Apple iBook G4 (14-inch, Mid 2005) vs Apple MacBook (13-inch, Early 2006)

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

iBook G4 (14-inch, Mid 2005) compared with MacBook (13-inch, Early 2006)
AppleiBook G4 (14-inch, Mid 2005)AppleMacBook (13-inch, Early 2006)
Overview
ReleasedJuly 2005May 2006
Display
Screen size14.1″13.3″
Resolution1024 × 7681280 × 800 (better)
Brightness–250 nits
TouchscreenNoNo
Display typeActive-matrix TFT XGA display supporting millions of colours. Exact panel technology, brightness and built-in refresh rate are unpublished in the cited maker sheet.Glossy TFT widescreen display with millions of colours; panel technology and refresh rate unpublished by Apple. The launch announcement specifies 250 cd/m² brightness.
Performance
ProcessorPowerPC G4 1420 MHz (iBook Mid 2005)Intel Core Duo T2400 or Intel Core Duo T2500
CPU cores12
GraphicsATI Mobility Radeon 9550 (32 MB DDR)Intel GMA 950 (64 MB shared DDR2)
Memory512 MB or 1.5 GB512 MB, 1 GB or 2 GB (better)
Storage60 GB60 GB to 120 GB (better)
CPUPowerPC G4 at 1.42 GHz, with Velocity Engine, 512 KB on-chip L2 cache at processor speed and 142 MHz system bus. Exact silicon model and supplier are not published in the cited maker sheets.1.83 GHz Intel Core Duo T2400 or 2.0 GHz Core Duo T2500; exact processor identities confirmed by Ars Technica. 2 MB shared L2 cache and 667 MHz front-side bus.
GPUATI Mobility Radeon 9550 with 32 MB dedicated DDR SDRAM and AGP 4× support.Intel GMA 950 with 64 MB DDR2 shared with main memory; Apple notes a minimum 80 MB allocation including graphics and system use.
Memory typePC2700 333 MHz DDR SDRAM; 512 MB soldered and one empty SO-DIMM slot. Factory totals 768 MB, 1 GB or 1.5 GB; maximum 1.5 GB.Two SO-DIMM slots for 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM (PC2-5300); 512 MB standard, configurable to 1 GB or 2 GB.
Storage type4200 rpm Ultra ATA/100 hard drive; factory 60 GB, 80 GB and 100 GB options. The 12-inch starts at 40 GB with a DVD-ROM/CD-RW Combo drive; the 14-inch starts at 60 GB with a DVD-writing SuperDrive. The retained maker sheet specifies 8× SuperDrive, while the launch-period Macworld review describes 4×. Sudden Motion Sensor protects the hard drive.5400 rpm Serial ATA hard drive. White models start at 60 GB and black at 80 GB; 80 GB, 100 GB and 120 GB build-to-order drives. The 1.83 GHz model has a DVD-ROM/CD-RW Combo drive; 2.0 GHz models have a DVD-writing SuperDrive.
Battery and size
Battery life (maker's claim)Up to 6 hours–
Battery capacity61 Wh (better)55 Wh
Weight2.7 kg2.36 kg (better)
Thickness34.2 mm27.5 mm (better)
Width × depth323 × 259 mm325 × 227 mm
Battery life detailRemovable 61 Wh lithium-ion battery, with charge-indicator LEDs; maker claim up to six hours. Published 2.7 kg reference weight varies with configuration and manufacturing process.Removable 55 Wh lithium-polymer battery. Maker reference weight varies with configuration and manufacturing process; battery-life hours are not published in the archived specification.
Charger–60 W MagSafe Power Adapter
MaterialsWhite polycarbonate enclosurePolycarbonate enclosure
ColoursWhiteWhite at 1.83 GHz or 2.0 GHz; black at 2.0 GHz. The configurations table combines colour variants with matching processor, memory and storage.
Connections
Ports2 × USB-A, Ethernet, headphone jack2 × USB-A, Ethernet, headphone jack, MagSafe
Wi-FiAirPort Extreme 802.11gAirPort Extreme 802.11g
Bluetooth2.0 + EDR2.0 + EDR
Webcam–iSight camera, 640 × 480 resolution
Operating systemmacOSmacOS
Port detailTwo USB 2.0 ports, one FireWire 400 port, 10/100BASE-T Ethernet, 56K V.92 modem, stereo headphone output and Mini-VGA video output.Two USB 2.0 ports, one FireWire 400 port (8 W), Gigabit Ethernet, MagSafe and Mini-DVI; separate combined optical digital audio input/line input and combined optical digital audio output/headphone output. Display adapters sold separately.
External displaysVGA mirroring through the included Apple VGA adapter; S-video and composite TV output require the optional Apple Video Adapter. Extended desktop is unsupported.One external display up to 1920 × 1200 alongside the built-in screen; Mini-DVI adapters support DVI, VGA, S-video and composite video.
KeyboardFull-size keyboard with 77 US or 78 ISO keys, 12 function keys, four arrow keys and an embedded numeric keypad.Full-size keyboard with 78 US or 79 ISO keys, 12 function keys, four arrow keys and an embedded numeric keypad
TrackpadTrackpad with a separate button; tap, double-tap and drag capabilities. Two-finger scrolling.Trackpad with two-finger scrolling and a separate button
SpeakersBuilt-in stereo speakersBuilt-in stereo speakers
MicrophonesBuilt-in microphoneBuilt-in omnidirectional microphone
In the boxiBook, rechargeable battery, power adapter, Apple VGA Video Adapter, software and documentation. Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger and iLife ’05 at launch; the retained support sheet later lists iLife ’06.MacBook, Apple Remote, removable battery, 60 W MagSafe Power Adapter with AC wall plug and power cord, install/restore DVDs and documentation; Mac OS X 10.4.6 Tiger and iLife ’06.

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