Apple iBook (Late 2001) vs Apple PowerBook G4 (Original 2001)

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

iBook (Late 2001) compared with PowerBook G4 (Original 2001)
AppleiBook (Late 2001)ApplePowerBook G4 (Original 2001)
Overview
ReleasedOctober 2001January 2001
Display
Screen size12.1″15.2″
Resolution1024 × 7681152 × 768 (better)
TouchscreenNoNo
Display type12.1-inch TFT XGA active-matrix display,1024 ×768 native resolution. Exact panel technology, brightness and built-in refresh unpublished.15.2-inch TFT widescreen active-matrix display. Exact panel technology, brightness and built-in refresh unpublished.
Performance
ProcessorPowerPC G3 500 MHz (iBook Late 2001) or PowerPC G3 600 MHz (iBook Late 2001)PowerPC G4 400 MHz (PowerBook Original 2001) or PowerPC G4 500 MHz (PowerBook Original 2001)
CPU cores11
GraphicsATI Rage Mobility 128 (8 MB SDRAM)ATI Rage Mobility 128 (8 MB SDRAM)
Memory128 MB or 640 MB128 MB, 256 MB or 1 GB (better)
Storage15 GB to 20 GB10 GB to 30 GB (better)
CPU500 MHz PowerPC G3 with 66 MHz data path in the CD-ROM stock; 600 MHz with 100 MHz system bus in DVD-ROM/Combo stocks. 256 KB L2 cache; supplier and silicon model omitted.400 or 500 MHz PowerPC G4 with Velocity Engine; 1 MB backside L2 cache on 200 or 250 MHz dedicated 64-bit cache bus, 100 MHz system bus, 64 KB L1 (32 KB data/32 KB instruction). Exact supplier/SKU omitted.
GPUATI Rage Mobility 128 with 8 MB SDRAM and AGP 2×.ATI Rage Mobility 128 with 8 MB SDRAM and AGP 2 ×.
Memory type128 MB onboard PC100 SDRAM plus one SO-DIMM slot; maker maximum 640 MB.128 MB stock at 400 MHz or 256 MB at 500 MHz; two PC100 SO-DIMM slots support up to 1 GB.
Storage typeFactory ties: 500 MHz / 15 GB / CD-ROM; 600 MHz / 15 GB / DVD-ROM; 600 MHz / 20 GB / Combo. Other optical options are listed without extending stock CPU/storage pairings. Macworld hands-on reports optional 30 GB, retained as named detail only.400 MHz stock 10 GB, 500 MHz stock 20 GB Ultra ATA/66. Maker-listed 30 GB build-to-order option retained for both with published RAM maxima; no intermediate capacities invented. Slot-loading DVD-ROM reads DVD-ROM, DVD-Video, DVD-RAM and CD-ROM.
Battery and size
Battery life (maker's claim)Up to 5 hoursUp to 5 hours
Battery capacity42 Wh50 Wh (better)
Weight–2.4 kg
Thickness–26 mm
Width × depth–341 × 241 mm
Battery life detail42 Wh lithium-ion battery in exact maker sheet; up to five hours in maker 17 October family notice. Maker publishes 4.9 pounds and 9.1 H × 11.2 W × 1.35 D inches; main metric weight/dimensions omitted. No calculated metric values.50 Wh lithium-ion; up to five hours maker claim. Published 2.4 kg includes battery and varies by configuration/manufacturing process. Metric dimensions 34.1 × 24.1 × 2.6 cm are from the exact Apple technical sheet preserved by SavageTaylor, not calculated from inches.
MaterialsImpact-resistant polycarbonate enclosureTitanium enclosure
ColoursWhite–
Connections
Ports2 × USB-A, Ethernet, headphone jack2 × USB-A, Ethernet, headphone jack
Wi-FiOptional AirPort 802.11bOptional AirPort 802.11b
Operating systemmacOSmacOS
Port detailTwo USB ports, one FireWire, 10/100BASE-T Ethernet, internal 56K modem and stereo AV/headphone output. Optional AirPort card; VGA and optional composite AV cable.Two 12 Mbps USB ports, one 400 Mbps FireWire port, 10/100BASE-T Ethernet, 56K V.90 modem, 4 Mbps IrDA, one Type I/II PC Card/CardBus slot with ZoomVideo support, VGA, S-video and stereo output; no microphone input jack.
External displaysVGA video output and composite video via optional Apple AV CableVGA 24-bit video output and S-video, with S-video-to-composite adapter. 8 MB video memory supports millions of colours on external monitors up to 21 inches (preserved exact maker sheet).
KeyboardBuilt-in keyboard77 US or 78 ISO keys; 12 function keys, four arrows and embedded numeric keypad.
TrackpadBuilt-in trackpadTap, double-tap and drag support
SpeakersBuilt-in stereo speakersTwo built-in stereo speakers
MicrophonesBuilt-in microphoneInternal omnidirectional microphone
In the boxMac OS X 10.1 and Mac OS 9.2.1 preinstalled according to launch notice; exact retained sheet lists 9.1, so launch source preferred. iTunes, iMovie 2 and new compact power adapter. Available immediately 16 October 2001.Power adapter, DVD software, iMovie 2 and iTunes. Maker promised January availability; LowEndMac reported actual retail collection on 31 January 2001. First sale day unestablished, so month retained.

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