PowerBook G4 (Dual Layer SD)

Essentials

Family: PowerBook G3/G4

Codename: ?

Gestalt ID: 406

Minimum OS: 10.3.7

Maximum OS: 10.5.8

Introduced: October 2005

Terminated: April 2006

Processor

CPU: PowerPC 7447a "G4"

CPU Speed: 1.67 GHz

FPU: integrated

Bus Speed: 166 MHz

Data Bus Width: 64-bit

Address Bus Width: 32-bit

Level 1 Cache: 32 kB data, 32 kB instruction

Level 2 Cache: 512 kB on-processor

ROM: 1 MB ROM + 3 MB toolbox ROM loaded into RAM

RAM Type: PC2-4200 DDR SO-DIMM

Minimum RAM Speed: 333 MHz

Onboard RAM: 0 MB

RAM slots: 2

Maximum RAM: 2 GB

Expansion Slots: 1 PC Card (Type I or II)

Video

Screen: 15.2"/17.1" active matrix TFT

GPU: ATI Mobility Radeon 9700

VRAM: 128 MB

Max Resolution: 1440x960/1680x1050

Video Out: dual-link DVI, S-Video

Storage

Hard Drive: 120 GB 5400 RPM (w/SMS)

ATA Bus: Ultra ATA-100

Optical Drive: 24x/24x/16x/8x/4x/2.4x CD-RW/DVD±RW/DVD+R DL

Input/Output

USB: 2 2.0

Firewire: 1

Firewire800: 1

Audio Out: stereo 24 bit mini, Optical S/PDIF

Audio In: stereo 24 bit mini, Optical S/PDIF

Speaker: stereo

Microphone: mono

Networking

Modem: 56 kbps

Ethernet: 10/100/1000BaseT

Wi-Fi: 802.11b/g

Bluetooth: 2.0+EDR

Miscellaneous

Power: 65 Watts

Dimensions: 1.1" H x 13.7" W x 9.5" D

Weight: 5.6 lbs.

Introduced in October 2005, the PowerBook G4 (DL-SD) would be the last Apple portable machine to carry the PowerBook name, and was an odd upgrade: though it included faster RAM, higher screen resolution, and a dual layer SuperDrive, the processor speed was left alone, most likely because a faster G4 processor would have run too hot. The PowerBook G4 (DL-SD) was available in two configurations: the 15.2" model was $1999 and the 17.1" model was $2499. The previous 12.1" model was not upgraded. The 15.2" model was discontinued in February 2006, following the release of the intel-based MacBook Pro, and the 17" model was discontinued in April 2006, with the release of the intel-based MacBook Pro (17-inch).

Picture Credits:
Apple, Inc.

Date: Thu, 13 Dec 2007 08:22:10 -0800
From: Daniel
Subject: Last Powerbook model correction

"Introduced in October 2005, the PowerBook G4 (DL-SD) would be the last Apple portable machine to carry the PowerBook name, and was an odd upgrade: though it included faster RAM, higher screen resolution, and a dual layer SuperDrive, the processor speed was left alone, most likely because a faster G4 processor would have run too hot."

Most likely not, seing how much hotter the Intels that came after it ran. "Most likely" is actually the following scenario:

The 7448 was ready to roll back then and clearly the last Powerbook was prepared for it: Apple especially added DDR-400 and a new chipset revision to support its 200 MHz FSB. If the plan were to remain with the 7447A, then why the hassle?

But: Skipping on the 7448 (which is 40% faster than the 7447A even WITHOUT the advantage of a 200 MHz FSB according to Newertech.com! And it runs cooler at the same MHz, too!) only had advantages for Apple:

a) It clearly got the point across that the G4 was a "dead horse" and that the switch to Intel was a necessity. Users just thought "What? No MHz bump? We really need to get rid of the G4!"

b) The Intels coming right afterwards looked WAY better in comparison. Just imagine the 7448 had made the Powerbooks say 40% faster on average thanks to twice the cache and a faster FSB!..

c) Apple didn't need to stock on yet another CPU (also for spare parts) just for one generation of one of their models. They had to do that already for the Dualcore G5, which really suprised me! They could just continue to use the same 7447As they already had for iBooks, Mac minis and eMacs...