Macworld NY 1999-The First iBook Introduction

[@pumpkinhill4570]

Everybody is laughing about the handle, but it was actually pretty important. The iBook was cool, it was loud, it was a fashion statement. It quickly became the computer every college student wanted. The handle allowed you to easily carry it around visibly, without a case. And notice how much he pushed the rubber: the handle was also a mark of its durability. You didn't need a heavily padded shoulder bag to protect your big investment. And laptops weighed a lot more back then, so if you were going caseless an easier way to grab it was much appreciated if not absolutely necessary (this one was almost 7 pounds). Incidentally, the iMac had a handle, and so did the original Macintosh. That showed off their all-in-one design and lack of cords; you could hold an entire desktop computer in your hand. Even the G3 Tower from earlier in 1999 had handles!

[@l21n18]

The handle was a pretty good idea, be nice if they had handles on computers now

[@WelcometoVideoCity]

It's VERY easy to hate on Apple and make fun of this product but in 99 all we had were grey, beige and boxy designed laptops with no character, and few features. This was incredible at the time. And yeah I thought the handle was silly but hell they were trying something

[@apfitz]

WelcometoVideoCity completely agree

[@Ritermann]

WelcometoVideoCity and they went back to being ugly cold color. Aluminum. :/

[@solcreate490]

PowerBook G3 had a decent design in 1998. The black case was relatively sleek.

[@solcreate490]

@@Ritermann There are some exciting Windows laptops from a design and color standpoint. I have a 2018 MacBook Pro, and I still think that the design is elegant. It's common but tasteful. And the TouchBar, despite the complaints, gives it a design language that is unique to Mac...or at least was until the last few months, with more and more manufacturers attempting to leapfrog it.

[@Ritermann]

@@solcreate490 A touchbar just for the sake of "design language" is the most stupid decision they could have make. Of course that was not their first reason for having it. But seeing people like you arguing, trying to find anything positive about the touch bar, is just prove that it really sucks. No offense ;)

[@LeftJoystick]

Beautiful 144p :)

[@andygoogler5595]

Ur profile image adds to the joke!

[@gav_200]

hmmm yes...

[@davestechstuff8222]

you can taste the pixels

[@TheMacGeek]

Back then the world was just more pixelated.

[@AnonymousFreakYT]

It's amazing to think that $3000 was a *NORMAL* price to pay for a high-end laptop (a "regular" high-end laptop, not even a "desktop replacement." And $2000 was an acceptable price for a "consumer" laptop. $1599 was a *STEAL* at the time. Now the $1000 MacBook Air is seen as expensive and "luxury" compared to Windows laptops.

[@kimjong-un464]

*That is because windows laptops are marketed by price but lack performance but apple products are beast at performance. I have a 2020 MacBook Air and my friend owns the Dell XPS 15($1299). Well my $250 cheaper Air out classes it at evey point. So happy with my purchase.*

[@meanmeng1950]

@@kimjong-un464 how Kim have access to apple products

[@AliJardz]

You have to remember the time this computer came out, the iMac was a revolution in design because it had colour. Also, twas the 90s. Just look at Will Smith in The Fresh Prince for what people thought was 'cool.'

[@LukeKorns]

Aww, CRUD! I wish my macbook pro cam in blueberry and had a handle!

[@joshyi589]

God

[@JoeMacStevens]

Damn, Steve Jobs was really good at these product demos.

[@vimalcurio]

Ikr

[@deardaytona]

3.2 gig hard drive... We have movies taking more memory than that!

[@Samspianopage]

HD/4K movies, back then compression was used, and the standard was 480i or 480p. Plus alot of CD=ROM drives read Video CD's and the videos were mostly in Quicktime which gave fairly decent quality in a small file size. People weren't soo concerned with picture quality, they were just amazed they could even play a video on a computer in them days LOL but programmers were very clever about how they managed to squeeze the most out of the limited power and storage back then aswell.

[@johanponin1360]

but the screenplay is only worth a few megabytes

[@sungabyss896]

Hey justin bean, if you still alive Welcome to 2021!!! Now you can get 5tb gig hard drive. 🥳🥳🥳🥳

[@sant131313]

6 hour battery life 0_0 Better than my chromebook.... and its 2013

[@Jason-ze8zk]

Hiotoyo Utanawa 2017 now...

[@AlexFarleyMusic]

Well, demands on laptops are higher and battery tech hasn't advanced tremendously. Just wait for graphene batteries. That will change the mobile game all around.

[@kidcanada44]

2019, my touchscreen 2018 Dell laptop only lasts for 5 hours. but I feels like 5 minutes

[@noobics8015]

2020

[@johanponin1360]

if you throttle your chromebook to 300MHz I assure you your battery life will double

[@dannydaniel3717]

It would be nice if Apple went back and released another iBook line. Like maybe a cheaper more affordable laptop with bright vibrant colors for younger people who are maybe not production creators, but want the OSX experience, but not at a super premium price. And cheap as in a price maybe of $650

[@pierregabory8772]

Danny Daniel It’s called the iPad

[@TheStepmonkey]

Exactly! that would be amazing cause nowadays macbooks are really damn expensive...

[@NoTraceOfSense]

@@pierregabory8772 I can’t run anything I want on an iPad. That’s not the answer.

[@AlmasAztekas]

@@TheStepmonkeythey're actually cheaper now than back then surprisingly

[@digtalmems]

Steve Jobs = master showman!

[@manlikemb6226]

***** No Shit Sherlock

[@manlikemb6226]

***** Nothing Much. How About You big mek

[@1BrknHrtdRomeo]

a handle? OMG IT HAS A HANDLE?! AAAAHHHH MY GAD I LOVE HANDLES!!!

[@grillolopez6848]

It was "the most incredible" feature.

[@avaasturrizaga1605]

JayGatzVFXsk8r what the f*ck is wrong with you

[@mariodude1246]

JayGatzVFXsk8r I'm from the fucking future bitch

[@TheStepmonkey]

ME TOOO!

[@rohanb6727]

amateurs

[@TheStepmonkey]

"This thing is really, really fast"

[@vimalcurio]

Yeah it is

[@AidenBordner]

I was in this room twelve years ago, in the back of the hall. His presence was pretty huge even from there. We'll miss you, Steve.

[@robinfr93]

They should have the circular charger back!!

[@NoTraceOfSense]

Hello from the future. MagSafe was better.

[@lilorangefella]

I'd love a modern laptop with this design, it's just so beautiful.

[@uberguy44]

This was when apple was at the top of its game, in terms of performance and innovation. Now Apple is stagnant considering how shitty the price to performance ratio is.

[@julosx]

Jack langdon If you were right, they wouldn't sell anything nowadays. Never heard about the 5K iMac Display ???? Find me ANYTHING else like that on the market !

[@julosx]

So you didn't realize that the iMac is not only a display, that's still what differenciates Apple from the rest… Therefore NO, there"s nothing like it on the market. "BAM, mind blown". You'd rather ask what is Apple waiting for to release a 4K or 5K display (for its Mac Minis and Mac Pros). And "ridiculously weak in power" ? WTF ?! Are you still living in 1982 ? Computers nowadays don't make quantum leaps anymore like they used to. The more we go, the longer we're able to keep them as they are. There's isn't so much to wait from the next generation. It won't change our lives overnight. And todays iMacs, at least the 27" ones, are more than enough for pretty much anything we can expect from a computer.

[@BorisTerekidi]

I miss those days when Apple made cool computers.

[@frosty1865]

@Lumumba B. ha gay

[@BorisTerekidi]

@minzy No. They make overpriced, unreliable, overengineered garbage now.

[@BorisTerekidi]

@minzy I am 37, run my own app/web/marketing dev agency and use my mac for work. The last "great Macbook" apple produced was retina 15" from 2015 (before the new keyboard/touch bar version).

[@BorisTerekidi]

@minzy Macbook Pros used to cost around $2000CAD and offered top of the line performance. I still have one from 2008 (first unibody) - still works. The 15" retina I got after (with a few upgrades) when it came out was $2800. This computer still works like new (2.6Ghz quad core i7, 16Gb ram, 512SSD). It's almost 8 years old! Now Apple sells their laptops at $3500 (base price), with glitching touch bar, failing keyboard and overheating board. The failure rate of 2015-2019 MBP models is very high. And considering the price, you get less I/O, smaller battery and specs are not crazy improvement compared to even older models.

[@tomasgomez9925]

After Jobs died, Apple products were no longer the innovative and different compared to the rest.

[@paianis]

He meant iBook at 8:07!

[@axtaria01]

8:06 Imac?

[@Moriningland]

800x600 screen resolution. I had to change my shorts after hearing that one

[@danielon0987]

5:32 it has a handle

[@snakebite6511]

I still have this this in Tangerine, i don't use it anymore, but it still works perfectly

[@Rockband2991]

Snake Bite you can put a light weight ppc Linux on it and kind of use it modernly

[@BlueRockEye]

@@Rockband2991 Why ruin it with Linux? Why not just keep is as a collector's laptop?

[@jackilynpyzocha662]

Are you watching this, "Ellle Woods" from "Legally Blonde" in Tangerine!

[@lilochves]

I love to see how things do evolution!

[@Paiste402]

yuki yui did you just make a sentence? Are you trying to communicate?

[@starstrukk1201]

wow I always thought the ibook was beautiful and 13 years later I still find it beautiful

[@vimalcurio]

Ikr

[@dulceele2967]

People be tripping about the handle

[@emave27]

I love that design. I have one in graphite and it's simply stunning, even now in 2016 and when I showed to my friends that the PC has an handle they couldn't believe it

[@mark1800]

jobs: "it has a handle" crowd: "OHHHHH!!!!!!!" what a weird world.

[@yannatoko9898]

*It's

[@Link6155]

RIP Steve Jobs. Even though I'm not an apple fan, Steve had inspire us all and taught us that one person can make a big difference in the world.

[@Daniel-pl3bd]

When apple was apple

[@discojelly]

... "The latch! ... it works like your cell phone! " lol

[@Antphoneigh]

The Apple Fans were strong in this one.

[@simonp37]

@lmdadls What do you use your laptop for in school? Just typing notes or are you doing some video-editing or 3D graphics? The battery life depends on what you do on the computer.

[@Ainigma]

6:10 risky risky :P

[@HacksignKT]

??? huh how

[@warez1896]

HacksignKT see how Steve picked up the blue iBook. See it thoroughly

[@jaxlegoproductions4147]

Reminds me of how when he showed the MacBook Air how it looked like it could fall off at any second.

[@a091910]

Wow, I can remember typing a paper during fifth grade english with this.

[@vimalcurio]

Woah how old are ya

[@olivermorland5226]

This computer sucks by today's standards but he's still made me want to buy it!

[@julosx]

They still are collectible computers. Too bad they're pretty weak for todays internet.

[@Ritermann]

Oliver Morland you sir are one gullible people :/

[@AnonymousFreakYT]

To think 6 hours of battery life was *RIDICULOUSLY HIGH*. The cheaper current MacBook Air which is tiny in comparison has a 12 hour battery life.

[@beefcake0354]

I really liked it when it was first released. 17 years later, I came to think "damn, it looked like a purse. I'm a guy and was I not supposed to like it?" LOL

[@atzimtzum]

A. Nilla-or Thats so stupid.

[@Core2duoMac]

@AllFractUp well this was back in 1999. i don't know if the thoughbook was even out back then but think of it like this, its almost 11 years ago

[@Warrantti]

First iBook looks like a toilet seat. Macbook have come long way since this.

[@yqr5357]

@KonanNai Probably. If you dont set the graphics settings to maximum than i think it can run smoothly :D

[@workhardforit]

Back when Apple used to wow people, now they’re just... meh. Coming from a Mac and iOS user, that means a lot. The only real good thing they’ve released in the last few years is the EarPods and saying that is even a bit of a stretch.

[@tylertyler82]

Max Gorriceta Apple users are spoiled. Almost everything they make is great.

[@NoTraceOfSense]

@@tylertyler82 Yeah, but there’s not a lot that has that “wow” factor anymore.

[@NathanNitz]

@omgitslukky07 - This old iBook runs 4MB of video memory at 800x600. It cost $1599. The MacBook (successor to iBook) runs 256MB video memory at 1280x800. It costs $999. This is a huge improvement. If you viewed the screen and watched a video side-by-side on both of these, the Macbook would be noticeably better. 4MB might have been amazing in '99, but not anymore. I hope this helped you a little understand better.

[@jerrychf]

Steve Jobs: It has a handle. Me: $#ut up and get my money! lol, RIP Steve. I really miss you.

[@vimalcurio]

😢 Yeah

[@rml695]

One of the Linux powered netbooks (the Starling Edubook from System76) has a carry handle, and to be honest, I wish more notebooks had that at least as an option (maybe a battery with a built in handle, since the standard now seems to be to put the battery between the hinges on PC notebooks) - it'd make security so much easier to get through at the airport - and the handle could be retractable.

[@allxtarmusic]

itoiletseat

[@mvryan]

I wanted one of these so much when they came out. I'm happy I wound up with a toshiba at the time but my MacBook Pro of today wouldn't be here with out that clamshell.

[@londonmiller1282]

I wasn’t even born until December 25th 2006 😂💀

[@vimalcurio]

How old r u

[@dkktk]

they should do round chargers again.

[@Admiralex91]

Looks like a toy. :D

[@Petersonstudios]

@GabKoost More like 1599 USD for a hell of a fast processor (at the time) And a beautiful display (again for 1999) And a great design.

[@mksoct1st09]

looks more like an overpriced clamshell toy rather than a computer

[@andreavda]

@simonwedege about the battery life: there are a lot of notebooks out there (like alienware ones) that include a 9-cell battery, I think that that battery can compete with a mac battery

[@GlycerinZ]

One of the ugliest laptops ever made :)

[@ThIntractivGamr]

In 1999 this was like the iMac Retina 5K display of the time though, remember that :) And in 20 years we'll look back at the new MacBook and go 'That is so ugly! What were we thinking back in 2015?!' Haha :)

[@OfficialRainsynth]

WHERE. CAN. I GET. ONE? It's so cool and it has a flippin' HANDLE!

[@ivansilva.]

its sooo ugly!!!!!

[@simonp37]

@andreavda The difference in real life depends on many factors. Use of wireless network, which apps you're running, connection of external hardware etc. Many students seems to like MacBooks because of the battery life, when they're just using apps to take notes and stuff. Maybe also because MacBooks are usually smaller/lighter, and still have decent battery life, compared to other laptops in the same pricerange.

[@TheSkaterof1995]

Thumbs up if your watching this in memory of steve jobs

[@vimalcurio]

Yeah 😢

[@afas1976]

Where can i get this toilet tap??? I love it!!! Lol

[@andreavda]

@simonwedege but I need to know how consistent is the difference in battery life between mac and other laptops

[@iYearn4Cats]

How long do the batteries last?.. I used to have an HP laptop, but it died after only a couple years and haven't replaced it since.

[@G1NZOU]

@gump898 Since the modern iMacs are Aluminium just like the iPods, it would be cheap and easy to anodise them in the same way. Green, Blue, Red... Hell, you could even have a custom colour option. Think of the sales boost.

[@MBP6705]

0:01 Speaking of the iMac update of the day, is the 1999 iMac intro posted anywhere?

[@OrenBailey]

That handle must be the precursor to the iPod Touch loop

[@bmccarville]

Hey! how come they got rid of the self winding charger? I still have to wrap my cable around posts! And no handle. :(

[@mubd1234]

I just downloaded the iBooks app on my iPhone. Where the hell is the handle?

[@asaadcanlulz]

4MB video graphics? Oh my god amazing.

[@silenteyesspy]

This is why I've always LOVED mac products, they're always so good looking and always so reliable and it's never the same thing twice

[@metalopolis1]

300 MHz. but in 1999 im curious what steve jobs personal netbook was clocked at

[@TheMaxGrody]

I still have mine. It was a speedy little all-rounder in 1999. By 2001 it was a hunk-a-clunk. However, it still works beautifully for text and internet (sans video stuttering). I'll probably keep it for life as a word processor. The design is brilliant for that age.

[@scottmaceslin9055]

Had the Graphite iBook back in the day and loved it.

[@bmccarville]

Hey! How come my macbook chord doesn't wrap itself??? And where's MY handle!!?? I've been had!

[@andreavda]

@simonwedege but I wasn't referring to alienware notebooks as the antagonists of mac notebooks, I just knew they had a great battery, anyway I'm browsing some notebooks, ASAP I'll tell you if I've found a nice battery, anyway the alienware battery is a nice one, even if they don't tell the battery life

[@MrTrolololooo]

"We've gone even further..." how many times have i heard that

[@bn326160]

As I have my first mac, a macbook pro, I notice it looks a lot like the ibook. Ports on the left side, cd drive on the right (if you are right handed, its nice), a long battery life, an 'awesome' display, and even the price :p

[@G1NZOU]

@kewlmonke But it's so easy to just make the Aluminium body of a MacBook Pro in many anodised colours, it's the same material as the iPods.

[@lakshmikerner]

I own one of these beautiful computers that was built in 2000. I am keeping it because I think some day it will be a collector's item. There are those who will say I'm crazy but I really love it!

[@simonp37]

@andreavda Alienware isn't exactly cheap either. It's not a question of Mac vs. PC battery. It's a question of "will people pay more to get a better battery?".

[@vantageIIx]

@steefykage well, the CD was for AppleWorks, I guess that would make sense :p

[@BADC0FFEE]

@FireVell it's Apple not Macintosh lol

[@BobSeptian]

Watching this video makes me want to travel to the past.

[@williamrogers5367]

My MacBook Pro late 2019 only gets 2 hours battery🤦‍♂️

[@DrDomVonDoom]

Remember how you had to wrap the cable around? Yeah, my 2011 Macbook I have to do that :(

[@NightfurMusic]

I like how they have gone back to the latch-less feature on the 2011 mac book pros

[@Benimation]

Where did the cable wrap go?

[@KantisV]

So where are these amazing features now? Where is the handle, the rubber, the color choice, the beautiful and original design? I want to buy a product like the iBook presented here, but it simply is not possible anymore.

[@msrobinwright13]

i wish my mac book pro looked that awesome. just add the flip open easy, handle, colour and cool shape and it would be heaven on ur lap. and the chrger is cool too!! that should bring that back. i wish u could still buy these but upgraded slightly.

[@beefcake0354]

not a mac fan here, but I have to admit, I think the handle idea was brilliant. but yeah, the crowd really went wild easily, didn't they? hahaha

[@bmccarville]

what happened to handles and cable wraps?

[@gtgidemgreen]

@TheDuoGlide no now we have the choice of white or white. If yourthinking of the MBP its aluminum.

[@JVIPER88]

6 hr battery life was really the best we could do in 1999? I got my first laptop in 2000, and I don't recall the battery life being that bad.... Also, since when is 6 hrs equivalent to "all day use"?

[@kockgunner]

I remember they had pamphlet about these in elementary hahaha as if a 5th grader could afford one! These were exciting times. Computers haven't advanced as far as today so this laptop seemed like it leapfrogged past everything else. Nowadays, all these features are taken for granted :)

[@ghmasterjj]

OMG when does this come out-- *writing next christmas-list*

[@whette_fahrtz]

@jonlinks12 Yeah what the hell why did they ever stop making them? Seems like a step backwards.

[@oOJakkeOo]

OMG when does it come out?!

[@itsbleek]

I actually got one of these last week. I great thing to have for nostalgic value if you're a Machead. I have the 366mhz Indigo with Airport and 512mb.

[@txprodigy95]

@gingerkid427 i know its my favorite part. i have a tangerine that i use to take notes and create word documents and powerpoints at school.

[@raynicolini]

notice when you open the ibook, the apple symbol is upside down

[@jeremydavidson9194]

I remember the feel of this product. The curves that match she shape of your wrists and hands. It felt so much better than apple laptops today. Just like the iphone was rounded off and felt better than today's iphones. It really is a shame that the need to sell new products leads companies away from what they did right in the first place. The rubber is brilliant. The colors are fine. But it was the shape and feel that did it for me.