Question:
Apple Powerbook G4 v.s Macbook Air?
Bartlet
2008-01-22 01:33:53 UTC
How much faster is Macbook Air compared to my two years old Powerbook G4 1.4GHz?

I don't know many things about computer, please show me in %, thank you all so much!

I'm thinking about updating a new Apple notebook and need to know how much faster (I don't play any games, but do some graphic works on my Powerbook) am I getting by paying all those extra money.
Four answers:
M
2008-01-22 01:40:25 UTC
If you're lookin for design purpose, I suggest you don't go for Macbook Air. Although her looks is quite exhilarating, but the features with no CD or DVD rom will give you trouble if you need to make a hard backup. Just go for Macbook Pro or the regular Macbook, it should be enough for designing purpose..
Tamsin
2008-01-26 00:48:57 UTC
Don't waste your money on the air. I doubt it will be much faster than the comp u are running now AND it doesn't have an optical drive and only has one usb port. Yes, it's sexy but very impractical. If you're looking for a computer to use as your main computer this certainly isn't the one. I mean come ON apple. No optical drive. That means no watching dvd's or listening to cd's.. forget burning anything to disc. And installing new software that comes on disc is going to be a hassle b/c you'll need another computer to do that. Unless you want to buy the external optical drive for 100 dollars to plug into the units ONE usb port. So you won't be able to use an external mouse and use the optical drive at the same time. Ok i'm really ranting. Anyhoo.. if you're going to spend that kind of money on a new mac I'd get the macbook pro. Now that is a worthy computer that will do everything you need and you won't have to compromise on anything.
Lissie
2008-01-24 01:35:21 UTC
If you want power you would be definitely be better off going for the MacBook Pro - the Air is pricey because of its weight, lack of, not power. For more details on the comparison see http://lissiearticles.com/macbook-air-versus-macbook-pro-a-comparison/
2008-01-22 04:13:09 UTC
the mac book air is ment for the wirelees world so you might need to think about that and also the mac book air has no drive also if you want good graphical stuuf i would go for the macbook pro because of it's screen size and graphics.It's the best it rocks and also you will get a $100 rebate with a mac



The latest and greatest.

MacBook Pro is built on the revolutionary Intel Core 2 Duo — which packs the power of two processor cores (up to 2.6GHz) inside a single chip. It provides 4MB of L2 Smart Cache that can be shared between the cores as needed. It delivers higher performance in 2D and 3D graphics, video editing, and music encoding. But the faster engine is only part of the story. MacBook Pro features up to 4GB of 667MHz DDR2 memory with a faster, 800MHz frontside bus and support for hard drives up to 250GB. Ultimate speed, performance, and connectivity. To go. That’s MacBook Pro.





Graphically speaking.

Whether you’re creating 3D animation, editing photos from the day’s shoot, or playing your favorite video game, MacBook Pro delivers serious processing power with the NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT graphics controller.



Display’s the thing.

A great video processor powers a great display. The new MacBook Pro is available in 15-inch models with a mercury-free, power-efficient LED-backlit display and a 17-inch model with an optional 1920-by-1200-pixel display.



Packs power, not pounds.

What makes MacBook Pro so mobile? Performance in a portable package. Only one inch thin and 5.4 and 6.8 pounds, respectively, the 15- and 17-inch MacBook Pro models are among the thinnest, lightest notebooks in their display class.

Hit the road.

Your life isn’t confined to an office, so why should your computer be? AirPort Extreme 802.11n Wi-Fi gives you up to five times the performance and two times the range compared to the previous 802.11g standard1. No wires. No extra phone lines. Just you being freed from those four walls.

Technical Specifications



In the box

MacBook Pro

85W MagSafe Power Adapter, AC wall plug, and power cord

Lithium-polymer battery

Apple Remote

DVI to VGA adapter

Install/restore DVDs

Printed and electronic documentation

Processor and memory



15-inch MacBook Pro

2.2GHz, 2.4GHz, or 2.6GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 4MB on-chip shared L2 cache running 1:1 with processor speed

17-inch MacBook Pro

2.4GHz or 2.6GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 4MB on-chip shared L2 cache running 1:1 with processor speed

2GB (two SO-DIMMs) of PC2-5300 (667MHz) DDR2 memory; two SO-DIMM slots support up to 4GB

800MHz frontside bus

Expansion

One FireWire 400 port at up to 400 Mbps

One FireWire 800 port at up to 800 Mbps

15-inch MacBook Pro

Two 480-Mbps USB 2.0 ports

17-inch MacBook Pro

Three 480-Mbps USB 2.0 ports

ExpressCard/34 slot

Security

Kensington cable lock slot

Battery and power

15-inch MacBook Pro

60-watt-hour lithium-polymer battery (with integrated charge indicator LEDs) providing up to 6 hours of battery life1

17-inch MacBook Pro

68-watt-hour lithium-polymer battery (with integrated charge indicator LEDs) providing up to 5.75 hours of battery life1

85W MagSafe Power Adapter with cable management system

MagSafe power adapter port

Communications

Built-in AirPort Extreme Wi-Fi wireless networking (based on an IEEE 802.11n draft specification); IEEE 802.11a/b/g compatible2

Built-in Bluetooth 2.0+EDR (Enhanced Data Rate)

Built-in 10/100/1000BASE-T Gigabit Ethernet (RJ-45 connector)

Audio

Combined optical digital input/audio line in (minijack)

Combined optical digital output/headphone out (minijack)

Built-in stereo speakers

Internal omnidirectional microphone (located under left speaker grille)



Display

15-inch MacBook Pro

15.4-inch (diagonal) TFT LED backlit display with support for millions of colors; optional glossy widescreen display

Supported resolutions: 1440 by 900 (native), 1280 by 800, 1152 by 720, 1024 by 640, and 800 by 500 at 16:10 aspect ratio; 1024 by 768, 800 by 600, and 640 by 480 at 4:3 aspect ratio; 1024 by 768, 800 by 600, and 640 by 480 at 4:3 aspect ratio stretched; 720 by 480 at 3:2 aspect ratio; 720 by 480 at 3:2 aspect ratio stretched

17-inch MacBook Pro

17-inch (diagonal) TFT display with support for millions of colors; optional glossy widescreen display

Supported resolutions: 1680 by 1050 (native), 1280 by 800, 1152 by 720, 1024 by 640, and 800 by 500 at 16:10 aspect ratio; 1280 by 1024 at 5:4 aspect ratio; 1280 by 1024 at 5:4 aspect ratio stretched; 1024 by 768, 800 by 600, and 640 by 480 at 4:3 aspect ratio; 1024 by 768, 800 by 600, and 640 by 480 at 4:3 aspect ratio stretched; 720 by 480 at 3:2 aspect ratio; 720 by 480 at 3:2 aspect ratio stretched

Optional 17-inch (diagonal) TFT widescreen display with support for millions of colors; optional glossy widescreen display. Supported resolutions: 1920 by 1200 (native), 1680 by 1050, 1280 by 800, 1152 by 720, 1024 by 640, and 800 by 500 at 16:10 aspect ratio; 1280 by 1024 at 5:4 aspect ratio; 1280 by 1024 at 5:4 aspect ratio stretched; 1600 by 1200, 1024 by 768, 800 by 600, and 640 by 480 at 4:3 aspect ratio; 1600 by 1200, 1024 by 768, 800 by 600, and 640 by 480 at 4:3 aspect ratio stretched; 720 by 480 at 3:2 aspect ratio; 720 by 480 at 3:2 aspect ratio stretched



Video and graphics support

15-inch MacBook Pro

NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT graphics processor with dual-link DVI support; 128MB of GDDR3 SDRAM on 2.2GHz configuration; 256MB of GDDR3 SDRAM on 2.4GHz and 2.6GHz configurations

17-inch MacBook Pro

NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT graphics processor with dual-link DVI support and 256MB of GDDR3 SDRAM



Dual display and video mirroring: Simultaneously supports full native resolution on the built-in display and up to 2560 by 1600 pixels on an external display, both at millions of colors

DVI output port

VGA output using included DVI to VGA adapter

Built-in iSight camera

Storage

15-inch MacBook Pro

120GB or 160GB 5400-rpm Serial ATA hard drive; optional 200GB 7200-rpm or 250GB 5400-rpm drive3

8x slot-loading SuperDrive (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)

Maximum write: 8x DVD-R, DVD+R; 4x DVD-R DL (double layer), DVD+R DL (double layer), DVD-RW, DVD+RW; 24x CD-R; 10x CD-RW

Maximum read: 8x DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD-ROM; 6x DVD-ROM (double layer DVD-9), DVD-R DL (double layer), DVD+R DL (double layer), DVD-RW, DVD+RW; 24x CD

17-inch MacBook Pro

160GB 5400-rpm Serial ATA hard drive; optional 200GB 7200-rpm or 250GB 5400-rpm drive3

8x slot-loading SuperDrive (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)

Maximum write: 8x DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD+RW; 6x DVD-RW; 4x DVD-R DL (double layer), DVD+R DL (double layer); 24x CD-R; 16x CD-RW

Maximum read: 8x DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD+RW, DVD-ROM; 6x DVD-ROM (double layer DVD-9), DVD-R DL (double layer), DVD+R DL (double layer), DVD-RW; 24x CD

Input

Built-in full-size keyboard with 78 (U.S.) or 79 (ISO) keys, including 12 function keys, 4 arrow keys (inverted “T” arrangement), and embedded numeric keypad

Backlit keyboard with ambient light sensors for automatic adjustment of keyboard illumination and screen brightness



Solid-state scrolling trackpad for precise cursor control; supports two-finger scrolling, tap, double-tap, and drag capabilities

Apple Remote



Electrical and environmental requirements

Meets ENERGY STAR requirements

Line voltage: 100V to 240V AC

Frequency: 50Hz to 60Hz

DC input: 18.5 Vdc, 4.6A maximum



Operating temperature: 50° to 95° F (10° to 35° C)

Storage temperature: -13° to 113° F (-24° to 45° C)

Relative humidity: 0% to 90% noncondensing

Maximum operating altitude: 10,000 feet

Maximum storage altitude: 15,000 feet

Maximum shipping altitude: 35,000 feet

Size and weight

15-inch MacBook Pro

Height: 1.0 inch (2.59 cm)

Width: 14.1 inches (35.7 cm)

Depth: 9.6 inches (24.3 cm)

Weight: 5.4 pounds (2.45 kg) with battery and optical drive installed4

17-inch MacBook Pro

Height: 1.0 inch (2.59 cm)

Width: 15.4 inches (39.2 cm)

Depth: 10.4 inches (26.5 cm)

Weight: 6.8 pounds (3.08 kg) with battery and optical drive installed4



Software



Mac OS X v10.5 Leopard (includes Time Machine, Quick Look, Spaces, Spotlight, Dashboard, Mail, iChat, Safari, Address Book, QuickTime, iCal, DVD Player, Photo Booth, Xcode Developer Tools)

iLife ’08 (includes iTunes, iPhoto, iMovie, iDVD, iWeb, GarageBand), Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac Test Drive, iWork ’08 (30-day trial), Aperture Trial

Promote your ideas on the dazzling new displays. Throw in the color and clarity of the NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT MacBook Pro with 256MB of GDDR3 SDRAM, and you'll have the power to do it all, anywhere.





Moving performance.

The combination of a 16-lane PCI Express architecture and the powerful NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT graphics processor brings a new level of realism to MacBook Pro users. 16x full-screen anti-aliasing, 128-bit High Dynamic Range rendering, and a texture fill rate of up to 8.2 billion per second provide unrivaled picture quality and lifelike contrast and tone for next-generation 3D animation and games. The new MacBook Pro graphics performance is up to 60% faster than that of the original Core Duo-based MacBook Pro.





Everything is illuminated.

MacBook Pro makes your ideas more enlightening with a sharp, high-resolution screen. See blacker blacks, whiter whites, and many more colors in between on a brilliant 15.4-inch, 1440-by-900-pixel or 17-inch, 1680-by-1050-pixel digital display. Enjoy a nuanced view simply unavailable on other portables.



Pixel perfect.

MacBook Pro is the ideal vehicle for viewing high-resolution Photoshop images or the latest HD Hollywood blockbusters. The optional 1920-by-1200 resolution on the 17-inch MacBook Pro offers a 30% increase in viewable area over the 1680-by-1050-resolution display. With more than half a million extra pixels at your disposal, you can view 1080 resolution HD video in all its glory — no need to resize the window to fit the screen.



More than beautiful.

The new 15-inch MacBook Pro is better for the environment, thanks to its mercury-free display. Backlit by light-emitting diodes (LEDs), the display weighs less and is more power efficient than the cold cathode fluorescent lamps (CCFLs) that most notebooks employ, and it provides full brightness immediately after the system is turned on.





Pure digital signal.

When you connect an Apple Cinema Display to MacBook Pro, you lose nothing in translation. That’s because the DVI connection gives you a pure digital signal from system to display. View more than 4 million pixels on the 30-inch Apple Cinema HD Display, powered by the NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT and dual-link DVI built into MacBook Pro. You get three options for using your display: dual-display mode, video mirroring, and lid-closed mode.



Finishing coat.

MacBook Pro offers an antiglare widescreen display that’s perfect for color-minded professionals. For a more immersive viewing experience, you can configure the MacBook Pro display with a glossy finish. This gives everything you see a richer, more saturated feel.



On the go.



Projector ready

MacBook Pro works with a host of projectors, thanks to the standard DVI port or an optional video adapter. DVI-to-VGA adapter included.





On display

Extend your desktop by connecting your MacBook Pro to a larger display or an HDTV via the DVI port.


This content was originally posted on Y! Answers, a Q&A website that shut down in 2021.
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