Apple iBook Laptop 12.1" M9164LL/A (800-MHz PowerPC G4, 256 MB

Customer Ratings:

Let us raise the glass: long live the G3 processor, for it is dead. Apple's iBook was the last holdout to G4 processor. It is G3 no more.

Despite some rumors, iBook's G4 processor is a true G4 processor with Altivec fully on-board. While it runs slower (800 MHz vs. 1 GHz) and features smaller L2 cache (256 KB vs. 512 KB) than 12" PowerBook, it comes remarkable close in most performance parameters. They share the same 133 MHz front-side bus and PC2100 (266 MHz) DDR SDRAM.

Even their feature sets come remarkably close. Both sport sharp 12.1" 1024-by-768 LCD, 256 MB memory and 32 MB graphics memory, FireWire 400 and USB 2.0 ports, and 100/10 fast Ethernet. Both lack the PC Card (PCMCIA) slot but can accommodate AirPort Extreme wireless network.

Other than faster G4 processor, just about the only reasons to consider 12" PowerBook are:

Larger memory capacity on the PowerBook (1.25 GB vs. 640 MB)

Larger hard disk (40 GB vs. 30 GB)

PowerBook can drive an external display (dual display) up to 2048-by-1536 via DVI port; iBook can only mirror up to 1024-by-768 via VGA port

SuperDrive (DVD burner) is optional on PowerBook; it is not available on iBook

Bluetooth is standard on PowerBook; it is optional (built-to-order) on iBook

Marginally faster GeForce FX 5200 graphics card on PowerBook (vs. Radeon 9200 on iBook)

PowerBook is slightly lighter (4.6 lbs vs. 4.9 lbs) and slightly smaller (10.9-by-8.6-by-1.18 inches vs. 11.2-by-9.1-by-1.35 inches)

You like the PowerBook's anodized aluminum allow chassis better

There are sufficient reasons to get the iBook instead:

Costs almost 50% less

It is not dramatically slower

Longer battery life (up to 6 hours vs. 5 hours)

Polycarbonate plastic chassis is more scratch proof and offer better wireless network (AirPort Extreme) reception

How is the iBook in itself? For a little over a grand, you get a beautifully designed notebook (similar to iPod) packed with features: combo CD-RW/DVD-ROM drive, optional 802.11g AirPort Extreme wireless network, beautiful LCD, sensible keyboard layout, snappy performance under included Mac OS X Panther 10.3 -all in very portable form factor. This little book represents a serious bang for the buck.

Pros:

Very high bang for the buck: good performance and high in features

Looks beautiful

Includes almost everything an average computer user needs

Very portable and durable

Fantastic wireless reception

Cons:

Cannot drive external display higher than 1024-by-768 resolution

To get built-in Bluetooth, you must order from Apple (built-to-order option) -unlike the AirPort Extreme, you cannot add it later on

Standard 256 MB memory is based on two 128 MB RAM modules. To add more memory later on, you will need to toss out one of the memory modules (the other memory module is soldered onto the motherboard)

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