Apple iBook (Dual USB) vs Apple PowerBook G4 (Original 2001)
Better figure, where one is clearly better
| AppleiBook (Dual USB) | ApplePowerBook G4 (Original 2001) | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Released | 2001 | January 2001 |
| Display | ||
| Screen size | 12.1″ | 15.2″ |
| Resolution | 1024 × 768 | 1152 × 768 (better) |
| Touchscreen | No | No |
| Display type | 12.1-inch TFT XGA active-matrix display, 1024 × 768 native resolution. Exact panel technology, brightness and built-in refresh unpublished. | 15.2-inch TFT widescreen active-matrix display. Exact panel technology, brightness and built-in refresh unpublished. |
| Performance | ||
| Processor | PowerPC G3 500 MHz (iBook Dual USB 2001) | PowerPC G4 400 MHz (PowerBook Original 2001) or PowerPC G4 500 MHz (PowerBook Original 2001) |
| CPU cores | 1 | 1 |
| Graphics | ATI Rage Mobility 128 (8 MB SDRAM) | ATI Rage Mobility 128 (8 MB SDRAM) |
| Memory | 64 MB, 128 MB, 576 MB or 640 MB | 128 MB, 256 MB or 1 GB (better) |
| Storage | 10 GB to 20 GB | 10 GB to 30 GB (better) |
| CPU | 500 MHz PowerPC G3 with 256 KB on-chip L2 cache at processor clock; 66 MHz system and memory buses. Exact silicon supplier and model omitted. | 400 or 500 MHz PowerPC G4 with Velocity Engine; 1 MB backside L2 cache on 200 or 250 MHz dedicated 64-bit cache bus, 100 MHz system bus, 64 KB L1 (32 KB data/32 KB instruction). Exact supplier/SKU omitted. |
| GPU | ATI Rage Mobility 128 with 8 MB SDRAM and AGP 2×. | ATI Rage Mobility 128 with 8 MB SDRAM and AGP 2 ×. |
| Memory type | 64 MB onboard in the CD-ROM stock, 128 MB in the DVD-ROM and Combo stocks; one PC100 SO-DIMM slot supports up to 512 MB, giving respective maker maxima of 576 and 640 MB. | 128 MB stock at 400 MHz or 256 MB at 500 MHz; two PC100 SO-DIMM slots support up to 1 GB. |
| Storage type | 10 GB Ultra ATA throughout the maker stock table; optional 20 GB. CD-ROM stock has 64 MB; DVD-ROM and Combo stocks have 128 MB. Optional CD-RW drive also listed, without adding unsupported separate configurations. | 400 MHz stock 10 GB, 500 MHz stock 20 GB Ultra ATA/66. Maker-listed 30 GB build-to-order option retained for both with published RAM maxima; no intermediate capacities invented. Slot-loading DVD-ROM reads DVD-ROM, DVD-Video, DVD-RAM and CD-ROM. |
| Battery and size | ||
| Battery life (maker's claim) | Up to 5 hours | Up to 5 hours |
| Battery capacity | 42 Wh | 50 Wh (better) |
| Weight | 2.2 kg (better) | 2.4 kg |
| Thickness | 34 mm | 26 mm (better) |
| Width × depth | 285 × 230 mm | 341 × 241 mm |
| Battery life detail | 42 Wh lithium-ion battery; maker claim up to five hours. Maker reference weight 2.2 kg varies by configuration; published size 28.5 × 23.0 × 3.4 cm. | 50 Wh lithium-ion; up to five hours maker claim. Published 2.4 kg includes battery and varies by configuration/manufacturing process. Metric dimensions 34.1 × 24.1 × 2.6 cm are from the exact Apple technical sheet preserved by SavageTaylor, not calculated from inches. |
| Materials | Impact-resistant white polycarbonate enclosure | Titanium enclosure |
| Colours | White | – |
| Connections | ||
| Ports | 2 × USB-A, Ethernet, headphone jack | 2 × USB-A, Ethernet, headphone jack |
| Wi-Fi | Optional AirPort 802.11b | Optional AirPort 802.11b |
| Operating system | macOS | macOS |
| Port detail | Two 12 Mbps USB ports, one 400 Mbps FireWire, 10/100BASE-T Ethernet, internal 56K V.90 modem and stereo AV/headphone minijack. Optional 11 Mbps AirPort card; VGA adapter included, composite requires optional Apple AV Cable. | Two 12 Mbps USB ports, one 400 Mbps FireWire port, 10/100BASE-T Ethernet, 56K V.90 modem, 4 Mbps IrDA, one Type I/II PC Card/CardBus slot with ZoomVideo support, VGA, S-video and stereo output; no microphone input jack. |
| External displays | VGA mirroring and composite video output; external display mirrors the internal screen. | VGA 24-bit video output and S-video, with S-video-to-composite adapter. 8 MB video memory supports millions of colours on external monitors up to 21 inches (preserved exact maker sheet). |
| Keyboard | 77 US or 78 ISO keys, including 12 function keys, four arrows and embedded keypad. | 77 US or 78 ISO keys; 12 function keys, four arrows and embedded numeric keypad. |
| Trackpad | Tap, double tap and drag support | Tap, double-tap and drag support |
| Speakers | Built-in stereo speakers | Two built-in stereo speakers |
| Microphones | Built-in microphone | Internal omnidirectional microphone |
| In the box | Keyboard/trackpad, modem cable, RGB display adapter, power adapter/cord and lithium-ion battery. Mac OS 9.1 at launch; retained sheet also lists Mac OS X requiring 128 MB. Maker May 1 release specified mid-May availability; actual first-sale confirmation remains unavailable, so released has year precision. | Power adapter, DVD software, iMovie 2 and iTunes. Maker promised January availability; LowEndMac reported actual retail collection on 31 January 2001. First sale day unestablished, so month retained. |
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