IBook

Following the success of the iMac and its ongoing hardware simplification strategy, Apple introduced the iBook, a laptop computer targeted to consumer and education market segments. Instead of the common market practice of selling yesterday's professional technology to consumers, Apple originally engineered the iBook as a derivative of its professional laptop computer, the PowerBook G3, adopting several key features that had made it an early market success.

iBook: iMac to go.

After much speculation, Steve Jobs unveiled the consumer-targeted iBook laptop computer during the keynote presentation of Macworld Conference & Expo, New York on July 21, 1999. The design philosophy was influenced by Apple's consumer desktop, iMac, with a large distinctive shape, and translucent clear and coloured plastics. Its marketing slogan was "iMac to go".

Related Topics:
Steve Jobs - Macworld Conference & Expo - New York - July 21 - 1999

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The target audience included young children, so a carrying handle was built into the hinge. Apple touted the durability of the casing by demonstrating someone holding on to the iBook jumping off a height (onto cushions). Like the iMac, the iBook ran a PowerPC G3 chip, and included no legacy Apple interfaces. USB, Ethernet, and modem ports were standard, as was an optical drive. The ports were placed uncovered on the side, as a cover was thought to be fragile. To attract sales to schools, the iBooks had power connectors on the underside of the machine that allowed multiple iBooks to be easily charged on a custom-made rack.

Related Topics:
PowerPC G3 - USB - Ethernet - Modem - Optical drive

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The first iBook was the first mainstream computer ever to be sold with internal wireless networking, with antenna built around the display bezel (note that this original iBook required an optional AirPort card to enable wireless networking). Apple partnered with Lucent in the creation of the iBook's wireless capabilities, setting an industry standard. Apple released the AirPort wireless base station at the same time.

Related Topics:
Wireless networking - Lucent - AirPort

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Heated debate was made over just about everything?the aesthetics, features, weight, performance, pricing and so on. The iBook was heftier than the PowerBook of the time, with lower specifications. Long rumoured features of touch-screens, and ultra-long battery life were absent. The iBook was labelled as "clamshell" or "toilet seat" due to the distinctive design. Nevertheless, this version of the iBook, along with many other Macs, could be seen in hit movies and televisions shows.

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Despite that, the iBook was a sales success. The line continually received processor, memory, and hard disk upgrades. As with the iMac, multiple new colours were introduced; FireWire and video out were added as well.

Related Topics:
Hard disk - FireWire

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Models

• iBook (June 21,1999) - First iBook (Tangerine, Blueberry)
• 12-inch Active-matrix TFT Display (800x600 max resolution)
• G3 300 MHz
• 32/64 MB RAM
• 3 GB Hard Disk
• CD-ROM
• USB, Ethernet
• Airport (802.11b, optional)
• Mac OS 8.6
• iBook SE (February 16, 2000) - Minor addition to existing line (Graphite)
• 366 MHz
• Mac OS 9.0.2
• (Other Specifications Same as iBook)
• iBook Firewire/SE (September 13, 2000) - Major revision (Graphite, Indigo, Key-lime)
• 12-inch Active-matrix TFT Display (800x600 max resolution)
• G3 366/466 MHz
• 64 MB RAM
• 10 GB Hard Disk
• CD/DVD-ROM
• USB, Firewire, Video Out, Ethernet
• Airport (802.11b, optional)
• Mac OS 9.0.4

The original iBook design was discontinued in May 2001, in favor of the new "Dual USB" iBooks.

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Expandability/Upgrades

The original iBook's only customer installable parts were additional memory and an AirPort card, via two slots under the easily removed keyboard. No other modifications could be performed in warranty, and no PCMCIA port existed to provide additional expansion capabilities. Complicated procedures and countless screws had to be removed in order to access any internal components, such as the hard disk and optical drive. This limitation still holds true in all iBooks produced today.

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Most iBooks shipped with Mac OS 8.6 or 9.0. Support for these iBooks is built into OS X 10.0 through to 10.3.9. OS X 10.4 Tiger requires a Firewire port and DVD drive, restricting it to the late-model iBook SE.

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