Apple iBook 14-inch (Early 2003) vs Apple iBook G4 (12-inch, Mid 2005)

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

Only show differences

Better figure, where one is clearly better

Share comparison

iBook 14-inch (Early 2003) compared with iBook G4 (12-inch, Mid 2005)

	AppleiBook 14-inch (Early 2003)	AppleiBook G4 (12-inch, Mid 2005)
Overview
Released
Released	April 2003	July 2005
Display
Screen size
Screen size	14.1″	12.1″
Resolution
Resolution	1024 × 768	1024 × 768
Touchscreen
Touchscreen	No	No
Display type
Display type	14.1-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 Exact panel technology, brightness and refresh unpublished.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 Exact panel technology, brightness and built-in refresh rate are unpublished in the cited maker sheet.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
Processor	PowerPC G3 900 MHz (iBook Early 2003)	PowerPC G4 1330 MHz (iBook Mid 2005)
CPU cores
CPU cores	1	1
Graphics
Graphics	ATI Mobility Radeon 7500 (32 MB video memory)	ATI Mobility Radeon 9550 (32 MB DDR)
Memory
Memory	256 MB or 640 MB	512 MB or 1.5 GB (better)
Storage
Storage	40 GB	40 GB
CPU
CPU	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 1.33 GHz, with Velocity Engine, 512 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
GPU	ATI Mobility Radeon 7500 with 32 MB dedicated video memory and AGP 2 ×; configuration table names DDR SDRAM.	ATI Mobility Radeon 9550 with 32 MB dedicated DDR SDRAM and AGP 4× support.
Memory type
Memory type	256 MB stock (128 MB onboard plus 128 MB SO-DIMM); one slot supports 512 MB module for 640 MB total.	PC2700 333 MHz DDR SDRAM; 512 MB soldered and one empty SO-DIMM slot. Factory totals 768 MB, 1 GB or 1.5 GB; maximum 1.5 GB.
Storage type
Storage type	40 GB Ultra ATA stock with Combo drive:24 × CD-R write, 10 × CD-RW write, 8 × DVD read, 24 × CD read. Larger factory drives mentioned without capacities; no unconfirmed matrix added.	4200 rpm Ultra ATA/100 hard drive; factory 60 GB, 80 GB and 100 GB options. The 12-inch starts at 40 GB with a DVD-ROM/CD-RW Combo drive; the 14-inch starts at 60 GB with a DVD-writing SuperDrive. The retained maker sheet specifies 8× SuperDrive, while the launch-period Macworld review describes 4×. Sudden Motion Sensor protects the hard drive.
Battery and size
Battery life (maker's claim)
Battery life (maker's claim)	Up to 6 hours	Up to 6 hours
Battery capacity
Battery capacity	55 Wh (better)	50 Wh
Weight
Weight	2.7 kg	2.2 kg (better)
Thickness
Thickness	34 mm (better)	34.2 mm
Width × depth
Width × depth	323 × 259 mm	285 × 230 mm
Battery life detail
Battery life detail	55 Wh lithium-ion battery; maker claim up to six hours. Published 2.7 kg reference weight varies by configuration/manufacturing process; dimensions use maker-published 32.3 × 25.9 × 3.4 cm.	Removable 50 Wh lithium-ion battery, with charge-indicator LEDs; maker claim up to six hours. Published 2.2 kg reference weight varies with configuration and manufacturing process.
Materials
Materials	–	White polycarbonate enclosure
Colours
Colours	–	White
Connections
Ports
Ports	2 × USB-A, Ethernet, headphone jack	2 × USB-A, Ethernet, headphone jack
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi	Optional AirPort 802.11b	AirPort Extreme 802.11g
Bluetooth
Bluetooth	–	2.0 + EDR
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.	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.
External displays
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
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
Trackpad	Tap, double-tap and drag support	Trackpad with a separate button; tap, double-tap and drag capabilities. Two-finger scrolling.
Speakers
Speakers	Built-in stereo speakers	Built-in stereo speakers
Microphones
Microphones	Built-in microphone; external USB audio devices supported	Built-in microphone
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.	iBook, rechargeable battery, power adapter, Apple VGA Video Adapter, software and documentation. Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger and iLife ’05 at launch; the retained support sheet later lists iLife ’06.