Apple iBook 12-inch (Late 2002) vs Apple iBook (1999)

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 (Late 2002) compared with iBook (1999)

	AppleiBook 12-inch (Late 2002)	AppleiBook (1999)
Overview
Released
Released	November 2002	September 1999
Display
Screen size
Screen size	12.1″	12.1″
Resolution
Resolution	1024 × 768 (better)	800 × 600
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 Exact panel technology, brightness and refresh unpublished.	12.1-inch active-matrix TFT SVGA display; exact size confirmed by SFGate's full original-model review. Panel technology, brightness and built-in refresh unpublished.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
Processor
Processor	PowerPC G3 700 MHz (iBook Late 2002) or PowerPC G3 800 MHz (iBook Late 2002)	PowerPC G3 300 MHz (iBook 1999)
CPU cores
CPU cores	1	1
Graphics
Graphics	ATI Mobility Radeon 7500 (16 MB VRAM) or ATI Mobility Radeon 7500 (32 MB VRAM)	ATI Rage Mobility (4 MB)
Memory
Memory	128 MB or 640 MB (better)	32 MB or 288 MB
Storage
Storage	20 GB to 30 GB (better)	3.2 GB
CPU
CPU	700 or 800 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.
GPU
GPU	ATI Mobility Radeon 7500 with 16 MB dedicated VRAM at 700 MHz or 32 MB at 800 MHz; AGP 2 ×.	ATI Rage Mobility with 4 MB video memory and AGP 2× support (SFGate and Macworld exact-model reviews).
Memory type
Memory type	128 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 type
Storage type	700 MHz stock: 20 GB Ultra ATA and 24 × CD-ROM. 800 MHz stock: 30 GB Ultra ATA and Combo drive (16 × CD-R write, 8 × CD-RW write, 8 × DVD read, 24 × CD read). Larger factory drive options are 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)
Battery life (maker's claim)	Up to 5 hours	Up to 6 hours
Battery capacity
Battery capacity	47 Wh (better)	45 Wh
Weight
Weight	2.2 kg	–
Thickness
Thickness	34 mm	–
Width × depth
Width × depth	285 × 230 mm	–
Battery life detail
Battery life detail	47 Wh lithium-ion; maker claim up to five hours. 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
Materials	–	Coloured clamshell enclosure with rubber bumpers, translucent plastics and retractable handle (Macworld).
Colours
Colours	–	Blueberry and white; Tangerine and white
Connections
Ports
Ports	2 × USB-A, Ethernet, headphone jack	USB-A, Ethernet, headphone jack
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi	Optional AirPort 802.11b	Optional AirPort 802.11b
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 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 displays
External displays	VGA mirroring with included adapter; S-video and composite video through an optional Apple Video Adapter.	No built-in external display output
Keyboard
Keyboard	77 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).
Trackpad
Trackpad	Tap, double-tap and drag support	Built-in trackpad with a separate button
Speakers
Speakers	Built-in stereo speakers	Single built-in speaker
Microphones
Microphones	Built-in microphone; external USB audio devices supported	No built-in microphone
In the box
In the box	VGA display adapter, power adapter with wall plug/power cord; Mac OS X 10.2 Jaguar, Mac OS 9 and bundled digital lifestyle/productivity software. The 6 November maker release states that the new range is available through stores/resellers.	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.