Apple · PowerBook

PowerBook G3 (Original, 1997)

Released November 1997

The first PowerBook G3 paired a 250 MHz PowerPC processor with a 12.1-inch active-matrix display and removable floppy and CD-ROM modules.

Specifications

Screen size: 12.1″
Resolution: 800 × 600
Touchscreen: No
Display type: 12.1-inch active-matrix TFT colour LCD; the maker does not publish IPS/TN panel technology, brightness or refresh rate.
Display features: 800 × 600 native display with 16-bit colour on the built-in screen. The 1997 launch release says 18-bit colour, differing from the technical sheet.

Processor: PowerPC G3 250 MHz (original PowerBook G3)
CPU cores: 1
Graphics: Chips and Technologies 65554 (2 MB VRAM)
Memory: 32 MB
Storage: 5 GB
CPU: 250 MHz PowerPC G3; 50 MHz system bus, 512 KB backside L2 cache running at 100 MHz. Exact fitted silicon supplier and process are unpublished.
GPU: Chips and Technologies 65554 PCI graphics controller with 2 MB video RAM; built-in display supports 16-bit colour, external display up to 24-bit colour.
Memory type: 32 MB EDO DRAM built in, one expansion slot for 16, 32, 64 or 128 MB modules; maker maximum 160 MB. A separate 4 MB ROM is listed in the contemporary technical sheet.
Storage type: 5 GB internal 2.5-inch ATA hard drive. The expansion bay takes a 1.44 MB floppy module or 20× CD-ROM module, both in the original package; removable media are not counted as internal storage.

Battery life (maker's claim): Up to 4 hours
Battery capacity: 47 Wh
Weight: 3.4 kg
Thickness: 60.96 mm
Width × depth: 292.1 × 241.3 mm
Battery life detail: 47 Wh removable lithium-ion main battery; maker claims 2–4 hours depending on use, with 4 hours as the maximum. A 60 mAh NiMH backup battery keeps clock and memory alive briefly for battery exchange. Maker reference weight is 3.4 kg with floppy module, 3.5 kg with CD-ROM and 3.2 kg without a module.
Charger: 45 W AC adapter, 100–240 V at 50/60 Hz input, 24 V 1.875 A output.

Ports: Ethernet, headphone jack
Operating system: macOS
Port detail: One shared RJ-45 socket for 10BASE-T Ethernet and the internal 33.6 Kbps modem; ADB, HDI-15 external video, HDI-30 SCSI with disk mode, GeoPort/RS-422 serial, stereo audio output and input, and an infrared transceiver supporting IR Talk and IrDA. Two PC Card Type I/II slots or one Type III card; the lower slot supports Zoomed Video.
External displays: External VGA/SVGA/Apple displays through HDI-15, up to 1024 × 768 at 24-bit colour; display mirroring is supported. The technical sheet lists 640 × 480 and 800 × 600 as well.
Keyboard: Full-size built-in keyboard with 3 mm travel, 19 mm key pitch and an inverted-T arrow cluster.
Trackpad: Built-in solid-state trackpad.
Speakers: Four speakers: two in the display and two beneath the keyboard; 16-bit stereo at 44.1, 22 or 11 kHz.
Microphones: Built-in omnidirectional electret microphone.
In the box: Floppy and 20× CD-ROM expansion-bay modules, removable battery and AC adapter. Original Mac OS 8 installation. Apple announced US availability immediately in November 1997; European sales were planned for late November and Japan for December. The current maker sheet gives 2.4-inch thickness (60.96 mm); its older technical PDF lists 65.6 mm despite labelling that as 2.4 inches, so the current sheet controls the main dimension.

Processor	Memory	Storage	Graphics
PowerPC G3 250 MHz (original PowerBook G3)	32 MB	5 GB	Chips and Technologies 65554 (2 MB VRAM)

Model	Size	Display	Processor	Memory	Weight	Battery	Released
AppleiBook (1999)	12.1″	–	PowerPC G3 300 MHz (iBook 1999)	32 MB – 288 MB	–	6 h	Sept 1999
AppleiBook (Early 2000)	12.1″	–	PowerPC G3 300 MHz (iBook Early 2000) or PowerPC G3 366 MHz (iBook Early 2000)	64 MB – 320 MB	–	6 h	Feb 2000
AppleiBook (FireWire)	12.1″	–	PowerPC G3 366 MHz (iBook FireWire 2000) or PowerPC G3 466 MHz (iBook FireWire 2000)	64 MB – 320 MB	–	6 h	Sept 2000