By AppleInsider Staff

Published: 01:00 PM EST

Apple today upgraded its PowerBook G4 line of notebook computers 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(TM) 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 Apple PowerBook continues to deliver the ultimate in portability, performance and innovative features," said Philip Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. "Our mobile customers are going to love working on the new high-resolution PowerBook displays and appreciate the added productivity that one more hour of battery life delivers."

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 massive 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.

Pricing & Availability

The 12-inch and new 15- and 17-inch PowerBooks are available immediately through the Apple Store, Apple's retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers.

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.