PowerBooks &iBooks

Clamshell iBooks

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

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

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

Another neat feature is that the iBook had no latch. This modelshipped 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 GBhard drive. This was replaced by a "revision B" version with 64 MB ofRAM 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 graphiterunning at 366 MHz. It was introduced at the same time as the originalwas upgraded to Rev. B.

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

iBook (FireWire)

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

iBook The iBook G3/366 ran at 366 MHz, andApple replaced blueberry with indigo, a much better looking blue. Likeearlier iBooks, it included 64 MB of RAM, but it had a larger harddrive - 10 GB.

Key Lime iBook The iBookG3/466 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 600display became a real liability as Mac OS X came to market. Thereplacement "dual USB" iBookaddressed both of these issues.

Online Resources

Best iBook G3 deals.
iBook TalkList
Guide to iBooks. A quick comparisonof G3 iBook models.
WiFi cardsfor PowerBooks with PC Card slots, Simon Royal, Mac Spectrum,2008.08.12. Includes instructions for hacking an Orinoco Silver card towork in a G3 iBook.
Cracking open the iBookG3, Mark Kaelin, CNET News, 2008.01.24. Taking apart the 1999clamshell iBook.
Low End Mac'sCompleat Guide to Mac OS 9, 2008 edition, Charles Moore,Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2008.05.12. Declared dead by Steve Jobs 6years ago, Mac OS 9 remains fast and stable, but Classic softwarehasn't kept up with Web changes. What Macs support OS 9, where to buyit, and how to update to version 9.2.2.
What's thebest Mac OS for your iBook, PowerBook, or MacBook?, Charles Moore,'Book Value, 2008.08.19. Tips on choosing the best OS for yourPowerBook 500 Series or newer Mac notebook.
Replacing thehard drive in a Clamshell iBook, John Hatchett, Recycled Computing,2009.11.19. Yes, it is one of the most difficult Apple notebooks todisassemble and reassemble, but a 10 GB hard drive just will notdo.
Blue clamshelliBook ready for action, John Hatchett, Recycled Computing,2009.09.03. Introduced nine years ago, the first iBook with FireWire issturdy, a decent performer, and looks like no other laptop.
Optimized software buildsbring out the best in your Mac, Dan Knight, Low End Mac's OnlineTech Journal, 2009.06.30. Applications compiled for your Mac's CPU canload more quickly and run faster than ones compiled for universaluse.
Mac 'Book powermanagement adventures, Charles Moore, 'Book Value, 2009.05.19. Ifyour 'Book won't power up, shuts down while your working, or has otherpower issues, resetting its internal power manager may clear thingsup.
Hacking a WiFi PC Cardto work in Apple's AirPort Card slot, Simon Royal, Mac Spectrum,2009.04.21. Apple's AirPort Card has become expensive since it wasdiscontinued. Here's how you may be able to adapt an 802.11b PC Card toreplace it.
How about an802.11g card for the original AirPort Card slot?, Dan Knight, MacMusings, 2009.04.16. There are a lot of old Macs with 802.11b AirPortCards still in use and with poor security. Someone should make aplug-and-play 802.11g replacement card to provide better security,higher throughput, and improved range.
Is it worth maxingthe RAM in old G3 and G4 Macs?, Simon Royal, Mac Spectrum,2009.04.15. Increasing memory can make your old Mac faster and make youmore productive, but it probably won't improve resale value by theamount you spend.
2 compactportable USB 2.0 hubs, Charles Moore, 'Book Value, 2009.01.12.Compact hubs from Targus and Proporta make a great complement to yournotebook computer. Each accepts a third-party AC adapter to provide buspower.
4 GB RAM problem persists afterfirmware update, TriBook concept MacBook, DIY Mac netbook, andmore, The 'Book Review, 2008.12.19. Also using third-party monitorswith 'Late 2008' MacBooks, MacMagSaver protects MagSafe cord, $25802.11g USB adapter, bargain 'Books from $500 to $2,299, and more.
The 'better safe thansorry' guide to installing Mac OS X updates, Charles Moore,Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2008.12.16. Most users encounter no problemsusing Software Update, but some preflight work and using the Comboupdater means far less chance of trouble.
Why youshould partition your Mac's hard drive, Dan Knight, Mac Musings,2008.12.11. "At the very least, it makes sense to have a secondpartition with a bootable version of the Mac OS, so if you haveproblems with your work partition, you can boot from the 'emergency'partition to run Disk Utility and other diagnostics."
Every workingcomputer is useful to someone, Allison Payne, The Budget Mac,2008.11.19. Whether it's a PowerBook 1400, G3 iMac, or Power Mac G4, itcould be all the computer someone needs.
$19,800 Bentley Egolaptop remarkably similar to 1999 clamshell iBook, Charles Moore,Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2008.10.06. Granted, Apple's iBook didn't havewhite gold trim, a padded leather exterior, or come in colors to matchyour Bentley automobile.
Getting themost from your G3 Mac, Simon Royal, Mac Spectrum, 2008.10.03. MostG3 Macs can be upgraded so they can run Mac OS X 10.4 'Tiger' quitenicely. Here's how.
Are G3 Macs stillviable work machines?, Simon Royal, Mac Spectrum, 2008.09.08. Forbasic tasks - writing, email, and using the Web - a G3 Mac with Mac OSX 10.4 and sufficient memory provides plenty of power.
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.
Can Linuxreplace OS X on older Macs?, Carl Nygren, Classic Macs in the IntelAge, 2008.06.30. Looking at Ubuntu 8.04 on a 1 GHz PowerBook andKubuntu 5.04 on a clamshell iBook.
In praise of therefreshingly different Clamshell iBook, Tamara Keel, DigitalFossils, 2008.04.29. After seven years of faithful duty, the ruggednotebook with a handle remains a favorite field computer.
EmpowerBook, TamaraKeel, Digital Fossils, 2008.04.22. The goal: distraction-free writingon the go. But which PowerBook or iBook is best for the job?
Poweryour recycled laptop with a rebuilt battery, John Hatchett,Recycled Computing, 2008.02.20. Old notebook computers usually mean oldbatteries that may be dead or on their last legs. You can buy areplacement battery, or you can have your old battery rebuilt.
CF in a clamshell iBook, Leopard ona 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 AGPPower Macs, KompoZer and Claris Home Page, installing Mac OS 8.6, andZune price drop.
Compact Flash faster than a harddrive, CF in a clamshell iBook, eSATA for PowerBooks, and more, DanKnight, Low End Mac Mailbag, 2007.06.12. Faster boot times with a flashdrive, replacing the hard drive in an iBook with Compact Flash, eBayfeedback tips, eSATA CardBus options for PowerBooks, and the importanceof 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?, andmore, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2007.05.21. Also howthe need to run "Tiger" is a problem, an iBook G4 with serious shutdownissues, and burning CDs at a lower speed may make them easier to readin older Macs.
Apple on mini CDs, 74 minute CD-Rsmore compatible, iBook G4 reliability, and more, Charles Moore,Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2007.05.14. Also installing OS X using TargetDisk Mode, partitioning your hard drive, Google's tool to simplify webpages, Canada and copyright law, and more.
Format any drive forolder Macs with patched Apple tools, Tyler Sable, ClassicRestorations, 2007.04.25. Apple HD SC Setup and Drive Setup only workwith Apple branded hard drives - until you apply the patches linked tothis article.
Clamshell iBook upgrades, choppyiTunes video, Netscape 7 for Mac OS 9, and more, Charles Moore,Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2007.04.09. Also fixing flash drive problemswith Disk Utility, problems booting a secondhand iMac, PowerBookramblings, and more.
Using FireWire Target Disk Mode toinstall OS X on Macs without DVD drives, Charles Moore,Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2006.09.14. Two methods for using FireWireTarget 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. Thatexpensive battery in your notebook computer probably holds less than$30 worth of off-the-shelf AA Li-Ion batteries.
Clamshell iBook viability, problemreading CD-R, OS X unstable with video compression, iCab 3.0.3, andmore, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2006.08.21. Alsopossible solution for booting into OS 9, WallStreet upgrade value,Power Mac no longer jinxed, MacTV value, AIM for ancient Macs, andmore.
Getting the most out of the clamshelliBook, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2006.08.14."'Unique' is an overworked adjective, but in the case of the clamshelliBook, it's justified. There's never been anything quite like it beforeor since."
Clamshell iBook still a fun andpractical notebook, Charles Webb, PowerBook Beat, 2006.08.11."Granted, this iBook isn't a speed demon in any way, but its amazingwhat a 7-year-old Apple notebook can do."
Is the G3 still a practicalchoice?, Matthew Jay, Macs to the Max, 2006.08.10. Although the G3is several generations old, it has enough horsepower for most of thethings we do on our computers.
Customizing Mac OS 9, NathanThompson, Embracing Obsolescence, 2006.08.01. Fiddling with themes,picking a browser, and making the Classic Mac OS work just the way youwant 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 'Booksrunning cooler.
Installing OS X 10.4 'Tiger' onDVD-challenged Macs using FireWire Target Disk Mode, Charles Moore,Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2006.07.10. Mac OS X ships on a single installDVD, which Apple will exchange for CDs at $10. But if you have accessto a DVD-equipped Mac and a FireWire cable, you're good to go.
Apple's secretbattery reset utility for WallStreet and Clamshell iBooks, JoeRivera, Mac Fallout Shelter, 2006.07.05. If your old 'Books batteryisn't taking a charge like it used to, Battery Reset 2.0 could helprecover its useful life.
Making the move from Jaguar (OS X10.2) 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 worryingabout violating their license.
Many G3 Macs now consideredvintage, Mac News Review, 2006.03.31.
Dvorak adoption notice, tips forApple's Yo-yo power supply, old iMac a good value?, and more,Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2006.02.27. Also a 'Pismo up insmoke' update, Lombard up in smoke, iBook G3 logic board problems,Wangwriter appreciation, and more.
Web browser tips for the classicMac OS, Nathan Thompson, Embracing Obsolescence, 2006.01.03. Tipson getting the most out of WaMCom, Mozilla, Internet Explorer, iCab,Opera, and WannaBe using the classic Mac OS.
The best browsers for PowerPC Macsand the classic Mac OS, Nathan Thompson, Embracing Obsolescence,2005.12.16. Two browsers stand out from the pack: iCab 3 is modern andremains under development, and WaMCom brings Mozilla to olderMacs.
Itwas the best of 'Books; the worst of 'Books, Charles W. Moore, RoadWarrior, Mac Opinion, 2004.08.10. "In my estimation, the iBook became alegitimate front-line Road Warrior with the September, 2000, speedbumps to 366 MHz and 466 MHz...."
Hotroddingthe clamshell iBook?, Charles Moore, Road Warrior, Mac Opinion,2002.10.22. Add up to 512 MB RAM, drop in a big fast hard drive, butstill limited to 800 x 600 screen.
iBook BacklightReplacement Journal, Friesen, 2002.02.23. How to replace thebacklight on a clamshell iBook for $12.
Rage at being left behind, DanKnight, Mac Musings, 2001.12.24. It's official - Apple doesn't plan tosupport graphics acceleration for any Mac with ATI Rage video.
Internal CD-RW Drive For 1stGeneration iBooks, The 'Book Review, 2001.11.02. Replace the CD-ROMwith a 4x burner for $145 plus shipping.
Shot in the foot again: Firmwareupdate disables RAM, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2001.03.25. "...weshould not be at risk of losing some or all of the memory in our Macsbecause of a firmware update."
Keeper of theiBook: Does size matter?, Mark Newhouse, 2000.05.15. "I use theiBook every day, and have found it to be the perfect companion on mycommute."
Accelerate Your Mac! hasdownloadable color profiles for the iBook and recent PowerBooks thatreally 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, MacHappens, 1999.07.22

Cautions

Apple's iLife '05 and later require a 1024 x 768 or higher screenresolution and cannot beinstalled on clamshell iBooks.
PortableComputers: Models Which Do Not Have a Backup Battery notes theiBook has no backup battery to retain time and other settings when themain battery is removed. A small capacitor holds enough energy tomaintain PRAM contents for 20 seconds, so switch batteriesquickly.

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