024 by 768, 800 by 600, and 640 by 480 pixels at 4:3 aspect ratio
Video and graphics support
  • NVIDIA GeForce FX Go5200 graphics processor with AGP 4X support and 64MB of DDR SDRAM video memory (12-inch models)
    • 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 colors (7)
  • ATI Mobility Radeon 9700 graphics processor with AGP 4X support and 64MB of DDR SDRAM video memory, optional 128MB of video memory on 1.5GHz (15- and 17-inch models)
    • 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 (7)
  • ADC output using optional Apple DVI to ADC Adapter (6)
  • Mini-DVI port (12-inch models)
  • DVI output using included mini-DVI to DVI adapter (12-inch models)
  • VGA output using included mini-DVI to VGA adapter (12-inch models)
  • S-video and composite video output using mini-DVI to video adapter (sold separately) (12-inch models)
  • DVI output port (15-inch and 17-inch models)
  • VGA output using included DVI to VGA adapter (15-inch and 17-inch models)
  • S-video output port (15-inch and 17-inch models)
  • Composite video output using included S-video to composite adapter (15-inch and 17-inch models)
Audio
  • Audio line in (minijack)
  • Headphone out (minijack)
  • Built-in stereo speakers with midrange-enhancing third speaker (12-inch and 15-inch models)
  • Two built-in stereo speakers (17-inch model)
  • Internal omnidirectional microphone
Battery and power
  • 50-watt-hour lithium-ion battery (with integrated charge indicator LEDs) providing up to 5 hours of battery life (12-inch models) (8)
  • 50-watt-hour lithium-ion battery (with integrated charge indicator LEDs) providing up to 4.5 hours of battery life (15-inch models) (8)
  • 58-watt-hour lithium-ion battery (with integrated charge indicator LEDs) providing up to 4.5 hours of battery life (17-inch model) (8)
  • 45W power adapter with cable management system (12-inch models)
  • 65W power adapter with cable management system (15-inch and 17-inch models)
  • Power adapter port
Keyboard and trackpad
  • Built-in full-size keyboard with 78 (U.S.) or 79 (ISO) keys, including 12 function keys, 4 arrow keys (inverted “T” arrangement) and embedded keypad
  • Illuminated fiber-optic, backlit keyboard with ambient light sensor (1.5GHz 15-inch model and 17-inch model, optional on 1.33GHz 15-inch model)
  • Solid-state trackpad provides precise cursor control; supports tap, double-tap and drag capabilities
Security
  • Kensington cable lock slot
Electrical and environmental requirements
  • Meets ENERGY STAR requirements
  • Line voltage: 100V to 240V AC
  • Frequency: 50 to 60Hz
  • Operating temperature: 50° to 95° F (10° to 35° C)
  • Storage temperature: -13° to 113° F (-25° to 45° C)
  • Relative humidity: 0% to 90% noncondensing
  • Maximum operating altitude: 10,000 ft
  • Maximum storage altitude: 15,000 ft
  • Maximum shipping altitude: 35,000 ft
Size and weight (12-inch model)
  • Height: 1.18 inches (3.0 cm)
  • Width: 10.9 inches (27.7 cm)
  • Depth: 8.6 inches (21.9 cm)
  • Weight: 4.6 pounds (2.1 kg) with battery and optical drive installed (9)
Size and weight (15-inch models)
  • Height: 1.1 inches (2.8 cm)
  • Width: 13.7 inches (34.8 cm)
  • Depth: 9.5 inches (24.1 cm)
  • Weight: 5.7 pounds (2.6 kg) with battery and optical drive installed (9)
Size and weight (17-inch model)
  • Height: 1.0 inch (2.6 cm)
  • Width: 15.4 inches (39.2 cm)
  • Depth: 10.2 inches (25.9 cm)
  • Weight: 6.9 pounds (3.1 kg) with battery and optical drive installed (9)
  1. 1GB = 1 billion bytes; actual formatted capacity less.
  2. Wireless Internet access requires AirPort Extreme Card, AirPort Base Station or AirPort Extreme Base Station, and Internet access (fees may apply). Achieving data rates up to 54 Mbps requires that all users have an AirPort Extreme Card and connect to an AirPort Extreme Base Station. Some ISPs are not currently compatible with AirPort and AirPort Extreme. Range may vary with site conditions.
  3. Compatible ISP and telephone services required. Your ISP may not support all V.92 features. Modem will function according to V.90 standards if V.92 services are not available. Actual modem speeds lower; speed depends on connection rate and other factors.
  4. iDVD requires Apple SuperDrive.
  5. Actual rates will vary.
  6. Connection to Apple flat-panel displays requires Apple DVI to ADC Adapter (sold separately).
  7. Some third-party DVI displays may not support all resolutions. Actual resolutions and refresh rates depend on the monitor.
  8. Battery life depends on configuration and use.
  9. Actual weight varies by configuration and manufacturing process.

Internet access requires a compatible Internet service provider; fees may apply. Product includes electronic documentation. Backup copy of software is included. Product specifications are subject to change without notice.