Apple iBook (1999) vs Apple MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, 2017)

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

Only show differences

Better figure, where one is clearly better

Share comparison

iBook (1999) compared with MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, 2017)

	AppleiBook (1999)	AppleMacBook (Retina, 12-inch, 2017)
Overview
Released
Released	September 1999	June 2017
Display
Screen size
Screen size	12.1″	12″
Resolution
Resolution	800 × 600	2304 × 1440 (better)
Panel
Panel	–	IPS LCD
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 Panel technology, brightness and built-in refresh unpublished.	Retina display; LED-backlit IPS; 16:10 aspect ratio; millions of colours
Pixel density
Pixel density	–	226 ppi
Display features
Display features	–	Supported scaled resolutions of 1440 × 900, 1280 × 800 or 1024 × 640
Performance
Processor
Processor	PowerPC G3 300 MHz (iBook 1999)	Intel Core m3-7Y32, Intel Core i5-7Y54 or Intel Core i7-7Y75
CPU cores
CPU cores	1	2
CPU threads
CPU threads	–	4
Graphics
Graphics	ATI Rage Mobility (4 MB)	Intel HD Graphics 615
Memory
Memory	32 MB or 288 MB	8 GB or 16 GB (better)
Storage
Storage	3.2 GB	256 GB to 512 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.	Dual-core seventh-generation Intel Core m3 at Apple's specified 1.2 GHz with Turbo Boost up to 3.0 GHz, Core i5 at 1.3 GHz with up to 3.2 GHz, or Core i7 at 1.4 GHz with up to 3.6 GHz; all with 4 MB shared L3 cache. Exact m3-7Y32, i5-7Y54 and i7-7Y75 identifiers confirmed by TechRadar. Apple's configured clocks differ from Intel's nominal base frequencies of 1.1, 1.2 and 1.3 GHz respectively.
GPU
GPU	ATI Rage Mobility with 4 MB video memory and AGP 2× support (SFGate and Macworld exact-model reviews).	Intel HD Graphics 615
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.	8 GB of 1866 MHz LPDDR3 onboard memory; configurable to 16 GB
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.	PCIe-based onboard SSD; 256 GB with the 1.2 GHz Core m3 base or 512 GB with the 1.3 GHz Core i5 base. The 256 GB base can be configured with Core i5 or i7; the 512 GB base can be configured with Core i7.
Cooling
Cooling	–	Fanless design (TechRadar)
Battery and size
Battery life (maker's claim)
Battery life (maker's claim)	Up to 6 hours	Up to 12 hours
Battery capacity
Battery capacity	45 Wh (better)	41.4 Wh
Weight
Weight	–	0.92 kg
Thickness
Thickness	–	13.1 mm
Width × depth
Width × depth	–	280.5 × 196.5 mm
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.	Lithium-polymer battery; up to 10 hours wireless web, 12 hours iTunes movie playback or 30 days standby. Apple's tests used the 1.3 GHz Core i5, 8 GB memory and 512 GB storage. Chassis tapers from 3.5 to 13.1 mm; weight varies by configuration and manufacturing process.
Charger
Charger	–	30 W USB-C Power Adapter, as listed in Apple's current technical specifications
Materials
Materials	Coloured clamshell enclosure with rubber bumpers, translucent plastics and retractable handle (Macworld).	Aluminium enclosure
Colours
Colours	Blueberry and white; Tangerine and white	Silver, Gold, Space Grey, Rose Gold
Connections
Ports
Ports	USB-A, Ethernet, headphone jack	USB-C, headphone jack
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi	Optional AirPort 802.11b	Wi-Fi 5
Bluetooth
Bluetooth	–	4.2
Webcam
Webcam	–	480p FaceTime
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 USB-C port supporting charging, USB 3.1 Gen 1 up to 5 Gb/s and native DisplayPort 1.2; VGA and HDMI through separate USB-C multiport adaptors. 3.5 mm headphone jack.
External displays
External displays	No built-in external display output	One external display up to 4096 × 2304 at 60 Hz alongside the built-in screen, at millions of colours
Keyboard
Keyboard	Full-size keyboard and embedded numeric keypad; lift-out keyboard provides memory access (Macworld).	Second-generation butterfly switches (TechRadar); full-size keyboard with 78 US or 79 ISO keys, individual LED backlighting, 12 function keys, four arrow keys and ambient light sensor
Trackpad
Trackpad	Built-in trackpad with a separate button	Force Touch trackpad with pressure sensing, Force clicks and Multi-Touch gestures
Speakers
Speakers	Single built-in speaker	Stereo speakers
Microphones
Microphones	No built-in microphone	Dual microphones
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.	MacBook; 30 W USB-C Power Adapter; USB-C Charge Cable (2 m), as listed in Apple's current technical specifications