Apple iBook 12-inch (Early 2003) vs Apple PowerBook G4 12-inch (Early 2003)
Better figure, where one is clearly better
| AppleiBook 12-inch (Early 2003) | ApplePowerBook G4 12-inch (Early 2003) | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Released | April 2003 | 2003 |
| Display | ||
| Screen size | 12.1″ | 12.1″ |
| 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 Exact panel technology, brightness and refresh unpublished. | 12.1-inch TFT XGA active-matrix display. Exact panel technology, brightness and refresh unpublished. |
| Performance | ||
| Processor | PowerPC G3 800 MHz (iBook Early 2003) or PowerPC G3 900 MHz (iBook Early 2003) | PowerPC G4 867 MHz (PowerBook 12-inch Early 2003) |
| CPU cores | 1 | 1 |
| Graphics | ATI Mobility Radeon 7500 (32 MB video memory) | NVIDIA GeForce4 420 Go (32 MB DDR) |
| Memory | 128 MB or 640 MB | 256 MB or 640 MB |
| Storage | 30 GB to 40 GB | 40 GB |
| 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. | 867 MHz PowerPC G4 with Velocity Engine, 256 KB L2 cache and 133 MHz system bus. Exact supplier/SKU not inferred. |
| GPU | ATI Mobility Radeon 7500 with 32 MB dedicated video memory and AGP 2 ×; configuration table names DDR SDRAM. | NVIDIA GeForce4 420 Go, AGP 4 × and 32 MB DDR video memory. |
| Memory type | 128 MB PC100 SDRAM onboard and one SO-DIMM slot, supporting a 512 MB module for 640 MB total. | 256 MB PC2100 DDR266 stock: 128 MB onboard plus 128 MB SO-DIMM. Maker-supported maximum 640 MB retained; third-party 1152 MB maximum in EveryMac is not a maker configuration. |
| 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. | 40 GB 4200 rpm Ultra ATA/100 hard drive. Combo reads DVD 8 ×, writes CD-R 24 × and CD-RW 10 ×; optional SuperDrive writes DVD-R 1 ×, CD-R 8 × and CD-RW 4 ×. No unlisted drive capacity combinations. |
| Battery and size | ||
| Battery life (maker's claim) | Up to 5 hours | Up to 5 hours |
| Battery capacity | 46 Wh | 47 Wh (better) |
| Weight | 2.2 kg | 2.1 kg (better) |
| Thickness | 34 mm | 30 mm (better) |
| Width × depth | 285 × 230 mm | 277 × 219 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. | 47 Wh, up to five hours maker claim. Published 2.1 kg includes battery and optical drive and varies by configuration/manufacturing process; closed metric dimensions 27.7 × 21.9 × 3.0 cm. |
| Materials | – | Aluminium alloy enclosure |
| Connections | ||
| Ports | 2 × USB-A, Ethernet, headphone jack | 2 × USB-A, Ethernet, headphone jack |
| Wi-Fi | Optional AirPort 802.11b | Optional AirPort Extreme 802.11b/g |
| 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 12 Mbps USB 1.1 ports, one FireWire 400, 10/100 Ethernet, 56K V.92 modem, audio line in and headphone output. Mini-VGA supports included VGA and S-video/composite adapters. No PC Card slot. |
| External displays | VGA mirroring with included adapter; S-video and composite video through an optional Apple Video Adapter. | Dual display or mirroring; external display up to 1600 × 1200 at millions of colours. |
| Keyboard | 77 US or 78 ISO keys, including 12 function keys, four arrows and embedded numeric keypad. | Full-size keyboard, 78 US or 79 ISO keys, embedded numeric keypad. |
| Trackpad | Tap, double-tap and drag support | – |
| Speakers | Built-in stereo speakers | Stereo speakers with midrange-enhancing third speaker |
| Microphones | Built-in microphone; external USB audio devices supported | Internal omnidirectional 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. | Apple Video Adapter, VGA adapter, modem cable, 45 W power adapter, plug and cord. January 7 maker launch promised later-January availability; full production review on February 3 confirms subsequent availability but exact first sale month is unestablished, so year retained. |
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