Labs

When the iBook range was launched, there was a wide performance gap between this new consumer portable and the existing PowerBook models. Now, though, it's a different story. Both portable lines feature G4 processors and, despite the PowerBooks having more megahertz, their performance is similar. And the iBooks are nipping at the PowerBooks' heels in other respects, too.

Each revision of the iBook line has added more and more of the features that were only found in PowerBooks a year or two before. So, iBooks now have AirPort Extreme (the fast, 54Mbits/sec version) fitted as standard across the line, slot-loading optical drives, and USB 2. They support Bluetooth as an optional extra, although it's not the Enhanced Data Rate Bluetooth 2 found in the PowerBooks. We recommend adding Bluetooth when you specify your iBook, as it only costs £35 and can't be fitted afterwards.

Further connectivity is offered by a 56K V.92 modem, 10/100Base-T Ethernet and a single FireWire 400 port. Not as meaty a range as in the PowerBooks, but enough to satisfy many.

Battery life is better than in the PowerBook range, too. Official figures quote it at six hours on a full charge for the 12in and 14in models, but it's more likely to be nearer four - mind you, that's still impressive, particularly when compared with Windows-based laptops.

The screen resolution of all models is 1024 x 768 pixels, which is enough for

Graphics performance is predictably the worst of all the Mac ranges, but it's adequate for everything except gaming.

One key difference between iBooks and PowerBooks is how they handle external displays. While PowerBooks support desktop spanning - that is, connecting up an external monitor to extend your desktop - iBooks can only mirror what's on their built-in display to a second monitor. A third-party hack called Screen Spanning Doctor can compensate for this, but it's unsupported. In any case, video output is limited to analogue, VGA output rather than the crisper, more stable DVI signal produced by the PowerBooks.

The 30GB hard disk in the 12in iBook is far too small; £40 upgrades it to 60GB, and it costs £80 to increase it to 80GB. To take the 14in models' drives from 60GB to 80GB costs £40.

Upgrading the RAM - iBooks only come with 256MB - can be pricey, as all models have only one RAM slot. Upgrading to the 1.25GB maximum will cost £340 from Apple but as little as £120 from third-party vendors such as Crucial.

The only iBook that features a DVD burner is the top-of-the-line 14in model, but buy a PowerBook if you're going to be doing any DVD mastering.

The software bundle is reasonable: all Macs now come pre-installed with Mac OS X 10.4, and the iBooks also feature the iLife 05 suite.

If your primary need for a laptop is as a portable design station, you should still opt for a PowerBook. Don't be fooled, however. The iBook range is very capable and offers superb value for money. There's little reason to choose the 14in models, though, as the modest performance increases aren't worth the extra bulk of the 14in screen. Go for the 12in, upgrade the RAM and hard disk and add Bluetooth, and you'll have a powerful, flexible laptop for less than a grand.