Apple iBook G4 (14-inch, Mid 2005) vs Apple MacBook (13-inch, Late 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, Late 2006)
AppleiBook G4 (14-inch, Mid 2005)AppleMacBook (13-inch, Late 2006)
Overview
ReleasedJuly 2005November 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 Exact panel technology, brightness and built-in refresh rate are unpublished in the cited maker sheet.Glossy TFT widescreen display with millions of colours; exact panel technology and refresh rate unpublished by Apple.
Performance
ProcessorPowerPC G4 1420 MHz (iBook Mid 2005)Intel Core 2 Duo 1.83 GHz (MacBook Late 2006) or Intel Core 2 Duo T7200
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 200 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 or 2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo; 2 MB L2 cache for 1.83 GHz and 4 MB for 2.0 GHz, with a 667 MHz front-side bus. Notebookcheck identifies the 2.0 GHz processor as T7200; the lower-clocked processor is kept as a maker-described record without an unverified Intel SKU.
GPUATI Mobility Radeon 9550 with 32 MB dedicated DDR SDRAM and AGP 4× support.Intel GMA 950 (64 MB shared DDR2)
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 at 1.83 GHz, 1 GB at 2.0 GHz, and up to 2 GB maker-supported.
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.White 1.83 GHz starts at 60 GB with a DVD-ROM/CD-RW Combo drive; white 2.0 GHz starts at 80 GB and black 2.0 GHz at 120 GB, with a 6x DVD-writing SuperDrive. Build-to-order hard drives are 80 GB, 120 GB or 160 GB at 5400 rpm, or 200 GB at 4200 rpm.
Battery and size
Battery life (maker's claim)Up to 6 hoursUp 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 by configuration and manufacturing process. Up to 6 hours under Apple’s test conditions.
Charger–60 W MagSafe Power Adapter
MaterialsWhite polycarbonate enclosurePolycarbonate enclosure
ColoursWhiteWhite and black; base storage and optical drive vary by colour as described above. 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; draft 802.11n requires the optional software enabler
Bluetooth2.0 + EDR2.0 + EDR
Webcam–iSight camera
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, Gigabit Ethernet, MagSafe, 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.Scrolling trackpad with a separate button; supports two-finger scrolling, tap, double-tap and drag.
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, removable battery, 60 W MagSafe Power Adapter with AC wall plug and power cord, install/restore DVDs and documentation. Mac OS X 10.4.8 Tiger and iLife ’06.

More comparisons