Apple iBook 14-inch (Early 2003) vs Apple PowerBook (FireWire)
Better figure, where one is clearly better
| AppleiBook 14-inch (Early 2003) | ApplePowerBook (FireWire) | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Released | April 2003 | February 2000 |
| Display | ||
| Screen size | 14.1″ | 14.1″ |
| Resolution | 1024 × 768 | 1024 × 768 |
| Touchscreen | No | No |
| Display type | 14.1-inch TFT XGA active-matrix display supporting millions of colours. Exact panel technology, brightness and refresh unpublished. | 14.1-inch active-matrix TFT colour LCD. The maker does not publish IPS/TN subtype, brightness or refresh rate. |
| Display features | – | 1024 × 768 native resolution. VGA and S-video output support an extended desktop or video mirroring. |
| Performance | ||
| Processor | PowerPC G3 900 MHz (iBook Early 2003) | PowerPC G3 400 MHz (PowerBook FireWire) or PowerPC G3 500 MHz (PowerBook FireWire) |
| CPU cores | 1 | 1 |
| Graphics | ATI Mobility Radeon 7500 (32 MB video memory) | ATI RAGE Mobility 128 (8 MB SDRAM) |
| Memory | 256 MB or 640 MB (better) | 64 MB or 128 MB |
| Storage | 40 GB (better) | 6 GB to 12 GB |
| CPU | 900 MHz PowerPC G3; 512 KB on-chip L2 cache at processor clock and 100 MHz system bus. Exact silicon supplier/model omitted. | 400 or 500 MHz PowerPC G3, each with 1 MB backside L2 cache and 100 MHz system bus. Exact fitted silicon supplier and process not assigned. |
| GPU | ATI Mobility Radeon 7500 with 32 MB dedicated video memory and AGP 2 ×; configuration table names DDR SDRAM. | ATI RAGE Mobility 128 graphics controller on AGP 2×, 8 MB video SDRAM. Service Source also names it ATI Rage Mobility M3. |
| Memory type | 256 MB stock (128 MB onboard plus 128 MB SO-DIMM); one slot supports 512 MB module for 640 MB total. | 64 MB PC100 SDRAM standard on 400 MHz, 128 MB on 500 MHz; two 144-pin SO-DIMM slots, maker maximum 512 MB using up to 256 MB per slot. EDO and some earlier PC66 modules are incompatible. |
| 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. | Original Apple factory pairs: 400 MHz/64 MB/6 GB Ultra ATA/66 and 500 MHz/128 MB/12 GB Ultra ATA/66, each with DVD-ROM. Apple offered an 18 GB build-to-order drive without an exact associated factory pairing. Later 10 GB/20 GB refresh is reported by Macworld, not folded into the original launch configurations. Apple launch calls the DVD drive 6× maximum; its Service Source describes a 4× drive and DVD-RAM read compatibility. |
| Battery and size | ||
| Battery life (maker's claim) | Up to 6 hours | Up to 5 hours |
| Battery capacity | 55 Wh (better) | 50 Wh |
| Weight | 2.7 kg (better) | 2.7678248 kg |
| Thickness | 34 mm (better) | 43.18 mm |
| Width × depth | 323 × 259 mm | 322.58 × 264.16 mm |
| 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. | 50 Wh removable lithium-ion battery. Maker claims up to five hours with one battery or ten hours using a second battery in the optical bay. Reference 6.1 lb weight includes DVD and one battery; weight-saving module gives 5.7 lb. |
| Charger | – | 45 W maximum AC power, 100–240 V, 50–60 Hz. |
| Connections | ||
| Ports | 2 × USB-A, Ethernet, headphone jack | 2 × USB-A, Ethernet, headphone jack |
| Wi-Fi | Optional AirPort 802.11b | AirPort 802.11b with optional internal card |
| 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 400 Mbps FireWire ports with FireWire Disk Mode, two USB ports, VGA, S-video, 10/100BASE-T Ethernet, 56K V.90 modem, 4 Mbps IrDA, stereo line input and headphone output. One Type I/II PC Card/CardBus slot. No built-in SCSI or ADB. |
| External displays | VGA mirroring with included adapter; S-video and composite video through an optional Apple Video Adapter. | External VGA monitors and PAL/NTSC S-video televisions; internal/external extended desktop and video mirroring. |
| Keyboard | 77 US or 78 ISO keys, including 12 function keys, four arrows and embedded numeric keypad. | Full-size keyboard with inverted-T arrows and embedded numeric keypad; flip-up access to RAM, AirPort card and hard drive. |
| Trackpad | Tap, double-tap and drag support | Built-in trackpad with tap, double-tap and drag. |
| Speakers | Built-in stereo speakers | Built-in stereo speakers. |
| Microphones | Built-in microphone; external USB audio devices supported | Built-in microphone and line input. |
| 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. | Mac OS 9 and 6× maximum DVD-ROM drive in both Apple launch configurations; AirPort card optional. Apple’s 16 February 2000 release explicitly says available immediately at Apple Store and authorised resellers. Current support identifies a 15 February introduction; the first confirmed on-sale day is the 16th. The support table labels its 10.4 × 12.7 × 1.7-inch axes inconsistently; the case orientation gives 12.7-inch width, 10.4-inch depth and 1.7-inch thickness. |
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