On July 21, 1999, Apple introduced the iBook. It was a portable computer designed for the general public that brought a novelty that became essential over time: AirPort. We're not talking about Wi-Fi for a good reason: the word didn't exist yet.
The iBook, later called the Clam, may seem surprisingly modern in some ways: a fast RISC CPU (PowerPC 750, Also known as G3), passive cooling – like the modern MacBook or MacBook Air – USB port and many colors. It was first released in .blueberry And in Mandarin Before moving on to Graphite (the gray space of time),Indigo And in Key limein an exclusive version available only on the Apple Store online. The most novelty, obviously, was the AirPort technology: a PCMCIA card modified by Apple to be integrated directly into the device’s chassis to allow it to connect to 802.11b networks at 11 Mbps. It was optional (it cost $100) and obviously required a compatible router. At the time, Apple sold the first AirPort with a 56K modem.
On the other hand, the iBook was showing its age quite a bit. The 12-inch screen was surrounded by huge borders and had a low resolution (800 x 600), the hard drive was slow (and complicated to replace) and the connections were really sparse. It offered just a single USB 1.1 port, audio output, a 56k modem and an Ethernet jack. It had no video output and USB was a bit slow for data transfers, even for the time. What is clearly shocking in 2024 is the weight – 3kg – and the thickness of 4.6cm. The iBook resembles a tank, which makes it both very sturdy and inconsistent. And the built-in handle made it quite portable despite its weight.
As it stands now, Apple has pretty much split the range, with the iMac for those who want a mid-range desktop, the Power Mac G3 for professionals, the iBook for nomads on a budget ($1,600 in 1999) (equivalent to about $3,000 in 2024, excluding taxes) and the PowerBook G3 for professionals.
In any case, the iBook was a success thanks to its aesthetic that was in stark contrast to what was out there and also thanks to the arrival of AirPort. Apple also popularized the technology very quickly in its other devices: the iMac, Power Mac, and PowerBook were equipped with the necessary to receive the AirPort card from later generations. And if you're feeling nostalgic for the iBook, the current project will integrate a Raspberry Pi card into the venerable computer's chassis.
A pirate found the recipe for oyster berries.
