Apple iBook (1999) vs Apple PowerBook G4 (12-inch DVI)

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 PowerBook G4 (12-inch DVI)

	AppleiBook (1999)	ApplePowerBook G4 (12-inch DVI)
Overview
Released
Released	September 1999	2003
Display
Screen size
Screen size	12.1″	12.1″
Resolution
Resolution	800 × 600	1024 × 768 (better)
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 Panel technology, brightness and built-in refresh unpublished.	12.1-inch TFT XGA active-matrix display; panel technology and refresh unpublished.
Performance
Processor
Processor	PowerPC G3 300 MHz (iBook 1999)	PowerPC G4 1 GHz (PowerBook 12-inch DVI)
CPU cores
CPU cores	1	1
Graphics
Graphics	ATI Rage Mobility (4 MB)	NVIDIA GeForce FX Go5200 (32 MB DDR)
Memory
Memory	32 MB or 288 MB	256 MB or 1.25 GB (better)
Storage
Storage	3.2 GB	40 GB to 80 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.	1 GHz PowerPC G4, 512 KB on-chip L2 and 133 MHz system bus. Exact silicon supplier omitted.
GPU
GPU	ATI Rage Mobility with 4 MB video memory and AGP 2× support (SFGate and Macworld exact-model reviews).	NVIDIA GeForce FX Go5200 with 32 MB DDR video memory and AGP 4×.
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.	256 MB PC2100 DDR266 standard, one open SO-DIMM slot; up to 1.25 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.	40 GB 4200 rpm Ultra ATA/100 standard; the retained whole-family sheet confirms an 80 GB 4200 rpm build-to-order option. Combo DVD-ROM/CD-RW or 2× DVD-R SuperDrive. Individual table repeats Combo for both SKUs; descriptive drive section and launch release confirm SuperDrive option.
Battery and size
Battery life (maker's claim)
Battery life (maker's claim)	Up to 6 hours	Up to 5 hours
Battery capacity
Battery capacity	45 Wh	47 Wh (better)
Weight
Weight	–	2.1 kg
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.	47 Wh lithium-ion, up to five hours. Published reference weight 2.1 kg with battery and optical drive; varies by configuration/manufacturing. Published dimensions: height 3.0 cm, width 27.7 cm, depth 21.9 cm.
Charger
Charger	–	45 W power adapter
Materials
Materials	Coloured clamshell enclosure with rubber bumpers, translucent plastics and retractable handle (Macworld).	Aluminium enclosure
Colours
Colours	Blueberry and white; Tangerine and white	–
Connections
Ports
Ports	USB-A, Ethernet, headphone jack	2 × USB-A, Ethernet, headphone jack
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi	Optional AirPort 802.11b	Optional AirPort Extreme 802.11g/b
Bluetooth
Bluetooth	–	1.1
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.	Two USB 2.0 ports, FireWire 400, 10/100 Ethernet, 56K V.92 modem, mini-DVI, audio input and headphone output. Mini-DVI-to-DVI and mini-DVI-to-VGA adapters included; television adapter separate.
External displays
External displays	No built-in external display output	Dual display and mirroring; external resolution up to 2048 × 1536.
Keyboard
Keyboard	Full-size keyboard and embedded numeric keypad; lift-out keyboard provides memory access (Macworld).	Full-size keyboard with embedded numeric keypad
Trackpad
Trackpad	Built-in trackpad with a separate button	Tap, double-tap and drag support
Speakers
Speakers	Single built-in speaker	Stereo speakers with midrange-enhancing third speaker
Microphones
Microphones	No built-in microphone	Internal omnidirectional microphone
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.	Apple announced 16 September 2003 and expected the 12-inch model later that month. Actual first on-sale month unestablished after bounded contemporary source search; year precision retained.