IBook
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Template:Lowercase The iBook is a line of laptop computers introduced by Apple Computer in 1999. As part of the 2x2 pro/consumer/desktop/portable matrix Steve Jobs announced two years earlier, the iBook is targeted towards the consumer and education markets, with lower prices than its brother portable, the PowerBook (and more recently, the MacBook Pro). It also has less expansion and ports than the PowerBook/MacBook Pro lines, eliminating I/O most consumers find unnecessary (e.g: audio in, DVI, S-Video). Currently, two types of iBooks are sold from Apple: A 12-inch model and a 14-inch model, with high specifications for latter.
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iBook ("Clamshell")
{{Infobox Computer |name = iBook ("Clamshell") |developer = Apple Computer |type = Laptop |photo = Image:Clamshell iBook G3.jpg |caption = The original iBook. |first_release_date = July 21, 1999 |discontinuation_date = May 1, 2001 |processor = PowerPC G3, 300 - 466 MHz }}
After much speculation, Steve Jobs unveiled the consumer-targeted iBook laptop computer during the keynote presentation of Macworld Conference & Expo, New York on July 21, 1999. The design philosophy was influenced by Apple's consumer desktop, iMac, with a large distinctive shape, and translucent clear and coloured plastics. Its marketing slogan was "iMac to go".
The target audience included young children, so a carrying handle was built into the hinge. Apple touted the durability of the casing by demonstrating someone holding on to the iBook jumping off a height (onto cushions). Like the iMac, the iBook ran a PowerPC G3 chip, and included no legacy Apple interfaces. USB, Ethernet, and modem ports were standard, as was an optical drive. The ports were placed uncovered on the side, as a cover was thought to be fragile. To attract sales to schools, the iBooks had power connectors on the underside of the machine that allowed multiple iBooks to be easily charged on a custom-made rack. In addition, it had no latches, so instead it opened and closed like a clamshell mobile phone.
The first iBook was the first mainstream computer ever to be sold with internal wireless networking, with antenna built around the display bezel, although it still required an optional wireless card installed under the keyboard. Apple partnered with Lucent in the creation of the iBook's wireless capabilities, setting an industry standard. Apple released the AirPort wireless base station at the same time.
Heated debate was made over just about everything—the aesthetics, features, weight, performance, pricing and so on. The iBook was heftier than the PowerBook of the time, with lower specifications. Long rumoured features of touch-screens, and ultra-long battery life were absent. The iBook was labelled as "clamshell" or "toilet seat" due to the distinctive design. Nevertheless, this version of the iBook, along with many other Macs, could be seen in hit movies and televisions shows.
Despite its drawbacks, the iBook was a sales success. The line continually received processor, memory, and hard disk upgrades. A revision to the iBook brought new colors, directly from the mid-2000 iMac. Colors available were "Graphite", "Indigo" and "Key Lime"; FireWire and video out were added as well.
Models
- iBook (June 21,1999) - First iBook (Tangerine, Blueberry)
- 12.1-inch Active-matrix TFT Display (800x600 max resolution)
- PowerPC G3 300 MHz
- 66 MHz bus
- 32 MB RAM (soldered to Logic Board)
- Expandable to 544 MB (288 MB specified by Apple)
- 4 MB ATI Rage Mobility AGP 2x
- 3 GB Hard Disk
- CD-ROM
- USB, Ethernet
- Airport (802.11b, optional)
- Mac OS 8.6
- iBook SE (February 16, 2000) - Minor addition to existing line (Graphite)
- 366 MHz
- 64 MB RAM (soldered to Logic Board)
- Expandable to 576 MB (320 MB specified by Apple)
- Mac OS 9.0.2
- 6 GB Hard disk
- (Other Specifications Same as iBook)
- iBook Firewire/SE (September 13, 2000) - Major revision (Graphite, Indigo, Key-lime)
- 12.1-inch Active-matrix TFT Display (800x600 max resolution)
- G3 366/466 MHz
- 64 MB RAM
- 8 MB ATI Rage 128 Mobility AGP 2x
- 10 GB Hard Disk
- CD/DVD-ROM
- USB, Firewire, Video Out, Ethernet
- Airport (802.11b, optional)
- Mac OS 9.0.4
- (Other Specifications same as iBook and iBook SE)
The original iBook design was discontinued in May 2001, in favor of the new "Dual USB" iBooks.
Expandability/Upgrades
The original iBook's only customer installable parts were additional memory and an AirPort card, via two slots under the easily removed keyboard. No other modifications could be performed in warranty, and no PCMCIA port existed to provide additional expansion capabilities. Complicated procedures and countless screws had to be removed in order to access any internal components, such as the hard disk and optical drive. This limitation still holds true in all iBooks produced today.
Most iBooks shipped with Mac OS 8.6 or 9.0. Support for these iBooks is built into OS X 10.0 through to 10.3.9. OS X 10.4 Tiger requires a Firewire port and DVD drive, essentially restricting it to the late-model iBook SE.
For those who are determined to run OS X 10.4 on an older iBook, it is possible to obtain an official Apple CD-ROM with 10.4 by participating in the Apple Media Exchange program [1] [2], which allows owners of a 10.4 DVD to exchange them for 10.4 CDs for a fee of $9.95. Unfortunately, the CD as shipped by Apple will still not install on an older iBook, as it is an officially unsupported model. However, a relatively minor workaround exists which will remove this install restriction [3] [4]:
- Create an ISO image of the installation CD.
- Mount the ISO image on a computer which supports the Mac filesystem.
- Open the file /System/Installation/Packages/OSInstall.mpkg/Contents/OSInstall.dist in any text editor.
- Find the "badMachines" section
- Remove the entry for your model of iBook (you may remove multiple entries; no information is available about the installer's reaction if all entries are removed).
- Save and close the file.
- Unmount the edited ISO image.
- Burn the edited ISO image to a CD, and use it to install 10.4.
Many users have reported success with this process, and with running 10.4 on the older iBook generally. Keep in mind that this is an unofficial, unsupported process, and that your experience may differ.
iBook Dual USB (12.1-inch & 14.1-inch)
{{Infobox Computer |name = iBook ("Dual USB") |developer = Apple Computer |type = Laptop |photo = Image:Ibook12.jpg |caption = The second-generation iBook (12"). |first_release_date = May 1, 2001 |discontinuation_date = October 22, 2003 |processor = PowerPC G3, 500 - 900 MHz }}
A next generation iBook debuted at a press conference in Cupertino on May 1, 2001. Essentially, the machine had been reinvented from the very core, with new features and a new design.
Aesthetically, the former iBook's bold colors and radical (much contested) form-factor were abandoned for a crisp white and slim-line form factor. These smaller machines were lighter, had a higher quality 12-inch LCD screen and largely thought to be a superior design. Apple received industry accolades for brilliant design, which has since been widely copied. The handle was removed and a latch similar to the PowerBook G4 was added.
The iBook's design, along with elements from its sister product, the PowerBook G4 are currently used in Apple's entire product matrix. With a few exceptions, white polycarbonate is used in consumer lines such as iMac, eMac and iBook, while anodized aluminum is used for professional products like the Power Mac G5 and PowerBook G4.
The iBook design has stayed largely the same since then. A 14-inch model was added to the existing 12-inch models on January 07, 2002 during Macworld Conference & Expo in San Francisco.
Models
- iBook Dual USB (May 1, 2001) - Second Generation iBook
- 12.1-inch Active-matrix TFT Display (1024x768 max resolution)
- PowerPC G3 500MHz
- 64 or 128 MB RAM
- 10 GB Hard Disk
- CD/CDRW/DVD/Combo
- USB 1.1, Firewire, Video Out, Ethernet
- Airport (802.11b, optional)
- Mac OS 9.1
- 2.2 kg
- iBook Dual USB Late 2001 (October 16, 2001) - Minor revision
- 600 MHz
- 15 GB Hard Disk (most models)
- Mac OS X 10.1
- (Other Specifications Same as Dual USB)
- iBook 14-inch (January 7, 2002) - New model, larger 14-inch display
- 14-inch Active-matrix TFT Display (1024x768 max resolution)
- 256 MB RAM
- (Other Specifications Same as Dual USB Late 2001)
- iBook Mid 2002 (May 20, 2002) - Minor revision
- 600/700 MHz
- Mac OS X 10.1
- (Other Specifications Same as 14-inch)
- iBook Early 2003 (April 22, 2003) - Minor revision
- 800/900 MHz
- Mac OS X 10.2
- (Other Specifications Same as Mid 2002)
iBook G4
{{Infobox Computer |name = iBook G4 |developer = Apple Computer |type = Laptop |photo = Image:IBook G4.jpg |caption = iBook G4 (12") |first_release_date = October 22, 2003 |processor = PowerPC G4, 800 MHz - 1.42 GHz |website = iBook website }} A PowerPC G4 chip, slot loading optical drives and a solid white keyboard were added on October 23, 2003—finally ending Apple’s use of the G3 chip. Apple's laptop/portable product line currently consists of the iBook, PowerBook G4 and MacBook Pro.
Models
Image:Ibook-g3900-ports-lg.jpg
- iBook G4 (October 22, 2003) - Major revision, processor switch
- 12-inch or 14-inch Active-matrix TFT Display (1024x768 max resolution)
- G4 800/933 MHz/1 GHz
- 256 MB RAM
- 30/40/60 GB Hard Disk
- Slot-load Combo (CD-RW/DVD-ROM)
- USB 2.0, Firewire 400, Video Out, Ethernet 10/100
- Airport Extreme (802.11g, optional)
- Mac OS X 10.3 "Panther"
- iBook G4 Early 2004 (April 19, 2004) - Minor revision
- G4 1.0/1.2 GHz
- Slot-load SuperDrive (DVD-R) Built to Order Option
- (Other Specifications Same as iBook G4)
- iBook G4 Late 2004 (October 19, 2004) - Minor revision
- G4 1.2/1.33 GHz
- 30/60/80 GB Hard Disk
- Slot-load Combo (DVD/CD-RW)/SuperDrive (DVD-R/CD-RW)
- AirPort Extreme Standard
- (Other Specifications Same as iBook G4 Early 2004)
- The three models are: M9623LL/A (12-inch, 1.2 GHz, combo drive), M9627LL/A (14-inch, 1.33 GHz, combo drive), M9628LL/A (14-inch, 1.33 GHz, super drive)
- Apple originally shipped this with Mac OS X 10.3 Panther but with the release of Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger, all current iBooks ship with the more up-to-date operating system.
- iBook G4 Mid 2005 (July 26, 2005) - Minor revision
- Still a G4 PowerPC
- M9846LL/A: (Retail $999) 1.33 GHz; 12-inch display; 40 GB hard disk; Slot-Load Combo Drive DVD-ROM/CD-RW
- M9848LL/A: (Retail $1299) 1.42 GHz; 14-inch display; 60 GB hard disk; Slot-Load SuperDrive DVD±RW/CD-RW
- While the 14-inch display is bigger it is the same resolution as the 12-inch.
- Both models now feature: 512 MB memory (expandable to 1.5 GB) at 333Mhz; ATI Mobility Radeon 9550 graphics processor with 32 MB video RAM; Sudden Motion Sensor (parks the hard drive head if the iBook is dropped); scrolling trackpad; Bluetooth 2.0+EDR; Slightly faster bus 133 MHz/142 MHz
- (Other Specifications Same as iBook G4 Late 2004)
Expandability/Upgrades
For customer installable parts such as an AirPort (wireless) card or additional memory, installation into an iBook is rather easy, as the keyboard is designed to easily open with two spring-loaded latches that may also be locked with screws if so desired. This does give the keyboard a "spongy" effect though, if the user types with heavy hands.
The current iBook enclosure, however, is also notable for being difficult to open. To replace or even access the hard drive, about fifty-six screws need to be removed. For comparison, most recent Wintel laptop form factors allow removal of a hard drive caddy after removing one or two screws. iFixit offers a set of FixIt Guides for the iBooks that provide instructions with pictures covering how to get to any internal component. Each guide also includes a screw guide that lists the different types of screws and where they go.
Quality issues
In late November 2003, a number of iBook users started to report a display problem with their laptops [5]. At one point, a group of users [6] 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" [7], which covers any expense of repairing "affected iBooks for three years"—essentially an extended warranty for the affected products. Apple says the program is for "repair or replacement of the logic board in iBook models manufactured between May 2001 and October 2003 that are experiencing specific component failure"[8]. The program has since been applied to other similar problems in Apple's hardware range.
Recently, an online petition has been started to encourage Apple to acknowledge that this problem is allegedly happening to early G4 iBook computers too. In addition, some users are reporting similar display problems with more recent 1 GHz models.
In addition users are complaining on discussion boards across the web and on Apple's own site that the replacement logic boards are faulty and failing as well. Apple has not admitted that these replacements are defective and new class action lawsuits are being organized.
Intel-Based Models
With the release of the new Intel-based MacBook Pro, many have speculated what the name will be for the next generation of Intel-based iBooks. Some argue that the word “Pro” used in the MacBook Pro implies the name “MacBook” will be used, while others say that the “i” moniker that is also used in the iMac will remain. Evidence that the product may be called “MacBook” exists, but no concrete proof has emerged that this name will be used.
See also
External links
- Apple - iBook
- Apple - Support - iBook
- AppleSpec consumer specifications listing
- Apple - how to identify your iBook
- Comprehensive technical details
- Article: iBook: An iMac to Go from TidBITS issue 490
- Do-It-Yourself Directions for upgrades.
- Apple iBook Memory Installation Guide
- Apple "MacBook" filing suggests iBook re-branding
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