Apple launches new PowerBook notebooks

Apple today made its PowerBook G4 line of notebook computers even more desirable for business and creative professionals with higher-resolution displays and up to one hour more battery life on the 15- and 17-inch models. In addition, every new PowerBook now includes a DVD burning SuperDrive with prices starting at just $1,499.

The new higher-resolution PowerBooks provide significantly more screen real estate and include the 17-inch PowerBook with a 1680-by-1050 pixel resolution—36 percent more than the previous generation—and the 15-inch PowerBook with a 1440-by-960 pixel resolution—26 percent more than the previous generation. Ideal for business and creative professionals, the new 15- and 17-inch PowerBooks make reading text and viewing images even easier with brighter displays—up to 46 percent brighter on the 17-inch model. The 15- and 17-inch PowerBooks also provide up to an additional hour of battery life to get even more work done while on the road.

The PowerBook line includes three models: the 1.5 GHz 12-inch PowerBook with an 8X SuperDrive and the new 1.67 GHz 15- and 17-inch PowerBooks with an 8X SuperDrive with double-layer support. Both the 15- and 17-inch PowerBooks include ATI Mobility Radeon 9700 graphics with 128MB DDR dedicated video memory and now feature built-in Dual Link support to drive Apple’s groundbreaking 30-inch Cinema HD Display as an external monitor, providing more than four million pixels of additional workspace.

Every PowerBook includes built-in Bluetooth 2.0+EDR (Enhanced Data Rate), integrated AirPort Extreme 54 Mbps 802.11g WiFi wireless networking, a scrolling TrackPad and Apple’s Sudden Motion Sensor technology. Mac OS X version 10.4 “Tiger,” the fifth major release of the world’s most advanced operating system and iLife ‘05, Apple’s award-winning suite of digital lifestyle applications, are included with every PowerBook.

The 1.5 GHz, 12-inch PowerBook G4, for a suggested retail price of $1,499 (US), includes:

• 512MB of PC2700 333 MHz DDR SDRAM, expandable up to 1.25GB;
• a slot-load 8X SuperDrive (DVD±RW/CD-RW) optical drive;
• an 80GB Ultra ATA/100 (5400 rpm) hard drive with Sudden Motion Sensor;
• AirPort Extreme 54 Mbps 802.11g WiFi fast wireless networking and internal Bluetooth 2.0+EDR;
• DVI, VGA, S-video and composite video support;
• two USB 2.0 ports and FireWire® 400;
• audio line in and headphone out; and
• a scrolling TrackPad.

 

The 1.67 GHz, 15-inch PowerBook G4, for a suggested retail price of $1,999 (US), includes:

• a slot-load 8x SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD+R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW);
• 512MB of PC2-4200 DDR2 SDRAM running at 333 MHz, expandable up to 2GB;
• 80GB Ultra ATA/100 (5400 rpm) hard drive with Sudden Motion Sensor;
• Built-in AirPort Extreme wireless networking & Bluetooth 2.0+EDR;
• DVI (Dual Link for 30-inch Cinema HD Display support), VGA, S-video and composite video support;
• Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000BASE-T);
• two USB 2.0 ports, FireWire 400 and 800;
• analog and optical digital audio input and output;
• illuminated keyboard with ambient light sensor; and
• a scrolling TrackPad.

 

The 1.67 GHz, 17-inch PowerBook G4, for a suggested retail price of $2,499 (US), includes:

• a slot-load 8x SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD+R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW);
• 512MB of PC2-4200 DDR2 SDRAM running at 333 MHz, expandable up to 2GB;
• 120GB Ultra ATA/100 (5400 rpm) hard drive with Sudden Motion Sensor;
• Built-in AirPort Extreme wireless networking & Bluetooth 2.0+EDR;
• DVI (Dual Link for 30-inch Cinema HD Display support), VGA, S-video and composite video support;
• Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000BASE-T);
• two USB 2.0 ports, FireWire 400 and 800;
• analog and optical digital audio input and output;
• illuminated keyboard with ambient light sensor; and
• a scrolling TrackPad.

Additional build-to-order options for the 12-inch PowerBook include the ability to upgrade to 100GB (5400 rpm) hard drive, up to 1.25GB DDR SDRAM, a slot-load Combo (DVD-ROM/CD-RW) optical drive, and the AppleCare Protection Plan. Additional build-to-order options for the new 15- and 17-inch PowerBooks include the ability to upgrade up to 2GB DDR2 SDRAM, a slot-load Combo (DVD-ROM/CD-RW) optical drive, and the AppleCare Protection Plan. The new 15-inch PowerBook also offers a 100GB or 120GB (5400 rpm) hard drive as a build-to-order option.