wren wrote: > Have read all I can on Low End Mac about WallStreet, Lombard and > Pismo. Then I read ebay's current and closed auctions. > > My head is spinning with info. I'd appreciate the perspective of those > of you who use these laptops. > > First. Why am I considering one - and what do I want it to do: > ----------------------------------------------- > I'm considering the G3 because I'm not certain that I can afford a G4 > Powerbook. I hope one of the G3's will let me at least scrape meeting > my needs. > > ---- > Need to run OS 10.3.9. (The software I own doesn't run higher than > this) > Need to connect to wireless internet services (provided by the > library) > ---- > Media needs: > First Choice: Would be nice if I could plug in my USB flash drive. > Second Choice: Ability to write cd or dvd. > Third choice: ability to plug in external cd or dvd writer. > ---- > Software: > While I don't need my full photoshop (CS I) installed on this laptop, > some smaller editing program would be necessary. Just for web sized > graphics (not high resolution photographs for print). I have the whole > Adobe Creative Suite CS I - but I am guessing running that is too much > to ask for the little G3's level 2 cache and RAM restrictions? (Or am > I wrong?) > > I will forgo the ability to open Illustrator, or use In Design on this > laptop. I can skip that if it is not feasible. > ---- > Amount of use: > This is intended to be a laptop I can use for up to 2 hours per day - > maybe 4 days a week. > > ---- > The contenders: > WALLSTREET: Although they have the lowest price tag of the bunch, I > think I've read that it could not come close to fulfilling what I > want. One problem I read about is a restriction on the harddrive - > 8gig max? Should I cross it off the list?
The limitation is that the OS must be installed in a partition within the first 8Gb of the HD. On my Wallstreets I ran 10.3 with the System, Library and OS 9 files in the first, 8Gb partition. The User folder was on the second parition of the 40Gb drive, this gave plenty of room for everything. That said, I would avoid the Wallstreet. When the main battery went down all the way I would have to boot in OS 9 and reload the XPostFacto drivers to get back into Panther. > > That leaves Lombard and Pismo. It looks like both end up going for > $125 minimum for a working model. Although, it looks like they'd need > a new battery often at that price which adds another $100 to the > equation. Does that sound like the going rates to you, or have I > misread? > > Would Lombard and Pismo fulfill my basic requirements? Could they do > more - as in, handle a full install of photoshop? > > Would sincerely appreciate feedback from those who know more about the > G3 laptops. I don't want to waste my money only to find out it won't > work out. If it really won't work, I'll just have to wait to raise > more cash. I had the full Adobe Suite installed on my Wallstreet. While I never used Photoshop or Illustrator they did launch okay. I think you would be better off with the Pismo. For starters you can up it's memory to 1Gb. It's also the most up to date machine of the lot. Both the Lombard or Pismo have USB. You can add it to a Wallstreet but it requires a less common wireless card and the USB card can be finicky. I believe you can get a CDRW for the Pismo/Lombard. A USB CDRW or DVDRW would be dreadfully slow, a FireWire drive would be much more practical, that would require a Pismo. The price sounds right but I haven't checked lately. -- Clark Martin Redwood City, CA, USA Macintosh / Internet Consulting "I'm a designated driver on the Information Super Highway" --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are a member of G-Books, a group for those using G3 iBooks and PowerBooks (we run a separate list for G4 'Books). The list FAQ is at http://lowendmac.com/lists/g-books.html and our netiquette guide is at http://www.lowendmac.com/lists/netiquette.shtml To post to this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/g-books Support for older Macs: http://lowendmac.com/services/ -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
