What are the differences between the "Late 2001" and "Early 2002" iBook (500/600) models?

Please note that the "Late 2001" iBook series was introduced on October 16, 2001 and the "Early 2002" model was added on January 7, 2002. Both were discontinued on May 20, 2002.

The differences between the "Late 2001" and "Early 2002" models are quite minor compared to the iBook G3/500 (Dual USB) configurations that these systems replaced -- but some models have faster motherboard designs, superior optical drives, and larger hard drives.

The iBook G3/600 14-Inch (Early 2002) has a larger 14-inch display as the name implies, the first iBook model to do so. These models also shipped with a smaller power adapter and booted by default in MacOS X rather than MacOS 9.

The major differences between the iBook "Late 2001/Early 2002" configurations are summarized below in this handy chart:

Late 01/Early 02	G3/500	G3/600	G3/600 14"
Processor:	500 MHz	600 MHz	600 MHz
System Bus:	66 MHz	100 MHz	100 MHz
On-Chip L2:	256k	256k	256k
Memory:	PC100	PC100	PC100
Std. RAM:	128 MB	128 MB	256 MB
Max. RAM:	640 MB	640 MB	640 MB
Display:	12.1"	12.1"	14.1"
Resolution:	1024x768	1024x768	1024x768
Video Card:	Mobility†	Mobility†	Mobility†
Video RAM:	8 MB	8 MB	8 MB
Hard Drive:	15 GB	15, 20 GB**	20 GB
Std. Optical††:	CD-ROM	DVD-ROM**	Combo
AirPort:	Optional	Optional	Optional
Bluetooth:	N/A	N/A	N/A
Expansion:	AirPort	AirPort	AirPort
Battery Life:	5 Hours	5 Hours	6 Hours
Width/Depth*:	11.2x9.1	11.2x9.1	12.7x10.2
Height*:	1.35	1.35	1.35
Weight:	4.9 lbs.	4.9 lbs.	5.9 lbs.
Model No:	M8597LL/A	M8598LL/A**	M7701LL/A
Orig. Price:	US$1299	US$1499**	US$1799

† ATI Rage Mobility 128 (2X AGP) graphics with 8 MB of SDRAM.

†† "Combo" drives are capable of reading DVD-ROM and writing CD-R(W).

* Width x Depth x Height (while closed) is provided in inches. For dimensions in centimeters, please refer to the specs page for the model of interest.

** Multiple configurations were available, please refer to the appropriate specs pages for details.

Site sponsor PowerMax sells a variety of used 12-Inch and 14-Inch iBook systems free of sales tax.

Please refer to the Ultimate Mac Comparison feature to dynamically compare any iBook model to any other G3 or later Mac.