Apple iBook (1999) vs Apple Macintosh PowerBook 3400c

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

iBook (1999) compared with Macintosh PowerBook 3400c
AppleiBook (1999)AppleMacintosh PowerBook 3400c
Overview
ReleasedSeptember 1999February 1997
Display
Screen size12.1″12.1″
Resolution800 × 600800 × 600
TouchscreenNoNo
Display type12.1-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 Panel technology, brightness and built-in refresh unpublished.12.1-inch active-matrix TFT colour LCD, displaying 32,768 colours at 800 × 600
Performance
ProcessorPowerPC G3 300 MHz (iBook 1999)PowerPC 603e 180 MHz (PowerBook 3400c), PowerPC 603e 200 MHz (PowerBook 3400c) or PowerPC 603e 240 MHz (PowerBook 3400c)
CPU cores11
GraphicsATI Rage Mobility (4 MB)–
Memory32 MB or 288 MB (better)16 MB
Storage3.2 GB (better)1.3 GB to 3 GB
CPU300 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.PowerPC 603e at 180, 200 or 240 MHz; 40 MHz bus, 32 KB L1 cache and 256 KB L2 cache
GPUATI Rage Mobility with 4 MB video memory and AGP 2× support (SFGate and Macworld exact-model reviews).Chips and Technologies CT65550 PCI video controller, named by Apple in its Japanese series specification
Memory type32 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.16 MB EDO RAM on the logic board, expandable to 144 MB with a memory card
Storage type3.2 GB IDE hard drive and 24× CD-ROM drive; the 6 GB stocks belong to the February 2000 refresh.1.3 GB ATA hard drive on the 180 MHz model; 2 GB on the 200 MHz and 3 GB on the 240 MHz Japanese configurations. Swappable 1.4 MB floppy and CD-ROM modules; Apple lists 6× CD for the 180 MHz model and 12× for the 200/240 MHz Japanese models.
Battery and size
Battery life (maker's claim)Up to 6 hoursUp to 4 hours
Battery capacity45 Wh (better)32 Wh
Weight–3.2 kg
Thickness–65.6 mm
Width × depth–293 × 239.5 mm
Battery life detail45 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 The maker publishes 6.7 pounds and dimensions 11.6 H × 13.5 W × 1.8 D inches; ambiguous axes and unpublished metric figures are not converted.32 Wh lithium-ion battery; Apple claimed two to four hours for the Japanese 200/240 MHz series. The Japanese 3.2 kg weight is with the floppy module; Apple lists 3.3 kg with CD-ROM.
MaterialsColoured clamshell enclosure with rubber bumpers, translucent plastics and retractable handle (Macworld).–
ColoursBlueberry and white; Tangerine and white–
Connections
PortsUSB-A, Ethernet, headphone jack–
Wi-FiOptional AirPort 802.11b–
Operating systemmacOSmacOS
Port detailOne 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.ADB, RS-422 serial/LocalTalk, HDI-30 SCSI, HDI-15 external video, infrared, stereo audio input/output and two Type II PC Card slots or one Type III. Built-in 10Base-T Ethernet and 33.6 Kbps modem on the 200/240 MHz Japanese configurations; Ethernet optional on the 180 MHz support specification.
External displaysNo built-in external display outputHDI-15 external display output; Apple lists 8-bit colour to a 21-inch monitor and 32,768 colours in SVGA mode on smaller monitors
KeyboardFull-size keyboard and embedded numeric keypad; lift-out keyboard provides memory access (Macworld).–
TrackpadBuilt-in trackpad with a separate buttonBuilt-in solid-state trackpad
SpeakersSingle built-in speakerFour built-in speakers and an omnidirectional microphone
MicrophonesNo built-in microphone–
In the boxMac 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.Apple's Japanese 200/240 MHz configurations included floppy and 12× CD-ROM modules, lithium-ion battery, power adapter and Mac OS 7.6

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