As expected Apple today announced a refreshment of the PowerBook G4 line:

Whether you prefer the ultra-compact 12-inch model, the coveted 15-inch powerhouse or the high-resolution 17-inch stunner, every new PowerBook G4 features faster PowerPC G4 processors with speeds topping the charts at 1.67GHz. Want power to burn? The new PowerBook models offer 8x SuperDrives. And each PowerBook comes standard with 512MB of memory and a 5400-rpm hard disk drive. Starting at just $1499.

Scrolling Trackpad. "Just drag two fingers over the trackpad to scroll vertically and horizontally or pan around any active window. Change this feature to suit your needs: Customize your trackpad settings or turn off scrolling completely via System Preferences."

Sudden Motion Sensor "senses change in axis position and accelerated movement. In the event of a drop or fall, the Sudden Motion Sensor instantly parks the hard drive heads so they won?t scratch the disks on impact, lessening the risk of damage and improving your chances of retrieving valuable data. When the Sudden Motion Sensor senses your PowerBook is once again level, it unlocks the hard drive heads automatically."

Bluetooth 2.0+EDR (Enhanced Data Rate). "Combine Bluetooth with iSync to keep your contacts and schedules up to date and fully synchronized between your PowerBook and your Bluetooth-enabled cell phone and PDA. You can also use your Bluetooth phone as a wireless modem if you?re out and about and find no WiFi connection available. And, as an added bonus, Bluetooth even lets you enjoy a cable-free desktop with the Apple wireless keyboard and mouse."

128MB VRAM. "The 17-inch PowerBook now features Dual Link support to drive Apple?s breakthrough 30-inch Cinema HD Display as an external monitor, and this feature is also available as a build-to-order option on the 1.67 GHz model of the 15-inch PowerBook."

The 1.67 GHz, 17-inch PowerBook, for a suggested retail price of $2,699 (US), includes:

- 512MB of 333 MHz DDR SDRAM, with one open slot, expandable up to 2GB;

- a 100GB (5400 rpm) Ultra ATA/100 hard drive and Sudden Motion Sensor;

- a slot-load 8X SuperDrive (DVD±RW/CD-RW) optical drive;

- ATI Mobility Radeon 9700 graphics with 128MB video memory;

- DVI (Dual Link for 30-inch support), VGA, S-video and composite video support;

- AirPort Extreme 54 Mbps 802.11g WiFi fast wireless networking and internal Bluetooth 2.0+EDR;

- Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000BASE-T) and 56K V.92 modem;

- two USB 2.0 ports, FireWire¨ 400 and 800;

- optical digital audio input and output;

- a scrolling TrackPad; and

- illuminated keyboard with ambient light sensor.

The 1.67 GHz, 15-inch PowerBook, for a suggested retail price of $2,299 (US), includes:

- 512MB of 333 MHz DDR SDRAM, with one open slot, expandable up to 2GB;

- an 80GB (5400 rpm) Ultra ATA/100 hard drive and Sudden Motion Sensor;

- a slot-load 8X SuperDrive (DVD±RW/CD-RW) optical drive;

- ATI Mobility Radeon 9700 graphics with 64MB video memory with Dual Link DVI functionality;

- DVI, VGA, S-video and composite video support;

- AirPort Extreme 54 Mbps 802.11g WiFi fast wireless networking and internal Bluetooth 2.0+EDR;

- Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000BASE-T) and 56K V.92 modem;

- two USB 2.0 ports, FireWire 400 and 800;

- a scrolling TrackPad; and

- illuminated keyboard with ambient light sensor.

The 1.5 GHz, 15-inch PowerBook, for a suggested retail price of $1,999 (US), includes: Ê

- 512MB of 333 MHz DDR SDRAM, with one open memory slot, expandable up to 2GB;

- an 80GB (5400 rpm) Ultra ATA/100 hard drive with Sudden Motion Sensor;

- a slot-load Combo (DVD-ROM/CD-RW) optical drive;

- ATI Mobility Radeon 9700 graphics with 64MB video memory;

- DVI, VGA, S-video and composite video support;

- AirPort Extreme 54 Mbps 802.11g WiFi fast wireless networking and internal Bluetooth 2.0+EDR;

- Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000BASE-T) and 56K V.92 modem;

- two USB 2.0 ports, FireWire 400 and 800;

- a scrolling TrackPad; and

- illuminated keyboard with ambient light sensor.

The 1.5 GHz, 12-inch PowerBook, for a suggested retail price of $1,699 (US), includes:

- 512MB of 333 MHz DDR SDRAM, expandable up to 1.25GB;

- an 80GB (5400 rpm) Ultra ATA/100 hard drive with Sudden Motion Sensor;

- a slot-load 8X SuperDrive (DVD±RW/CD-RW) optical drive;

- NVIDIA GeForce FX Go5200 graphics with 64MB of video memory;

- DVI, VGA, S-video and composite video support;

- AirPort Extreme 54 Mbps 802.11g WiFi fast wireless networking and internal Bluetooth 2.0+EDR;

- Ethernet 10/100BASE-T and 56K V.92 modem;

- two USB 2.0 ports and Firewire 400; and

- a scrolling TrackPad.

The 1.5 GHz, 12-inch PowerBook, for a suggested retail price of $1,499 (US), includes:

- 512MB of 333 MHz DDR SDRAM, expandable up to 1.25GB;

- a 60GB (5400 rpm) Ultra ATA/100 hard drive with Sudden Motion Sensor;

- a slot-load Combo (DVD-ROM/CD-RW) optical drive;

- NVIDIA GeForce FX Go5200 graphics with 64MB of video memory;

- DVI, VGA, S-video and composite video support;

- AirPort Extreme 54 Mbps 802.11g WiFi fast wireless networking and internal Bluetooth 2.0+EDR;

- Ethernet 10/100BASE-T and 56K V.92 modem;

- two USB 2.0 ports and Firewire 400; and

- a scrolling TrackPad.