We like the new slot-loading optical drive, which eliminates an easily damaged CD tray, and the 12.1-inch, 1,024x768 display produces crisp images and bright colors. For instance, the latch that holds the lid closed retracts when the lid is open, and the battery includes a built-in power-level indicator. The Apple iBook G4 adopts some of the PowerBooks' design details. The keys don't pop off as easily as they did on earlier models, and the keyboard color now matches the matte white of the palm rest and the display frame. The keyboard feels more solid due to a redesigned internal cast-magnesium metal frame underneath. Open the lid, and you begin to notice obvious improvements over the previous model. If you use memory-hungry apps, such as Virtual PC or Photoshop, you're better off with a PowerBook. The main limitation is a maximum of 640MB of RAM. Marketed toward students, schools, and home users, the Apple iBook G4 is also a good fit for Mac users on the go. The new Apple iBook G4 comes in both 12-inch and 14-inch models, and both contain some significant improvements over the former iBook, including a better keyboard, faster bus and graphics hardware, and the G4 processor. At 4.9 pounds and $1,099, the lower-price cousin of the 12-inch PowerBook is only slightly heavier and contains a lot of the perks of the PowerBook, including a slot-loading CD-RW/DVD-ROM drive and Apple's iLife software suite. For those who think small is beautiful, the 12-inch Apple iBook G4 goes beyond its good looks to deliver an attractive package.

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