iBook

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Tech Specs

14″ 900 MHz iBook G3 (Early 2003)

LEM Staff - 2003.04.22

The April 2003 14″ iBook runs at 900 MHz, 100 MHz faster than its predecessor and has a larger (40 GB) hard drive. It is priced $100 lower.

14" iBook G3This is the first time a 14″ iBook comes in opaque white instead of the translucent white of earlier editions. It is the last iBook that can boot into Mac OS 9.

MacInTouch has called the dual USB G3 iBooks Apple’s most unreliable notebooks ever. According to their survey of iBook and PowerBook Reliability:

…by affected percentage of models, the G3 iBooks were the worst by far, with more than half requiring logic board replacements. Apple created a warranty extension program for some versions, but not all. (MacInTouch readers are still reporting newly failed iBook G3s, and the warranty extension program has ended.)

The white 12″ iBook G3 series became much less reliable through its first five revisions, reaching a 73% failure percentage! The last revision dropped to a 49% failure percentage – much improved over the previous model, but still unconscionably high. The problems appear to have been solved, for the most part, in the newer iBook G4 series.

Keep in mind that Apple had an extended replacement program on many iceBook models, so most problematic motherboards have already been replaced.

Details

  • introduced 2003.04.22 at $1,499; replaced by 14″ G4 iBook 2003.10.22
  • Requires Mac OS 9.2 or later, Mac OS X 10.1 through 10.4 Tiger
  • CPU: 900 MHz G3 (PowerPC 750fx?)
  • Bus: 100 MHz
  • CPU performance: unknown
  • FPU performance: unknown
  • ROM: 4 MB, NewWorld ROM in RAM architecture
  • RAM: 256 MB of SDRAM (128 MB soldered in place), expandable to 640 MB using one 1.25″ 3.3V PC100 compliant SO-DIMM
  • Level 2 cache: 512 KB on-chip cache
  • Video: ATI Mobility Radeon 7500 with 2x AGP
  • VRAM: 32 MB
  • display: 14.1″ 24-bit 1024 x 768 SVGA 91 ppi color active matrix, resolution scaling for 640 x 480 and 800 x 600 modes
  • Video out: VGA and composite video
  • Hard drive: 40 GB IDE
  • optical drive: 16x8x24x CD-RW/DVD-ROM Combo drive
  • floppy drive: external USB only
  • expansions bays: none
  • USB: 2 USB 1.1 ports
  • FireWire: 1 FW400 port
  • Ethernet: 10/100Base-T
  • Modem: v.92 56k
  • WiFi: 802.11b AirPort optional
  • Modem: 56k
  • Microphone: built in
  • PC Card slots: none
  • Battery: rated at 6 hours
  • size: 12.7 x 10.2 x 1.35″ (32.3 x 25.9 x 3.4 cm)
  • Weight: 5.9 pounds (2.7 kg) with battery

CPU Upgrades

  • Dual-layer SuperDrive upgrade, MCE Technologies, $99. 6x4x8x DVD, 24x24x24x CD. 2 MB buffer. Must be installed by MCE or MCE authorized upgrade center.

Online Resources

Cautions

  • There is an incompatibility between the Kensington Startup ADB extension and the Trackpad control on the iBook with Mac OS 9.0.4. Symptom: trackpad responds during boot, but not later. Solution: disable Kensington Startup ADB extension. This may also apply to other USB portables and versions of the Mac OS.
  • Portable Computers: Models Which Do Not Have a Backup Battery notes the iBook has no backup battery to retain time and other settings when the main battery is removed. A small capacitor holds enough energy to maintain PRAM contents for 20 seconds, so switch batteries quickly.

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