The iBook is a line of laptop computer that was developed and sold by Apple Computer, Inc. between 1999 and 2006. It was targeted at the consumer and education markets, with fewer features and lower prices than the PowerBook. Three distinct designs of the iBook were introduced during its lifetime. The first design, known as the "Clamshell", was a significant departure from portable computer designs at the time, due to its shape, bright colors, inclusion of a handle, and support for wireless networking. A second line which followed two years later abandoned the original form-factor in favor of a more traditional rectangular design, and employing translucent and white polycarbonate. The third design, the iBook G4, was introduced in October 2003 and moved away from translucent elements and adopted a slot-loading drive.

The MacBook replaced the iBook line in May 2006 (MacBook Pro replaced the PowerBook line).

iBook G3 ("Clamshell")

In the late 1990s Apple was in the midst of trimming its product line from the sometimes-bewildering variety of intersecting Performa, Quadra, LC, Power Macintosh and Centris models to a simplified "four box" strategy: desktop and portable computers, each in both consumer and professional models. Three boxes of this strategy were already in place: The newly-introduced iMac was the consumer desktop, the Blue and White G3 filled the professional desktop box, and the PowerBook line served as the professional portable line. This left only the consumer portable space to be filled in, leading to much rumor on the Internet as to its likely design and features. Putting an end to the speculation, Steve Jobs placed the last piece of the puzzle, and the iBook G3 was unveiled during the keynote presentation of Macworld Conference & Expo, New York City on July 21, 1999. The design was influenced by Apple's consumer desktop, the iMac, with a large distinctive shape, translucent clear and colored plastics. Its marketing slogan was "iMac to go".

The iBook G3 design catered to children and students. A carrying handle was built into the hinge. Apple demonstrated Phil Schiller, Apple's VP of Marketing, holding the iBook G3 while jumping off a height (onto cushions) to demonstrate its wireless capabilities. Like the iMac, the iBook G3 used a PowerPC G3 CPU, and included no legacy Apple interfaces. USB, Ethernet, modem ports and an optical drive were standard. The ports were placed uncovered along the side, as a cover was thought to be fragile. Similarly, there were no latches. The bottom surface had additional power connectors that allowed multiple iBook G3s to be easily charged on a custom-made rack. The iBook G3 was the first Mac to use Apple's new "Unified Motherboard Architecture", which reduced the parts count (condensing all of the machine's core features into two chips) and added AGP and Ultra DMA support.