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Apple G3 Clamshell Tangerine Laptop Computer - $149 (Roosevelt)
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Relatively Ambitious
Key Features & Design Innovations
Unmistakable Aesthetic: Built using translucent, double-injected polycarbonate plastic with durable rubberized accents, a integrated carrying handle, and a latch-free magnetic closure.
Works Well
AirPort Wi-Fi Pioneer: The iBook was the first mass-market consumer computer with built-in internal wireless networking capabilities via Apple’s optional AirPort 802.11b card and internal antenna.
Apple Wiki - Fandom
Durable & Portable: Weighing around 6.7 lbs, it featured a fanless design, a spring-loaded CD-ROM drive tray, and a sturdy build intended for school use and backpacks.
Complete Color Lineup
Apple released the Clamshell in five distinct translucent colorways over its production run from 1999 to 2001:
Color Launch Date Associated Models
Blueberry July 1999 Original (300 MHz)
Tangerine July 1999 Original (300 MHz)
Graphite February 2000 Special Edition (366 MHz & 466 MHz FireWire)
Indigo September 2000 Revised FireWire Lineup (366 MHz)
Key Lime September 2000 Revised FireWire Lineup / Apple Online Store Exclusive
Technical Specifications (1999–2001)
Processor: PowerPC 750 (G3) ranging from 300 MHz in original models up to 466 MHz in the late-2000 Special Edition.
Apple Wiki - Fandom
Display: 12.1-inch Active Matrix TFT LCD (800×600 native resolution).
EveryMac.com
RAM: 32 MB or 64 MB onboard PC100 SDRAM, expandable up to 320 MB (officially) or 576 MB (unofficially).
EveryMac.com
Storage: 3.2 GB to 10 GB IDE hard drives.
Optical Drive: 24x CD-ROM (466 MHz SE model featured a 6x DVD-ROM drive).
I/O Ports: Single USB 1.1 port, 10/100 Ethernet, 56k Modem, 3.5mm Headphone Jack. Later revisions (September 2000) added a FireWire 400 port and A/V Composite Out.
Operating System: Shipped with Mac OS 8.6, upgradable through Mac OS 9.2.2 and early versions of Mac OS X (up to 10.3.9 Panther or 10.4 Tiger with third-party software).
Apple Wiki - Fandom
Legacy & Modern Collecting
In May 2001, Apple replaced the Clamshell with the dual-USB "Dual USB" white iBook G3, shifting toward a sleeker, opaque white aesthetic. Today, intact Clamshell iBooks—particularly the rare Key Lime and Graphite SE variants—are prized vintage Mac collectibles known for their unique aesthetics, sturdy construction, and historical role in introducing consumer Wi-Fi.