G4 iBook Index

PowerBooks &iBooks

G4 iBooks (2003-2006)

Nickname: iceBook

PowerBook/iBook batteryrecall, The 'Book Review, 2006.08.25.
Got a G4 PowerBook or iBook? Join our G4 'Books Group or PowerBooks and iBooks Forum.
Got an iBook? Join the iBookTalk List.
Our Mac OS 9 Group is for anyoneusing Mac OS 9, either natively or in Classic Mode.
Panther List is for thoseusing Mac OS X 10.3.
Tiger List is for those usingMac OS X 10.4.

iBook

Applemoved the popular iBook to the G4 processor in October 2003,eliminating the last Macs with G3 processors. Although the G4iBooks used a G4 CPU, it wasn't the same one used in the PowerBookG4; instead, it was version with a smaller level 2 (L2) cache,which meant it wouldn't provide quite the same performance as aPowerBook at the same clock speed.

The G4 iBooks support AirPort Extreme USB 2.0, Mobility Radeon9200 graphics, room for an internal Bluetooth module, and the useof DDR (double data rate) RAM.

12" iBook G4/800 and 14" iBook G4/933 MHz & 1 GHz

In the initial release of the iBook G4, base memory was 256 MB(128 MB onboard, 128 MB in a slot), and memory can be expanded to1152 MB by replacing the 128 MB card with a 1 GB memorymodule. Both iBooks shipped with a Combo (CD-RW/DVD) drive.

The 12" iBook clocked at 800 MHz, 100 MHz slower than the G3iBook it replaced, but the 14" iBooks were both faster than theirG3 predecessor.

12" iBook G4/1 GHz and 14" iBook G4/1.0 & 1.2 GHz

Six months later, in April 2004, Apple improved the iBook byboosting clock speed, using a G4 CPU with a larger L2 cache, andputting 256 MB on the logic board, which raised the iBook's RAMceiling to 1.25 GB.

12" iBook G4/1.2 GHz and 14" iBook G4/1.33 GHz

Six months after that, Apple released the third revision of theG4 iBook, once again boosting speed and - for the first time -offering a SuperDrive version of the 14" iBook. The October 2004revision also included AirPort Extreme as a standard feature.

12" iBook G4/1.33 GHz and 14" iBook G4/1.42 GHz

The final revision of the G4 iBook was released in July 2005.Both models saw a small speed bump, included Bluetooth 2.0 as astandard feature, has twice as much RAM from the factory (512 MB),and included Apple's scrolling trackpad. Total memory can beexpanded to 1.5 GB on these iBooks, and Apple included an improvedgraphics processor, the Radeon 9550 with 32 MB of video memory.

The iBook line was replaced by the 13.3" MacBook in May 2006.

Online Resources

Low EndMac's Compleat Guide to the iBook G4, Charles Moore, 'Book Value,2008.07.09. Replacing the G3 iBook in October 2003, the iBook G4 wasand remains a value leader until it was replaced by the MacBook in2006.
Low End Mac's Best iBook G4Deals, updated biweekly.
Tips forinstalling or reinstalling Mac OS X 10.4 'Tiger', Adam Rosen,Adam's Apple, 2009.06.10. Mac OS X 10.4 uses less memory than Leopard,supports Classic Mode on PowerPC Macs, and, unlike Leopard, issupported on G3 Macs.
The future ofPowerPC Macs and software as 'Snow Leopard' approaches, SimonRoyal, Mac Spectrum, 2008.11.13. Apple phased out Classic Mode and G3support with 'Leopard' last year, and next year's OS X 10.6 won'tsupport any PowerPC Macs. Will other developers abandon PowerPC aswell?
TruePower ACadapter for iBooks and PowerBooks is rugged, reliable, andaffordable, Charles Moore, 'Book Value, 2008.08.14. Apple's trackrecord with AC adapters is spotty, but the TruePower adapter is toughenough to survive being run over by a truck.
2.6 GHz MacBook Pro worth it?,iBook video fixed, Compact Flash vs. SSD, and more, Dan Knight, LowEnd Mac Mailbag, 2008.03.13. Also buying a used Power Mac G4, a PowerMac 7600 still in daily use, OCR software for modern Macs, and Leopardon a Blue and White G3.
Leopard DVD Player requires 1.6 GHzCPU, dual processor questions, and dual boot Macs, Dan Knight, LowEnd Mac Mailbag, 2007.10.24. DVD Player currently runs on any G3 thatsupports Tiger, but the new version needs 1.6 GHz of power and otherbloat in Leopard.
Is a used iBook still a sensiblelow-end option?, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings,2007.10.15. From 500 MHz G3s through 1.4 GHz G4s, used iBooks range inprice from under $200 to over $700. Are they a good choice, or doreliability issues say otherwise?
The future of G4 iBooks in theAge of Leopard, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2007.10.22. Almost all ofthe G4 iBooks are supported by Mac OS X 10.5, but 4200 rpm drives couldbe a real bottleneck.
Danes refunded for defective G4iBooks, rumored Mac minitablet, handle for MacBooks, and more, The'Book Review, 2007.10.01. Also software update for MacBook and MacBookPro, Give 1 Get 1 XO laptop program, CardBus adapter for ExpressCardnotebooks, and bargain 'Books from $130 to $2,688.
iBook unreliability, iBook G4AirPort problems, RAM for a PowerBook 1400, and more, CharlesMoore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2007.08.27. Pismo vs. iBook as themore reliable portable, catastrophic iBook failure, and a Pismothat won't recognize new hardware.
Are the white iBooks still agood bet or should you steer clear of them?, Charles Moore,Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2007.08.20. The dual USB iBooks have theworst repair record in Mac history, yet some are exceptionallyreliable. Should you consider buying one or avoid them?
11 ways to optimize your Mac'sperformance, Ed Eubanks Jr, The Efficient Mac User, 2007.03.12.If your Mac is getting sluggish, here are 11 tips that can helprestore its original performance.
OS 10.4.8 making PowerBook run cooler?, Charles W. Moore, OS XOdyssey, Applelinks, 2006.10.24. "...I haven't restarted, and the'Book is still running in the high 40°s - low 50°s most ofthe time. The fan has only activated sporadically while doing heavymultitasking."
Better laptop performance:What's the best upgrade?, Andrew J Fishkin, The Mobile Mac,2006.10.09. Memory, CPU, bus speed, and hard drives all impactperformance and battery life. Which upgrades will give you the mostup time in the field?
Region free DVD viewing optionsfor Intel and PowerPC Macs, Andrew J Fishkin, The Mobile Mac,2006.09.12. Several hardware and software options that will letyour view 'wrong region' DVDs on your PowerPC or Intel Mac.
Inside your notebook's battery:Ordinary AA Li-Ion cells, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2006.09.08.That expensive battery in your notebook computer probably holdsless than $30 worth of off-the-shelf AA Li-Ion batteries.
7 tools for keeping your laptop(uh, notebook) cool, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings,2006.07.24. A quick look at the Podium CoolPad, ChillMat,ChillHubs, Laptop Desk, Xpad, iLap, and iBreeze - seven standsdesigned to keep you 'Books running cooler.
Macs take away Microsoft pain,Macs revive James Bond, iMac king of all media, iWoofer, andmore, Mac News Review, 2006.06.16. Also Windows users guide toswitching to the Mac, Bluetooth firmware update for PPC Macs,universal USB 2.0 drive adapter, waterproof case for video iPod,and more.
Power strategies for using your'Book in the field: Batteries and AC adapters, Andrew JFishkin, The Mobile Mac, 2006.06.05. One or two extra batteries andat least one spare AC adapter can be essential when you'retraveling and need to get hours and hours of use from your'Book.
End of G4 models points tounprecedented value for used G4 Macs, Leaman Crews, Plays Wellwith Others, 2006.06.02. The PowerPC G4 may no longer have a placein Apple's product line, but that's a far cry from saying G4-basedMacs are obsolete. If anything, their value is going toincrease.
iBook (white)disk upgrade pages, Graham Cox, 2003.02.26. Step-by-stepinstructions for replacing the hard drive in an iceBook.
iBook Portector, The 'BookReview, 2002.01.04. "The Portector is a custom molded urethanestrip that fits snugly over the expansion ports of your Apple iBookprotecting it from dirt and dust."
Tote and Tilt Adds Handle toNew iBook or TiBook, The 'Book Review, 2001.10.19. $40 and $45handles make it easy to transport iceBook, TiBook.
SCSI and FireWire Disk Modes,Paulo Rodrigues, Tangerine Fusion, 2000.11.29. How to use SCSI DiskMode and FireWire Target Disk Mode for ultrafast filetransfers.
iBookTalk List
iBook memory pricing,ramseeker

Cautions

PortableComputers: Models Which Do Not Have a Backup Battery notes theiBook has no backup battery to retain time and other settings whenthe main battery is removed. A small capacitor holds enough energyto maintain PRAM contents for 20 seconds, so switch batteriesquickly.

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