IBook

G3/900 Early 2003 iBook

The original iBook

The iBook is a laptop computer manufactured by Apple Computer and targeted at the consumer and education market segments. The first model was released on July 21, 1999. All iBook models contained a PowerPC 750 ("G3") CPU, until the iBook G4 was released on October 23, 2003. The first-generation iBook acquired a reputation for ruggedness and durability. The second generation, released on May 1, 2001, was considered by some to be more stylish, and featured two-toned white and silver plastic and a clear external shell. Later versions replaced the transparent-and-white outer shell with a solid white plastic shell.

In late November 2003, a number of iBook users started to report a display problem with their laptops [1]. At one point, a group of users [1] even sought to file a class action suit against Apple. In response to the problem, in January 2004, Apple initiated the "iBook Logic Board Repair Extension Program" [1], which covers any expense of repairing "affected iBooks for three years" -- essentially a recall of the affected products. According to users reporting problems and Apple, products manufactured during May and April 2003 have problems with their main logic board. The reported symptoms include scrambled, flickering or distorted display.

Table of contents

1 Models
2 See Also
3 External Links

Models

July 21, 1999 - iBook (300 mhz processor / 32 megabytes RAM / 3.2 gigabytes HD) available in Blueberry (blue) and Tangerine (orange)
February 16, 2000
- iBook (revision B) (64 megabytes RAM / 6 gigabytes HD)
- iBook Special Edition (366 mhz processor / 64 megabytes RAM / 6 gigabytes HD) available in Graphite (grey)
September 13, 2000
- iBook (FireWire) (366 mhz processor / 64 megabytes RAM / 10 gigabytes HD) available in Indigo (blue) and Key Lime (green), included a FireWire port and video out.
- iBook (FireWire) Special Edition (466 mhz processor) available in Key Lime (green) and Graphite (grey). Also included a DVD-drive.
January 5, 2001 - iBook (Dual USB) (500 mhz processor / 64 megabytes RAM / 10 gigabytes HD) available in only white, increased screen resolution to 1024x768, added an additional USB port. Offered a choice of optical drives (CD-ROM, CD-RW, DVD/CD-RW).
October 16, 2001 - iBook (Late 2001) (600 mhz processor / 128 megabytes RAM 15-20 gigabytes HD) increased bus speed to 100mhz.
January 7, 2002 - iBook (14") high end model with a larger screen in the same resolution.
May 20, 2002 - iBook (May 2002) (700 mhz processor / 20-30 gigabyte HD) added ATI Radeon Mobility in both 12" and 14" models.
November 5, 2002 - iBook (November 2002) (800 mhz processor) now priced $200 less than previous models, "good" configuration starting at $999.

From left to right: Kensington Technology Group>Kensington security lock, 56k modem jack, Ethernet jack, FireWire port, 2 USB 1.1 ports, video out port, audio headphone jack

April 22, 2003 - iBook (Early 2003) (900 mhz processor / 40 gigabyte HD/ 256MB of RAM) was a processor upgrade aimed at the high end 14 inch iBook.
October 23, 2003 - iBook G4 launched, marking the retirement of the G3 processor across all of the Apple range, and hence Mac OS 9 is no longer bootable on any shipping machine, except for the legacy Power Macintosh G4 computers Apple continues to sell (as of February 2004). The new iBook features an 800 MHz G4 on the 12" model, and 1GHz G4 on the 14" model, all fitted with slot-in "combo" drives. Prices start at $1099.
April 19, 2004 - Second revision of the iBook G4 announced, resulting in Apple reaching the 1Ghz mark all across the line. The bottom-line 12" iBook as well as the lower 14" model are 1Ghz G4 and the upper 14" model runs at 1.2 Ghz. The RAM ceiling has doubled to 1.2 GB, and for the first time, SuperDrive, Apple's CD-RW/DVD-RW drives are available as an option on the 14" iBooks. Airport extreme is now built-in on the high end 14" model.