> Date: Wed, 01 Aug 2001 08:54:52 -0400
> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (Joe Hermosa)
> Subject: Upgrading Power Macintosh 7300/200
>
> I have a Power Macintosh 7300/200 with 112 ram. My hardrive is 2gig. I use >
>photoshop and get the message that the scratch disk is full. I have deleted all I
>> can from the hard drive and have allotted more memory to the photoshop >
>program but all to no avail. I believe I need to upgrade this computer.
First, some general thoughts....
You have a very sound, serviceable Mac. The desktop Power Macs based on
the TNT motherboard (73/75/7600) are relatively easy and inexpensive to
upgrade. Unless you have a compelling need for the extra power/speed of
a new G3/G4 unit, the 7300 can serve you quite well for some time yet.
With judicious planning/shopping, you can pump up the performance of
your Power Mac for less than half the cost of a new computer.
> My question is if I upgrade this computer, where should I begin.
More storage space. A 4 - 9 GB SCSI drive should be sufficient and
affordable. If you anticipate working with a LOT of HUGE files,
consider getting an ATA/66 host controller card (~$100) and installing a
larger IDE/ATA drive - GB for GB, much cheaper than SCSI.
> A friend of mine told me that the processor in this computer is "almost" as fast >
>as the G3.
Almost true. The 604e processor immediately preceeded the G3, and it's
a sturdy workhorse. The 250 MHz+ versions held their own versus early
G3 chips, but a 200 MHz 604e just isn't all that "beefy"....BUT, if it
currently does a respectable job on your common tasks, a major upgrade
in that area may not be necessary.
> Also I have been told by different folks that to upgrade this type of computer is >
>expensive as compared to upgrading a newer model. I have been told to buy a G3 >
>because memory and a newer processor card (G3) and larger hard drive would > be very
>expensive.
NOT! FPM RAM prices are at an all-time low. You can get a pair of 128
MB DIMMs delivered for $75 or less: check http://www.macseek.com/ for
pricing from various retailers.
"Low end" G3 daughtercards (350 MHz or less) can be found in the
$125-$200 range. If you upgrade, I recommend a 1 MB cache model.
http://dealmac.com/ should be your first stop when shopping for new
products. Also, asking around on the LEM Swaplist is a good idea. You
never know who may have just what you're looking for, at a great price...!
To summarize, you can add storage space, triple your memory, and upgrade
your processor....all for $300-$500, depending on your choices/needs.
Does that sound "very expensive" to you?
If you sell your 7300 you'd be lucky to get $200, which is nowhere near
what it's really worth, IMHO. Wouldn't go very far toward a "newer and
better" computer....
> I have even had people tell me that since I just use photoshop and not any other >
>graphics program that I may be better building a PC.
PUH-LEEZ! Who you been talking to...?
--
Gene, a.k.a. G-Man
Friends don't let friends do Windows
--
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