Powerbook G3 400 and OSX
My friend is looking to sell his Powerbook G3 400. It has the current version of OSX 10.2 already loaded. My question is, would this Powerbook running OSX be appreciably faster than my current Powermac 8100 100 mhz running OS9? Or would it be actually slower? If it isnt going to be faster I wont bother.
I would like to get into OSX but cant afford much right now. I thought this powerbook might keep me going for a year or two. I currently mainly use my computer to go online. Thanks............................................ ..........
I would like to get into OSX but cant afford much right now. I thought this powerbook might keep me going for a year or two. I currently mainly use my computer to go online. Thanks............................................ ..........
Comments
I don't understand why it is such a problem for Apple to add support for hardware decoders into the OS X DVD Player. Is it really that much work?
A Pismo also uses software DVD decoding rather than hardware DVD decoding like the Lombard model does [the Lombard is the same form factor but has SCSI on it].
You can expect 10.2 to run much better on a Pismo than on a Lombard. Having lots of RAM helps too. I am running with 768MB but it ran fine when I had 320MB [faster now of course ...].
I use iPhoto, iTunes, some iMovie use but not much. Lot of web browsing, server administration, general productivity work.
Originally posted by Bogie
If it has FireWire then it has Rage128 mobility graphics with 8MB of VRAM and 2x AGP. Its a FireWire/Pismo/2000 model PowerBook G3. Its an excellent Mac. Right now I am running 10.3 on mine. It is running faster than 10.2, they were holding at $1000 forever but now I sometimes seem $700 depending on the configuration.
Originally posted by Luca Rescigno
192 MB is just adequate, but you really want a minimum of 256 MB for good performance. Eventually, because it's a slow processor and graphics card, the benefit of extra RAM will diminish. I'd say if you put more than 512 MB of RAM in, it won't really help enough to be worth the expense. But something like 384-512 MB would be certainly better than 192 MB. The more the better... so even just upping it to 256 MB should help a bit.
They generally have decent prices.
Originally posted by Bogie
If it has FireWire then it has Rage128 mobility graphics with 8MB of VRAM and 2x AGP. Its a FireWire/Pismo/2000 model PowerBook G3. Its an excellent Mac. Right now I am running 10.3 on mine. It is running faster than 10.2, they were holding at $1000 forever but now I sometimes seem $700 depending on the configuration.
I have a Pismo, G3-500, and find that it runs OSX at just the right speed: not too slow to be annoying, unlike my Beige G3-300, and fast enough to get things done without too much of a wait. So based on these two data points (G3-300 and G3-500), I suspect G3-400 would be borderline speedwise, IMO.
Just to throw a wrench into the spokes here, why not consider a new iBook? I ask only because if you're looking at a price range of 700-1000, a new iBook is a much better deal. Assuming you're not in education, then the baseline model is $1000 and comes with a G3-800 (which would be twice as fast). It has the same screen resolution as the PB you're considering now, but otherwise a more modern architecture. Plus, you get the one year warranty with it. A quick look at ramseeker.com and dealram.com suggest that you can get a stick of 512MB of ram for only 82 (that includes shipping). Oh yeah, and the HD would be much bigger at 30 gigs. Now that's a G3/800, 640MB ram, 30 gig HD, much faster video card, total cost at 1,081 everything shipped to your door.
anyway, something to consider...
eMac 700MHz/128MB/40GB/CD-ROM - Refurbished $599.00
Refurbished, yes, but it does come with the one year warranty... That's a G4 with 17inch monitor, IIRC.
I second the iBook. Had a Pismo and have a 800 combo now.
Much more durable, better screen IMHO, FASTER and can utilize QE. Only downside is missing PCMCIA (or whatever) card slot, can´t go 1 Gb and doesn´t have two Firewire ports. If those points are moot for you go iBook.
Loved my Pismo especially its curves. But this is so much more functional
The emac for $599 sounds like a good deal but I think I want to go LCD finally. I originally favored CRTs but I think my eyes could use a break.
I am also hoping my friend undercharges me for the Powerbook. It all depends on how much he wants for it. If it gets close to $1000 I may as well spring for a new machine. Why cant I win the freaking lottery (or get a decent job!)........................
Originally posted by steve666
The only problem with the low end ibook is its 12 inch screen. The Powerbook has a 15 inch. Can you hook up an external monitor with the low end ibook?
I think the Powerbook has a 14 inch screen, and gives you 1024 by 768. With my Pismo I can hook up and external display and really crank up the resolution.
The iBook has a 12 inch screen, but still gives you the same 1024 by 768 resolution. I believe that you can hook the iBook up to an external display (with adapter), but you can only video mirror, so the external display will still be stuck at 1024x768 and won't really buy you anything.
So they both have the same amount of real estate, but the Powerbook might be easier on the eyes....
Originally posted by steve666
I am also hoping my friend undercharges me for the Powerbook. It all depends on how much he wants for it. If it gets close to $1000 I may as well spring for a new machine.
I guess I would think somewhere around $500-600 would make it a reasonable deal, but I wouldn't spend more than that...
DF