The SpeedZone: Dueling Laptops ... G4/1 GHz iBook vs G4/1 GHz PowerBook

Below we compare the top of the line iBook G4/1 GHz with the 14.1 inch screen, and the 12.1 inch PowerBook G4/1GHz.

In hardcore processing ability the two portables are evenly matched. The PowerBook slightly eases out the iBook, but it is really in the margin of error area.

However on other, more light-duty, interface tasks, the extra 256K of L2 cache really helps the PowerBook out in the speed department,. In some cases turning in over two and a half times the performance of the iBook. The upshot is that the PowerBook will be much more responsive in screen redraws, word processing work and other non-processor intensive chores, that can take advantage of the extra high-speed memory.

The PowerBook also turned in a much better score on the CineBench 2003 Hardware GL Test, which gauges graphics card performance, however in our game tests the machines were more evenly matched.

Aside from the performance issues, the PowerBook is 1.3 pounds (.6 kilos), lighter. In our testing the iBook turned in 50% more battery time

From a purely technological standpoint each of these machines have strengths that make it difficult to choose between them. Arguing for the iBook is it's larger screen, bigger hard drive, longer battery life, and cheaper price. Arguing for the PowerBook is its zippier interface speed, higher RAM capacity and lighter weight.

To our eyes, the PowerBook has it over the iBook in looks. It is a class act with its brushed metal housing. The new plastics that Apple is using to surround the keyboard of the new iBooks seems cheap compared to what was used on previous models.

Difference and similarities of each machine

"Real World" Tests

In the single file test the the processor & caching capability of the machine is less of a factor.

Let 1K Windows Bloom is a simple carbon application that opens and closes 1,000 windows. This gauges how fast screen redraws are taking place. You can download the small program to run on your machine, and compare your scores to the ones here. On screen graphics are much more snappy on the PowerBook, due largely, we believe, to the extra L2 cache

We used a 21 MB files to open Photoshop 7 by dropping it on the Photoshop icon. A trial version of Photoshop 7 can be downloaded if you want to run your own test. As you can see by the times, both machines are evenly matched

Mac OS X's new File Search function relies on both processor and drive performance. In this test we are searching the file names of thousands of items, contained in two folders. The PowerBook is helped here again, we believe by the L2 cache

Large Document & Database Type Tests

Microsoft Office X Word Macro

Machine	iBook G4/1GHz 14 Inch	PowerBook G4/1GHz 12 Inch
Absolute Scores - seconds	109.34	86.94

A Macro (series of complex actions) was run in Microsoft's Word processing program on a 1.6 MB document. Word is part of Office X

Microsoft Office X Excel Macro

Machine	iBook G4/1GHz 14 Inch	PowerBook G4/1GHz 12 Inch
Absolute Scores - seconds	61.74	57.04

A Macro (series of complex actions) was run in Microsoft's Excel spreadsheet program, on a 8 MB file. Excel is part of Office X

AppleWorks Search And Replace Test

Machine	iBook G4/1GHz 14 Inch	PowerBook G4/1GHz 12 Inch
Absolute Scores - seconds	228.88	83.01

This test takes place in a 3 MB AppleWorks document. Machines with larger chip caches usually do better in this test.

Graphics Test

CineBench 2003 4D Test

Machine	iBook G4/1GHz 14 Inch	PowerBook G4/1GHz 12 Inch
Absolute Scores - points	103	108

This part of the CineBench program relies on the CPU for graphics rendering. This is basic processing 101.

CineBench 2003 Software GL Test

Machine	iBook G4/1GHz 14 Inch	PowerBook G4/1GHz 12 Inch
Absolute Scores - points	225	279

This part of the CineBench program relies on the software for graphics rendering

CineBench 2003 Hardware GL Test

Machine	iBook G4/1GHz 14 Inch	PowerBook G4/1GHz 12 Inch
Absolute Scores - points	217	477

This part of the CineBench program relies on the graphics card for graphics rendering.
Download the program and run your own tests

Number Crunching & Rendering Tests

Photoshop 7 - BareFeat's Test

Machine	iBook G4/1GHz 14 Inch	PowerBook G4/1GHz 12 Inch
Absolute Scores - seconds	59.45	53.66

BareFeats Photoshop Test Suite - mimics a production type workflow in Photoshop. If you would like to run this test on your machine, and you don't have a copy of Photoshop, download it from Adobe (only advisable if you have a high-speed connection). Then download the action file and drop it on the Photoshop icon

Photoshop 7 - AltiVec Tests

Machine	iBook G4/1GHz 14 Inch	PowerBook G4/1GHz 12 Inch
Absolute Scores - seconds	87.43	79.91

This suite of filters was run on a 21 MB file.

Photoshop 7 - Normal Tests

Machine	iBook G4/1GHz 14 Inch	PowerBook G4/1GHz 12 Inch
Absolute Scores - seconds	125.84	117.63

The test above consists of Photoshop filters and functions that do not take any particular advantage of the G4. Again we used the 21 MB file.

iMovie - Effect Render

Machine	iBook G4/1GHz 14 Inch	PowerBook G4/1GHz 12 Inch
Absolute Scores - seconds	159.98	144.10

In this test, an Aged Effect is run on a 175 MB DV file using iMovie 3.03, with the Effect left at its default setting This is a processor intensive task

Encoding/Decoding Tests

QuickTime 6.4 Encode

Machine	iBook G4/1GHz 14 Inch	PowerBook G4/1GHz 12 Inch
Absolute Scores - seconds	48.95	43.30

A 5MB movie is converted to a QuickTime movie using default setting

QuickTime 6.4 Convert To DV Stream

Machine	iBook G4/1GHz 14 Inch	PowerBook G4/1GHz 12 Inch
Absolute Scores - seconds	179.38	171.44

The 5 MB Movie is converted to a DV Stream ready for import into iMovie. Default setting was used

StuffIt Expand

Machine	iBook G4/1GHz 14 Inch	PowerBook G4/1GHz 12 Inch
Absolute Scores - seconds	72.30	67.85

This test was performed on a 23 MB StuffIt file that contained thousands of individual files.

Multitasking

QuickTime Encode + Fractal (Multitasking)

Machine	iBook G4/1GHz 14 Inch	PowerBook G4/1GHz 12 Inch
Absolute Scores - seconds	101.85	98.65

QuickTime Encode and Fractal render are both carried out at the same time

QuickTime DV + iMovie Effect Render (Multitasking)

Machine	iBook G4/1GHz 14 Inch	PowerBook G4/1GHz 12 Inch
Absolute Scores - seconds	325.95	325.32

QuickTime DV Encode and iMovie Effect are performed at the same time

Gaming

Giants Highest Frame Rates

Machine	iBook G4/1GHz 14 Inch	PowerBook G4/1GHz 12 Inch
Absolute Scores - frames per second	43	50

Giants Average Frame Rates

Machine	iBook G4/1GHz 14 Inch	PowerBook G4/1GHz 12 Inch
Absolute Scores - frames per second	18	17.7

Giants Lowest Frame Rates

Machine	iBook G4/1GHz 14 Inch	PowerBook G4/1GHz 12 Inch
Absolute Scores - frames per second	10	9.1

Our testing with the Giants game has shown that it responds well to faster processors. To obtain frame rates we take the character out for a jog around a predetermined route and note the frame rates at the same intervals within the circuit.

4x4 EVO 2 Average Frame Rates- High Quality Setting

Machine	iBook G4/1GHz 14 Inch	PowerBook G4/1GHz 12 Inch
Absolute Scores - frames per second	15	14.5

4x4 EVO 2 Average Frame Rates- Medium Quality Setting

Machine	iBook G4/1GHz 14 Inch	PowerBook G4/1GHz 12 Inch
Absolute Scores - frames per second	21	20

4x4 EVO 2 Average Frame Rates- Low Quality Setting

Machine	iBook G4/1GHz 14 Inch	PowerBook G4/1GHz 12 Inch
Absolute Scores - frames per second	27	29

4x4 EVO 2 is a very demanding game. It would appear that the graphics card is doing most of the work here.

OK you have seen the results .... What machine would you buy?