Apple iBook (FireWire) vs Apple PowerBook G4 12-inch (Early 2003)

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

Only show differences

Better figure, where one is clearly better

Share comparison

iBook (FireWire) compared with PowerBook G4 12-inch (Early 2003)

	AppleiBook (FireWire)	ApplePowerBook G4 12-inch (Early 2003)
Overview
Released
Released	September 2000	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 display, 800 × 600 native resolution. Exact panel technology, brightness and built-in refresh unpublished.	12.1-inch TFT XGA active-matrix display. Exact panel technology, brightness and refresh unpublished.
Performance
Processor
Processor	PowerPC G3 366 MHz (iBook FireWire 2000) or PowerPC G3 466 MHz (iBook FireWire 2000)	PowerPC G4 867 MHz (PowerBook 12-inch Early 2003)
CPU cores
CPU cores	1	1
Graphics
Graphics	ATI Rage Mobility 128 (8 MB SDRAM)	NVIDIA GeForce4 420 Go (32 MB DDR)
Memory
Memory	64 MB or 320 MB	256 MB or 640 MB (better)
Storage
Storage	10 GB to 20 GB	40 GB (better)
CPU
CPU	366 MHz PowerPC G3 standard, 466 MHz Special Edition; 256 KB on-chip L2 cache at processor clock and 66 MHz system/memory buses. Exact silicon supplier and model omitted.	867 MHz PowerPC G4 with Velocity Engine, 256 KB L2 cache and 133 MHz system bus. Exact supplier/SKU not inferred.
GPU
GPU	ATI Rage Mobility 128 with 8 MB SDRAM and AGP 2×.	NVIDIA GeForce4 420 Go, AGP 4 × and 32 MB DDR video memory.
Memory type
Memory type	64 MB onboard PC100 SDRAM and one SO-DIMM slot; maker-supported maximum 320 MB total.	256 MB PC2100 DDR266 stock: 128 MB onboard plus 128 MB SO-DIMM. Maker-supported maximum 640 MB retained; third-party 1152 MB maximum in EveryMac is not a maker configuration.
Storage type
Storage type	10 GB IDE drive, optional 20 GB. Standard models have 24× CD-ROM; Special Edition has 6× maximum DVD-ROM according to the maker sheet. EveryMac lists 4× instead; maker retained.	40 GB 4200 rpm Ultra ATA/100 hard drive. Combo reads DVD 8 ×, writes CD-R 24 × and CD-RW 10 ×; optional SuperDrive writes DVD-R 1 ×, CD-R 8 × and CD-RW 4 ×. No unlisted drive capacity combinations.
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	50 Wh (better)	47 Wh
Weight
Weight	–	2.1 kg
Thickness
Thickness	–	30 mm
Width × depth
Width × depth	–	277 × 219 mm
Battery life detail
Battery life detail	50 Wh lithium-ion battery; maker claim up to six hours. Maker weights are 3.0 kg standard and 3.1 kg Special Edition, so no single main weight is selected. Maker labels: width 34.4 cm, height 29.4 cm, average depth 4.6 cm (range 3.15–5.2 cm). No main axis reinterpretation or computed metric dimensions.	47 Wh, up to five hours maker claim. Published 2.1 kg includes battery and optical drive and varies by configuration/manufacturing process; closed metric dimensions 27.7 × 21.9 × 3.0 cm.
Materials
Materials	Rubber-coated translucent clamshell with carrying handle and latchless lid.	Aluminium alloy enclosure
Colours
Colours	Indigo standard, Graphite Special Edition; Key Lime available for both through the Apple Store.	–
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 802.11b/g
Bluetooth
Bluetooth	–	1.1
Operating system
Operating system	macOS	macOS
Port detail
Port detail	One 12 Mbps USB port, one 400 Mbps FireWire port, 10/100BASE-T Ethernet, internal 56K V.90 modem and stereo headphone/composite AV output. Optional AirPort card.	Two 12 Mbps USB 1.1 ports, one FireWire 400, 10/100 Ethernet, 56K V.92 modem, audio line in and headphone output. Mini-VGA supports included VGA and S-video/composite adapters. No PC Card slot.
External displays
External displays	Composite video output via the AV port; no built-in VGA output.	Dual display or mirroring; external display up to 1600 × 1200 at millions of colours.
Keyboard
Keyboard	76 US or 77 ISO keys, including 12 function keys, four arrows and embedded numeric keypad.	Full-size keyboard, 78 US or 79 ISO keys, embedded numeric keypad.
Trackpad
Trackpad	Tap, double tap and drag support	–
Speakers
Speakers	Single built-in mono speaker	Stereo speakers with midrange-enhancing third speaker
Microphones
Microphones	No built-in microphone; optional USB microphone supported	Internal omnidirectional microphone
In the box
In the box	Mac OS 9, iMovie 2, AppleWorks and QuickTime; power adapter, power cord, battery and modem cable. All configurations available immediately in the maker release.	Apple Video Adapter, VGA adapter, modem cable, 45 W power adapter, plug and cord. January 7 maker launch promised later-January availability; full production review on February 3 confirms subsequent availability but exact first sale month is unestablished, so year retained.