Apple iBook 12-inch (Early 2003) vs Apple MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, 2017)

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

Only show differences

Better figure, where one is clearly better

Share comparison

iBook 12-inch (Early 2003) compared with MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, 2017)

	AppleiBook 12-inch (Early 2003)	AppleMacBook (Retina, 12-inch, 2017)
Overview
Released
Released	April 2003	June 2017
Display
Screen size
Screen size	12.1″	12″
Resolution
Resolution	1024 × 768	2304 × 1440 (better)
Panel
Panel	–	IPS LCD
Touchscreen
Touchscreen	No	No
Display type
Display type	12.1-inch TFT XGA active-matrix display supporting millions of colours. Exact panel technology, brightness and refresh unpublished.	Retina display; LED-backlit IPS; 16:10 aspect ratio; millions of colours
Pixel density
Pixel density	–	226 ppi
Display features
Display features	–	Supported scaled resolutions of 1440 × 900, 1280 × 800 or 1024 × 640
Performance
Processor
Processor	PowerPC G3 800 MHz (iBook Early 2003) or PowerPC G3 900 MHz (iBook Early 2003)	Intel Core m3-7Y32, Intel Core i5-7Y54 or Intel Core i7-7Y75
CPU cores
CPU cores	1	2
CPU threads
CPU threads	–	4
Graphics
Graphics	ATI Mobility Radeon 7500 (32 MB video memory)	Intel HD Graphics 615
Memory
Memory	128 MB or 640 MB	8 GB or 16 GB (better)
Storage
Storage	30 GB to 40 GB	256 GB to 512 GB (better)
CPU
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.	Dual-core seventh-generation Intel Core m3 at Apple's specified 1.2 GHz with Turbo Boost up to 3.0 GHz, Core i5 at 1.3 GHz with up to 3.2 GHz, or Core i7 at 1.4 GHz with up to 3.6 GHz; all with 4 MB shared L3 cache. Exact m3-7Y32, i5-7Y54 and i7-7Y75 identifiers confirmed by TechRadar. Apple's configured clocks differ from Intel's nominal base frequencies of 1.1, 1.2 and 1.3 GHz respectively.
GPU
GPU	ATI Mobility Radeon 7500 with 32 MB dedicated video memory and AGP 2 ×; configuration table names DDR SDRAM.	Intel HD Graphics 615
Memory type
Memory type	128 MB PC100 SDRAM onboard and one SO-DIMM slot, supporting a 512 MB module for 640 MB total.	8 GB of 1866 MHz LPDDR3 onboard memory; configurable to 16 GB
Storage type
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.	PCIe-based onboard SSD; 256 GB with the 1.2 GHz Core m3 base or 512 GB with the 1.3 GHz Core i5 base. The 256 GB base can be configured with Core i5 or i7; the 512 GB base can be configured with Core i7.
Cooling
Cooling	–	Fanless design (TechRadar)
Battery and size
Battery life (maker's claim)
Battery life (maker's claim)	Up to 5 hours	Up to 12 hours
Battery capacity
Battery capacity	46 Wh (better)	41.4 Wh
Weight
Weight	2.2 kg	0.92 kg (better)
Thickness
Thickness	34 mm	13.1 mm (better)
Width × depth
Width × depth	285 × 230 mm	280.5 × 196.5 mm
Battery life detail
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.	Lithium-polymer battery; up to 10 hours wireless web, 12 hours iTunes movie playback or 30 days standby. Apple's tests used the 1.3 GHz Core i5, 8 GB memory and 512 GB storage. Chassis tapers from 3.5 to 13.1 mm; weight varies by configuration and manufacturing process.
Charger
Charger	–	30 W USB-C Power Adapter, as listed in Apple's current technical specifications
Materials
Materials	–	Aluminium enclosure
Colours
Colours	–	Silver, Gold, Space Grey, Rose Gold
Connections
Ports
Ports	2 × USB-A, Ethernet, headphone jack	USB-C, headphone jack
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi	Optional AirPort 802.11b	Wi-Fi 5
Bluetooth
Bluetooth	–	4.2
Webcam
Webcam	–	480p FaceTime
Operating system
Operating system	macOS	macOS
Port detail
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.	One USB-C port supporting charging, USB 3.1 Gen 1 up to 5 Gb/s and native DisplayPort 1.2; VGA and HDMI through separate USB-C multiport adaptors. 3.5 mm headphone jack.
External displays
External displays	VGA mirroring with included adapter; S-video and composite video through an optional Apple Video Adapter.	One external display up to 4096 × 2304 at 60 Hz alongside the built-in screen, at millions of colours
Keyboard
Keyboard	77 US or 78 ISO keys, including 12 function keys, four arrows and embedded numeric keypad.	Second-generation butterfly switches (TechRadar); full-size keyboard with 78 US or 79 ISO keys, individual LED backlighting, 12 function keys, four arrow keys and ambient light sensor
Trackpad
Trackpad	Tap, double-tap and drag support	Force Touch trackpad with pressure sensing, Force clicks and Multi-Touch gestures
Speakers
Speakers	Built-in stereo speakers	Stereo speakers
Microphones
Microphones	Built-in microphone; external USB audio devices supported	Dual microphones
In the box
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.	MacBook; 30 W USB-C Power Adapter; USB-C Charge Cable (2 m), as listed in Apple's current technical specifications