On Mar 7, 2012, at 8:50 PM, Agent 5 wrote:
I happen to have a G3 Lombard running OS 8.6 - Would it be possible to connect this PowerBook to the internet wirelessly? I'm aware that this can be done using Apple's AirPort technology on OS X, but what about on a Classic Mac OS?
I think you'd be a lot happier with OS X rather than MacOS for wireless. The Lombard can support 1GB of RAM and run 10.4.11, so with full RAM, a quick larger HD, and 10.4.11 you could probably even access a modern 802.11n card, and certainly an 802.11g card. If you stick with MacOS you'll probably be limited to 802.11b speed, which is really slow. You'll also have problems with modern encrypted networks because MacOS doesn't support anything other than WEP and most new wireless networks are WPA encryption.
If you're sticking the the Lombard I'd urge you to go to OS X 10.4.11 with full RAM. Here's the "problem". The cost will probably be $15-20 for each of the 512MB Sodimms, so perhaps $45 shipped. Then you'd need the wireless card, probably another $25 minimum. You might need a bigger, faster 7200 RPM HD so that could be $50-75. All totaled with OS X software it could be $150 to run 10.4.11 wirelessly on your Lombard.
A better idea would probably be to sell the Lombard as-is, and buy a newly cheaper iPad2 ($399) or even an iPad3 if you can afford it. The advantages are manifold. 10 hour battery life. Fast modern wireless. You can skip OS X completely and go directly from MacOS to iOS, leaving a lot of useless learning curve on the side of the road as you rocket into the modern wireless age. If you can't deal with the lack of keyboard, there are plenty of add-on keyboards that make an iPad a literal notebook killer at half the size & weight with double the battery life.
Go to an Apple Store and get a demo of an iPad. It's the best solution to your wireless problem.
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