Apple iBook 12-inch (Mid 2002) 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 (Mid 2002) compared with iBook (1999)
AppleiBook 12-inch (Mid 2002)AppleiBook (1999)
Overview
ReleasedMay 2002September 1999
Display
Screen size12.1″12.1″
Resolution1024 × 768 (better)800 × 600
TouchscreenNoNo
Display type12.1-inch TFT XGA active-matrix display at 1024 × 768. Exact panel technology, brightness and refresh unpublished.12.1-inch active-matrix TFT SVGA display; exact size confirmed by SFGate's full original-model review. Panel technology, brightness and built-in refresh unpublished.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 600 MHz (iBook Mid 2002) or PowerPC G3 700 MHz (iBook Mid 2002)PowerPC G3 300 MHz (iBook 1999)
CPU cores11
GraphicsATI Mobility Radeon (16 MB VRAM)ATI Rage Mobility (4 MB)
Memory128 MB or 640 MB (better)32 MB or 288 MB
Storage20 GB (better)3.2 GB
CPU600 or 700 MHz PowerPC G3, each with 512 KB on-chip L2 cache running at full processor speed 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 with 16 MB dedicated graphics memory and AGP 2×; this generation is not the later Radeon 7500 model.ATI Rage Mobility with 4 MB video memory and AGP 2× support (SFGate and Macworld exact-model reviews).
Memory type128 MB onboard SDRAM, one SO-DIMM slot supporting up to 512 MB, for a maker maximum of 640 MB total. SO-DIMM requires 3.3 V and 1.25-inch format.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 typeFactory ties: 600 MHz / 20 GB / CD-ROM or 700 MHz / 20 GB / Combo drive. The maker lists a new 40 GB option at line level; retained in detail rather than expanding unconfirmed CPU/storage pairings. Combo writes CD-R/CD-RW at 8×, reads DVD at 8× and CD at 24× maximum.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 capacity47 Wh (better)45 Wh
Weight2.2 kg–
Thickness34 mm–
Width × depth285 × 230 mm–
Battery life detail47 Wh lithium-ion battery; maker claim up to five hours. Integrated charge LEDs. Published maker reference weight 2.2 kg varies by configuration; published size 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.
MaterialsWhite polycarbonate enclosure (CFO exact-model review)Coloured clamshell enclosure with rubber bumpers, translucent plastics and retractable handle (Macworld).
ColoursWhiteBlueberry 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, 10/100BASE-T Ethernet, internal 56K V.90 modem and stereo headphone output. Optional 11 Mbps 802.11b AirPort card. Video output uses included VGA adapter or optional Apple Video Adapter.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 at 24-bit colour; S-video/composite to TV/projector through optional Apple Video Adapter.No built-in external display output
Keyboard77 US or 78 ISO keys, 12 function keys, four arrows and embedded 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 microphoneNo built-in microphone
In the boxIncluded Apple VGA Display Adapter and small power adapter; launch Mac OS X 10.1.4 and Classic Mac OS 9.2.2, iTunes 2/iMovie 2/iPhoto. Maker says now available 20 May 2002.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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