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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.
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