What's New In The iBook? Here's A List For Easy Comparison

by , 4:20 PM EDT, May 1st, 2001

With the release of the new iBook, we thought it would be a good idea to contrast the new models to the old. We are only including the main differences between the two systems.

Specification Previous Model New iBook
Processor 366 or 466 MHz 500 MHz
Maximum RAM 320MB 576 or 640MB
Supported Drives
  • 24X CD-ROM
  • 6X DVD-ROM
  • 24X CD-ROM
  • 8X DVD-ROM
  • 8x4x24 CD-RW
  • Combination DVD-ROM/CD-RW
Display (Resolution) 12.1" (800x600) 12.1" (1024x768)
USB ports 1 2
Built-in speakers 1 (mono) 2 (stereo)
Built-in microphone No Yes
Video out Composite via AV port
  • Composite via AV port
  • RGB "VGA" connector
Weight 6.6 lbs iBook
6.8 lbs iBook SE		 4.9 lbs
Width 13.5 inches 11.2 inches
Depth 11.6 inches 9.1 inches
Thickness 2.06 inches (thickest pt) 1.35 inches
Color options Indigo, Graphite, Key Lime One standard color
Handle Yes No
Cable-lock Through handle Kensington-compatible slot

You can find more information about the new iBook, and see the new video, at the Apple Web site.

The Mac Observer Spin:

This new machine is almost everything the iBook could ever hope to be (for today). It's small, durable, light, has the ports and built-in speaker that people were asking for. It comes with stereo speakers, which is a big plus when selling to young people. The resolution on the display is a respectable 1024 x 768, and it comes with a VGA out. You can even have a built-in DVD/CD-RW combo drive. All of that for a starting price of US$1299. It's as if Apple took the wish list and complaints of every iBook owner on the planet and then just fixed the product (which is almost certainly what they did).

iBook