The first distinguishing feature is color. The original iBooks are Blueberry, Tangerine, or Graphite.
Original color iBooks
The iBook (FireWire) computers are Indigo, Key Lime, and Graphite, while the white parts are more opaque than previous models.
iBook (FireWire)
The next distinguishing feature of iBook (FireWire) computers is the FireWire port next to the USB port.
FireWire port on an iBook computer
The iBook (Dual USB) and later models of iBook are a different size and shape than earlier iBook computers.
An iBook with dual USB ports
The iBook G4 have similar shapes as the iBook G3 models, but lacks the translucent case finish or translucent keyboard and has a more opaque finish.
iBook computer with the iBook G4 logo
This table highlights the distinguishing features between the various iBook models.
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| Model | Speed (MHz) | Case Color | Audio Port Color | Reset Button | Display Size | Optical Drive |
| iBook | 300, 366 | Blueberry/clear, Tangerine/clear, Graphite/clear | silver | near power button | 12.1-inch | Tray-load |
| iBook (FireWire) | 366 | Indigo/opaque, Key Lime/opaque | silver | near power button | 12.1-inch | Tray-load |
| iBook Special Edition (FireWire) | 466 | Graphite/opaque, Key Lime/opaque | silver | near power button | 12.1-inch | Tray-load |
| iBook (Dual USB) | 500 | Translucent White | silver | near audio port | 12.1-inch | Tray-load |
| iBook (Late 2001) | 500, 600 | Translucent White | silver | near audio port | 12.1-inch | Tray-load |
| iBook (14.1 LCD) | 600 | Translucent White | silver | near audio port | 14.1-inch | Tray-load |
| iBook (16 VRAM) | 600, 700 | Translucent White | non-metallic | none | 12.1-inch | Tray-load |
| iBook (14.1 LCD 16 VRAM) | 700 | Translucent White | non-metallic | none | 14.1-inch | Tray-load |
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| Model | Speed (MHz) | Case Color | Audio Port Color | Reset Button | Display Size | Optical Drive |
| iBook (Opaque 16 VRAM) | 700 | Opaque White | non-metallic | none | 12.1-inch | Tray-load |
| iBook (32 VRAM) | 800 | Translucent White | non-metallic | none | 12.1-inch | Tray-load |
| iBook (14.1 LCD 32 VRAM) | 800 | Translucent White | non-metallic | none | 14.1-inch | Tray-load |
| iBook (800MHz 32 VRAM) | 800 | Opaque White | non-metallic | none | 12.1-inch | Tray-load |
| iBook (900MHz 32 VRAM) | 900 | Opaque White | non-metallic | none | 12.1-inch | Tray-load |
| iBook (14.1 LCD 900MHz 32 VRAM) | 900 | Opaque White | non-metallic | none | 14.1-inch | Tray-load |
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| Model | Speed (MHz) | Case Color | Audio Port Color | Reset Button | Display Size | Optical Drive |
| iBook G4 | 800 | Opaque White | silver | none | 12.1-inch | Slot-load |
| iBook G4 (14-inch) | 933, 1GHz | Opaque White | silver | none | 14.1-inch | Slot-load |
| iBook G4 (Early 2004) | 1GHz | Opaque White | silver | none | 12.1-inch | Slot-load |
| iBook G4 (14-inch Early 2004) | 1GHz, 1.2GHz | Opaque White | silver | none | 14.1-inch | Slot-load |
| iBook G4 (Late 2004) | 1.2GHz | Opaque White | silver | none | 12.1-inch | Slot-load |
| iBook G4 (14-inch Late 2004) | 1.33GHz | Opaque White | silver | none | 14.1-inch | Slot-load |