Clamshell iBooks

Apple produced four versions of the clamshell iBook in 1999 and 2000 before replacing it with the 12" white "dual USB" iBook G3 in May 2001.

The original clamshell iBook ran a 300 MHz G3, has a 12" 800 x 600 display, and a 6-hour battery in a swoopy enclosure with a handle. At 6.6 lb. it was no lightweight, but it was rugged. It had to be - it was designed for student use in school.

The iBook was Apple's first computer to include a slot for an AirPort card, and it was the notebook PC that made wireless (802.11b WiFi) a big deal across computing platforms.

Another neat feature is that the iBook had no latch. This model shipped in blueberry or tangerine.

This iBook was announced in July 1999 and began shipping in Sept. 1999 at US$1,599. It originally included 32 MB of RAM and a 3 GB hard drive. This was replaced by a "revision B" version with 64 MB of RAM and a 6 GB hard drive in Feb. 2000.

All clamshell iBooks can be expanded with up to 512 MB of RAM.

iBook SE

Apple supplemented the iBook line with a special edition iBook in graphite runninga t 366 MHz. It was introduced at the same time as the original was upgraded to Rev. B.

The speed boost and graphite finish were the only differences between the original iBook and the special edition.

iBook (FireWire)

Apple introduced improved iBooks in Sept. 2000. The big new features were FireWire and video-out, which earlier iBooks lacked. Apple also doubled video RAM from 4 MB to 8 MB.

The iBook G3/366 ran at 366 MHz, and Apple replaced blueberry with indigo, a much better looking blue. Like earlier iBooks, it included 64 MB of RAM, but it had a larger hard drive - 10 GB.

The iBook G3/466 ran at 466 MHz and was available in graphite or key lime. Its big new feature was inclusion of a DVD-ROM drive.

The clamshell iBooks had only one USB port, and the 800 x 600 display became a real liability as Mac OS X came to market. The replacement "dual USB" iBook addressed both of these issues.

Online Resources

• Low End Mac's Best iBook G3 Deals, used prices for G3 iBooks. Updated biweekly.
• iBook Talk List
• Guide to iBooks. A quick comparison of G3 iBook models.
• Low End Mac's Compleat Guide to Mac OS 9, 2008 edition, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2008.05.12. Declared dead by Steve Jobs 6 years ago, Mac OS 9 remains fast and stable, but Classic software hasn't kept up with Web changes. What Macs support OS 9, where to buy it, and how to update to version 9.2.2.
• What's the best Mac OS for your iBook, PowerBook, or MacBook?, Charles Moore, 'Book Value, 2008.08.19. Tips on choosing the best OS for your PowerBook 500 Series or newer Mac notebook.
• The 'better safe than sorry' guide to installing Mac OS X updates, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2008.12.16. Most users encounter no problems using Software Update, but some preflight work and using the Combo updater means far less chance of trouble.
• CF in a clamshell iBook, Leopard on a 400 MHz AGP Power Mac, VGA ports on Macs, and more, Dan Knight, Low End Mac Mailbag, 2007.10.30. Also graphics card options for AGP Power Macs, KompoZer and Claris Home Page, installing Mac OS 8.6, and Zune price drop.
• Compact Flash faster than a hard drive, CF in a clamshell iBook, eSATA for PowerBooks, and more, Dan Knight, Low End Mac Mailbag, 2007.06.12. Faster boot times with a flash drive, replacing the hard drive in an iBook with Compact Flash, eBay feedback tips, eSATA CardBus options for PowerBooks, and the importance of G3 support in Mac OS X 10.5.
• Most durable 'Book, prepping a blue & white G3 for OS X, 7200 rpm drive too hot for Pismo?, and more, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2007.05.21. Also how the need to run "Tiger" is a problem, an iBook G4 with serious shutdown issues, and burning CDs at a lower speed may make them easier to read in older Macs.
• Apple on mini CDs, 74 minute CD-Rs more compatible, iBook G4 reliability, and more, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2007.05.14. Also installing OS X using Target Disk Mode, partitioning your hard drive, Google's tool to simplify web pages, Canada and copyright law, and more.
• Format any drive for older Macs with patched Apple tools, Tyler Sable, Classic Restorations, 2007.04.25. Apple HD SC Setup and Drive Setup only work with Apple branded hard drives - until you apply the patches linked to this article.
• Clamshell iBook upgrades, choppy iTunes video, Netscape 7 for Mac OS 9, and more, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2007.04.09. Also fixing flash drive problems with Disk Utility, problems booting a secondhand iMac, PowerBook ramblings, and more.
• Using FireWire Target Disk Mode to install OS X on Macs without DVD drives, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2006.09.14. Two methods for using FireWire Target Disk mode to install OS X on a Mac that can't read DVDs.
• 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 holds less than $30 worth of off-the-shelf AA Li-Ion batteries.
• Clamshell iBook viability, problem reading CD-R, OS X unstable with video compression, iCab 3.0.3, and more, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2006.08.21. Also possible solution for booting into OS 9, WallStreet upgrade value, Power Mac no longer jinxed, MacTV value, AIM for ancient Macs, and more.
• Getting the most out of the clamshell iBook, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2006.08.14. "'Unique' is an overworked adjective, but in the case of the clamshell iBook, it's justified. There's never been anything quite like it before or since."
• Clamshell iBook still a fun and practical notebook, Charles Webb, PowerBook Beat, 2006.08.11. "Granted, this iBook isn't a speed demon in any way, but its amazing what a 7-year-old Apple notebook can do."
• Is the G3 still a practical choice?, Matthew Jay, Macs to the Max, 2006.08.10. Although the G3 is several generations old, it has enough horsepower for most of the things we do on our computers.
• Customizing Mac OS 9, Nathan Thompson, Embracing Obsolescence, 2006.08.01. Fiddling with themes, picking a browser, and making the Classic Mac OS work just the way you want it to.
• 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 stands designed to keep you 'Books running cooler.
• Installing OS X 10.4 'Tiger' on DVD-challenged Macs using FireWire Target Disk Mode, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2006.07.10. Mac OS X ships on a single install DVD, which Apple will exchange for CDs at $10. But if you have access to a DVD-equipped Mac and a FireWire cable, you're good to go.
• Apple's secret battery reset utility for WallStreet and Clamshell iBooks, Joe Rivera, Mac Fallout Shelter, 2006.07.05. If your old 'Books battery isn't taking a charge like it used to, Battery Reset 2.0 could help recover its useful life.
• Making the move from Jaguar (OS X 10.2) to Panther (10.3), Ted Hodges, Vintage Mac Living, 2006.04.11. One advantage of Apple's "no upgrades" policy for OS X - someone can give you their old copy after upgrading without worrying about violating their license.
• Many G3 Macs now considered vintage, Mac News Review, 2006.03.31.
• Dvorak adoption notice, tips for Apple's Yo-yo power supply, old iMac a good value?, and more, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2006.02.27. Also a 'Pismo up in smoke' update, Lombard up in smoke, iBook G3 logic board problems, Wangwriter appreciation, and more.
• Web browser tips for the classic Mac OS, Nathan Thompson, Embracing Obsolescence, 2006.01.03. Tips on getting the most out of WaMCom, Mozilla, Internet Explorer, iCab, Opera, and WannaBe using the classic Mac OS.
• The best browsers for PowerPC Macs and the classic Mac OS, Nathan Thompson, Embracing Obsolescence, 2005.12.16. Two browsers stand out from the pack: iCab 3 is modern and remains under development, and WaMCom brings Mozilla to older Macs.
• It was the best of 'Books; the worst of 'Books, Charles W. Moore, Road Warrior, Mac Opinion, 2004.08.10. "In my estimation, the iBook became a legitimate front-line Road Warrior with the September, 2000, speed bumps to 366 MHz and 466 MHz...."
• Hotrodding the clamshell iBook?, Charles Moore, Road Warrior, Mac Opinion, 2002.10.22. Add up to 512 MB RAM, drop in a big fast hard drive, but still limited to 800 x 600 screen.
• iBook Backlight Replacement Journal, Friesen, 2002.02.23. How to replace the backlight on a clamshell iBook for $12.
• Rage at being left behind, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2001.12.24. It's official - Apple doesn't plan to support graphics acceleration for any Mac with ATI Rage video.
• Internal CD-RW Drive For 1st Generation iBooks, The 'Book Review, 2001.11.02. Replace the CD-ROM with a 4x burner for $145 plus shipping.
• Shot in the foot again: Firmware update disables RAM, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2001.03.25. "...we should not be at risk of losing some or all of the memory in our Macs because of a firmware update."
• Keeper of the iBook: Does size matter?, Mark Newhouse, 2000.05.15. "I use the iBook every day, and have found it to be the perfect companion on my commute."
• Accelerate Your Mac! has downloadable color profiles for the iBook and recent PowerBooks that really improve on-screen color.
• Recovering a stolen PowerBook, The 'Book Page. One user's experience.
• Hands On: The iBook, Dan Knight, The iBook Page, 1999.10.21
• iBook memory pricing, ramseeker
• Enter the iBook, Evan Kleiman, Mac Happens, 1999.07.22

Cautions

• Apple's iLife '05 and later require a 1024 x 768 or higher screen resolution and cannot be installed on clamshell iBooks.
• 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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