PowerBook G4 17-inch Late 2005 Explained

On October 19th, 2005, Apple made waves in the tech world with the launch of its latest gem, the PowerBook G4 17-inch Late 2005. This sleek notebook computer not only boasted a stunning design but also revolutionized the landscape of portable computing with its cutting-edge features and performance capabilities.

Apple set a new standard with the PowerBook G4 series, catering specifically to the needs of business and creative professionals. The late 2005 models elevated the game with higher-resolution displays and improved battery life. This PowerBook offered up to an extra hour of battery longevity, ensuring users could stay productive on the go.

Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing, expressed excitement about the new PowerBook’s capabilities. He emphasized how the enhanced display resolutions and extended battery life would enhance productivity and user experience, echoing the sentiments of countless satisfied customers.

The new PowerBooks introduced a significant expansion in screen real estate, making them ideal for professionals who rely heavily on visual content. The 17-inch model featured a remarkable 1680-by-1050 pixel resolution—a 36 percent increase from its predecessor—while the 15-inch variant boasted a 1440-by-960 pixel resolution, 26 percent higher than before. Brighter displays, up to 46 percent brighter on the 17-inch model, further enhanced the visual experience, making text and images clearer and more vibrant.

Source: apple.com – PowerBook G4 17-inch keyboard

Under the hood, the PowerBook G4 17-inch Late 2005 was a powerhouse. Equipped with a 1.67 GHz PowerPC 7447a G4 processor, 512 MB of RAM, and a 120 GB hard drive, it offered seamless performance for demanding tasks. The inclusion of a slot-loading 8x DVD-R/CD-RW dual-layer “SuperDrive” ensured users could handle their multimedia needs with ease.

In addition to its robust performance, the PowerBook G4 17-inch Late 2005 featured a comprehensive suite of connectivity options. Built-in Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR and an AirPort Extreme Card provided seamless wireless connectivity, while the FireWire “800” port facilitated high-speed data transfer. The inclusion of a 128 MB ATI Mobility Radeon 9700 graphics card ensured the smooth rendering of graphics-intensive applications, catering to the needs of creative professionals.

Despite its premium specifications, the PowerBook G4 17-inch Late 2005 was surprisingly affordable, starting at just $2,499. This competitive pricing made it accessible to a wide range of users, further cementing its status as a sought-after device in the Mac ecosystem. Availability through the Apple Store, retail outlets, and authorized resellers ensured that enthusiasts could get their hands on this technological marvel with ease.

Although the PowerBook G4 17-inch Late 2005 was discontinued after just a year on the market, its legacy lives on. Even after 18 years, it stands as a testament to Apple’s commitment to innovation and excellence. Its enduring appeal is a reminder of the remarkable technology that Apple was capable of producing, leaving an indelible mark on the world of portable computing.

PowerBook G4 17-inch Late 2005 Details

Introduced	October 19, 2005 – 18 years ago
Discontinued	April 24, 2006 – 17 years ago
Time on the Market	187 days (6 months)
Model Identifier	PowerBook5,9
Model Number	A1139
EMC	Unknown
Order Number	M9970LL/A
Original Price	$2,499
Colors	Aluminum
Weight	6.9 Ibs. 3.129 KG
Dimensions	1” H x 15.4” W x 10.2” D 2.54 cm H x 39.11 cm W x 25.9 cm D

PowerBook G4 Tech Specs

Processor

Processor	PowerPC 7447a G4
Processor Speed	1.67 GHz
Architecture	32-bit
Number of Cores	1
System Bus	167 MHz
Cache	64 KB L1 512 KB on-chip L2

Storage & Media

Storage	120 GB
Media	1 – 8x DVD-R/CD-RW dual-layer “SuperDrive” slot-loading drive

Memory

Built-in Memory	512 MB
Maximum Memory	2 GB
Memory Slots	2 – PC2-4200 DDR2 200-pin SO-DIMM
Interleaving Support	No

Display

Built-in Display	17″ Color TFT Display
Pixel Density	117 dpi
Resolutions	640 x 480 720 x 480 800 x 500 800 x 600 1024 x 640 1024 x 768 1152 x 720 1280 x 800 1280 x 1024 1440 x 852 1680 x 1050 (native)

Graphics

Graphics Card	ATI Mobility Radeon 9700
Graphics Memory	128 MB
Display Connection	1 – dual-link DVI 1 – S-Video (VGA and Composite with adapter)
Display Modes	Dual display extended and video mirroring
External Resolution	Up to 2560 by 1600 pixels

Expansion

Expansion Slots	1 – Single Type I or II
Hard Drive Interface	Ultra ATA/100 (ATA-6)
Bays	None

Connections

Wi-Fi	AirPort Extreme Card 802.11b/g
Ethernet	10/100/1000BASE-T (RJ-45)
Modem	56k
Bluetooth	Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR
Infrared	None
ADB	None
FireWire	1 – 400 Mbps 1 – 800 Mbps
SCSI	None
USB	2 – 480 Mbps
Audio In	1 – 3.5-mm analog input jack 1 – Built-in microphone
Audio Out	1 – 3.5-mm analog output jack 2 – Built-in speakers
Display	1 – dual-link DVI 1 – S-Video (VGA and Composite with adapter)
Security Slot	1 – Kensington cable lock

Keyboard and trackpad

Keyboard	Built-in Full-size 78-key (U.S.) or 79-key (ISO) incl. 12 function and 4 arrow keys
Trackpad	Built-in Solid-state trackpad (Tap, double-tap, drag, and scroll)

Software

Original OS	Mac OS X 10.4.2
Maximum OS	Mac OS X 10.5.8
Firmware	Macintosh ROM
Bundled Software	Mac OS X 10.4 Spotlight Dashboard Mail iChat AV Safari Address Book QuickTime iCal DVD Player Classic environment Xcode Developer Tools iLife ’05 (includes iTunes, iPhoto, iMovie HD, iDVD, GarageBand) Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac Test Drive Zinio Reader Art Directors Toolkit FileMaker Pro Trial GraphicConverter OmniGraffle OmniOutliner QuickBooks For Mac New User Edition Apple Hardware Test

Power

System Battery	58 Wh Lithium-Ion (M9326G/A)
Backup Battery	PowerBook G4 (17-inch) Backup Battery (922 – 6978)
Battery Life	Up to 5.5 hours
Maximum Continuous Power	Unknown
Line Voltage	100-240 V AC
Power Adapter	65 W Apple Portable Power Adapter

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