Mac · The Translucent Revolution · 1999
iBook G3 (Clamshell)
The "iMac to go." Its candy-coloured rubberised clamshell made laptops fun, and Steve Jobs hula-hooped one on stage to prove Wi-Fi had truly cut the cord.
iBook G3 (Clamshell): key facts
When was the iBook G3 (Clamshell) released?
The iBook G3 (Clamshell) was released in September 1999. Apple discontinued it in May 2001.
How much did the iBook G3 (Clamshell) cost?
The iBook G3 (Clamshell) launched at $1,599 in 1999 — about $3,070 in today’s money (approximate, US CPI).
What are the iBook G3 (Clamshell)’s specs?
The iBook G3 (Clamshell) used a PowerPC G3 running at 300 MHz, with 32 MB of memory and 3.1 GB of storage. It ran Mac OS 8.6.
Why does the iBook G3 (Clamshell) matter?
First consumer laptop with built-in Wi-Fi (AirPort).
Full specifications
| CPU | PowerPC G3 · 300 MHz |
|---|---|
| Cores | 1 |
| Memory (RAM) | 32 MB (up to 576 MB) |
| Storage | 3.1 GB |
| Display | 12.1" LCD, 800×600 |
| GPU | ATI Rage Mobility |
| Ports | USB, Ethernet, modem, AirPort slot |
| Weight | 3.0 kg |
| Dimensions | Clamshell with handle |
| Operating system | Mac OS 8.6 |
| Released | September 1999 |
| Discontinued | May 2001 |
| Launch price | $1,599 |
How the iBook G3 (Clamshell) compares to today
A 16 GB Apple Silicon MacBook Pro has about 512× more memory than this device shipped with.
At 300 MHz, the clock is roughly 11× slower than a single performance core of a 16 GB Apple Silicon MacBook Pro — and that is before counting cores, width and IPC.
All of this storage holds about 800 modern phone photos.
Launched at $1,599 in 1999 — about $3,070 in today’s money (approx., US CPI).
Cross-architecture speed figures are clock-only and approximate; inflation figures use US CPI.
Did you know?
The on-stage hoop demo proved there were genuinely no hidden cables.
Related Mac models
Open the iBook G3 (Clamshell) in the interactive archive →
Last updated: 2026-06-25