One week after the famous event where the video iPod and the new iMacs were launched, Apple is announcing a significant upgrade to its PowerBook G4 lineup. These systems will benefit from new types of displays, which offer an improved resolution and better image quality. At the same time, the systems’ battery lifespan has been increased by almost an hour, and each system will include a SuperDrive DVD burning unit.

The new higher-resolution PowerBooks provide significantly more screen real estate and include the 17-inch PowerBook with a 1680-by-1050 pixel resolution, 36 percent more than the previous generation, and the 15-inch PowerBook with a 1440-by-960 pixel resolution, 26 percent more than the previous generation.

Ideal for business and creative professionals, the new 15- and 17-inch PowerBooks make reading text and viewing images even easier with brighter displays, up to 46 percent brighter on the 17-inch model.

Every PowerBook includes built-in Bluetooth 2.0+EDR (Enhanced Data Rate), integrated AirPort Extreme 54 Mbps 802.11g WiFi wireless networking, a scrolling TrackPad and Apple's Sudden Motion Sensor technology.

The 12 inch model includes a 1.5GHz processor, 512 MB of PC2700 333MHz DDR SDRAM memory, a SuperDrive 8X drive, and an 80 GB hard drive. The price tag for this model is of $1,499.

For the 15 inch model, the configuration is a 1.67GHz processor, SuperDrive 8X drive with dual-layer support, 512 MB of PC2-4200 DDR2 SDRAM memory running at 333 MHz, 80GB hard drive, Gigabit Ethernet, illuminated keyboard with ambient light sensor and the 128 MB ATI Radeon Mobility 9700 solution. The price tag for this system is $1,999.

The spearhead of the lineup, the 17 inch model, is priced at $2.499 and it includes the same SuperDrive as the 15 inch one.