G4 iBook Index

PowerBooks & iBooks

G4 iBooks (2003-2006)

Nickname: iceBook

PowerBook/iBook battery recall, The 'Book Review, 2006.08.25.
Got a G4 PowerBook or iBook? Join LEM's G4 'Books Group.
Got an iBook? Join the iBook Talk List.
LEM's Mac OS 9 Group is for anyone using Mac OS 9, either natively or in Classic Mode.
Panther List is for those using Mac OS X 10.3.
Tiger List is for those using Mac OS X 10.4.

Overview

iBook

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

The G4 iBooks support AirPort Extreme USB 2.0, Mobility Radeon 9200 graphics, room for an internal Bluetooth module, and the use of 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 to 1152 MB by replacing the 128 MB card with a 1 GB memory module. Both iBooks shipped with a Combo (CD-RW/DVD) drive.

The 12" iBook clocked at 800 MHz, 100 MHz slower than the G3 iBook it replaced, but the 14" iBooks were both faster than their G3 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 by boosting clock speed, using a G4 CPU with a larger L2 cache, and putting 256 MB on the logic board, which raised the iBook's RAM ceiling 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 the G4 iBook, once again boosting speed and - for the first time - offering a SuperDrive version of the 14" iBook. The October 2004 revision 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 a standard feature, has twice as much RAM from the factory (512 MB), and included Apple's scrolling trackpad. Total memory can be expanded to 1.5 GB on these iBooks, and Apple included an improved graphics 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 End Mac's Compleat Guide to the iBook G4, Charles Moore, 'Book Value, 2008.07.09. Replacing the G3 iBook in October 2003, the iBook G4 was and remains a value leader until it was replaced by the MacBook in 2006.
Low End Mac's Best iBook G4 Deals, updated biweekly.
Tips for installing 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, is supported on G3 Macs.
The future of PowerPC Macs and software as 'Snow Leopard' approaches, Simon Royal, Mac Spectrum, 2008.11.13. Apple phased out Classic Mode and G3 support with 'Leopard' last year, and next year's OS X 10.6 won't support any PowerPC Macs. Will other developers abandon PowerPC as well?
TruePower AC adapter for iBooks and PowerBooks is rugged, reliable, and affordable, Charles Moore, 'Book Value, 2008.08.14. Apple's track record with AC adapters is spotty, but the TruePower adapter is tough enough 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, Low End Mac Mailbag, 2008.03.13. Also buying a used Power Mac G4, a Power Mac 7600 still in daily use, OCR software for modern Macs, and Leopard on a Blue and White G3.
Leopard DVD Player requires 1.6 GHz CPU, dual processor questions, and dual boot Macs, Dan Knight, Low End Mac Mailbag, 2007.10.24. DVD Player currently runs on any G3 that supports Tiger, but the new version needs 1.6 GHz of power and other bloat in Leopard.
Is a used iBook still a sensible low-end option?, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2007.10.15. From 500 MHz G3s through 1.4 GHz G4s, used iBooks range in price from under $200 to over $700. Are they a good choice, or do reliability issues say otherwise?
The future of G4 iBooks in the Age of Leopard, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2007.10.22. Almost all of the G4 iBooks are supported by Mac OS X 10.5, but 4200 rpm drives could be a real bottleneck.
Danes refunded for defective G4 iBooks, rumored Mac minitablet, handle for MacBooks, and more, The 'Book Review, 2007.10.01. Also software update for MacBook and MacBook Pro, Give 1 Get 1 XO laptop program, CardBus adapter for ExpressCard notebooks, and bargain 'Books from $130 to $2,688.
iBook unreliability, iBook G4 AirPort problems, RAM for a PowerBook 1400, and more, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2007.08.27. Pismo vs. iBook as the more reliable portable, catastrophic iBook failure, and a Pismo that won't recognize new hardware.
Are the white iBooks still a good bet or should you steer clear of them?, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2007.08.20. The dual USB iBooks have the worst repair record in Mac history, yet some are exceptionally reliable. Should you consider buying one or avoid them?
11 ways to optimize your Mac's performance, Ed Eubanks Jr, The Efficient Mac User, 2007.03.12. If your Mac is getting sluggish, here are 11 tips that can help restore its original performance.
OS 10.4.8 making PowerBook run cooler?, Charles W. Moore, OS X Odyssey, Applelinks, 2006.10.24. "...I haven't restarted, and the 'Book is still running in the high 40°s - low 50°s most of the time. The fan has only activated sporadically while doing heavy multitasking."
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 impact performance and battery life. Which upgrades will give you the most up time in the field?
Region free DVD viewing options for Intel and PowerPC Macs, Andrew J Fishkin, The Mobile Mac, 2006.09.12. Several hardware and software options that will let your 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 holds less 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 stands designed to keep you 'Books running cooler.
Macs take away Microsoft pain, Macs revive James Bond, iMac king of all media, iWoofer, and more, Mac News Review, 2006.06.16. Also Windows users guide to switching 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 J Fishkin, The Mobile Mac, 2006.06.05. One or two extra batteries and at least one spare AC adapter can be essential when you're traveling and need to get hours and hours of use from your 'Book.
End of G4 models points to unprecedented value for used G4 Macs, Leaman Crews, Plays Well with Others, 2006.06.02. The PowerPC G4 may no longer have a place in Apple's product line, but that's a far cry from saying G4-based Macs are obsolete. If anything, their value is going to increase.
iBook (white) disk upgrade pages, Graham Cox, 2003.02.26. Step-by-step instructions for replacing the hard drive in an iceBook.
iBook Portector, The 'Book Review, 2002.01.04. "The Portector is a custom molded urethane strip that fits snugly over the expansion ports of your Apple iBook protecting it from dirt and dust."
Tote and Tilt Adds Handle to New iBook or TiBook, The 'Book Review, 2001.10.19. $40 and $45 handles make it easy to transport iceBook, TiBook.
SCSI and FireWire Disk Modes, Paulo Rodrigues, Tangerine Fusion, 2000.11.29. How to use SCSI Disk Mode and FireWire Target Disk Mode for ultrafast file transfers.
iBook Talk List
iBook memory pricing, ramseeker

Cautions

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.

About LEM Support Usage Privacy Contact

Low End Mac is an independent publication and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Apple Inc. Entire Low End Mac website copyright ©1997-2012 by Cobweb Publishing, Inc. unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved. Apple, the Apple logo, Macintosh, iPad iPhone, iMac, iPod, MacBook, MagSafe, Mac Pro, Apple TV, and AirPort are registered trademarks of Apple Inc. Additional company and product names may be trademarks or registered trademarks and are hereby acknowledged.
Advice is presented in good faith, but what works for one may not work for all. Please report errors to .
LINKS: We allow and encourage links to any public page as long as the linked page does not appear within a frame that prevents bookmarking it.
Email may be published at our discretion unless marked "not for publication"; email addresses will not be published without permission, and we will encrypt them in hopes of avoiding spammers. Letters may be edited for length, context, and to match house style.
PRIVACY: We don't collect personal information unless you explicitly provide it. For more details, see our Terms of Use.

Custom Search

Follow Low End Mac on Twitter
Join Low End Mac on Facebook

Low End Mac Reader Specials

TypeStyler 11 is now in the Mac App Store!! -- Special Introductory Price of $59.95!! -- To Buy From The Mac App Store Click Here Now!! Or buy direct from Strider Software.

Don't install Parallels to play poker online! Poker Mac will show you how to download and install a native Mac poker and Mac Casino applications in minutes.