iBook
iBook is a line of laptop computers designed, manufactured, and sold by Apple Computer from 1999 to 2006. The line targeted entry-level, consumer and education markets, with lower specifications and prices than the PowerBook, Apple's higher-end line of laptop computers. It was the first mass consumer product to offer Wi-Fi network connectivity, which was then branded by Apple as AirPort.[1][2]
Not to be confused with Apple Books or iMac.Developer
July 21, 1999
May 16, 2006
@ 300 MHz – 1.42 GHz
www.apple.com/ibook/ at the
Wayback Machine (archived
October 1, 1999)
The iBook had three different designs during its lifetime. The first, known as the "Clamshell", was inspired by the design of Apple's popular iMac line at the time. It was a significant departure from previous portable computer designs due to its shape, bright colors, incorporation of a handle into the casing, lack of a display closing latch, lack of a hinged cover over the external ports and built-in wireless networking. Two years later, the second generation abandoned the original form factor in favor of a more conventional, rectangular design. In October 2003, the third generation was introduced, adding a PowerPC G4 chip, USB 2.0 and a slot-loading drive.
They were very popular in education, with Henrico County Public Schools being the first of many school systems in the United States to distribute one to every student.
Apple replaced the iBook line with the MacBook in May 2006 during the Mac transition to Intel processors.
Developer
Laptop
July 21, 1999
US$1,599 (equivalent to $2,925 in 2023)
May 1, 2001
PowerPC G3, 300–466 MHz
Laptop
May 1, 2001
US$1,299 (equivalent to $2,235 in 2023)-US$1,799 (equivalent to $3,096 in 2023)[15]
October 22, 2003
PowerPC G3, 500–900 MHz
Laptop
October 22, 2003
US$1,099 (equivalent to $1,820 in 2023)-US$1,499 (equivalent to $2,483 in 2023)[16]
May 16, 2006
PowerPC G4, 800 MHz – 1.42 GHz
Quality issues[edit]
Display issues with the iBook line were caused by a notoriously problematic graphics chip, which could have issues with the heatsink or the BGA soldering work done at the factory. This would manifest in symptoms such as system lockups (as the graphics chip hangs from reaching the thermal limit), or visible graphical artifacts appearing on the screen (from the graphics chip failing).[18]
Apple initiated the "iBook Logic Board Repair Extension Program" in January 2004, which covered the expense of repairing display problems of iBook G3 models for three years.[19] In June 2004, the Repair Extension Program was expanded to cover all White G3 iBooks.[20][21]
Early models of the iBook G4 also suffered from display problems similar to those of the iBook G3, but were not covered by the repair extension program.[22] Owners of iBooks that required expensive repairs for these problems submitted new class action lawsuits in December 2006.
On May 2, 2007, the Danish Consumer Board published an extensive 3rd party report[23][24] concerning the Apple iBook G4 logic board issue. A press release[25] referred to the global consequences that this could have for possible guarantee claims.
Some owners of the iBooks that experienced this flaw solved these issues temporarily through applying pressure to the heatsink or graphics chip, using a thin metal shim placed between the heatsink and the graphics chip. This both pushed the heatsink and graphics chip together, bridging the thermal gap, and pushing the graphics chip against the motherboard, temporarily reheating the solder beads back together.[26]