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It's always dangerous to make rash early prognostications, but I find it hard to imagine that Apple isn't going to sell a gazillion of these very cool new iBooks.

No, the rumored $999 entry level price point didn't materialize. I never thought it would. At $1,299 for the base machine, the new base consumer 'Book has finally hit the price point rumored for the original in 1999. Maybe in two years we'll see a $999 iBook.

In the meantime, this one has plenty to offer.

My biggest disappointment is that they didn't go to a 13.3" screen, but a 1,024 x 768 12.1" unit is an interesting concept. My concern is that those pixels are going to be mighty small, but the extra "space" will be welcome nonetheless. Sticking with a 66 MHz internal system bus seems a bit retrograde, but Apple may be (justifiably) concerned about cannibalizing sales from the TiBook.

While the new iBook looks like a junior TiBook, it isn't Titanium, but rather Titanium-colored impact-resistant polycarbonate plastic over a magnesium frame.

One interesting tech note is that the 10GB Ultra ATA hard drive is rubber-mounted the for added bump tolerance, and like its predecessor, the new iBook has no I/O doors, protruding latches or levers to break or snap off when tucking it into a backpack or briefcase.

The three separate models, all with 500 MHz 750cxe G3 processors are distinguished by three RAM and removable media drive configurations as follows:

• iBook 500 MHz with 64MB SDRAM, 256K level 2 cache, 10GB Ultra ATA hard drive, CD-ROM drive, USB and FireWire, built-in 56K modem, 10/100BASE-T Ethernet - $1,299

• iBook 500 MHz with 128MB SDRAM, 256K level 2 cache, 10GB Ultra ATA hard drive, DVD-ROM drive, USB and FireWire, built-in 56K modem, 10/100BASE-T Ethernet - $1,499

• iBook 500 MHz with 128MB SDRAM, 256K level 2 cache, 10GB Ultra ATA hard drive, CD-RW drive, USB and FireWire, built-in 56K modem, 10/100BASE-T Ethernet - $1,599

Features:

• fast PowerPC G3 processors running at 500 MHz with 256K backside level 2 cache;

• a crisp 12.1-inch (diagonal) active-matrix 1024-by-768 resolution TFT XGA display;

• a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM or CD-RW drive and optional “Combo” DVD-ROM/CD-RW drive;

• either 64- or 128MB onboard memory with increased RAM expansion to 640MB;

• one FireWire and two USB ports;

• AGP 2X Rage Mobility 128 with 8MB SDRAM;

• built-in 10/100 Ethernet and 56K modem;

• full-size keyboard;

• VGA and composite video output;

• AirPort™ ready with integrated antennas; and

• built-in microphone and stereo speakers.

At 4.9 pounds, the new iBook is only about half a pound heavier than the last compact Apple portable, the PowerBook 2400c, which was discontinued in 1998. However, the 2400c didn't have a CD drive and had only a 10.4" 800 x 600 screen. At 11.2 inches wide, 9.1 inches deep and 1.35 inches thick, Apple says the new small 'Book is both almost two pounds lighter and twice as durable than previous iBooks There is progress.

By offering the choice of a CD, DVD or CD-RW, Apple should have everybody's tastes in drives covered. I prefer the drive loading from the right hand side instead of the front as on the TiBook.

The new iBook ships with an ATI RAGE Mobility 128 graphics accelerator with 8MB of SDRAM and AGP 2X support for eye-popping 3D graphics -- basically the same setup as the TiBook, and supports up to 512MB of RAM.

Standard is a 10GB Ultra ATA hard disk drive, and you can BTO an optional 20-gigabyte hard drive. Also included are one 400Mbps FireWire port, two USB ports, a new RGB and composite video output port (for video mirroring on an external display) and an AV port that exports your movies and presentations to a big-screen TV. A green LED readout on the bottom of the iBook monitors remaining battery life (c. 5 hours).

Bundled software includes iTunes, iMovie 2 software, and the usual stuff.

I'll have more to say in next week's The Road Warrior on MacOpinion.

New iBook Technical Specifications

Processor and memory
• 500-MHz PowerPC G3 processor
• 256KB on-chip level 2 cache
• 66-MHz system bus
• 64MB of PC100 SDRAM, expandable to 576MB; or 128MB of PC100 SDRAM expandable to 640MB; single 1.25-inch standard SO-DIMM slot supports up to 512MB SO-DIMM

Keyboard
• Built-in full-size keyboard with 77 (U.S.) or 78 (ISO) keys, including 12 function keys, 4 arrow keys (inverted “T” arrangement), and embedded keypad

Apple trackpad
• Solid-state trackpad provides precise cursor control; supports tap, double-tap and drag capabilities

Display
• Built-in 12.1-inch (diagonal) TFT XGA active-matrix display
• Supports millions of colors at 1024-by-768-pixel resolution
• Supports resolution scaling to 800-by-600-pixel and 640-by-480-pixel resolution with millions of colors

Storage
• 10GB Ultra ATA hard disk drive (2)
• One of the following optical drives:
—24x-speed (maximum) CD-ROM drive (reads CD-ROM discs at 24x speed)
—8x-speed (maximum) DVD-ROM drive (plays DVD-Video discs; plays CD-ROM discs at 24x speed)
—8x4x24-speed (maximum) CD-RW drive (writes CD-R discs at 8x speed; writes CD-RW discs at 4x speed; reads CD-ROM discs at 24x speed)
—CD-RW/DVD-ROM Combo Drive
• Support for external FireWire and USB storage devices

Video
• RGB video output port
• Composite video output to TV through AV port (requires optional Apple AV cable)

Battery and power
• 42-watt-hour lithium-ion battery provides up to 5 hours of battery life on a single charge (3)
• Power adapter port

Communications
• Built-in 56K V.90 modem (RJ-11 connector)(6)
• Built-in 10/100BASE-T Ethernet (RJ-45 connector)
• Built-in antennas and card slot for optional 11Mbps AirPort Card; IEEE 802.11 DSSS compliant (5)
• Optional AirPort Base Station containing 56K modem and 10/BASE-T Ethernet port (5)

Peripheral connections
• Two 12Mbps USB ports
• One 400Mbps FireWire (IEEE 1394) port (7)

Audio
• 16-bit CD-quality stereo sound output minijack through AV port
• Built-in stereo speakers
• Built-in omnidirectional microphone
• Support for external USB audio devices such as microphones and speakers

Graphics support
• ATI RAGE Mobility 128 graphics accelerator with 8MB of SDRAM graphics memory and AGP 2X support

Size and weight
• Width: 11.2 inches (28.5 cm)
• Depth: 9.1 inches (23.0 cm)
• Thickness: 1.35 inches (3.4 cm)
• Weight : 4.9 pounds (2.2 kg) (1)

Charles W. Moore

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