Games - IBook

	Games - IBook

Following the success of the iMac and its ongoing hardware simplification strategy, Apple Computer 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. With the introduction of the MacBook Pro, the iBook line's future may be in doubt, however, as of January 2006, the Apple website store features the two iBooks with the larger (15.4 inch) Macbook Pro priced well above them.

iBook ("Clamshell")

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".

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. In addition, it had no latches, so instead it opened and closed like a clamshell mobile phone.

The first iBook was the first mainstream computer ever to be sold with internal wireless networking, with antenna built around the display bezel, although it still required an optional wireless card installed under the keyboard. 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.

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.

Despite its drawbacks, the iBook was a sales success. The line continually received processor, memory, and hard disk upgrades. A revision to the iBook brought new colors, directly from the mid-2000 iMac. Colors available were "Graphite", "Indigo" and "Key Lime"; FireWire and video out were added as well.

Models

iBook (June 21,1999) - First iBook (Tangerine, Blueberry)
*12.1-inch Active-matrix TFT Display (800x600 max resolution)
*PowerPC G3 300 MHz
*66 MHz bus
*32 MB RAM (soldered to Logic Board)
*Expandable to 544 MB (288 MB specified by Apple)
*4 MB ATI Rage Mobility AGP 2x
*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
*64 MB RAM (soldered to Logic Board)
*Expandable to 576 MB (320 MB specified by Apple)
*Mac OS 9.0.2
*6GB Hard disk
*(Other Specifications Same as iBook)
iBook Firewire/SE (September 13, 2000) - Major revision (Graphite, Indigo, Key-lime)
*12.1-inch Active-matrix TFT Display (800x600 max resolution)
*G3 366/466 MHz
*64 MB RAM
*8 MB ATI Rage 128 Mobility AGP 2x
*10 GB Hard Disk
*CD/DVD-ROM
*USB, Firewire, Video Out, Ethernet
*Airport (802.11b, optional)
*Mac OS 9.0.4
*(Other Specifications same as iBook and iBook SE)

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

[ Visit the complete Wikipedia entry for IBook ]

Games - IBook

iBook ("Clamshell")

Models

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