Apple iBook G3/500 (Dual USB - Tr) Specs
Identifiers: Dual USB - M7698LL/A* - PowerBook4,1 - M6497 - 1875
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The iBook G3/500 (Dual USB - Translucent White), features a 500 MHz PowerPC 750cx (G3) processor with a 256k "on chip" level 2 cache, 64 MB or 128 MB of RAM, a 10.0 GB Ultra ATA hard drive, a tray-loading CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, CD-RW, or DVD-ROM/CD-RW "Combo" drive, 2X AGP ATI Rage Mobility 128 graphics with 8 MB of VRAM, and optional AirPort (802.11b) packed into a compact translucent white case with a 12.1" TFT XGA active matrix display (1024x768 native resolution).
The iBook G3/500 (Dual USB - Translucent White) is quite different compared to the iBook models that preceded it. The "Dual USB" model includes two USB ports -- as one would expect given its informal name -- but also is equipped with a faster processor, faster memory, superior graphics, VGA out, an internal microphone, a higher resolution display, stereo speakers, and the option of more capable optical drives. It also uses a substantially smaller and more conservatively clad "translucent white" case compared to the more outlandishly colored cases previously offered.
There are at least four configurations of this model, varying by the amount of pre-installed RAM and optical drive. It was offered with 64 MB of RAM and a CD-ROM drive for US$1299 (M7698LL/A), 128 MB of RAM and a DVD-ROM drive for US$1499 (M7692LL/A), 128 MB of RAM and a CD-RW drive for US$1599 (M7699LL/A), and 128 MB of RAM and a DVD-ROM/CD-RW "Combo" drive -- only by build-to-order direct from Apple -- for US$1799 (M8520LL/A).
Also see: What are the differences between the "Dual USB" iBook (500) models?
Despite the age of this system, site sponsor Other World Computing has RAM, hard drives, SSDs, and other upgrades available for this specific Mac while supplies last.
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| Introduction Date: |
May 1, 2001 |
Discontinued Date: |
October 16, 2001 |
| Details: |
The "Introduction Date" refers to the date a model was introduced via press release. The "Discontinued Date" refers to the date a model either was replaced by a subsequent system or production otherwise ended.
Also see: All Macs introduced in 2001. |
| Processors: |
1 |
Geekbench 2: |
214 |
| Details: |
This model only is compatible with the 32-bit Geekbench 2 benchmark. These numbers reflect an average of user provided 32-bit and 64-bit results as submitted to the Geekbench website. Higher numbers are better.
You also might be interested in reviewing all 32-bit Geekbench 2 user submissions for Macs with the PowerBook4,1 Model Identifier, which may include multiple models.
To dynamically compare Geekbench results from different Macs side-by-side, see EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Comparison. |
| Processor Speed: |
500 MHz |
Processor Type: |
PowerPC 750cx (G3) |
| Processor Upgrade: |
Soldered |
FPU: |
Integrated |
| System Bus Speed: |
66 MHz |
Cache Bus Speed: |
500 MHz (Built-in) |
| ROM/Firmware Type: |
Open Firmware |
ROM/Firmware Size: |
1 MB |
| Details: |
The Boot ROM is roughly 1 MB, other instructions are loaded into RAM. |
| L1 Cache: |
64k |
L2/L3 Cache: |
256k (on chip) |
| Details: |
Includes a 256k "on chip" level 2 cache that runs at processor speed. |
| RAM Type: |
PC100 SDRAM |
Min. RAM Speed: |
10 ns |
| Details: |
Uses 144-pin PC100 SO-DIMM memory modules.
Also see: How do you upgrade the RAM in the iBook models? How much RAM of what type do these systems support? |
| Standard RAM: |
64 MB, 128 MB |
Maximum RAM: |
576, 640 MB* |
| Details: |
*Apple reports that the maximum memory capacity of this system is 576 MB for the model with 64 MB of onboard memory (M7698LL/A), and 640 MB for the models with 128 MB of onboard memory.
In the US (and many other countries), site sponsor Other World Computing sells memory -- as well as other upgrades -- for this iBook.
In Germany, site sponsor CompuRAM sells memory and other upgrades for this iBook.
Also see: Actual Max RAM of All G3 & Later Macs. |
| Motherboard RAM: |
64, 128 MB* |
RAM Slots: |
1 |
| Details: |
*64 MB onboard M7698LL/A, 128 MB onboard other configurations, single SO-DIMM slot. |
| Video Card: |
Rage Mobility 128 |
VRAM Type: |
SDRAM |
| Details: |
ATI Rage Mobility 128 (2X AGP) with 8 MB of SDRAM.
Also see: What kind of video processor is provided by the iBook models? Which models can support an external display? What is the maximum resolution supported? |
| Standard VRAM: |
8 MB |
Maximum VRAM: |
8 MB |
| Details: |
The video cannot be upgraded. |
| Built-in Display: |
12.1" TFT XGA |
Native Resolution: |
1024x768 |
| Details: |
12.1" TFT XGA active-matrix display with a 1024 by 768 native resolution. Apple reports that it also supports 640 by 480 and 800 by 600 when scaled. |
| 2nd Display Support: |
Mirroring Only |
2nd Max. Resolution: |
1024x768 |
| Details: |
The iBook G3/500 (Dual USB) is capable of mirroring the contents of the internal display on an external display via VGA. |
| Standard Storage: |
10.0 GB |
Std. Storage Speed: |
N/A |
| Storage Dimensions: |
2.5" (9.5 mm) |
Storage Interface: |
Ultra ATA |
| Details: |
This model supports a single internal Ultra ATA 2.5" hard drive or SSD that is up to 9.5 mm thick. |
| Standard Optical: |
24X CD-ROM* |
Standard Disk: |
None |
| Details: |
*24X tray-loading CD-ROM drive offered in M7698LL/A. Other configurations included an 8X DVD-ROM drive (M7692LL/A), 8X/4X/24X CD-RW drive (M7699LL/A) and DVD-ROM/CD-RW drive of unspecified speed (M8520LL/A).
Also see: What are the capabilities of the optical drive provided by the iBook models? Can one upgrade the optical drive? |
| Standard Modem: |
56k v.90 |
Standard Ethernet: |
10/100Base-T |
| Standard AirPort: |
802.11b (Optional) |
Standard Bluetooth: |
None |
| Details: |
Also see: Which iBook models support AirPort? Which support AirPort Extreme? Which have internal support for Bluetooth or Bluetooth 2.0+EDR? |
| USB Ports: |
2 (1.1) |
Firewire Ports: |
1 (400) |
| Details: |
Two USB 1.1 ports and one Firewire "400" port. |
| Expansion Slots: |
AirPort |
Expansion Bays: |
None |
| Details: |
This iBook has an internal "AirPort" (802.11b) wireless networking slot with an internal antenna in the case. |
| Incl. Keyboard: |
Full-size |
Incl. Input: |
Trackpad |
| Details: |
Apple reports that the integrated keyboard has 77 (US) or 78 (ISO) keys, including 12 function keys, 4 arrow keys, and an embedded numeric keypad. The trackpad supports tap, double tap, and drag capabilities. |
| Case Type: |
Notebook |
Form Factor: |
iBook (12-Inch) |
| Details: |
This iBook was offered in a 12-Inch "translucent white" case.
Also see: How can you visually differentiate between the various "white" iBook systems? |
| Apple Order No: |
M7698LL/A* |
Apple Subfamily: |
Dual USB |
| Details: |
*M7698LL/A refers to the configuration with 64 MB of RAM and a CD-ROM drive. M7692LL/A is for the configuration with 128 MB of RAM and a DVD-ROM drive, M7699LL/A is for the configuration with 128 MB of RAM and a CD-RW drive, and M8520LL/A refers to the build-to-order CD-RW/DVD "Combo" drive configuration. |
| Apple Model No: |
M6497 (EMC 1875) |
Model ID: |
PowerBook4,1 |
| Details: |
Please note that these identifiers refer to more than one model.
Also see: All Macs with the M6497 Model Number, the 1875 EMC Number, and the PowerBook4,1 Model Identifier.
For more about these identifiers and how to locate them on each Mac, please refer to EveryMac.com's Mac Identification section. |
| Battery Type: |
42 W h LiIon |
Battery Life: |
5 Hours |
| Details: |
5 hours under "normal usage conditions" as estimated by Apple.
Also see: What is the battery life of the iBook models? |
| Pre-Installed MacOS: |
9.1* |
Maximum MacOS: |
X 10.4.11 |
| Details: |
*Later systems also had MacOS X 10.0.4 pre-installed, but MacOS 9.1 was selected as the default. This system cannot run versions of MacOS X more recent than 10.4.11. |
| MacOS 9 Support: |
Boot/Classic Mode |
Windows Support: |
Emulation Only |
| Details: |
This model is capable of booting in Mac OS 9 and using Mac OS 9 applications within the Mac OS X "Classic" environment. |
| Dimensions: |
1.35 x 11.2 x 9.1 |
Avg. Weight: |
4.9 lbs (2.2 kg) |
| Details: |
In inches while closed - height by width by depth, (3.4 cm, 28.4 cm, 23.1 cm). |
| Original Price (US): |
US$1299-US$1799 |
Est. Current Retail: |
N/A |
| Details: |
This model was offered with 64 MB of RAM and a CD-ROM drive for US$1299 (M7698LL/A), 128 MB of RAM and a DVD-ROM drive for US$1499 (M7692LL/A), 128 MB of RAM and a CD-RW drive for US$1599 (M7699LL/A), and 128 MB of RAM and a DVD-ROM/CD-RW "Combo" drive -- only by build-to-order direct from Apple -- for US$1799 (M8520LL/A).
Please note that on average the estimated current retail pricing of used systems is updated twice a year (please refer to the date on the bottom of the page for the date last updated).
Photo Credit: Apple Computer. |
Ten of the most popular Q&As about the iBook models follow.
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1* (VGA) 
None 
None 
None 
None
None
2 (1.1)
1 (400)
1 (RJ-45)
None
1*
1 (Internal)
None
1*
1*
1
None
N/A
1