Chuck, Thanks for the info, it helps me to make a decision. Your suggestions should be easy to follow. I have some tinkering experience with PC's, so beyond the equipment, all remains the same.
Peace, Ralph Chuck Stinnett wrote: > > on 9/18/02 5:42 AM, Ralph Flegal at [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > > > Gentlemen, > > > > I own a Powerbase 200, and want to upgrade the machine as far as possible. > > What must I do? Can I bring it up to date, so that it may be good for a couple > > more years, any thoughts? > > > > What is the best way to proceed? Currently I have installed 128 MB ram, stock > > hard drive, accessory zip drive, and a scanner. The OS is 7.5.5 which is > > running perfectly. > > > > Should I buy a new machine? > > Your last question first: Certainly it's simpler to buy a new machine. There > are older iMacs (new or refurbished) that can be had for less than $1,000, > and the eMac is just over $1,000. The more you spend, the neater and faster > your machine will be. > > That said, many of us in this group enjoy tinkering with our beloved old > Power Computing machines. If tinkering is your thing, then, by all means, > upgrade! > > Other World Computing has the PowerLogix 400 Mhz G3 1MB backside cache > daughterboard upgrade for about $120; you would probably see a good > performance boost, going from your 603e PowerBase to the G3. (The gain isn't > as dramatic going from the later 604e processor.) > > That same vendor (I'm just a customer, not an advocate or insider) sells > 128MB RAM DIMMs for about $25 each. Buy three, and along with the PowerLogix > card, you're not much over $200. > > Now you've boosted performance. Later OSes do offer some additional > features. But in fairness, I helped resurrect a PowerCenterPro recently with > OS 8.1, and it performed very well. If you feel like going to 8.1 or 8.6 or > 9.1, knock yourself out. You can probably pick up a genuine Power Computing > 8.0 CD (with FWB Hard Disk and CD toolkits) for $25 or less. But truthfully, > if you're pleased with 7.5.5 -- and if you don't need or want later software > that requires 8.6 or later, or want later features such as the more thorough > Apple System Profiler or 9.1's Multiuser -- then you could just stick with > 7.5.5 for awhile. > > Then again, if you're a tinkerer, jump in and get 9.x! > > The advice about getting an IDE/ATA controller so you can use the cheaper > ATA hard drives is sold advice. If you want USB accessories (like scrollable > mice) you'll want a USB PCI card. A cheap Belkin will work (be sure to > download Apple's 1.4.1 USB adapter support. > > Have fun! > > -- Chuck > > -- > Power Computing is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/> and... > > 123Inkjets.com <http://lowendmac.com/ad/123inkjets.html> > > Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html> > > Power Computing list info: <http://lowendmac.com/power/list.html> > 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]> > List archive: > <http://www.mail-archive.com/powercomputing%40mail.maclaunch.com/> > > Using a Macintosh? Get free email and more at Applelinks! > <http://www.applelinks.com> -- Power Computing is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/> and... 123Inkjets.com <http://lowendmac.com/ad/123inkjets.html> Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html> Power Computing list info: <http://lowendmac.com/power/list.html> 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]> List archive: <http://www.mail-archive.com/powercomputing%40mail.maclaunch.com/> Using a Macintosh? Get free email and more at Applelinks! <http://www.applelinks.com>
