While the new 12-inch iBook G4 delivered improved performance in CNET Labs' tests, it was no match for the more powerful 12-inch PowerBook G4, which uses a faster G4 processor with a faster bus and a faster hard drive. The new iBook G4 managed to convert a music file into MP3 format (using iTunes) nearly twice as fast as its predecessor but still 6 seconds shy of the 15-inch PowerBook G4's winning time. The iBook G4 also finished behind the PowerBook G4 in our Photoshop CS and Unreal Tournament 2004 trials, proving that those who need better graphics and gaming performance should turn to the PowerBook. That said, the iBook G4 is plenty capable of dispensing with any ordinary productivity task, from e-mail to Web surfing.
The iBook G4 excelled in our Labs' battery-drain tests, playing a DVD for an exceptionally long 4.4 hours, compared with the prior generation's 3.4 hours. The 12-inch PowerBook G4 managed a mere 3.1 hours.
Apple offers a one-year warranty with the iBook G4, which is the typical term included with most home and small-business laptops. But the company provides a short 90-day tech-support policy--the same that comes with some lower-end Dell laptops but far inferior to the standard one-year warranty that HP and most other vendors offer. At least Apple's support Web site features a useful forum section along with the usual FAQ and troubleshooting items.
For more detailed information about warranties and service plans, check out Computer Shopper's overview of 37 major computer vendors.
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System configurations:
iBook G4 (1.33GHz, 12-inch)
OS X 10.4.2; PowerPC G4 1.33GHz; 512MB PC2700 333MHz DDR SDRAM; ATI Mobility Radeon 9550 32MB; Fujitsu MHV2040AT 40GB 4,200rpm
iBook G4 (1.33GHz, 14-inch)
OS X 10.3.8; PowerPC G4 1.33GHz; 256MB PC2100 266MHz DDR SDRAM; ATI Mobility Radeon 9200 32MB; Fujitsu MHT2060AT 60GB 4,200rpm
PowerBook G4 (1.5GHz, 12-inch)
OS X 10.4.2; PowerPC G4 1.5GHz; 512MB PC2700 333MHz DDR SDRAM; Nvidia GeForce FX 5200 64MB; Hitachi Travelstar 5K100 80GB 5,400rpm
PowerBook G4 (1.67GHz, 15-inch)
OS X 10.4.1; PowerPC G4 1.67GHz; 512MB PC2700 333MHz DDR SDRAM; ATI Mobility Radeon 9700 64MB; Fujitsu MHT2080AH 80GB 5,400rpm
PowerBook G4 (1.67GHz, 17-inch)
OS X 10.4.2; PowerPC G4 1.67GHz; 512MB PC4200 333MHz DDR2 SDRAM; ATI Mobility Radeon 9700 128MB; Seagate Momentus 5400.2 120GB 5,400rpm
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