What's inside
All of the new models include one FireWire, one Ethernet and two Universal Serial Bus ports; a 56K-bps modem; a built-in AirPort antenna; VGA-out, which Jobs said was a first in this category; and sound and composite video out.
Microphone input, such as for voice-dictation software, will require a USB-based device, though the iBook does also feature a built-in microphone by one edge of the screen.
The 12-inch TFT screen now has a default resolution of 1,024 by 768 pixels, a feat that Jobs characterised as a "landmark" achievement, rivalling the highest resolution of the 15-inch iMac display and "perfect" for using Mac OS X.
The first iBook also had a 12.1-inch screen, but at a lower resolution of 800x600 pixels.
An AGP 2x ATI Rage 128 Mobility graphics processor with 8MB of RAM powers the new screen. This chip can handle normal 2D work well, but is not optimised for 3D gaming.
Each model will also come bundled with the AppleWorks productivity suite, Palm's Desktop software for Mac, Apple's own iTunes and iMovie 2, games and other items. Jobs also touted the new system's 5-hour battery life, which he compared against 1.5 to 2 hours that most cost-competitive PC notebooks provide.
The new hardware will begin shipping in mid-May, and customers can order it immediately via Apple's Australian online store at http://www.apple.com.au/. Apple will start shipping the new iBook to Australian customers and channels by the end of the month.
Company: Apple Computer
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• CD-R AU$2995 • DVD-R AU$3395 • CD-RW AU$3695 • CD-RW/DVD-R AU$3995 |
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