The MacComparisonZone: 12 Inch G4/1.33 GHz PowerBook vs Power Mac G5/1.6 GHz - What Are The Performance, Feature And Price Differences
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Introduction
10/3/04
This Buyer's Guide compares the 12 InchG4/1.33 GHz PowerBook which has the Combo optical drive, to the Power Mac G5/1.6 GHz, which has the SuperDrive.
The current 1.33 GHz 12 inch PowerBook was released in April, 2004. It is a low-end model of a family of four, which includes a 1.5 GHz 17 inch PowerBook, a 1.5 GHz 15 inch machine, and a 15 inch PowerBook running at 1.33 GHz.
The 1.6GHz G5 Tower, was released 11 months earlier, in June, 2003. It was the low-end model of a family of three, which included a Dual 2.0 GHz machine at the high-end and a Single Processor 1.8GHz Tower in the middle. In November, 2003, the single processor 1.8GHz Tower was dropped in favor of a dual processor machine running at the same clock-speed.
Major Technological Differences:
Processor Speed
Cache Speed
Machine
PowerBook G4/1.33GHz (12")
Power Mac G5/1.6 GHz
Processor
Average
100%
137%
Graphics
Average
100%
160%
Hard Drive
Average
100%
176%
For more detailed performance results ... see below
Current Price Difference $50 ($250 SuperDrive)
RAM Maximum
Graphics Card Model/Slot Speed
Expansion Options
Hard Drive Size/Speed
Optical Drive Speed
Airport Card Installation
Ethernet Speed
USB Port Number
FireWire Port Speed/Number
Audio In/Out Options
BlueTooth Installation
Screen Resolution
Video Output Options
Sound 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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NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200 Ultra
64MB DDR SDRAM
AGP Pro 8X graphics slot
Expansion
Slots
AirPort Extreme (54 Mbps) slot
Two hard drive bays (one filled)
One optical drive bay (filled)
Three open full-length 33MHz, 64-bit PCI slots
One AGP Pro 8X (filled)
AirPort Extreme (54 Mbps) slot
Hard Drive
60 GB Ultra ATA/100
4200rpm
80GB Serial ATA
7200 rpm
Optical Drive
Combination drive (slot loading)
CD R - 24x
CD-RW write - 16x
DVD read - 8x
CD read - 24x
or
"SuperDrive" (slot loading)
Writes DVD-R at 4x
Reads DVDs at 8x
Writes CD-R at 16x
Writes CD-RW at 8x
Reads CDs at 24x
SuperDrive (DVD-R/CD-RW)
Writes DVD-R at 4x
Reads DVDs at 8x
Writes CD-R at 16x
Writes CD-RW at 10x
Reads CDs at 32x
3 USB 2.0 ports (one on front)
1 FireWire 800 port
2 FireWire 400 ports (one on front)
Audio in & out
Optical digital audio in, optical digital audio out ( Toslink connectors)
Optional Bluetooth 1.1 module and antenna
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
Support for digital resolutions up to 1920 by 1200 pixels
Support for analog resolutions up to 1600 by 1200 pixels
ADC and DVI connectors; DVI to VGA adapter included
Dual display support for extended desktop and video mirroring modes
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. Or download the Trial version from Adobe
Battery Life was tested by playing a DVD movie on the fully charged machine until it was completely drained.
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For Latest up-to-date prices check the online Buyer's Guides
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)
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)
PowerMax - Open Box .... 1 year warranty.... Shipping $37. Tax: None ...Trade-in Program ... Bundled Extras ... $1,549
Power Mac G5 DUAL 1.8GHz 512MB/160GB/SuperDrive/GigE/56K #M9393LL/A ... Original price:$2,499
PowerMax - Open Box .... 1 year warranty.... Shipping $37. Tax: None ...Trade-in Program ... Bundled Extras ... $2,149
Small Dog - New .... 1 year warranty ... Shipping $41. Tax: VT ... $2,129
Power Mac G5 1.8GHz Dual Processor/256/80G/8xSuperDrive/PCI/GeFr5200 #M9454LL/A ... $1,999
PowerMax - Refurbished ....one year warranty .... Shipping $25. Tax: None ...Trade-in Program ...$1,849
G5/2.0 GHz Dual Processor M9032LL/A ... Original price: $2,999
PowerMax - Refurbished ....one year warranty .... Shipping $25. Tax: None ...Trade-in Program ...$2,349 to $2,388
G5/2.0 GHz Dual Processor #MM9455LL/A ... Original price: $2,499
PowerMax - Open Box .... 1 year warranty.... Shipping $37. Tax: None ...Trade-in Program ... Bundled Extras ... $2,449
PowerMax - Open Box .... 1 year warranty.... Shipping $37. Tax: None ...Trade-in Program ... Bundled Extras ... $2,649
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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10/3/04 
- Available
- Unknown/Delay
- Unavailable
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)
PowerMac G5/1.6 GHz 256MB , 80 GB SuperDrive, #M9020LL/A ... Original price: $1,799
