Apple PowerBook G4 - PPC G4 1.67 GHz - 17" TFT

Description: This configuration of the Apple PowerBook G4 is a 6.8-pound, mainstream consumer notebook computer.Compared to other general-purpose notebooks on the market, it is expensive at around $2,000.The 17 inch widescreen has a native resolution of 1440 x 900, which is better than most notebooks.This notebook includes a 100GB hard disk and 512 MB of memory.Features ATi mobility Radeon 9000 series graphics with 128MB of video memory.

Pros: The built in Bluetooth connectivity will let you pair headphones or sync your mobile contacts.The EPA has classified this laptop as Energy Star compliant because it has built-in power management features.An anti-theft security tether can be fastened into the built-in lock slot.

Cons: Has a modest 1.67 GHz CPU speed, which is considerably slower than some similarly priced notebooks.For example, the HP Pavilion dv7t, a -pound notebook at around $2, 230, has a 3.06 GHz CPU speed.Also, this notebook has only 128MB of video RAM, which is considerably less favorable than some similarly priced notebooks.For example, the Asus L50VN, a 6.6-pound notebook at around $1, 825, has 1GB of video RAM.

Suitability: A general-purpose notebook, suited for general mobile computing.If you have a wireless network at home, wirelessly browse the Web from any room in your house with this Wi-Fi enabled notebook.The good battery performance will keep your laptop running longer without plugging in.Archive your digital videos using this notebook's DVD writer.With 128MB of dedicated video RAM, this machine will do OK with some games and multimedia applications, but will fall short of satisfying the serious gaming enthusiast.

Value: In general, this notebook's price seems hard to justify, with respect to its features.For example, when it comes to screen size, the average price of consumer level products with a similar screen size is quite a bit less -- in fact around $1,370.

Suggestions: (1) Given this device's Wi-Fi capability, you may want to get a wireless access point for your home, so that you can browse the Web more conveniently from any room.(2) To get the most out of this notebook's Bluetooth capability, you could have a Bluetooth-enabled headset, smartphone or other device, and be able to link it wirelessly to your computer within a range of 20-or-so feet inside the same room.

CNET's Product Briefs are generated by a software tool that combines product specifications with knowledge of our editorial experts. They do not reflect hands-on assessment or labs testing. For more information about how we create Product Briefs, contact us.

• Manufacturer: Apple
• Part Number: M9689B/A

• General

• Built-in Devices Stereo speakers
• Width 15.4 in
• Depth 10.2 in
• Height 1 in
• Weight 6.8 lbs
• Localization English / United Kingdom
• Notebook type Mid-size laptops (6-7.5 lbs.)
• Wireless capabilities IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, Bluetooth

• Processor

• Processor PowerPC G4 1.67 GHz
• Data bus speed 167 MHz

• Cache Memory

• Type L2 cache
• Cache size 512 KB

• RAM

• Installed Size 512 MB / 2 GB (max)
• Technology DDR SDRAM - 333 MHz
• Memory specification compliance PC2700

• Environmental Parameters

• Environmental standards EPA Energy Star
• Min Operating Temperature 50 °F
• Max Operating Temperature 95 °F
• Humidity Range Operating 0 - 90%

• Storage Controller

• Storage controller type IDE

• Storage

• Floppy Drive None
• Hard Drive 100 GB - 5400 rpm
• Storage Removable None
• Hard drive type Portable

• Optical Storage

• Type DVD±RW
• CD / DVD read speed 24x (CD) / 8x (DVD)
• CD / DVD write speed 24x (CD) / 8x (DVD±R)
• CD / DVD rewrite speed 10x (CD) / 4x (DVD±RW)

• Optical Storage (2nd)

• 2nd optical storage type None

• Display

• Display Type 17 in TFT active matrix
• Max Resolution 1440 x 900 ( WXGA+ )
• Widescreen Display Yes
• Screen type Widescreen

• Video

• Graphics Processor / Vendor AGP 4x - ATI Mobility Radeon 9700
• Video Memory 128 MB DDR SDRAM

• Audio

• Audio output type Sound card
• Audio Input Microphone

• Input Device(s)

• Input device type Keyboard, Trackpad

• Telecom

• Modem Fax / modem
• Max transfer rate 56 Kbps
• Protocols & Specifications ITU V.92

• Networking

• Networking Network adapter
• Networking / Wireless LAN Supported Yes
• Data link protocol Ethernet, Bluetooth, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet
• Networking standards IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g

• Expansion / Connectivity

• Expansion Slots Total (Free) Memory, 1 ( 1 ) x CardBus - Type I/II
• Interfaces 2 x Hi-Speed USB - 4 pin USB Type A, 1 x IEEE 1394b (FireWire 800), 1 x IEEE 1394 (FireWire), 1 x Display / video - DVI-Analog/Digital - 29 pin combined DVI, 1 x Display / video - VGA - 15 pin HD D-Sub (HD-15), 1 x Display / video - S-video output, 1 x Display / video - Composite video output, 1 x Modem - Phone line - RJ-11, 1 x Network - Ethernet 10Base-T/100Base-TX/1000Base-T - RJ-45, 1 x Audio - SPDIF input/line-in - Mini-phone 3.5 mm / TOSLINK, 1 x Audio - SPDIF output/headphones - Mini-phone 3.5 mm / TOSLINK

• Miscellaneous

• Cables Included Modem cable, DVI-VGA adapter, S-Video - composite adapter
• Features Keyboard light, Ambient light sensor, Security lock slot (cable lock sold separately)

• Power

• Power device form factor External
• Voltage Required AC 120/230 V

• Battery

• Technology Lithium ion
• Installed Qty 1
• Battery capacity 58 Wh
• Mfr estimated battery life 4.5 hour(s)

• Operating System / Software

• OS Provided Apple MacOS X 10.4
• Software Apple iCal, Apple iChat, Apple iLife, Apple iSync, OmniGraffle, Apple Safari, OmniOutliner, Zinio Reader, Apple Sherlock, Apple QuickTime, Apple DVD Player, GraphicConverter, Apple Address Book, Apple Hardware Test, Apple Mac OS X Mail, Drivers & Utilities, Adobe Acrobat Reader, Art Directors Toolkit, FileMaker Pro (Trial)

• Manufacturer Warranty

• Service & Support 1 year warranty
• Service & Support Details Limited warranty - 1 year

• Sustainability

• ENERGY STAR Qualified Yes
• Greenpeace policy rating (Sept 2009) 4.9

Apple

Manufacturer profile

• Website: http://www.apple.com
• Address: 1 Infinite Loop, Cupertino, CA. 95014
• Phone: 1-408-996-1010