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Apple Updates iBook Line With G4 Processor

Posted by timothy on from the curse-you-apple dept.

Kyro writes "Apple today upgraded their iBook notebook range across the board to G4 processors, Airport Extreme, bluetooth, USB 2.0, and slot-loading combo drives. All models ship with Mac OS X 10.3, and the 12" model gets a 800Mhz G4 while the 14" models get a choice of 933Mhz or 1Ghz. Prices largely remain the same as the old G3 versions." Mwongozi adds "Although not announced on the front page, the Apple Store was updated just a few minutes ago to show the new iBook."

8 of 632 comments (clear)

  1. Dont by AnonymousCowheart · · Score: 5, Informative

    dont forget if you are going to order one of these, to get your student discount!
    it takes the $1099 12inch ibook down to $949. Hey thats 1/2 an ipod!:)

    1. Re:Dont by An+Anonymous+Hero · · Score: 5, Informative
      student discount! it takes the $1099 12inch ibook down to $949.

      Actually I think it's only a $100 rebate across the board, but the edu store (here, anyway) has an extra $949 moder with only a CD-rom drive, and the RAM downgraded to 128 MB (clearly not enough).

      The eMacs were also upgarded -- both models have 1GHz processors now. Specs:

      Combo Drive model
      1GHz PowerPC G4
      128MB SDRAM
      40GB Ultra ATA drive
      $799.00 ($749 at edu store)

      Super Drive model
      1GHz PowerPC G4
      256MB SDRAM
      80GB Ultra ATA drive
      $1,099.00 ($999 at edu store)

  2. End of the G3 by An+Anonymous+Hero · · Score: 5, Informative
    Didn't see it coming -- saw them on apple.com a few minutes ago, and at the time neither MacRumors nor ThinkSecret had anything. (Macbidouille did, however.)

    Just got myself a 12' PowerBook, oh well :-) Today I'd be hard pressed to choose -- one big plus on the PB is the *digital* video out, which lets you attach a Studio display. The new iBooks are discounted $100 at my University's edu store, versus $200 on the PBs. Specs and Euro prices from Macbidouille:

    - 12" / 800MHz
    PowerPC G4 a 800 MHz
    256 Ko de cache N2 (a 800 MHz)
    Ecran TFT 12" (1024 x 768)
    256 Mo DDR266 / 30 Go
    Lecteur combo DVD/CD-RW
    ATI Mobility Radeon 9200 (32 Mo VRAM)
    1.199 euros

    - 14" / 933MHz
    PowerPC G4 a 933 MHz
    256 Ko de cache N2 (a 933 MHz)
    Ecran TFT 14" (1024 x 768)
    256 Mo DDR266 / 40 Go
    Lecteur combo DVD/CD-RW
    ATI Mobility Radeon 9200 (32 Mo VRAM)
    1449 euros

    - 14" / 1GHz
    PowerPC G4 a 1 GHz
    256 Ko de cache N2 (a 1 GHz)
    Ecran TFT 14" (1024 x 768)
    256 Mo DDR266 / 60 Go
    Lecteur combo DVD/CD-RW
    ATI Mobility Radeon 9200 (32 Mo VRAM)
    1699 euros

  3. Re:Powerbook premium by gsdali · · Score: 5, Informative

    remember 15" widescreen is not the same as 14" at 4:3 ration, but you are quite right regarding the premium.

  4. Re:Powerbook premium by jhatch · · Score: 5, Informative

    Here's why the 12" powerbook is more expensive and why someone might choose it over the 12" iBook: BTO SuperDrive bigger hard drive faster processor higher maximum RAM bigger L2 cache slightly lighter extended desktop video (rather than simple mirroring) DVI port rather than VGA port If those are features you want/need, then the markup would be worth it. But the new iBooks are clearly very attractive and well-priced alternatives.

  5. Bus speed and backside cache by kriegsman · · Score: 5, Informative

    I just checked out the specs, and with the exception of the 12" model, the G4 PowerBooks all have a 167Mhz bus, and 512K of backside cache.

    The G4 iBooks have only a 133Mhz bus and 256K of backside cache.

    The faster buses and larger caches in the PowerBooks are going to keep them running faster than the new iBooks in real-world tasks, even if the CPU speed is the same.

    -Mark

  6. Only G4 by apple's marketing by Amiga+Lover · · Score: 5, Informative

    These aren't the same G4 chips you're used to in Powerbooks, they're IBM manufactured "PPC 750GX". Yes, that's a G3 with AltiVec.

    Previous PPC750s (the fx and so on) were called G3s. Add an AltiVec unit to it and Apple call it a G4

    Remember Apple's marketing is perfectly justified in calling a chip anything it likes, and it looks to be using AltiVec as the demarcation between G3 and G4, rather than the rest of the core. It's still a PPC750 in these new iBooks however.

  7. price protection by pinpoint23 · · Score: 5, Informative

    having just recieved my 900 MHz G3 iBook in the mail 4 days ago, I was pretty pissed to see that Apple unveiled a new line of iBooks.

    However, I called Apple, and it turned out I qualified for some kind of price protection. I am not allowed to return my iBook and get a new one (since my iBook was "custom built" by having extra RAM and an Airport card added), but they are going to credit my Visa $190.

    Hope this helps anyone else who just bought an iBook. CALL APPLE!!! they may have some money for you....