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 The iBook is a line of discontinued laptop computers sold by Apple Inc. between 1999 and 2006. The line was targeted at the consumer and education markets, with lower specifications and prices than the PowerBook, Apple's higher-end line of laptop computers. Three distinct designs of the iBook were introduced during its lifetime. The first design, known as the "Clamshell", was a significant departure from portable computer designs at the time due to its shape, bright colors, inclusion of a handle, and wireless networking. Two years later, a second line abandoned the original form factor in favor of a more conventional rectangular design. In October 2003 the third design added a PowerPC G4 chip and a slot-loading drive. Apple replaced the iBook line with the MacBook in May 2006 during Apple’s transition to Intel processors.
[edit] iBook G3 ("Clamshell")
In the late 1990s Apple was trimming its product line from the bewildering variety of intersecting Performa, Quadra, LC, Power Macintosh and PowerBook models to a simplified "four box" strategy: desktop and portable computers, each in both consumer and professional models. Three boxes of this strategy were already in place: The newly-introduced iMac was the consumer desktop, the Blue and White G3 filled the professional desktop box, and the PowerBook line served as the professional portable line. This left only the consumer portable space empty, leading to much rumor on the Internet of potential designs and features. Putting an end to this speculation, Steve Jobs unveiled the iBook G3 during the keynote presentation of Macworld Conference & Expo, New York City on July 21, 1999. The design was clearly influenced by Apple's consumer desktop, the iMac. In fact, the marketing slogan was "iMac to go". The clamshell design also echoed the eMate 300. Apple continued its trend of using transparent colored plastics for the shell, and releasing a product in multiple colours. Like the iMac, the iBook G3 had a PowerPC G3 CPU, and no legacy Apple interfaces. USB, Ethernet, modem ports and an optical drive were standard. The ports were left uncovered along the left side: a cover was thought to be fragile. When the lid was closed, the hinge kept it firmly shut, so there was no need for a latch on the screen. The hinge included an integrated carrying handle. Additional power connectors on the bottom surface allowed multiple iBook G3s to be charged on a custom-made rack. The iBook G3 was the first Mac to use Apple's new "Unified Motherboard Architecture", which condensed all of the machine's core features into two chips, and added AGP and Ultra DMA support. The iBook was the first mainstream computer ever designed and sold with integrated wireless networking. On the iBook's introduction, Phil Schiller, Apple's VP of Marketing, held an iBook while jumping off a height as data from the computer was transferred to another in order to demonstrate the wireless networking capability. The display bezel contained the wireless antenna, which attached to an optional internal wireless card. Lucent helped create this wireless capability which established the industry standard. Apple released the AirPort Wireless Base Station at the same time. There was heated debate over many things such as the aesthetics, features, weight, performance, and pricing. To provide good impact protection, the iBook was larger and heftier than the PowerBook of the time, and yet had lower specifications. Standard features like PC card slots were absent. Speculated features such as touch-screens and an ultra-long battery life were absent. The iBook gained the label "toilet seat", due to the distinctive design. Nevertheless, this same design made the iBook G3 unmistakable in movies and television shows. The iBook was a commercial success. The line continually received processor, memory, hard disk upgrades, and new colors. FireWire and video out were later added. The design was discontinued in May 2001, in favor of the new "Dual USB" iBooks. Vestiges of design ideas first adopted in the iBook G3 can be still be seen today: a striking portable case design in multiple bright colors, moving interface ports from the back to the side and leaving them uncovered, and integrated wireless networking. [edit] Models (Top row: "Tangerine" and "Blueberry" Bottom row: "Graphite", "Indigo" and "Key Lime")
The iBook has been upgraded to 576 MB of RAM including the 64 MB onboard. [edit] Expandability and upgradesThe original iBook's only customer-serviceable parts were the memory (RAM) and AirPort card, accessed via two slots under the easily-removable keyboard. No other modifications were possible in-warranty. There was no PCMCIA port for additional expansion capabilities. 40 screws needed to be removed to access the hard disk or optical drive. Later on, some users have even transplanted a 1024×768 LCD from the more recent white iBook onto a clamshell iBook.[1] All clamshell iBooks shipped with Mac OS 8.6 or 9.0 however all iBooks supported upgrading to Mac OS X v10.0–v10.3.9. Mac OS X v10.4 "Tiger", requires a Firewire port found only on the late-model iBook G3 FireWire/SE (366/466 MHz). it is possible however to use a third-party software such as XPostFacto, to install version 10.4 on the clamshell iBook. [edit] In Popular CultureThe iBook Clamshell appears in many early 2000s shows, such as George Lopez, and Malcolm in the Middle. The Clamshell appears in the EA game The Sims thanks to unoffical add-on, That's Life, as well as in the movies Legally Blonde and Coyote Ugly. Rory in Gilmore Girls also uses one. It can also be seen as Miri's dysfunctional laptop in the Kevin Smith film Zack and Miri Make a Porno. [edit] iBook G3 Dual USB (12.1 in and 14.1 in)
Apple debuted the next-generation iBook G3 at a press conference in Cupertino, California on May 1, 2001. The previous bold colors and bulky form-factor were abandoned, as was the handle, the latchless design and the additional power connectors on the bottom surface. The resulting iBook was available in white only, and incorporated transparent polycarbonate in its casing. It was 30% lighter, and occupied less than 50% of the volume of the model it replaced, being smaller in all 3 dimensions. Despite that, it added an extra USB port and a higher resolution screen. Apple claimed the compact design did not sacrifice durability, saying it was “twice as durable” as the previous model. With this revision, Apple began transitioning to translucent and white polycarbonate casings in most of its consumer line, such as the iMac and the eMac. In contrast, most of its professional products used an anodized aluminum finish. (The Mac mini uses both.) [edit] Models
The headphone jack on the iBook G3 with dual USB functions as an audio/video output when connected via the Apple AV Cable for iBook. [edit] iBook G4
Apple added a PowerPC G4 chip to the iBook line on October 23, 2003—finally ending Apple’s use of the PowerPC G3 chip. A slot-loading optical drive replaced the disc tray. The iBook G4 also features an opaque white case finish and keyboard, and a plastic display hinge. [edit] Models
[edit] Expandability and upgradesThe iBook keyboard lifts up, therefore allowing installation of the AirPort (wireless) card and additional memory. This gives the keyboard a "spongy" effect, especially in PowerPC G3 models with the translucent keyboard. The "sponginess" was corrected in the PowerPC G4 models. Accessing the hard disk drive is complex and time-consuming, involving partial disassembly of the unit and the removal of over 20 different-sized screws. The memory in the iBook G4 is covered by a removable Airport card, and accessible by removing the RAM shield with a Phillips 00 screwdriver. While some of the earlier models (e.g., 800 MHz and 933 MHz) have a specified 640 MB RAM limit, it may be possible to have a total of 1.5 GB of RAM installed (512 MB built-in, plus a 1 GB SO-DIMM ) or 1.25 GB in the earlier models with 256 MB of ram soldered to the logic board. [edit] Quality issuesIn late November 2003, a number of iBook G4 users reported display problems with their laptops. In December 2003, a group of users headed by Michael Johnson and Bill Owen sought to file a class action suit against Apple. In response, Apple initiated the "iBook Logic Board Repair Extension Program" in January 2004, which covered the expense of repairing affected iBooks for three years.[2][3] The iBook G4 seemed to suffer from similar display problems as the iBook G3, but was not covered by the repair extension program. Owners of iBooks that required expensive repairs for these problems submitted new class action lawsuits in December 2006.[4] On May 2, 2007, the Danish Consumer Board published an extensive report[5][6] made by an external party concerning the Apple iBook G4 logic board issue. A press release[7] referred to the global consequences this could have for possible guarantee claims. Timeline of portable MacintoshesSee also: Timeline of Apple Macintosh models
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