Apple adds speed, wireless to lower-priced iBooks

As widely anticipated, Apple today revamped its iBook G4 laptop line. The company is offering faster PowerPC G4 processors running up to 1.42 GHz, more standard memory (512MB), better performance graphics and built-in AirPort Extreme and Bluetooth wireless connectivity. Available at the Apple Store now, the new iBooks features also feature two patent-pending Apple technologies made popular in the PowerBook G4 line: the scrolling TrackPad and the Sudden Motion Sensor. Prices for the new iBook start at $999. Apple today also added more memory and a SuperDrive model to its Mac mini product line.

"The new iBook is the perfect portable for the go anywhere, do anything digital lifestyle of consumers and students," said David Moody, Apple's vice president of Mac Product Marketing. "With improved performance, double the memory, and new mobility features like the scrolling TrackPad, Sudden Motion Sensor and Bluetooth, the new iBooks are an amazing value."

The new 12- and 14-inch iBooks offer improved performance with either a 1.33GHz or 1.42GHz PowerPCG4 processor. The company says the new iBooks provide up to six hours of battery life "for all-day use on the road or in the classroom." Each iBook features the ATI Mobility Radeon 9550 with 32MB of dedicated video memory for improved graphics and either a slot-loading SuperDrive for burning DVDs and CDs, or a slot-loading Combo drive for watching DVDs and burning CDs. Each model iBook also includes a scrolling TrackPad to easily scroll through long web pages or pan across large photographs and Apple's Sudden Motion Sensor technology to help protect a spinning hard drive if the notebook is accidentally dropped.

Apple said it is the first computer maker to include both 802.11g and Bluetooth 2.0 wireless technologies across its entire line of notebook products. Every iBook now features built-in Bluetooth 2.0 (Enhanced Data Rate) and integrated AirPort Extreme 54 Mbps 802.11g WiFi wireless networking. Bluetooth 2.0+EDR delivers up to three times faster data rates and is also compatible with Bluetooth 1.2 devices such as the Apple Wireless Keyboard and Mouse. The new iBooks also include built-in 10/100 BASE-T Ethernet for high-speed networking, two USB 2.0 ports and one FireWire 400 port.

The new iBook alos features a larger BTO memory capacity (up to 1.5GB) and drives up to 100GB. The lineup is immediately available through The Apple Store in two standard configurations (a reduction from the previously available 3 models).

The 1.33 GHz PowerPC G4 iBook, weighing 4.9 pounds is available for $1000:

• a crisp 12.1-inch (diagonal) active-matrix TFT display;
  
• 512MB DDR SDRAM expandable to up to 1.5GB maximum memory;
  
• a 40GB Ultra ATA hard drive;
  
• AirPort Extreme 54 Mbps 802.11g WiFi wireless networking and Bluetooth 2.0+EDR;
  
• two USB 2.0 ports, FireWire 400;
  
• VGA video out, S-video and composite video out support;
  
• 56K v.92 modem, Ethernet (10/100 BASE-T); and
  
• a slot-load Combo (DVD-ROM/CD-RW) drive.
  

The 1.42 GHz PowerPC G4 iBook, weighing 5.9 pounds, is $1,300.

• a brilliant 14.1-inch (diagonal) active-matrix TFT display;
  
• 512MB DDR SDRAM expandable to up to 1.5GB maximum memory;
  
• a 60GB Ultra ATA hard drive;
  
• AirPort Extreme 54 Mbps 802.11g WiFi wireless networking and Bluetooth 2.0+EDR;
  
• two USB 2.0 ports, FireWire 400;
  
• VGA video out, S-video and composite video out support;
  
• 56K v.92 modem, Ethernet (10/100 BASE-T); and
  
• a slot-load SuperDrive (DVD+/-R/CD-RW) drive.
  

Additional build-to-order options for the new iBook include up to 1.5GB of DDR SDRAM, a 60GB, 80GB or 100GB Ultra ATA/100 hard drive and the AppleCare Protection Plan.

The new iBook is also available to education customers for discount in the US and Canada through the Apple Store for Education. Apple is also offering a free iPod mini along with new Mac purchases from the Apple Store through September 25, 2005.

Filed under: Apple