Apple iBook 12-inch (Early 2003) vs Apple iBook G4 (14-inch, Late 2003)
Better figure, where one is clearly better
| AppleiBook 12-inch (Early 2003) | AppleiBook G4 (14-inch, Late 2003) | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Released | April 2003 | 2003 |
| Display | ||
| Screen size | 12.1″ | 14.1″ |
| Resolution | 1024 × 768 | 1024 × 768 |
| Touchscreen | No | No |
| Display type | 12.1-inch TFT XGA active-matrix display supporting millions of colours. Exact panel technology, brightness and refresh unpublished. | Active-matrix TFT XGA display supporting millions of colours. Exact panel technology, brightness and built-in refresh rate are unpublished in the cited maker sheet. |
| Performance | ||
| Processor | PowerPC G3 800 MHz (iBook Early 2003) or PowerPC G3 900 MHz (iBook Early 2003) | PowerPC G4 933 MHz (iBook Late 2003) or PowerPC G4 1000 MHz (iBook Late 2003) |
| CPU cores | 1 | 1 |
| Graphics | ATI Mobility Radeon 7500 (32 MB video memory) | ATI Mobility Radeon 9200 (32 MB DDR) |
| Memory | 128 MB or 640 MB | 256 MB or 640 MB |
| Storage | 30 GB to 40 GB | 40 GB to 60 GB (better) |
| CPU | 800 or 900 MHz PowerPC G3; 512 KB on-chip L2 cache at processor clock and 100 MHz system bus. Exact silicon supplier/model omitted. | PowerPC G4 at 0.933 GHz or 1 GHz, with Velocity Engine, 256 KB on-chip L2 cache at processor speed and 133 MHz system bus. Exact silicon model and supplier are not published in the cited maker sheets. |
| GPU | ATI Mobility Radeon 7500 with 32 MB dedicated video memory and AGP 2 ×; configuration table names DDR SDRAM. | ATI Mobility Radeon 9200 with 32 MB dedicated DDR SDRAM and AGP 4× support. |
| Memory type | 128 MB PC100 SDRAM onboard and one SO-DIMM slot, supporting a 512 MB module for 640 MB total. | PC2100 266 MHz DDR SDRAM; 128 MB soldered plus 128 MB in the single SO-DIMM slot as standard. Up to 640 MB total, requiring replacement of the installed module. |
| Storage type | 800 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. | 4200 rpm Ultra ATA/100 hard drive; 40 GB and 60 GB build-to-order options. Stock processor/drive ties are 800 MHz/30 GB (12-inch), 933 MHz/40 GB or 1 GHz/60 GB (14-inch). Slot-loading DVD-ROM/CD-RW Combo drive in the consumer stocks. |
| Battery and size | ||
| Battery life (maker's claim) | Up to 5 hours | Up to 6 hours |
| Battery capacity | 46 Wh | 61 Wh (better) |
| Weight | 2.2 kg (better) | 2.7 kg |
| Thickness | 34 mm (better) | 34.2 mm |
| Width × depth | 285 × 230 mm | 323 × 259 mm |
| Battery life detail | 46 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. | Removable 61 Wh lithium-ion battery, with charge-indicator LEDs; maker claim up to six hours. Published 2.7 kg reference weight varies with configuration and manufacturing process. The current maker support sheet supplies the reference metric values; the older developer note gives slightly different depths and 2.6 kg for the 14-inch. |
| Materials | – | White polycarbonate enclosure |
| Colours | – | White |
| Connections | ||
| Ports | 2 × USB-A, Ethernet, headphone jack | 2 × USB-A, Ethernet, headphone jack |
| Wi-Fi | Optional AirPort 802.11b | Optional AirPort Extreme 802.11g |
| Bluetooth | – | Optional Bluetooth 1.1 |
| Operating system | macOS | macOS |
| Port detail | Two 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. | Two USB 2.0 ports, one FireWire 400 port, 10/100BASE-T Ethernet, 56K V.92 modem, stereo headphone output and Mini-VGA video output. AirPort Extreme and internal Bluetooth are optional. The maker developer note specifies Bluetooth 1.1. |
| External displays | VGA mirroring with included adapter; S-video and composite video through an optional Apple Video Adapter. | VGA mirroring through the included Apple VGA adapter; S-video and composite TV output require the optional Apple Video Adapter. Extended desktop is unsupported. |
| Keyboard | 77 US or 78 ISO keys, including 12 function keys, four arrows and embedded numeric keypad. | Full-size keyboard with 77 US or 78 ISO keys, 12 function keys, four arrow keys and an embedded numeric keypad. |
| Trackpad | Tap, double-tap and drag support | Trackpad with a separate button; tap, double-tap and drag capabilities. |
| Speakers | Built-in stereo speakers | Built-in stereo speakers |
| Microphones | Built-in microphone; external USB audio devices supported | Built-in microphone |
| In the box | Apple 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. | iBook, rechargeable battery, power adapter, Apple VGA Video Adapter, software and documentation. Mac OS X 10.3 Panther, iLife and Classic environment. Native Mac OS 9 startup unsupported. The 22 October 2003 maker notice promised the 14-inch for the following week. LowEndMac reports actual London receipt on 12 November; an exact first shipping month remains unverified, so the release uses year precision. |
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