Apple iBook 12-inch (Early 2003) vs Apple iBook (1999)

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

iBook 12-inch (Early 2003) compared with iBook (1999)
AppleiBook 12-inch (Early 2003)AppleiBook (1999)
Overview
ReleasedApril 2003September 1999
Display
Screen size12.1″12.1″
Resolution1024 × 768 (better)800 × 600
TouchscreenNoNo
Display type12.1-inch TFT XGA active-matrix display supporting millions of colours. Exact panel technology, brightness and refresh unpublished.12.1-inch active-matrix TFT SVGA display; exact size confirmed by SFGate's full original-model review. Panel technology, brightness and built-in refresh unpublished.
Performance
ProcessorPowerPC G3 800 MHz (iBook Early 2003) or PowerPC G3 900 MHz (iBook Early 2003)PowerPC G3 300 MHz (iBook 1999)
CPU cores11
GraphicsATI Mobility Radeon 7500 (32 MB video memory)ATI Rage Mobility (4 MB)
Memory128 MB or 640 MB (better)32 MB or 288 MB
Storage30 GB to 40 GB (better)3.2 GB
CPU800 or 900 MHz PowerPC G3; 512 KB on-chip L2 cache at processor clock and 100 MHz system bus. Exact silicon supplier/model omitted.300 MHz PowerPC G3; 66 MHz data path, 64 KB L1 cache and 512 KB L2 cache. Exact supplier and silicon model omitted because the maker sheet does not publish them.
GPUATI Mobility Radeon 7500 with 32 MB dedicated video memory and AGP 2 ×; configuration table names DDR SDRAM.ATI Rage Mobility with 4 MB video memory and AGP 2× support (SFGate and Macworld exact-model reviews).
Memory type128 MB PC100 SDRAM onboard and one SO-DIMM slot, supporting a 512 MB module for 640 MB total.32 MB onboard and one SO-DIMM slot. The retained maker sheet supports 288 MB total for the original; contemporary reviews described the earlier 160 MB maximum.
Storage type800 MHz stock: 30 GB Ultra ATA and 24 × CD-ROM.900 MHz stock:40 GB Ultra ATA and Combo drive (24 × CD-R write, 10 × CD-RW write, 8 × DVD read, 24 × CD read). Larger factory drive options mentioned without capacities; no unconfirmed matrix added.3.2 GB IDE hard drive and 24× CD-ROM drive; the 6 GB stocks belong to the February 2000 refresh.
Battery and size
Battery life (maker's claim)Up to 5 hoursUp to 6 hours
Battery capacity46 Wh (better)45 Wh
Weight2.2 kg–
Thickness34 mm–
Width × depth285 × 230 mm–
Battery life detail46 Wh lithium-ion battery according to the exact maker sheet; up to five hours. EveryMac lists 47 Wh instead, so maker retained. Published 2.2 kg reference weight varies by configuration/manufacturing process. Dimensions use maker-published 28.5 × 23.0 × 3.4 cm.45 Wh lithium-ion battery; Apple’s six-hour claim is reported in the exact SFGate review. The maker publishes 6.7 pounds and dimensions 11.6 H × 13.5 W × 1.8 D inches; ambiguous axes and unpublished metric figures are not converted.
Materials–Coloured clamshell enclosure with rubber bumpers, translucent plastics and retractable handle (Macworld).
Colours–Blueberry and white; Tangerine and white
Connections
Ports2 × USB-A, Ethernet, headphone jackUSB-A, Ethernet, headphone jack
Wi-FiOptional AirPort 802.11bOptional AirPort 802.11b
Operating systemmacOSmacOS
Port detailTwo 12 Mbps USB ports, one 400 Mbps FireWire port, 10/100BASE-T Ethernet, internal 56K V.92 modem and stereo headphone output. Optional 11 Mbps AirPort card; Bluetooth available through an optional external USB adapter, not built in.One USB port, 10/100BASE-T Ethernet, internal 56K modem and stereo headphone output. No FireWire, video-out, PC Card slot or audio input. AirPort requires an optional internal card.
External displaysVGA mirroring with included adapter; S-video and composite video through an optional Apple Video Adapter.No built-in external display output
Keyboard77 US or 78 ISO keys, including 12 function keys, four arrows and embedded numeric keypad.Full-size keyboard and embedded numeric keypad; lift-out keyboard provides memory access (Macworld).
TrackpadTap, double-tap and drag supportBuilt-in trackpad with a separate button
SpeakersBuilt-in stereo speakersSingle built-in speaker
MicrophonesBuilt-in microphone; external USB audio devices supportedNo built-in microphone
In the boxApple VGA Display Adapter, modem cable, power adapter, wall plug, power cord and battery; Mac OS X, Mac OS 9 and bundled iLife/productivity software. MacRumors reported the exact new configurations live in the Apple Store on 22 April 2003; first delivery day unestablished, so release month retained.Mac OS 8.6 at launch. Apple’s spokesperson confirmed September 1999 shipping in Bryan Chaffin’s Mac Observer report; the July 1999 introduction is not the on-sale date. Macworld’s retail test is labelled January 2000 in the article despite its incorrect migrated webpage date.

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