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The New iBook Vs. Comparable Windows-based Laptops: How Does it Stack Up?

TiBook, say hello to Mini Me.

By Paul Cesarini

After reading over the specs on the new iBook announced today, I figured I'd check-out the competition. I browsed through the online stores of Gateway, Compaq, Dell, and WinBook, and custom-configured some similar models to match the iBook base configuration and DVD configuration. Admittedly, these comparisons must still be taken with a grain of salt due to dissimilar configurations -- metaphorically, Apples and Oranges (no pun intended). For example, the WinBook J1 I custom configured has a Celeron processor running at 700mhz. While this is no match for a 500mhz G3, it was the closest I could get to an iBook while keeping the same, 12.1" screen size. The other three comparisons are made against a 700-750mhz Pentium III which, I believe, is pretty close to a 500mhz G3 in terms of overall performance.

Additionally, there's the whole port replication thing. While only one of the Windows-based laptops listed here have built-in FireWire (Sony calls it i.LINK), I did add ethernet, USB, and/or video-out if any of these ports weren't available by default. I specifically avoided comparing iBooks with Windows-based laptops that are entirely reliant on optional port replicators for CD and related media drives, as laptops of this sort tend to weigh half as much without these devices. Basically, these models seemed too inherently dissimilar to the iBook to warrant a comparison.

Regarding the Vaio, I couldn't find one with a 12.1" TFT screen, so instead used one with a 13.3" screen for this comparison. While that seems to give an obvious advantage to the Vaio, the LiON battery it ships with only provides 1 - 1.5 hours of juice. Given the comparative strength of the iBook battery, I think it helps counterbalance the screen issue.

Laptop Model	Screen	CPU	Ram / Hard Drive	VRam	CD	Modem / Ethernet	Weight	Price
iBook (Base Model)	12.1" TFT	500mhz G3	128mb / 10gb	8mb	Yes	Yes / Yes	4.9lbs	$1299
Winbook J1	12.1" TFT	700mhz Celeron	128mb / 10gb	4mb	Yes	Yes / (added)	???	$1287*

* Port replicator added to total cost, for video-out, USB, audio in/out, etc.

Laptop Model	Screen	CPU	Ram / Hard Drive	VRam	DVD	Modem / Ethernet	Weight	Price
iBook (DVD model)	12.1" TFT	500mhz G3	128mb / 10gb	8mb	Yes	Yes / Yes	4.9lbs	$1499
Gateway Solo 3350cs	12.1" TFT	700mhz PIII	128mb / 10gb	4mb	Yes (external)	Yes / (added)	3.6lbs (-DVD)	$2024
Compaq Presario 1200	12.1" TFT	750mhz PIII	128mb / 10gb	4mb	Yes	Yes / Yes	???	$1522*
Dell Inspiron 2500	12.1" TFT	700mhz PIII	128mb / 10gb	4mb	Yes	Yes / (added)	7.5lbs	$1492
Sony Vaio All-in-One, PCG-FX120	13.3" TFT	700mhz PIII	128mb / 10gb	4mb	Yes	Yes / (added)	6.6lbs	$1599

* LiON swapped in place of (not in addition to) NiMH battery, and added to total cost.

So, was there a point to this comparison? Well, maybe and maybe not. Much as I suspected, the new iBook stacks-up quite well against The Competition. It appears to provide a decent bang-for-the-buck overall, though I fully admit there are some huge gaps in specifics of this brand-new model. For example, what the heck is "RGB Video-Out"? The new iBooks specs state that it, "...has no I/O doors, protruding latches or levers to break or snap off when tucking it into a backpack or briefcase. With no removable parts that could fall out, get lost or be stolen." However, the included VGA Video-out adapter appears to qualify as a removable part that could get lost or stolen. They got around this issue with the previously-included AV cable by making it an optional purchase.

Also, the tech specs for the new iBook state that it's capable of video-mirroring, but say nothing about monitor spanning. As some of the Windows-based laptops I've compared it to can do monitor spanning, my comparisons may need to taken with an even larger grain of salt.

Some other questions come to mind, somewhat unrelated to the Windows-based laptop comparison, are: Can the new iBook be operated with the lid closed, assuming you have it connected to an external keyboard, monitor, and mouse? Why the 66mhz bus? Will you have to remove an eternity of screws to install an AirPort card? I admit these are fairly minor concerns.

Judging by the huge sales of the TiBook, it looks like the new iBook may give Windows-based subnotebooks a serious run for the money. Apple appears to have done a fine job evolving it into something equally cool, even more functional, and even more affordable than the previous model.