Apple iBook G3/500 (Late 2001 - Tr) Specs

Identifiers: Late 2001 - M8597LL/A - PowerBook4,1 - M6497 - N/A

All iBook Models | All 2001 Models | Dynamically Compare This Mac to Others

Download: PDF Manual

The iBook G3/500 (Late 2001 - Translucent White), features a 500 MHz PowerPC 750cx (G3) processor with a 256k "on chip" level 2 cache, 128 MB of RAM, a 15.0 GB Ultra ATA hard drive, a tray-loading 24X CD-ROM 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 (Late 2001 - Translucent White) effectively is the same as the iBook G3/500 (Dual USB) that it replaced, but shipped standard with a 15.0 GB hard drive and only a CD-ROM drive. It also shipped with a smaller power adapter. Starting on January 7, 2002 -- to correspond with the introduction of the iBook G3/600 14-Inch (Early 2002 - Translucent White) -- the price was dropped US$100 to US$1199 and the default operating system was switched from MacOS 9 to MacOS X.

Also see: What are the differences between the "Late 2001" and "Early 2002" iBook (500/600) 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.

• Tech Specs
• Ports
• Popular Q&As

Tech Specs

Click on the category for related details. The most commonly needed info is "open" by default, but all info is important.

Expand All Details | Contract All Details

Introduction Date:

October 16, 2001

Discontinued Date:

May 20, 2002

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)

Details:

N/A

Processor Upgrade:

Soldered

FPU:

Integrated

Details:

N/A

System Bus Speed:

66 MHz

Cache Bus Speed:

500 MHz (Built-in)

Details:

N/A

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:

128 MB

Maximum RAM:

640 MB

Details:

Apple reports that the maximum memory capacity of this system is 640 MB with 128 MB onboard and a 512 MB SO-DIMM. 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:

128 MB

RAM Slots:

1

Details:

128 MB onboard, 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 (Late 2001) is capable of mirroring the contents of the internal display on an external display via VGA.

Standard Storage:

15.0 GB

Std. Storage Speed:

N/A

Details:

Also see: How do you replace or upgrade the hard drive in the iBook models? Site sponsor Other World Computing sells storage upgrades for this iBook. Also see: SSD Compatibility Guide for All G3 & Later Macs.

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. 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

Details:

N/A

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:

M8597LL/A

Apple Subfamily:

Late 2001

Details:

The Apple order number should be unique to this system.

Apple Model No:

M6497 (EMC N/A)

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 N/A 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:

9.2.1 & X 10.1*

Maximum MacOS:

X 10.4.11

Details:

*Originally configured with MacOS 9.2.1 and MacOS X 10.1 pre-installed. Starting January 7, 2002, MacOS X 10.1.2 was selected as the default operating system. 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$1199-US$1299

Est. Current Retail:

N/A

Details:

This model originally was introduced for US$1299. The price was dropped to US$1199 on January 7, 2002 -- to correspond with the introduction of the iBook G3/600 14-Inch (Early 2002). 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.

Ports

Click on a category for additional details. The most commonly needed info is "open" by default, but all info is important. The icons correspond with the icons for each port on the computer.

Expand All Details | Contract All Details

Video (Monitor):

1* (VGA)

Floppy (Ext.):

None

Details:

*VGA via A/V port. Also see: Do the iBook models support VGA or DVI out? Do the iBook models support ADC (Apple Display Connector) displays?

ADB:

None

SCSI:

None

Details:

N/A

Serial (Standard):

None

Serial (Geoport):

None

Details:

N/A

USB:

2 (1.1)

Firewire:

1 (400)

Details:

Two USB 1.1 ports and one Firewire "400" port.

Modem:

1 (RJ-11)

Ethernet:

1 (RJ-45)

Details:

Internal 56k v.90 modem and 10/100Base-T Ethernet standard.

S-Video Input:

None

S-Video Output:

1*

Details:

*The iBook (Late 2001) models lack S-Video out but include an A/V port for composite video out.

Microphone:

1 (Internal)

Sound In:

None

Details:

Internal microphone, no audio in port. Also see: Which iBook models have an internal microphone? Which do not?

Sound Out:

1*

Headphone:

1*

Details:

*Single A/V port provides audio out capabilities.

Security (Lock):

1

Joystick (PC):

None

Details:

N/A

Power:

N/A

Power Adapter:

1

Details:

100V-240V AC, 45 W power adapter.

Popular Q&As

Ten of the most popular Q&As about the iBook models follow.

Permalink | Report an Error/Typo | Sign Up for Site Update Notices

<< iBook (Home) | Also see: iBook FAQ

Established in 1996, EveryMac.com has been created by experts with decades of experience with Apple hardware. EveryMac.com includes, and always has included, original research incorporating detailed, hands-on inspection of packaging, computers, and devices as well as extensive real-world use. All information is provided in good faith, but no website or person is perfect. Accordingly, EveryMac.com is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind whatsoever. EveryMac.com, and the authors thereof, shall not be held responsible or liable, under any circumstances, for any damages resulting from the use or inability to use the information within. For complete disclaimer and copyright information please read and understand the Terms of Use and the Privacy Policy before using EveryMac.com. Copying, scraping, or use of any content without expressed permission is not allowed, although links to any page are welcomed and appreciated.

Contact - EveryMac.com - Kyle Media LLC - Advertising Info - All Rights Reserved - Copyright © 1996