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did I get decent deal on G3 iBook?

M

mikerol

macrumors member
Original poster
Jun 27, 2007
32
0
Florida
Hello -- I know virtually nothing about previous generation laptops, but needed a decent but cheap Apple laptop for office work. Won't be doing any heavy duty operations on it -- got a new iMac for that. Just need

Spent $125 on eBay for a G3 iBook, 600mhz, 128, 20gb.

Question -- I'm guessing wireless isn't built in on these. Any clue what card I need?

thanks
 
Eidorian said:
That's a good deal. You'll need the original AirPort card. I'm selling one BTW.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info. Let me get this thing and make sure it works before I spend more money on a card. But I'll look you up to see if you still have it once I get the machine and make sure all's well.
thanks
 
mikerol said:
Thanks for the info. Let me get this thing and make sure it works before I spend more money on a card. But I'll look you up to see if you still have it once I get the machine and make sure all's well.
thanks
Click to expand...
Sure thing. If there's anything you need to know about the iBook too, I'll try to help.

I've had to support a few G3 ones in my day.
 
Eidorian said:
Sure thing. If there's anything you need to know about the iBook too, I'll try to help.

I've had to support a few G3 ones in my day.
Click to expand...

Appreciate that. Here's a question for you -- will CS3 and Office 04 even run on it? Guessing Office 04 will, but I think I heard CS3 will only run on C2D.
thanks
 
Office 2004 will be fine. CS3 needs a G4 at least. Some of the applications in it can be Intel only as well.

You're definitely going to want a lot more RAM then 128 MB as well.
 
Eidorian said:
Office 2004 will be fine. CS3 needs a G4 at least. Some of the applications in it can be Intel only as well.
Click to expand...

Here's a stupid question if you don't mind. When I get the computer, if I run a Software Update, will it only detect updates that will run on G3?
 
mikerol said:
Here's a stupid question if you don't mind. When I get the computer, if I run a Software Update, will it only detect updates that will run on G3?
Click to expand...
That entirely depends on which version of OS X is installed and if it's a fresh install.
 
mikerol said:
Here's a stupid question if you don't mind. When I get the computer, if I run a Software Update, will it only detect updates that will run on G3?
Click to expand...

I have an iBook G3 clamshell. With regards to software updates, like Eidorian said, it will only detect updates that are applicable to the version of OS X you are running. If you're running the newest version of OS X (tiger; 10.4), software update will detect updates that are applicable to 10.4 and for the PPC chip only.

As I was saying above, I have an iBook G3 clamshell running at 466 Mhz. I run the older version of Office (2003) and photoshop with ease. I could run the newest version if I wanted too but I haven't felt a need to update. Granted, I have 576 Mb of ram. Using 128 Mb of ram in OS X is going to make the machine crawl. I'd suggest, even before buying an airport card, to upgrade the ram with at least a 512 Mb ram chip. Good luck!
 
mBurns said:
I have an iBook G3 clamshell. With regards to software updates, like Eidorian said, it will only detect updates that are applicable to the version of OS X you are running. If you're running the newest version of OS X (tiger; 10.4), software update will detect updates that are applicable to 10.4 and for the PPC chip only.

As I was saying above, I have an iBook G3 clamshell running at 466 Mhz. I run the older version of Office (2003) and photoshop with ease. I could run the newest version if I wanted too but I haven't felt a need to update. Granted, I have 576 Mb of ram. Using 128 Mb of ram in OS X is going to make the machine crawl. I'd suggest, even before buying an airport card, to upgrade the ram with at least a 512 Mb ram chip. Good luck!
Click to expand...
I'll agree to that.
 
Eidorian said:
I'll agree to that.
Click to expand...

Thanks folks. Since I bought it for $125, I guess I can stand putting more RAM in it, buying a wireless card, and still being under $300 for a laptop I can live with for a year while I get this business started.
thanks
 
mikerol said:
Thanks folks. Since I bought it for $125, I guess I can stand putting more RAM in it, buying a wireless card, and still being under $300 for a laptop I can live with for a year while I get this business started.
thanks
Click to expand...

Mikerol, just understand that the iBook is going to be no speed giant. It's going to be useable, but it's not going to be nowhere near as fast as one of the new intel 'books. Also, when you're starting to hit the $300 range, you may be better to look around awhile longer and search for an iBook G4.
 
mBurns said:
Mikerol, just understand that the iBook is going to be no speed giant. It's going to be useable, but it's not going to be nowhere near as fast as one of the new intel 'books. Also, when you're starting to hit the $300 range, you may be better to look around awhile longer and search for an iBook G4.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I did and they're going around $600-700. In a year, once I have this business cranking, I'll buy myself a nice laptop. Just bought a new iMac 24 for the heavy lifting. Laptop is just something to throw in my bag on the road, check email, etc.
thanks
 
mikerol said:
Yeah, I did and they're going around $600-700. In a year, once I have this business cranking, I'll buy myself a nice laptop. Just bought a new iMac 24 for the heavy lifting. Laptop is just something to throw in my bag on the road, check email, etc.
thanks
Click to expand...
A loaded iBook G3 600 MHz for $300 isn't that bad for easy mobility.
 
mikerol said:
Yeah, I did and they're going around $600-700. In a year, once I have this business cranking, I'll buy myself a nice laptop. Just bought a new iMac 24 for the heavy lifting. Laptop is just something to throw in my bag on the road, check email, etc.
thanks
Click to expand...

Alright, I just didn't want you to have a misimpression of the power of the PPC G3. Although... it's no slouch either! I love the 24" iMac, it's a beautiful machine. Enjoy!
 
mBurns said:
Alright, I just didn't want you to have a misimpression of the power of the PPC G3. Although... it's no slouch either! I love the 24" iMac, it's a beautiful machine. Enjoy!
Click to expand...

Yeah, I love my new iMac. Opens 100mb image files in Photoshop CS3 in a second or less. And looks incredible. Have a good weekend.
 
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