In the ever-evolving landscape of technology, certain devices leave an indelible mark on our memories. Apple’s iBook series, a cornerstone of its Macintosh lineup, has been a consistent player in this realm. Among its notable iterations, the iBook Special Edition with FireWire stands out as a symbol of cutting-edge innovation. Launched on September 13, 2000, this remarkable model showcased the pinnacle of technology at the time, featuring a 466 MHz PowerPC 750cx G3 processor, a 12.1-inch color LCD display, and 64 MB of RAM.
Apple, known for its penchant for pushing boundaries, introduced a new iBook line that incorporated FireWire ports and iMovie 2, the world’s most popular digital video editing software. The iBook SE now sported vibrant new colors, with Key Lime and the Graphite-hued iBook Special Edition featuring a DVD-ROM drive for on-the-go movie watching. The exclusive Key Lime color added a touch of excitement, available solely through Apple’s Online Store.
Apple’s CEO, Steve Jobs, remarked, “iBook has been a big hit with consumers, students, and educators, and the addition of portable digital video editing with FireWire and iMovie 2 makes it even better. Anyone can now own a portable movie studio for just $1,499.”
The new iBook Special Edition with FireWire models was equipped with a 466 MHz PowerPC G3 processor, a 10 GB IDE hard drive (configurable to 20GB), a 400 Mbps FireWire port for high-speed peripherals, and a choice between a CD-ROM drive or DVD-ROM drive. The inclusion of an AV port providing audio and composite video output, along with an ATI RAGE Mobility 128 controller boasting 8MB of SDRAM, ensured stellar gaming and graphic capabilities.
Retaining the outstanding features of the original iBook, including a brilliant 12.1-inch active-matrix TFT display, an “all-day” battery life of up to six hours, support for Apple’s AirPort wireless networking solution, and instant Internet access with a free 30-day trial with EarthLink, these new models were a testament to Apple’s commitment to excellence.
For its time, the iBook SE Late 2000 was a technological powerhouse with a price tag reflecting its high-end status at $1,799. Boasting a 10 GB hard drive, a tray-loading 4x DVD-ROM drive, and an 8 MB ATI Rage Mobility 128 graphics card, the iBook SE handled demanding tasks with ease.
However, as with all technological marvels, the iBook SE’s reign eventually came to an end. On May 1, 2001, Apple officially discontinued the model, marking the conclusion of an era. Today, the iBook Special Edition with FireWire stands as a vintage item, 23 years old, reminding us of the rapid evolution within the tech industry.
For those fortunate enough to have owned the iBook SE with FireWire, it serves as a nostalgic journey into the past—a reminder of a time when Apple was at the forefront of pushing the boundaries of computer technology. It sparks memories of a device that was not merely a computer but a companion on the journey of technological evolution.
For those who never experienced the iBook Special Edition Late 2000, it offers a glimpse into the tech landscape of the past two decades. It’s a reminder of how far we’ve come and the strides made in the relentless pursuit of innovation. The iBook SE with FireWire may be a vintage relic, but its impact reverberates through time, reminding us that every step forward in technology is a chapter in a fascinating and ever-evolving story.
iBook Special Edition Late 2000 Details
| Introduced | September 13, 2000 |
| Discontinued | May 1, 2001 |
| Model Identifier | PowerBook2,2 |
| Model Number | M6411 |
| Order Number | M7720LL/A M8245LL/A |
| Original Price | $1,799 |
| Colors | Graphite Key Lime |
| Weight | 6.7 Ibs. 3.039 KG |
| Dimensions | 11.6” H x 13.5” W x 1.8” D 29.46 cm H x 34.29 cm W x 4.57 cm D |
iBook SE with FireWire Tech Specs
Processor
| Processor | PowerPC 750cx G3 |
| Processor Speed | 466 MHz |
| Architecture | 32-bit |
| Number of Cores | 1 |
| System Bus | 66 MHz |
| Cache | 64 KB L1 256 KB on-chip L2 |
Storage & Media
| Storage | 10 GB |
| Media | 1 – 4x DVD-ROM (Tray-loading) |
Memory
| Built-in Memory | 64 MB |
| Maximum Memory | 576 MB |
| Memory Slots | 1 – PC66 3.3V 144-pin SO-DIMM |
| Minimum Speed | 10 ns |
| Interleaving Support | No |
Display
| Built-in Display | 12.1″ Color TFT Active Matrix Display |
| Resolutions | 640 x 480 800 x 600 |
Graphics
| Graphics Card | ATI Rage Mobility 128 |
| Graphics Memory | 8 MB |
| Display Connection | Composite video output to TV through AV port |
| Display Modes | Video mirroring only |
| External Resolution | Unknown |
Expansion
| Expansion Slots | None |
| Hard Drive Interface | ATA-2 |
| Bays | None |
Connections
| Wi-Fi | AirPort Card 802.11b (Optional) |
| Ethernet | 10/100BASE-T (RJ-45) |
| Modem | 56k |
| Bluetooth | None |
| Infrared | None |
| Serial | None |
| FireWire | 1 – 400 Mbps |
| USB | 1 – 12 Mbps |
| Audio In | None |
| Audio Out | 1 – A/V jack 1 – Built-in speakers |
| Display | None |
| Security Slot | None |
Keyboard and trackpad
| Keyboard | Built-in Full-size 76-key (U.S.) or 77-key (ISO) incl. 12 function and 4 arrow keys |
| Trackpad | Built-in Solid-state trackpad (Tap, double-tap, and drag) |
Software
| Original OS | Mac OS 9.0.4 |
| Maximum OS | Mac OS X 10.4.11 |
| Firmware | Macintosh ROM |
| Bundled Software | Mac OS 9 QuickTime AppleWorks iMovie 2 Microsoft Internet Explorer Microsoft Outlook Express Netscape Communicator Palm Desktop FAXstf Bugdom Nanosaur Acrobat Reader software |
Power
| System Battery | 50 Wh Lithium-Ion (M6392) |
| Backup Battery | None |
| Battery Life | Up to 6 hours |
| Maximum Continuous Power | 45 W |
| Line Voltage | 100-240 V AC |
| Power Adapter | Apple 45 Watt Power Adapter (M7332) |
Further Reading and References
- iBook (FireWire): Technical Specifications – Apple Support
- Apple Unveils New iBook Line – Apple Newsroom
- iBook – Wikipedia
- iBook SE (FireWire) – Low End Mac
- Tangerine Fusion’s Fun Facts: FireWire iBooks – Low End Mac
- iBook G3 – Relatively Ambitious
- 20 Macs for 2020: #7 – iBook – Six Colors
- iBook Service Source (PDF) – Apple Repair Manuals
Disclaimer: The data presented in this article is under continuous development and has been manually collected from various sources based on their availability. The author of this article may revise this dataset as additional research is conducted and reviewed. Please note that the information is provided “as is” and “as available” without express or implied warranties. The author cannot be held responsible for any omissions, inaccuracies, or errors in the published information. Any warranties relating to this information are hereby disclaimed.
Last updated: January 21, 2024
