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Last Updated: New iBooks from Apple
October 22, 2003
Apple has updated their ibook line with more than just a speedbump. They've moved the popular notebook up in status with a G4 processor. It appears that all of the machines they now offer use the G4 chip. This small detail seemed, at least to me, to go by unnoticed and undocumented. Good work Apple.
800MHz, G4 iBook, 12.1", 256MB DDR SDRAM, 30GB HD, 2 USB 2.0, FW400, Combo Drive. $1099. ATI Mobility Radeon 9200.
933MHz, G4 iBook, 14.1", 256MB DDR SDRAM, 40GB HD, 2 USB 2.0, FW400, Combo Drive. $1299. ATI Mobility Radeon 9200.
1.0GHz, G4 iBook, 14.1", 256MB DDR SDRAM, 60GB HD, 2 USB 2.0, FW400, Combo Drive. $1499. ATI Mobility Radeon 9200.
From macrumors.com
The ibook is a great machine for a student or someone who will primarily be using the computer for email, the internet, music, and some basic document functionality (read: writing word documents). The G4 processor is powerful enough to handle these tasks with ease.
If more power is needed, the obvious solution is to step up to the powerbook. It offers a slightly faster chip with improved architecture for more demanding users.
Apple is not, of yet, offering their new G5 chip in a portable. Steve Jobs has been quoted as saying that it is in the works and possible by the end of 2004. No one thought they would be able to get the G4 into a laptop but they did it. Remember, there are many issues which affect the porting of a chip from a desktop design to a portable design. These include cooling, power requirements, size and most of all, cost.