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Beige G3 Tower LCD compatible display?

L

ladyhawkjamaica

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jul 24, 2005
16
0
I am trying to find out if there are any displays on the market that are compatible with my beige g3 tower. It has OS 10.1.x on it. I have a USB card in it, and upgraded the RAM to the most it can hold. I have not upgraded the processor. I would like to buy a 15 or 17 in display that is plug and play, but I'm getting the impression their is no such animal. Any advice would be appreciated. :eek:
 
Almost every LCD display has an analog VGA input, which is compatible with the G3 if you use a DB15 - HD15 "Mac Sync" adaptor. You do not require a video card with a DVI output. The only provisos are that wide-screen displays are not supported in the resolutions of the G3, everything will be stretched horizontally, and that extra large screens with resolutions above 1280 x 1024 won't be supported in their native resolution

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=112427

So you can safely choose a LCD with 1024 x 768 resolution or 1280 x 1024 resolution and a VGA connector. If you want higher resolution, widescreen or DVI connection, you can add a Radeon 7000 PCI video card.
 
So...can someone explain to me how my beige G3 DT only allows 640x480 on my 15" Mag LCD? (which its native res. is 1024x768)?? btw, I'm running 9.2.2

**edit**
Somehow I got it to show everything and now it works great at 1024.
 
recommendations?

"Almost every LCD display has an analog VGA input, which is compatible with the G3 if you use a DB15 - HD15 "Mac Sync" adaptor."

Oh, that's good news - thank you!

Can you recommend any particular LCD displays that have analog VGA input and are not widescreen and do not cost a gazillion $$$? I know in other threads everyone seemed to like Dell. My main motivation is to find something that doesn't take up a full 1/4 of my desk space. My husband's main motivation is to keep me from spending money. :)

And is the Mac Sync adaptor something available at any mac store?
 
ladyhawkjamaica said:
"Almost every LCD display has an analog VGA input, which is compatible with the G3 if you use a DB15 - HD15 "Mac Sync" adaptor."

Oh, that's good news - thank you!
And is the Mac Sync adaptor something available at any mac store?
Click to expand...

No, the DB15 (old Mac monitor connector) is a long since dead connector. Therefore, the adapters are largely dead as well. You can still get them from a few places online, but in stores....generally no. Griffin Technology makes one for $20. You want the one called "Mac PnP Adapter" on this page:

http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/monitor_adapters/

I'm sure there are others. BUT, I still think you are better off simply getting a Radeon PCI 7000 and a DVI input LCD. I believe your picture will be a bit better.
 
pci?

At Daystar I found the following info:

Buy Today! The ATI RADEON™ 7000 PCI MAC EDITION is a great add to your PowerMacintosh! Note that this is the PCI version and does not use an AGP slot.

I am not macliterate enough to know whether I have PCI slots or AGP slots in my computer. Would this card replace my G3's current video card, or would it go in an empty slot?

I must admit it's irritating that the PC version is about $30, but this one at Daystar is $109 . . .

Again, thanks for everyone's help - this forum is a lifesaver! Wish I'd found it back when I upgraded to OS10 . . . The guy at Apple actually told me I was stupid for upgrading an antique.
 
compatible?

I went to welovemacs.com and found the following info on a refurbished radeon card, 32mb, priced at (ouch) $189:

"Operating Systems Support:
Mac® OS X 10.1** or later
**Mac OS X currently requires Blue & White G3 systems or later"

Correct me if I'm wrong, the Beige tower G3 predates the B&W ones, right? I just don't want any headaches installing this, esp. if I spend that much $$. I'm wondering if I would be better off with the adapter since I use my mac for surfing, writing, and playing word/card games, etc. I'm not into a lot of high-end gaming, so I don't know that I would really miss the enhancements.

I just noticed they have a card that has an S-video adapter for $129.99. I'm thinking I wouldn't use the S-video port anyway???

What do you guys think? Again, all advice is much appreciated. :p
 
Beige G3's and Blue&White G3's have PCI slots, they do not have AGP slots.

In terms of which brand.. literally every manufacturer has 15" and 17" displays with VGA adaptors - these are the price leaders. Look for one with a 1280 x 1024 native resolution, and check them out in person at office supply/big box/computer stores. Low cost ones come from Benq, Daytek, KDS, LG, and other brands. Presumably better brands are Viewsonic, Samsung, NEC, Sony, Sharp -- although each brand makes many models at meny prices and qualities, so you can't generalize. Check online reviews at www.pcworld.com, www.zdnet.com

A LCD with a DVI connector will typically run you $50 - $100 more than a VGA-only one. Add to this $120 - $180 for the video card.
 
joecool85 said:
So...can someone explain to me how my beige G3 DT only allows 640x480 on my 15" Mag LCD? (which its native res. is 1024x768)?? btw, I'm running 9.2.2

**edit**
Somehow I got it to show everything and now it works great at 1024.
Click to expand...

I had this problem sorta. The connector that I was using had about 6 dip switches on it. On the connector it had a chart of what dip switch settings should be used with what size monitor (native size). I had to adjust these settings for our new LCD (which I just tested with), and then I had to adjust again for use with an old crappy CRT, I hate CRT's they're so 90's. Not all of these connectors have dip switches on them. If this is the case with your connector, then I cannot offer anymore help. Sorry.
 
CanadaRAM said:
A LCD with a DVI connector will typically run you $50 - $100 more than a VGA-only one. Add to this $120 - $180 for the video card.
Click to expand...

You do not need to spend anywhere near $120-$180 for a video card. Ebay is your best bet. You have two options:

One, use the video card you have now (if it is the Rage 128 16mb card you are good) and get an LCD with VGA in, and get an adapter. This is the cheapest option, and considering the age of your computer, probably the smartest.

Two, get a Radeon 7000 PCI version off ebay. Make sure it is a Mac edition, not a PC flashed version (just because you want to be 100% sure it will work). Also make sure it is the complete boxed retail version, not just the card itself. Here are two available now on ebay that fit the bill:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5221130053&category=40158&ssPageName=WDVW&rd=1
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5221447975&category=25449&ssPageName=WDVW&rd=1

If you search ebay for "Radeon 7000 PCI Mac", there are several available for a buy it now price of $42.99, but with starting bids of $34.99. HOWEVER, these are the card-only-likely-PC-flashed-into-Mac-versions that I would avoid. Be patient and wait for a complete retail Mac version. You'll spend close to $100 more between the video card and the monitor with option two. Is it worth it to have a DVI direct picture? I do not know, but it will be a better picture (in theory).
 
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