iBook and PowerBook Updates

Yesterday Apple announced updates to the PowerBook G4 Titanium and the iBook (Dual USB). Here are the press releases for the TiBook and the iBook. The MacMall catalog that we received Monday and noted on yesterday's edition was right on target for the CPU speeds and CNet's Joe Wilcox was right on target on other items.

PowerBook G4 - There are now three models. The top two at $3000 and $3300 get a 133 MHz system bus, a 667 MHz G4 CPU, built in AirPort card and 30 and 48 GB hard drives. The low end model at $2200 keeps the 100 MHz system bus but gets a CPU speed bump to 550 MHz and a larger 20 GB hard drive--the AirPort card is optional. All three get gigabit ethernet and the ATI Mobility Radeon 4x AGP graphics chip with 16 MB DDR! All three PowerBooks get a new square AC adapter. "The PowerBook G4 comes with a new square-shaped power adapter designed to fit in the palm of your hand. The new adapter has built-in hooks that let you wrap the DC cord for neater storage. The AC cord lets you connect your PowerBook to an outlet up to 12 feet away, and you can also remove the cord and use the included AC plug to connect the adapter directly into the wall. Colored status LED lights show charging status. An amber ring indicates that your battery is recharging, while a green ring tells you that you have a full charge." Apple also doubles RAM to 256 on the entry model and 512 MB on the top two models if bought through the Apple Store. All three retain a slot-loading DVD drive but a slot-loading CD-RW drive is now a $100 option. No combo drive yet in the G4.

iBook - There are still four models. The $1300 entry model with CD-ROM gets 128 MB RAM (a 64 MB increase) and a 15 GB hard drive (a 5 GB increase) but keeps the 500 MHz G3 CPU and 66 MHz system bus. The top three models all get a 600 MHz G3 CPU and a 100 MHz system bus. The $1500 DVD and $1600 CD-RW models get 15 MB hard drives. The $1700 DVD/CD-RW combo top model costs $100 less and sports a 20 GB hard drive. All iBooks get the new square AC adapter.