Apple Bumps iBook Speed to 1.33GHz; AirPort Extreme Built-In to All (UPDATE)
Apple Bumps iBook Speed to 1.33GHz; AirPort Extreme Built-In to All (UPDATE)
by , 8:30 AM EDT, October 19th, 2004
Apple Computer increased processor speeds, lowered the entry-level price to US$999 and added Airport Extreme wireless capability standard Tuesday on its consumer-level iBook laptops.
Still sticking to three models, the iBook line increased PowerPC G4 processor speeds from 1.0 gigahertz (GHz) on its base model to 1.2GHz, from 1.0GHz to 1.33GHz on its mid-range laptop, and up to 1.33GHz from 1.2GHz on its top-level model with SuperDrive.
In addition, all models are now being shipped with AirPort Extreme built-in. Previously, the 14-inch iBook (photo below) with 60GB hard drive was the only model with AirPort Extreme as standard equipment. The adoption of wireless access cards in all iBook models is a clear sign Apple sees wireless networking and Internet access as a feature the majority of its customers are asking for and need with the increased growth of Wi-Fi hotspots throughout the world.
The entry-level model is identical to the previous iteration, except for an AirPort Extreme card standard and the increased processor speed. What is different is the price - $100 cheaper at $999.
The mid-range model was previously equipped with a 40GB hard drive, but now comes with a 60GB HD for the same price of $1,299, with the addition of the AirPort Extreme card.
The top-end model changes from a Combo drive to a SuperDrive for the same price of $1499. No other features have changed, except for the G4 processor speed increase.
The main features of the three models are:
iBook 12-inch with 1.2GHz PowerPC G4
256MB DDR266 SDRAM
30GB Ultra ATA hard drive
Combo Drive
Airport Extreme
512K L2 cache @ 1GHz
$999
iBook 14-inch with 1.33GHz PowerPC G4
256MB DDR266 SDRAM
60GB Ultra ATA hard drive
Combo Drive
Airport Extreme
512K L2 cache
$1299
iBook 14-inch 1.33GHz PowerPC G4
256MB DDR266 SDRAM
60GB Ultra ATA hard drive
SuperDrive
Airport Extreme
512K L2 Cache
$1499
Other features of the new models remain the same from previous models. The iBook line was last updated in April 2004.
The company released the new laptops less than week after delivering its fiscal fourth-quarter results. During the quarter, Apple reported shipping 238,000 iBooks, down from 240,000 in the year-ago period.
All three new iBook models are available immediately from retailers, catalog houses, and various online vendors, the company said.
Observer Comments
Even sweeter are some of the fire sale deals in Apple's sale section. Last week's (!) antique 12-inch iBook can be had for a mere $699! Tempting...
$1299 for the NEW 14"-inch 'book is pretty nice too... Might be time to pass my ol' G3/700 iBook (which was $1299 two years ago when I bought it!) to the wife and kids. Built-in Airport Extreme...nice!
-Ken P
Oh yeah, huh?! And a faster chip. And a faster motherboard. And digital audio I/O. And an exponentially better graphics card. And a better screen. And a computer that doesn't look like a fridge. And a better HDD. And more expandability..............................
::::Hugs PowerBook like it was a puppy::::
"The adoption of wireless access cards in all iBook models is a clear sign Apple sees wireless networking and Internet access as a feature the majority of its customers are asking for and need with the increased growth of Wi-Fi hotspots throughout the world."
Or an alternative view is that Apple had to add something to justify what is a fairly minor product upgrade...
I bought the iBook I'm typing on about two months ago.
It's a 12" model (base price 999 with edu pricing)
999
67 - (hard drive upgrade to $60)
45 (bluetooth)
80 (airport extreme)
so I really only lost money on the free Airport, hundred dollar price drop, and missed out on a processor bump. :'-(
Two months for $180 and a processor drop.
Doh.
Tue Oct 19, 2004 5:34 pm Subject: Re: Cynic's view...
Quotejadams wrote:
"The adoption of wireless access cards in all iBook models is a clear sign Apple sees wireless networking and Internet access as a feature the majority of its customers are asking for and need with the increased growth of Wi-Fi hotspots throughout the world."
Or an alternative view is that Apple had to add something to justify what is a fairly minor product upgrade...
There is logic in that comment but I disagree with it. In my opinion, having AirPort these days is integral to enjoying a portable system. The iBook is aimed at students, and lots of universities are providing WiFi access now. It's almost silly to own a laptop without it. Whatever Apple's reason for making AirPort standard, I consider it a necessary addition.
Anybody else waiting on an iBook order right now? I just got an email saying that my order was upgraded without charging me anything extra. I looked at my order status and saw that my 12" iBook had been kicked up from a 60 GB hard drive to an 80 GB drive, while everything else remained the same (I already had the AirPort Extreme card in there). The one thing I can't figure out is if I'm getting a 1.0 or 1.2 GHz processor. I called Apple, and the sales people I talked to weren't even sure. Anyone know?
Apple has also added Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac Test Drive, Nanosaur 2 and Marble Blast Gold!
But some software is also subtracted as well. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 4, Deimos Rising, Sound Studio were remoevd.
Quicken 2004 for Mac is updated to Quicken 2005 for Mac.
All models include Mac OS X, Classic environment, Mail, iChat AV, Safari, Sherlock, Address Book, QuickTime, iLife (includes iTunes, iPhoto, iMovie, iDVD (5), GarageBand), iSync, iCal, DVD Player, AppleWorks, Mac OS X Chess, Microsoft Internet Explorer, EarthLink (includes 30 days of free dial-up service with activation), Quicken 2005 for Mac, World Book 2004 Edition, Nanosaur 2, Marble Blast Gold, Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac Test Drive, Zinio Reader, Apple Hardware Test
Sat Oct 23, 2004 10:04 pm Subject: Re: Same scrren? Ha!
QuoteAnonymous wrote:
Just to tell you, I am hearing a lot that Apple uses the sames screens for both 'Books. Something like LG Samsung screens. And they are supposedly crap, but hey, just something I heard.
I'm curious where one hears this sort of thing? How do people find out who manufactures the screen without disassembling the hardware?
Or are they guessing? And, they are not crap. They are not the absolute top of the line, but they are better than many laptops out there.
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