iBooks, PowerBooks & MacBooks

When it come to availability of Apple laptop computers, it is likely that you will find a market dominated by one of the following three models: the iBook, PowerBook, and the Mac book/Mac book Pro.

Just as there was a streamlining occurring on the Apple desktop side, the end of the 90s also saw a rationalization of the product offerings on the laptop side. Previous to 1999 Apple produced several different types of laptops including the Performa, Quadra, LC, power Macintosh, and the centris.

As we will see, out of all of these models only the PowerBook would survive the streamlining process. And even it would eventually fall victim to the ongoing innovation from the Apple designers.

Just as with the desktops, Apple laptops have been developed around the philosophy of bringing both work life and personal life together. This is apparent through their asthetics as well as the software that is shipped with each machine.

So when it comes to laptops, Apple has always shown itself to be ahead of the curve in terms of design and function.

 

iBook G3-the Clamshell

In 1999 Apple introduced what would become its standardbearer for consumer laptops over the next few years. The original iBook, the iBook G3, featured a third-generation PowerPC running at 300 MHz. It’s most distinguishing feature was its appearance. Dubbed “the clamshell”, the iBook G3 looked very much like a clam opening and closing. In addition it came in one of five colors including tangerine, blueberry, graphite, indigo, and key lime.

Its other distinguishing feature was that it was the first consumer laptop ever sold with an integrated wireless network. This enabled the iBook to take advantage of the coming wave of wireless home networking.

The original clamshell line would be augmented in 2000 by the iBook G3 SE; and then later in that same year by the iBook G3 FireWire/SB. The ST model would include minor improvements to processing speed, a doubling of RAM from 32-64 MB, a doubling in size of the hard drive and upgrading the OS from 8.6-9.0 .2.

The FireWire/ST model represented a more significant step forward in the iBook line. It offered a processing speed of 466 MHz (up from 366 MHz). Other important additions included the introduction of FireWire, component video out, A DVD-ROM drive, and optional airport. There are also minor changes in the hard drive and the operating system.

IBook G3-dual USB

In 2001 Apple came out with a second-generation of the iBook. Gone was the clam shell to be replaced by the now more familiar white polycarbonate surface. This model featured a slightly faster G3 processor (500 MHz), the option of 128 MB of RAM, a slightly larger hard drive, and a CD/CD-RW/DVD/combo drive.

Later that year this model was upgraded to include a faster processor, a 15 GB hard drive, the new Mac OS X 10.1, and the option of a larger 14 inch display. In the spring of 2002, this model was again subject to a minor revision which included an increase in processing speed and video memory. Similar revisions were made in the fall of 2002 and the spring of 2003.

 

iBook G4

In the fall of 2003, Apple introduced the iBook G4. The major features of this model was the introduction of the G4 processor running at 800 MHz or 1 GHz. As a result of the boost in power, the machine also offered more RAM and up to 60 GB of hard drive.

Other features included its updated USB ports, FireWire, ethernet, and airport extreme. Additionally, the machine ran on the latest version of the Mac OS-Mac OSX - 10.3 “Panther”.

The spring of 2004 saw Apple provide a minor upgrade to the iBook G4 in the form of a faster processor and an upgraded DVD drive. Similar changes were later made in the fall of 2004.

The spring of 2006 saw the last of the upgrades made to the PowerPC iBook. Improvements were made to the graphics processor, RAM, and to the bus ratio. Introduced were a scrolling trackpad, Sudden Motion Sensor, and Bluetooth.

 

PowerBook

Up until 2006 the PowerBook was Apple’s laptop for business. In terms of what might be available in the market today you still may be able to find some of the old PowerBook 500s or PowerBook 5300s; similarly the PowerBook 1400, 2400, and 3400 would also be rare finds on an auction site. It is more likely that you’ll find the PowerBook G3 and PowerBook G4.

PowerBook G3

As its name implies the PowerBook G3 is based on the third-generation PowerPC processors. Unlike the iBook, the design emphasis was not placed on the aesthetics but rather on the power that the machine could deliver. As a result the PowerBook G3 often had relatively higher processing speeds and RAM. As the PowerBook G3 evolved, it became thinner. It also became faster with the addition of faster processors and more RAM.

PowerBook G4

With the PowerBook G4, Apple delivered a powerful AND stylish laptop. Titanium was used in the models produced between 2001 and 2003; then up until 2006 aluminum was the chosen material. The PowerBook G4 is available in both 15 and 17 inch sizes. The G4 models had a reputation of being modern in design, having powerful processors, and having a long battery life.

During the two years that it was in production, the titanium problem G4 was updated four times. These improvements almost always involved an increase in processing speed, increased memory, as well as other improvements to the graphics card, ethernet capacity and minor changes in appearance.

Revisions to the aluminum model involved changes to the LCD screen, updating the USB trackpad, the introduction of Sudden Motion Sensors, and upgrades to the DVD drives.

 

MacBook Pro

The MacBook Pro is the successor to the 15-inch and 17-inch models of the PowerBook G4 series, and is the first Macintosh laptop to be powered by the Intel Core Duo and Core 2 Duo processors.

The MacBook Pro is currently available in different sizes with differently-sized screens: a 15-inch model, with a 15.4-inch (diagonal) screen, first introduced on January 10, 2006 and last revised on February 26, 2008, and a 17-inch model, with a 17-inch (diagonal) screen, first introduced on April 24, 2006 and also last revised on February 26, 2008.

Alongside the iMac Core Duo, the MacBook Pro represents

Apple's first computers to feature Intel processors instead of

PowerPC processors, a transition that completed on August 7, 2006. Since the introduction of the MacBook Pro, other lines have followed, including the introduction of the Intel Core powered Mac mini on 28 February 2006 and the MacBook consumer line of laptop computers on May 16, 2006