If I remember correctly the first generation PowerBooks were the most comparable to the SE/30. I owned (actually still own, stuffed away in a box somewhere) a PowerBook 140 which was right about on par with the SE/30. I think it used the 68030 processor. The screen was monochrome, though slightly larger than an SE/30. It was a fine machine, in it's day.
Although personally -- and at the risk of committing sacrilege on this list -- I think finding and maintaining and getting parts and accessories for such an old PowerBook would be more trouble than it's worth. I might look for something a little more recent*, then use this "new" laptop as my primary computer, replacing the SE/30. Why work on the old machine, when you're new machine is more powerful AND portable? (* Maybe a PowerBook 1400. They seem to be very solid, reliable laptops. And their processor is upgradeable, so it has a potentially longer useful life.) Any PowerBook made BEFORE Apple started equipping them with USB and FireWire and Ethernet ports (I think that would be any thing up through the PowerBook 3500 / G3 / Kanga) should network with your ol' SE/30 via old fashioned AppleTalk. So you could keep using the latter as file server or backup server. Or play old networked games on the two. BTW, I don't know what OS you're running on your SE/30, but as I recall, the earliest PowerBooks required System 7 (nothing earlier) to run. Best of luck. Mykl At 19:38 -0400 09/27/02, jwhite wrote: >A buddy of mine seems to have conned me into taking over his post with a >volunteer organization named "Christmas in September". This organization >fixes up houses for people who can't afford to, and can't do it >themselves (mostly elderly people, and the disabled). > >His job was to evaluate houses for the types of electrical problems that >they have. He also had to determine what materials were needed, obtain >said materials, and find other electricians to help put it all together. >Usually the organization does 10 to 15 houses a year, which is one >Saturday in September. It's actually supposed to be an eight hour day, >but being one of the other electricians for the past 6 years, I know it's >never been less than 10 hours and was once more than 14. > >At any rate, all of the above was ROT (really off topic), and now to the >just OT: > >I would like to get a Powerbook to help me with this project. I'd like to >get one as close to an SE/30 as possible since that's what I'll be using >at home for this. With my wife's busy school schedule, I can't rely on >using our G4, as alot of her schoolwork can't be done on an SE/30. > >I know some of the things I need to find out such as processor, speed, >RAM, Hard Drive space, etc, can be found on Apple's website. The things >they won't have on their site are the little things that are impoertant >too. Things like how long does a battery last, are batteries still >available, can they be rebuilt if they aren't (replacing NiCad cells in >used cases), can a cigar lighter adapter be found for it, so battery >power isn't an issue, as it won't be leaving my truck anyhow. Also, can >it support SCSI disk mode, or localtalk, or both. I'd like one that has >the same screen resolution as a compact (512x384 ?) if possible, so >spreadsheets, etc., come up as smoothly as possible. A 1.4 floppy would >be nice as well. Another thing I need to know is how accessible and the >going cost of a machine is. (that's not to be taken as an offer to buy; >I've got about 9 months to ponder this) > >Constructive responses would be appreciated, > >J White > >P.S. Listmom, if this is too far off topic, I apologize. My intent is to >obtain a machine that will work as flawlessly as possible with my SE/30, >not a "take it to the Powerbook list" gala. Thanks. > >-- >Compact Macs is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/>. > > Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html> > >Compact Macs list info: <http://lowendmac.com/lists/compact.shtml> >The FAQ: <http://macfaq.org/> > --> AOL users, remove "mailto:"; >Send list messages to: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >To unsubscribe, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >For digest mode, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Subscription questions: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Archive:<http://www.mail-archive.com/compact.macs%40mail.maclaunch.com/> > >Using a Mac? Free email & more at Applelinks! http://www.applelinks.com -- Compact Macs is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/>. Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html> Compact Macs list info: <http://lowendmac.com/lists/compact.shtml> The FAQ: <http://macfaq.org/> --> AOL users, remove "mailto:"; Send list messages to: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To unsubscribe, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> For digest mode, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subscription questions: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Archive:<http://www.mail-archive.com/compact.macs%40mail.maclaunch.com/> Using a Mac? Free email & more at Applelinks! http://www.applelinks.com
