Apple Releases $999 iBook


Apple broke through the $1,000 price point today with the release of speed-bumped iBooks. The base model with a CD-ROM and 700MHz G3 CPU starts at $999, an Apple first for any of its portables.

Three new iBook models are available:

- G3/700/CD/12.1" ($999)
- G3/800/Combo/12.1" ($1,299)
- G3/800/Combo/14.1" ($1,599).

An 'Ultimate' 14.1" 800MHz iBook adds a 40GB hard drive, maxed out RAM to 640MB and an $1,849 price tag.

The graphics chipset is now the ATI Mobility Radeon 7500 graphics accelerator with 16MB or 32MB of dedicated video memory. 16MB is standard on the base $999 iBook, with 32MB on all other models.

The CDRW/DVD Combo drive now gets 16x burning speeds. Worth noting is that Apple has also quietly bumped the modem up to v.92 spec.

Analysis: The iBook has had no changes to its appearance over 18 months - and that's a good thing, as clearly its size, weight and aestethics are whatr people want. But aside from the 14.1" display (built into a larger chassis), the iBook has had few changes internally either, beyond video card and CPU upgrades.

The price will keep the iBook selling in volume until its next-generation replacement arrives, although it remains to be seen how long Apple will keep the G3 in the iBook. Its performance in OS X is satisfactory, but scarcely blinding.

A $999 iBook is something worth celebrating though: it's an outstanding package for less than a grand. The Combo models' prices ain't half bad either. Apple Ed prices for the iBook will be a little lower, so for maybe $950, schools will be able to equip their kids with iBooks. This should keep the Consumer Portable pretty competitive until its inevitable successor lands.