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.
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 – 18 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 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 |
Further Reading and References
- PowerBook G4 (Late 2005): Technical Specifications – Apple Support
- Apple Enhances PowerBooks with Higher-Resolution Displays, Longer Battery Life – Apple Newsroom
- PowerBook G4 – Wikipedia
- 17″ PowerBook G4 hi-res (Late 2005) – Low End Mac
- PowerBook G4 (Dual Layer SD) – Apple History
- Apple PowerBook G4 (17-inch; 1.67GHz) review – CNET
Disclaimer: The data presented in this article is under continuous development and has been manually collected from various sources based on their availability. The author of this article may revise this dataset as additional research is conducted and reviewed. Please note that the information is provided “as is” and “as available” without express or implied warranties. The author cannot be held responsible for any omissions, inaccuracies, or errors in the published information. Any warranties relating to this information are hereby disclaimed.