Apple iBook (Early 2000) vs Apple PowerBook G3 (Original, 1997)

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

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iBook (Early 2000) compared with PowerBook G3 (Original, 1997)
AppleiBook (Early 2000)ApplePowerBook G3 (Original, 1997)
Overview
ReleasedFebruary 2000November 1997
Display
Screen size12.1″12.1″
Resolution800 × 600800 × 600
TouchscreenNoNo
Display type12.1-inch active-matrix TFT SVGA display supporting millions of colours at 800 × 600. Exact panel technology, brightness and built-in refresh unpublished.12.1-inch active-matrix TFT colour LCD; the maker does not publish IPS/TN panel technology, brightness or refresh rate.
Display features–800 × 600 native display with 16-bit colour on the built-in screen. The 1997 launch release says 18-bit colour, differing from the technical sheet.
Performance
ProcessorPowerPC G3 300 MHz (iBook Early 2000) or PowerPC G3 366 MHz (iBook Early 2000)PowerPC G3 250 MHz (original PowerBook G3)
CPU cores11
GraphicsATI Rage Mobility (4 MB SDRAM)Chips and Technologies 65554 (2 MB VRAM)
Memory64 MB or 320 MB (better)32 MB
Storage6 GB (better)5 GB
CPU300 MHz PowerPC G3 in the Blueberry and Tangerine stocks, or 366 MHz in the Graphite Special Edition; 66 MHz data path, 64 KB L1 cache and 512 KB L2 cache. Exact supplier and silicon model omitted.250 MHz PowerPC G3; 50 MHz system bus, 512 KB backside L2 cache running at 100 MHz. Exact fitted silicon supplier and process are unpublished.
GPUATI Rage Mobility with 4 MB SDRAM and AGP 2× support.Chips and Technologies 65554 PCI graphics controller with 2 MB video RAM; built-in display supports 16-bit colour, external display up to 24-bit colour.
Memory type64 MB onboard and one SO-DIMM slot; maker-supported maximum 320 MB total.32 MB EDO DRAM built in, one expansion slot for 16, 32, 64 or 128 MB modules; maker maximum 160 MB. A separate 4 MB ROM is listed in the contemporary technical sheet.
Storage type6 GB IDE hard drive and 24× CD-ROM drive throughout this February 2000 generation.5 GB internal 2.5-inch ATA hard drive. The expansion bay takes a 1.44 MB floppy module or 20× CD-ROM module, both in the original package; removable media are not counted as internal storage.
Battery and size
Battery life (maker's claim)Up to 6 hoursUp to 4 hours
Battery capacity45 Wh47 Wh (better)
Weight–3.4 kg
Thickness–60.96 mm
Width × depth–292.1 × 241.3 mm
Battery life detail45 Wh lithium-ion battery; maker claim up to six hours. The retained maker sheet publishes 6.7 pounds and dimensions 11.6 H × 13.5 W × 1.8 D inches. No metric values calculated.47 Wh removable lithium-ion main battery; maker claims 2–4 hours depending on use, with 4 hours as the maximum. A 60 mAh NiMH backup battery keeps clock and memory alive briefly for battery exchange. Maker reference weight is 3.4 kg with floppy module, 3.5 kg with CD-ROM and 3.2 kg without a module.
Charger–45 W AC adapter, 100–240 V at 50/60 Hz input, 24 V 1.875 A output.
MaterialsRubber-coated translucent enclosure, pull-out carrying handle and latchless closing mechanism.–
ColoursBlueberry and Tangerine at 300 MHz; Graphite Special Edition at 366 MHz.–
Connections
PortsUSB-A, Ethernet, headphone jackEthernet, 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.One shared RJ-45 socket for 10BASE-T Ethernet and the internal 33.6 Kbps modem; ADB, HDI-15 external video, HDI-30 SCSI with disk mode, GeoPort/RS-422 serial, stereo audio output and input, and an infrared transceiver supporting IR Talk and IrDA. Two PC Card Type I/II slots or one Type III card; the lower slot supports Zoomed Video.
External displaysNo built-in external display outputExternal VGA/SVGA/Apple displays through HDI-15, up to 1024 × 768 at 24-bit colour; display mirroring is supported. The technical sheet lists 640 × 480 and 800 × 600 as well.
KeyboardBuilt-in full-size keyboard (EveryMac exact-model page).Full-size built-in keyboard with 3 mm travel, 19 mm key pitch and an inverted-T arrow cluster.
TrackpadBuilt-in trackpad with a separate buttonBuilt-in solid-state trackpad.
SpeakersSingle built-in speakerFour speakers: two in the display and two beneath the keyboard; 16-bit stereo at 44.1, 22 or 11 kHz.
MicrophonesNo built-in microphoneBuilt-in omnidirectional electret microphone.
In the boxMac OS 9 and a YoYo-style power adapter. All three colour configurations available immediately according to the 16 February 2000 maker notice.Floppy and 20× CD-ROM expansion-bay modules, removable battery and AC adapter. Original Mac OS 8 installation. Apple announced US availability immediately in November 1997; European sales were planned for late November and Japan for December. The current maker sheet gives 2.4-inch thickness (60.96 mm); its older technical PDF lists 65.6 mm despite labelling that as 2.4 inches, so the current sheet controls the main dimension.

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