PowerBooks & iBooks
12" Dual USB iBook G3
Code names: P29, Marble
a.k.a. iceBook
- Got an iBook? Join our G-Books Group or PowerBooks and iBooks Forum.
- Got an iBook? Join the iBook Talk List.
- Our Mac OS 9 Group is for anyone using Mac OS 9, either natively or in Classic Mode.
- Our Puma Group is for those using Mac OS X 10.1.
- Our Jaguar Group is for those using Mac OS X 10.2.
- Panther List is for those using Mac OS X 10.3.
- Tiger List is for those using Mac OS X 10.4.
The original clamshell iBook was rugged, had a useful handle, and had great battery life. It was also heavy, bulky, and had a relatively low resolution 800 x 600 display. The "Dual USB" iBook was meant to remedy all of its shortcomings.
Where the clamshell model had weighed 6.6 lb. and was 2.1" thick, the new iBook weighed just 4.9 lb. and was a mere 1.35" thick. Apple claimed the new iBook was even more rugged than the old one. Apple eliminated color options; the new iBook only came in white. And the new model had a faster system bus, 100 MHz vs. 66 MHz on the clamshell iBooks.
Perhaps the most useful new feature was the 12" 1024 x 768 display, especially as Mac OS X began to displace the Classic Mac OS as the dominant Mac operating system. That extra screen space makes a huge difference. And the second USB port wasn't a bad idea, either.
All dual USB iBooks support the Classic Mac OS as well as OS X. They officially support adding 512 MB of RAM to whatever is soldered on the logic board (128 MB in most cases). No G3 iBook ever shipped with a SuperDrive.
iBook G3/500
Introduced in May 2001 at US$1,299 and up, the dual USB iBooks use a tray-loading optical drive, and the original 500 MHz iBook was available with CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, CD-RW, or a CD-RW/DVD Combo drive. A 10 GB hard drive was standard, and a 20 GB drive was an option.
The "iceBook" uses an ATI Rage Mobility 128 with 2x AGP with 8 MB of video RAM. It supports VGA output with an included adapter and has two speakers for stereo sound. It was also the first iBook with a built-in microphone.
Base memory is 64 MB soldered to the logic board. Apple increased base RAM to 128 MB on the CD-ROM model and switched to a 15 GB hard drive in October 2001.
iBook G3/600
Apple speed bumped the iBook in October 2001, introducing a 600 MHz model while leaving a 500 MHz CD-ROM model in the line as an entry-level option. The October 2001 models all came with 128 MB of onboard memory and included 15 GB or 20 GB hard drives. Other than that, they were almost identical to the early 500 MHz model.
iBook G3/700
The next improvement took place in May 2002, a year after the first white iBook had been introduced. The new iBook G3 had a more efficient G3 CPU with twice as large a cache. It was the first iBook with ATI Mobility Radeon graphics, and it has 16 MB of video memory (twice as much as earlier iBooks).
The US$1,199 CD-ROM model ran at 600 MHz and had a 20 GB hard drive. The US$1,499 Combo drive model ran at 700 MHz and included a 30 GB hard drive.
iBook G3/800
In October 2002, Apple speed bumped the iBook to 800 MHz and again moved to an improved graphics processor. The ATI Mobility Radeon 7500 supported up to 32 MB of video memory.
As before, the CD-ROM model was slower, running at 700 MHz, and it included 16 MB of video memory. The 800 MHz model had a Combo drive and 32 MB of video memory.
iBook G3/900
The ultimate 12" G3 iBook was released in April 2003 and ran as fast as 900 MHz. 32 MB of video memory was standard on both the CD-ROM and Combo drive models. Hard drives were bigger, and 128 MB was still the default RAM configuration.
The 800 MHz CD-ROM model retailed at US$999, and the 900 MHz Combo drive model sold for just US$300 more.
The G3 iBooks were replaced by G4 iBooks in October 2003.
Upgrades
- SuperDrive upgrade, MCE Technologies, $379. 1x1x8x DVD, 16x10x24x CD. 2 MB buffer. Must be installed by MCE or MCE authorized upgrade center.
- Combo drive upgrade, MCE Technologies, $249. 8x DVD, 24x10x24x CD. 2 MB buffer. Must be installed by MCE or MCE authorized upgrade center.
Online Resources
- Best iBook G3 deals.
- 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.
- 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 G3 iBooks in the Age of Leopard, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2007.09.14. All of the G3 iBooks can run Mac OS X, but which ones run it well? And which version should you use?
- 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?
- Even if Leopard leaves G3 behind, Tiger users will still be able to run up-to-date apps, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2007.06.18. While Apple may drop G3 support in OS X 10.5, there will continue to be plenty of options for 10.4 users who want to run up-to-date browsers, email clients, and instant messaging programs.
- Why Apple must continue G3 support in Mac OS X 10.5 'Leopard', Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2007.05.08. "We're worried about what happens if Apple unchecks that box in Xcode to include the instructions necessary to run OS X on G3 processors at all."
- 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.
- How much PowerBook or iBook do you need to run Mac OS X?, Ted Hodges, Vintage Mac Living, 2007.01.15. You don't need the latest and greatest Mac to be productive in OS X. Here are six iBook and PowerBook suggestions built between 2000 and 2003.
- Deodorizing a stinky old iBook that smells like sweat, Hardy Menagh, Empowered, 2006.10.19. Different ways to mask and otherwise attack the problem if your G3 iBook suffers from Stinky Keyboard Syndrome.
- A stinky old iBook that smells like sweat, Hardy Menagh, Empowered, 2006.10.13. You just don't expect an iBook to smell like strong perspiration, but this problem seems to afflict a number of G3 iBooks.
- 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?
- 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.
- Merom and the MacBook, Apple's original Duo laptop, Dell battery woes may impact Apple, iBook G3 SuperDrive, and more, The 'Book Review, 2006.08.18. Also MacBook a back-to-school recommendation, MagSafe patent may block third-party power adapters, wrist rug and trackpad film for MacBook and Pro, bargain 'Books from $119 to $1,699, and more.
- 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.
- Getting IE 4.5 to work with Low End Mac, 7200 rpm drive heat in an iMac, upgrading OS X on a white iBook, and more, Dan Knight, Low End Mac Mailbag, 2006.06.29. Configuring Internet Explorer 4.5 to work with CSS-based websites, overheating issues with iMacs, positive results with OS X upgrades, and problems getting an SD flash card to work in a PowerBook 1400.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- FastMac's $190 8x dual-layer SuperDrive for PowerBooks and dual USB iBooks, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2006.01.30. For US$190-250 you can replace the CD-ROM, CD-RW, Combo, or slow old SuperDrive in most PowerBooks, white iBooks, slot-loading iMacs, and Cubes with a faster, dual-layer drive.
- 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.
- iBook (white) disk upgrade pages, Graham Cox, 2003.02.26. Step-by-step instructions for replacing the hard drive in an iceBook.
- Overclocking the iBook (2001), Tycho, Accelerate Your Mac, 2002.08.21. Warranty-voiding mod boost performance 40% by hitting 600-650 MHz on 100 MHz bus.
- 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.
- The ultimate iBook review, part 1, Michel Munger, 2001.08.02. Initial impressions, setup, and some troubleshooting.
- The ultimate iBook review, Part 2, Michel Munger, 2001.08.03. A look at the screen, keyboard, battery life, and sound.
- The ultimate iBook review, part 3, Michel Munger, 2001.08.14. A look at performance, networking, and value.
- Hands on: iBook vs. upgraded WallStreet, Rob Art Morgan, My Turn, 2001.08.02. Pros and cons of the 2001 iBook compared with an upgraded 466 MHz WallStreet PowerBook.
- Bottom-feeder notebook shootout, AAPLtalk. How the new iBook compares with similarly priced Windows notebooks.
- Just how small is the new iBook?, Mac Observer, 2001.05.03. In terms of volume, the iceBook is Apple's second smallest ever. (The PB 100 takes third place.)
- iBook grows up: It ain't Titanium, but it's close, Amy Hoy, Daily Mac, 2001.05.02. "This iBook has a built-in omnidirectional microphone, something all iBooks up until this point lacked."
- Apple's iBook Page
- New iBook first thoughts, Charles Moore, Applelinks, 2001.05.01.
- First look: Apple unveils new iBooks, Andy Gore, MacCentral, 2001.05.01.
- 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.
- Recovering a stolen PowerBook, The 'Book Page. One user's experience.
Cautions
- Updated iBook
Logic Board Repair Extension Program Frequently Asked
Questions, Apple.
The Updated iBook Logic Board Repair Extension Program covers iBooks that have a particular component failure on the logic board, resulting in the computer starting up but the built-in and attached external displays exhibiting one or more of the following symptoms:- Scrambled or distorted video
- Appearance of unexpected lines on the screen
- Intermittent video image
- Video freeze
- Computer starts up to blank screen
- There is a misprint in the manual regarding keyboard removal and replacement that can result in key damage. There is reportedly an extra step in the TIL article iBook (Dual USB): Replacing/Installing the Keyboard that is missing on pages 28 and 30 in the iBook User's Guide that instructs you to turn the small locking screw next to the num lock key.
- 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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