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What is Apple officially calling the new iBook?

Sometimes referred to as the "AppleCare" name, the new iBook has an official designation of "iBook (Dual USB)." This is how it is referred to in all the Tech Info Library articles and how AppleCare representatives will be instructed to identify it.

Can you sleep the machine and switch batteries?

According to TIL article #88121, the only way to switch batteries is to fully shut down the machine. The battery is 42 watt-hours and cannot be used with any other iBooks. Apple claims it lasts up to five hours.

Which cables come with the machine?

The RGB video connector for external monitor connections is included, but the composite video cable for connecting to stereos, TVs, VCRs, and the like is not included.

Does it have a microphone?

Yes, according to the Technical Specifications, it includes a built in microphone. Other audio input can be accomplished via USB audio. Audio output is accomplished with the AV port.

What speed is the hard drive?

The "more info" button on the iBook configuration page says the 10 GB drive in all iBook models is 5400 RPM, faster than the 4200 RPM the Titanium PowerBooks use .

Where's the power adapter? I don't see it on the "port side."

The power receptacle is on the right hand side of the machine directly opposite the placement of all the other ports.

Which power adapter does it use? Is it the smaller plug like the Titanium PowerBooks or the larger plug from previous PowerBook generations?

It uses the same smaller plug as the PowerBook G4 with the "yo yo" style adapter. Any G4-specific aftermarket adapter will work, such as those from MadsonLine.

Does it have a standard "Kensington" security slot like the Titanium PowerBook?

Yes, since there's no handle to loop a security cable through, the new iBook does in fact have a Kensington lock slot.

Which video card?

Gamers will be pleased: the iBook uses a Rage Mobility 128 with 8 MB of VRAM driving the 1024x768 pixel 12.1" screen, the same chip that the Titanium PowerBooks use.

How can the new ibook have a bus speed of 66mhz, and a chip speed of 500 mhz? i thought the chip speed had to be a multiple of the bus speed.

Simple, you can have half multiples...the chip speed is a 7.5 multiple of the 66 bus. The new 733 MHz PowerMac G4s are a 5.5 multiple of the 133 MHz bus on those machines.

What's the deal with the RAM soldered on the motherboard?

When you buy your stock iBook configuration, it will be with either 64 or 128 MB soldered onto the motherboard. It supports up to 512 MB in the available slot, giving you a max of 576 and 640 MB with each configuration. From the wording on the Apple Store's configuration page, our best guess is that the extra RAM you order occupies the available slot: "Your iBook comes with 128MB built-in. Select more memory (RAM) to enable your iBook to run more applications at the same time."

Well, what kind of RAM does it use?

It uses the same RAM as all previous iBooks: SDRAM SO-DIMMs. For more iBook RAM information, this TIL is very helpful.

What about durability?

Steve Jobs' iBook introduction video says the new iBook is 'twice as durable' in Apple's tests.

Does it still have one speaker?

Nope, it has two speakers for stereo sound.