MacComparisonZone: iBook G4/800 MHz vs iBook G3/900 MHz - A Performance & Feature Comparison
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Updated: 4/17/04
Introduction
This Guide compares the iBook G4/800 MHz, to the iBook G3/900 MHz. The iBooks now consists of the 800 MHz, 933 MHz and 1 GHz, all using the G4 Processor. The G3 900 MHz was the middle machine of the iBooks that came out in April of 2003. Also in this family were an 800 MHz machine and a 900 MHz machine with a 14 inch screen. These machines all sported the G3 Processor, and were the last computers from Apple to do so.
Below you will find specifications and features, performance, and price comparisons. We also provide further links where you can do additional research, should you so wish.
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Specifications & Features
Model/Mhz
iBook G3/900/900/512K
(#M9018LL/A )
Release Date: April, 2003
2 USB 2.0 Ports (480 Mbps)
1 FireWire Port (400 Mbps)
Optional internal Bluetooth
Video
12.1-inch (diagonal) TFT XGA active-matrix
1024x768
800x600
640x480
resolutions with millions of colors
VGA video output for video mirroring on an external display or projector (24-bit color) with included Apple VGA Display Adapter
S-video and composite video output to TV or projector (requires Apple Video Adapter, sold separately)
12.1-inch (diagonal) TFT XGA active-matrix
1024x768
800x600
640x480
resolutions with millions of colors
VGA video output for video mirroring on an external display or projector (24-bit color) with included Apple VGA Display Adapter
S-video and composite video output to TV or projector (requires Apple Video Adapter, sold separately)
Specification Notes
G4 iBook has longer battery life, slightly faster System Bus, comes with more RAM, better graphics system, slot loading optical drive, optional Bluetooth, dramatically faster USB ports, faster optional wireless networking (Airport). However the G4 iBooks comes with 10 GB less hard drive storage capacity
Performance
Machine
iBook G3/900/900/512K
iBook G4/800/800/256K
Processor (normal)
133.97 seconds
152.94 seconds - - 14% Slower
Processor (G4)
75.65 seconds
71.52 seconds - - 6% Faster
Graphics
Not enough data
243 Points
Graphics Gaming
9.8 frames per second
14 frames per second - - 43% Faster
Drive
300.23. seconds (estimate)
307.34 seconds - - 2% Slower
MS Excel Macro
60.68 seconds
70.52 seconds- - 16% Slower
MS Word Macro
100.39 seconds
135.80 seconds - - 35% Slower
General - Interface
47.18 seconds
48.05 seconds - - 2% Slower
Notes
The G4 clearly has a much better graphics system than the G3. If we had the data for the Graphics test for the G3, I think that we would see the G4 much faster here as well. In basic processing the 900 MHz machine will be faster. However many applications can now take advantage of the extra performance of the G4. In our test above the G4 erases the MHz advantage of the G3. Some G4 savvy applications will show more improvement than that indicated above.
The drive performance listed for the G3 is an estimate. This means that we could not directly compare the two machines because our data for the G3 is too old. However we are able to provide an estimate based on the old data. Estimated scores should be considered 'in the ballpark', rather than spot on.
For more detailed performance results see this page
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Base Machine DeskJet 5850 wireless printer, $100 after rebate ($199 up front) PSC 2410 multifunction printer, $200 after rebate ($299 up front) PSC 2175 all-in-one, $100 after rebate ($199 up front) Photosmart 7660 inkjet photo printer, $50 after rebate ($149 up front) DeskJet 5150 inkjet printer, free after rebate ($99 up front) DeskJet 5650 inkjet printer, $30 after rebate ($129 up front)
iBook G3/800 12 inch 128/30/CD-ROM/56K ... Original price: $999
ClubMac - New ... $700 .... one year warranty ... Shipping Free. Tax: CA, TN, WI ... ExtrasMacMall - New ... $700 .... one year warranty ... Shipping Free. Tax: CA, TN, WI ... ExtrasPowerMax - Refurbished ... $749 .... 1 year warranty.... Shipping $20. Tax: None
SmallDog - New ... $759.... one year warranty ... Shipping $29. Tax: VT ... Extras
SmallDog - Refurbished ... $899.... one year warranty ... Shipping $29. Tax: VT
iBook G4/800 12 inch 256/30/Combo/56K M9164LL/A ... Original price: $1,099
PowerMax - Used ... $888 .... 90 day warranty .... Shipping $20. Tax: None
PowerMax - Refurbished ... $949 .... 1 year warranty.... Shipping $20. Tax: None
SmallDog - Refurbished ... $949.... one year warranty ... Shipping $29. Tax: VT
SmallDog - Demo ... $1,059.... one year warranty ... Shipping $29. Tax: VT
iBook G3/800 14 inch 256/30/Combo/56K ... Original price: $1,599
PowerMax - Refurbished ... $1,088 .... 1 year warranty.... Shipping $20. Tax: None
SmallDog - Refurbished ... $1,149.... one year warranty ... Shipping $29. Tax: VT ... Extras
iBook G4 1GHz/256MB/60GB/Combo/E/56K #M9165LL/A ... Original price: $1,499
PowerMax - Open Box ... $1,449 .... 1 year warranty.... Shipping $20. Tax: None ... Extras
SmallDog - Refurbished ... $1,349.... one year warranty ... Shipping $29. Tax: VT ... Extras
Shipping charges are to California - your mileage may vary. Also prices quoted are for the bare machine and do not reflect RAM installation charges (usually $40), nor the in-store prices of add-on products for which there is a rebate. Shipping charges (if any) for bundled products , also are not reflected in the prices above.
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MacComparisonZone: iBook G4/800 MHz vs iBook G3/900 MHz - A Performance & Feature Comparison
This Guide compares the iBook G4/800 MHz, to the iBook G3/900 MHz. The iBooks now consists of the 800 MHz, 933 MHz and 1 GHz, all using the G4 Processor. The G3 900 MHz was the middle machine of the iBooks that came out in April of 2003. Also in this family were an 800 MHz machine and a 900 MHz machine with a 14 inch screen. These machines all sported the G3 Processor, and were the last computers from Apple to do so.
- Available
- Unknown/Delay
- Unavailable
Base Machine
DeskJet 5850 wireless printer, $100 after rebate ($199 up front)
Base Machine (low stock) 
