On 28/9/05, Frantisek, discombobulated, unleashed: >I would have a question for the mac gurus here, again concerning >powerbooks. Thanks for all the answers few months before. > >Now, I have an option to buy a G3 Bronze(Lombard?) very cheaply, with >max RAM and configuration. Usually second-hand macs are way overpriced >here in Central Europe, and ordering from US Ebay is a bit risky with >a computer, in my opinion (customs, damage,...) > >From the last replies, it seems G3 Pismo is the one to go, but I can't >find it here for a good price. The G3 Bronze/Lombard is a little >slower, doesn't have AirPort builtin or FW ports, but otherwise seems >about as capable. > >Any opinions, please? I can get a PC notebook for similar price but >for on location wiring of photographs, the mac would be easier - >great PJ software and second battery bay in the G3.
Hi Fra, I currently have a Pismo (PowerBook FireWire G3) as my road machine: <http://www.apple-history.com/?page=g allery&model=pg3sfirewire&performa=off&sort=date&order=ASC> and have used a Lombard (PowerBook G3 Bronze Keyboard): <http://www.apple-history.com/?page=g allery&model=pg3sbronze&performa=off&sort=date&order=ASC> It is true that media bay accessories and batteries are interchangeable between the two, but that's about it. The Pismo is much more capable, having built-in FireWire ports (2), while the Lombard only has USB and SCSI. This means a FireWire PC-card is necessary to upload pics from a FireWire reader, and support for these under the later OS's might be a bit flaky.. The Lombard *is* a very capable machine and if you can get one cheap, then it might be worth it to you as a road hog. Uploading pics via USB will ne painfully slow though - maybe source a SCSI card reader? If you can, it's worth the extra money to go for a Pismo (in either 400 or 500 Mhz versions). But have some spares around as these machines are getting *slightly* long in the tooth. The Pismo is the earliest PowerBook that is supported under OS 10.4, and it's built in Airport card ability means it will join any wireless network you stumble upon. I even use a GPRS data PC card in the PC (formerly PCMCIA) card slot (single) on the side for dialling up using a SIM card from a cell phone. One bit you mention: >and ordering from US Ebay is a bit risky with >a computer, in my opinion (customs, damage,...) I have to disagree with. I have a whole Pismo in pieces ready to go as spares - I buy from a US eBayer called JGRolls <http://search.ebay.co.uk/_W0QQfgtpZ1QQfrppZ50QQsassZjgrolls> and he's a great seller - well packaged items, fast shipping, reasonably priced, can't fault him. To keep taxes down, you could buy a Pismo in pieces, shipped individually ;-) Good luck. Cheers, Cotty ___/\__ || (O) | People, Places, Pastiche ||=====| http://www.cottysnaps.com _____________________________
