Apple · iBook

iBook (1999)

Released September 1999

The original clamshell iBook, with a coloured enclosure, carrying handle and optional AirPort wireless networking.

Size: 12.1″
Display: –
Processor: PowerPC G3 300 MHz (iBook 1999)
Memory: 32 MB – 288 MB
Weight: –
Battery: 6 h

What reviewers say

Reviews praised the sturdy, distinctive design, crisp display and battery life. Both found the standard 32 MB memory severely restricted performance, while the large enclosure, small drive and limited connections weakened portability and expansion. Macworld’s reviewers disagreed about the keyboard; SFGate liked it.

From macworld.com and sfgate.com

Specifications

Report a wrong or missing spec

Display

Screen size: 12.1″
Resolution: 800 × 600
Touchscreen: No
Display type: 12.1-inch active-matrix TFT SVGA display; exact size confirmed by SFGate's full original-model review. Panel technology, brightness and built-in refresh unpublished.

Performance

Processor: PowerPC G3 300 MHz (iBook 1999)
CPU cores: 1
Graphics: ATI Rage Mobility (4 MB)
Memory: 32 MB or 288 MB
Storage: 3.2 GB
CPU: 300 MHz PowerPC G3; 66 MHz data path, 64 KB L1 cache and 512 KB L2 cache. Exact supplier and silicon model omitted because the maker sheet does not publish them.
GPU: ATI Rage Mobility with 4 MB video memory and AGP 2× support (SFGate and Macworld exact-model reviews).
Memory type: 32 MB onboard and one SO-DIMM slot. The retained maker sheet supports 288 MB total for the original; contemporary reviews described the earlier 160 MB maximum.
Storage type: 3.2 GB IDE hard drive and 24× CD-ROM drive; the 6 GB stocks belong to the February 2000 refresh.

Battery and size

Battery life (maker's claim): Up to 6 hours
Battery capacity: 45 Wh
Battery life detail: 45 Wh lithium-ion battery; Apple’s six-hour claim is reported in the exact SFGate review. The maker publishes 6.7 pounds and dimensions 11.6 H × 13.5 W × 1.8 D inches; ambiguous axes and unpublished metric figures are not converted.
Materials: Coloured clamshell enclosure with rubber bumpers, translucent plastics and retractable handle (Macworld).
Colours: Blueberry and white; Tangerine and white

Connections

Ports: USB-A, Ethernet, headphone jack
Wi-Fi: Optional AirPort 802.11b
Operating system: macOS
Port detail: One USB port, 10/100BASE-T Ethernet, internal 56K modem and stereo headphone output. No FireWire, video-out, PC Card slot or audio input. AirPort requires an optional internal card.
External displays: No built-in external display output
Keyboard: Full-size keyboard and embedded numeric keypad; lift-out keyboard provides memory access (Macworld).
Trackpad: Built-in trackpad with a separate button
Speakers: Single built-in speaker
Microphones: No built-in microphone
In the box: Mac OS 8.6 at launch. Apple’s spokesperson confirmed September 1999 shipping in Bryan Chaffin’s Mac Observer report; the July 1999 introduction is not the on-sale date. Macworld’s retail test is labelled January 2000 in the article despite its incorrect migrated webpage date.

Configurations

Processor	Memory	Storage	Graphics
PowerPC G3 300 MHz (iBook 1999)	32 MB	3.2 GB	ATI Rage Mobility (4 MB)
PowerPC G3 300 MHz (iBook 1999)	288 MB	3.2 GB	ATI Rage Mobility (4 MB)

Pros and cons

Pros

Built-in carrying handle
Removable battery and accessible memory slot
Ethernet and internal modem

Cons

One USB port and no built-in video output
No built-in microphone
Small stock memory and storage

Closest rivals

Model	Size	Display	Processor	Memory	Weight	Battery	Released
AppleiBook 12-inch (Early 2003)	12.1″	–	PowerPC G3 800 MHz (iBook Early 2003) or PowerPC G3 900 MHz (iBook Early 2003)	128 MB – 640 MB	2.2 kg	5 h	Apr 2003
AppleiBook 12-inch (Late 2002)	12.1″	–	PowerPC G3 700 MHz (iBook Late 2002) or PowerPC G3 800 MHz (iBook Late 2002)	128 MB – 640 MB	2.2 kg	5 h	Nov 2002
AppleiBook 12-inch (Mid 2002)	12.1″	–	PowerPC G3 600 MHz (iBook Mid 2002) or PowerPC G3 700 MHz (iBook Mid 2002)	128 MB – 640 MB	2.2 kg	5 h	May 2002

Newer model: iBook (Early 2000).

Sources

Photo: Apple image hosted and credited by EveryMac; small combined Blueberry open and Tangerine closed views.

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