Apple iBook (FireWire) vs Apple PowerBook G4 (12-inch, 1.33GHz)
Better figure, where one is clearly better
| AppleiBook (FireWire) | ApplePowerBook G4 (12-inch, 1.33GHz) | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Released | September 2000 | April 2004 |
| Display | ||
| Screen size | 12.1″ | 12.1″ |
| Resolution | 800 × 600 | 1024 × 768 (better) |
| Touchscreen | No | No |
| 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 Exact panel technology, brightness and built-in refresh unpublished. | 12.1-inch TFT XGA active-matrix display; panel technology and refresh unpublished. |
| Performance | ||
| Processor | PowerPC G3 366 MHz (iBook FireWire 2000) or PowerPC G3 466 MHz (iBook FireWire 2000) | PowerPC G4 1.33 GHz (PowerBook 12-inch 2004) |
| CPU cores | 1 | 1 |
| Graphics | ATI Rage Mobility 128 (8 MB SDRAM) | NVIDIA GeForce FX Go5200 (64 MB DDR) |
| Memory | 64 MB or 320 MB | 256 MB or 1.25 GB (better) |
| Storage | 10 GB to 20 GB | 60 GB to 80 GB (better) |
| 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. | 1.33 GHz PowerPC G4, 512 KB on-chip L2 and 167 MHz system bus. Exact silicon supplier omitted. |
| GPU | ATI Rage Mobility 128 with 8 MB SDRAM and AGP 2×. | NVIDIA GeForce FX Go5200 with 64 MB DDR video memory and AGP 4×. |
| Memory type | 64 MB onboard PC100 SDRAM and one SO-DIMM slot; maker-supported maximum 320 MB total. | 256 MB PC2700 DDR333 standard, one open SO-DIMM slot; maximum 1.25 GB. |
| 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. | 60 GB 4200 rpm Ultra ATA/100 standard; 80 GB 5400 rpm build-to-order alternative. Combo DVD-ROM/CD-RW or 4× DVD-R SuperDrive. |
| Battery and size | ||
| Battery life (maker's claim) | Up to 6 hours | Up to 5 hours |
| Battery capacity | 50 Wh | 50 Wh |
| Weight | – | 2.1 kg |
| 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. | 50 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 | – | 45 W power adapter |
| Materials | Rubber-coated translucent clamshell with carrying handle and latchless lid. | Aluminium enclosure |
| Colours | Indigo standard, Graphite Special Edition; Key Lime available for both through the Apple Store. | – |
| Connections | ||
| Ports | USB-A, Ethernet, headphone jack | 2 × USB-A, Ethernet, headphone jack |
| Wi-Fi | Optional AirPort 802.11b | AirPort Extreme 802.11g/b |
| Bluetooth | – | 1.1 |
| Operating system | macOS | macOS |
| 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 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 | Composite video output via the AV port; no built-in VGA output. | Dual display and mirroring; external resolution up to 2048 × 1536. |
| Keyboard | 76 US or 77 ISO keys, including 12 function keys, four arrows and embedded numeric keypad. | Full-size keyboard with embedded numeric keypad |
| Trackpad | Tap, double tap and drag support | Tap, double-tap and drag support |
| Speakers | Single built-in mono speaker | Stereo speakers with midrange-enhancing third speaker |
| Microphones | No built-in microphone; optional USB microphone supported | Internal omnidirectional microphone |
| 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 UK confirms immediate availability on 19 April 2004; Mac OS X 10.3 Panther and iLife ’04 supplied. |
More comparisons
- Apple iBook (FireWire) vs Apple MacBook Air 13″ (M5)
- Apple MacBook Air 13″ (M5) vs Apple PowerBook G4 (12-inch, 1.33GHz)
- Apple iBook (FireWire) vs Apple MacBook (13-inch, Early 2006)
- Apple MacBook Pro (15-inch, Early 2006) vs Apple PowerBook G4 (12-inch, 1.33GHz)
- Apple PowerBook G4 (12-inch, 1.33GHz) vs Apple PowerBook G4 (15-inch, Double-Layer SD)
- Apple PowerBook G4 (12-inch, 1.33GHz) vs Apple PowerBook G4 (17-inch, Double-Layer SD)
- Apple iBook (FireWire) vs Apple iBook G4 (12-inch, Mid 2005)
- Apple iBook (FireWire) vs Apple iBook G4 (14-inch, Mid 2005)
- Apple PowerBook G4 (12-inch, 1.33GHz) vs Apple PowerBook G4 (15-inch, 1.67/1.5GHz)
- Apple PowerBook G4 (12-inch, 1.33GHz) vs Apple PowerBook G4 (17-inch, 1.67GHz)
- Apple PowerBook G4 (12-inch, 1.33GHz) vs Apple PowerBook G4 (12-inch, 1.5GHz)
- Apple iBook (FireWire) vs Apple PowerBook G4 (12-inch, 1.5GHz)
- Apple iBook (FireWire) vs Apple iBook G4 (12-inch, Late 2004)
- Apple iBook (FireWire) vs Apple iBook G4 (14-inch, Late 2004)
- Apple PowerBook G4 (12-inch, 1.33GHz) vs Apple PowerBook G4 (12-inch DVI)
- Apple PowerBook G4 (12-inch, 1.33GHz) vs Apple PowerBook G4 (Original 2001)

