Apple iBook (1999) vs Apple iBook (FireWire)

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iBook (1999) compared with iBook (FireWire)

	AppleiBook (1999)	AppleiBook (FireWire)
Overview
Released
Released	September 1999	September 2000
Display
Screen size
Screen size	12.1″	12.1″
Resolution
Resolution	800 × 600	800 × 600
Touchscreen
Touchscreen	No	No
Display type
Display type	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 Panel technology, brightness and built-in refresh unpublished.	12.1-inch active-matrix TFT display, 800 × 600 native resolution. Exact panel technology, brightness and built-in refresh unpublished.
Performance
Processor
Processor	PowerPC G3 300 MHz (iBook 1999)	PowerPC G3 366 MHz (iBook FireWire 2000) or PowerPC G3 466 MHz (iBook FireWire 2000)
CPU cores
CPU cores	1	1
Graphics
Graphics	ATI Rage Mobility (4 MB)	ATI Rage Mobility 128 (8 MB SDRAM)
Memory
Memory	32 MB or 288 MB	64 MB or 320 MB (better)
Storage
Storage	3.2 GB	10 GB to 20 GB (better)
CPU
CPU	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.	366 MHz PowerPC G3 standard, 466 MHz Special Edition; 256 KB on-chip L2 cache at processor clock and 66 MHz system/memory buses. Exact silicon supplier and model omitted.
GPU
GPU	ATI Rage Mobility with 4 MB video memory and AGP 2× support (SFGate and Macworld exact-model reviews).	ATI Rage Mobility 128 with 8 MB SDRAM and AGP 2×.
Memory type
Memory type	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.	64 MB onboard PC100 SDRAM and one SO-DIMM slot; maker-supported maximum 320 MB total.
Storage type
Storage type	3.2 GB IDE hard drive and 24× CD-ROM drive; the 6 GB stocks belong to the February 2000 refresh.	10 GB IDE drive, optional 20 GB. Standard models have 24× CD-ROM; Special Edition has 6× maximum DVD-ROM according to the maker sheet. EveryMac lists 4× instead; maker retained.
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	45 Wh	50 Wh (better)
Battery life detail
Battery life detail	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 The maker publishes 6.7 pounds and dimensions 11.6 H × 13.5 W × 1.8 D inches; ambiguous axes and unpublished metric figures are not converted.	50 Wh lithium-ion battery; maker claim up to six hours. Maker weights are 3.0 kg standard and 3.1 kg Special Edition, so no single main weight is selected. Maker labels: width 34.4 cm, height 29.4 cm, average depth 4.6 cm (range 3.15–5.2 cm). No main axis reinterpretation or computed metric dimensions.
Materials
Materials	Coloured clamshell enclosure with rubber bumpers, translucent plastics and retractable handle (Macworld).	Rubber-coated translucent clamshell with carrying handle and latchless lid.
Colours
Colours	Blueberry and white; Tangerine and white	Indigo standard, Graphite Special Edition; Key Lime available for both through the Apple Store.
Connections
Ports
Ports	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	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.	One 12 Mbps USB port, one 400 Mbps FireWire port, 10/100BASE-T Ethernet, internal 56K V.90 modem and stereo headphone/composite AV output. Optional AirPort card.
External displays
External displays	No built-in external display output	Composite video output via the AV port; no built-in VGA output.
Keyboard
Keyboard	Full-size keyboard and embedded numeric keypad; lift-out keyboard provides memory access (Macworld).	76 US or 77 ISO keys, including 12 function keys, four arrows and embedded numeric keypad.
Trackpad
Trackpad	Built-in trackpad with a separate button	Tap, double tap and drag support
Speakers
Speakers	Single built-in speaker	Single built-in mono speaker
Microphones
Microphones	No built-in microphone	No built-in microphone; optional USB microphone supported
In the box
In the box	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.	Mac OS 9, iMovie 2, AppleWorks and QuickTime; power adapter, power cord, battery and modem cable. All configurations available immediately in the maker release.