You could use a Powerlogix upgrade, which goes in the CPU slot rather
than the Cache slot. I haven't used one, but they are listed as
compatible with the Powerbase. Check the compatibility listings at
eshop.macsales.com under "Accelerators". Save the difference between
that and a G4 tower and spend it on a big monitor. GURU says the
PBase will run up to 1280x1024 with the onboard video. You can
upgrade the VRAM to 4 meg for 32 bit color at that size.
Still, used G3 beiges are great value at the moment, and they go up
to 700-something meg of cheap RAM and use cheap ATA/IDE hard drives,
same as the PBase. They should also run a big monitor without
hiccups, and have built-in RAGE 3D video acceleration and ethernet.
They'll also run OS X, which the PBase will struggle with with its
160 meg RAM limit. Some of them come with PAL/NTSC video in and out.
IF your folks are settled in and comfortable with OS 9 I guess you
probably won't be throwing them in the OS X deep end any time soon,
so upgrading the PBase is still a worthwhile option. It's your pick
which is the better value. I've seen used G3s go for $AU 300 ($US
150) locally, and I would guess similar prices in the US. They often
come up on the LEM-Swap list. If you were feeling technically
inclined, you could get a bare system, fill it with RAM and
transplant the HD and CD from the PBase.
You can use a PC-world monitor with a cheap Mac-PC adapter.
Clae.
>Date: Sun, 27 Oct 2002 02:28:35 -0700
>From: B Yen <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>Subject: upgrading a PowerBase 180
>
>I set up my parents in '96 with a PowerBase 180 desktop.
>6 yrs later, I am thinking of upgrading it. The Sonnet Crescendo L2
>upgrade cards are $200 - $249. I read somewhere it might be better just
>to get a used G3 Powermac.
>
>Can someone recommend an inexpensive G3 or G4 upgrade for the PowerBase
>180?
>I'm leaning towards the G4 tower,
>because I need to get them a LARGE display (21" or 22"). They're old &
>have slight vision problems.
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