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Another one bites the dust. RIP.

Man, I feel your pain! I also bought a G5 last year on eBay and got it shipped improperly. The casing arrived in a similar fashion to yours. I didn't want to live with such a smashed casing so I ended up transplanting the hardware to a good case. At least it got me like half of the amount I've paid for the G5 deducted. I'd message the seller or contact eBay to see if you can work something out. If there is one conclusion to draw from this it is this: Don't buy a G5 or Mac Pro online if you can't pick it up yourself or at least buy one online only when the original box will be used for shipping 😒
 
Another one bites the dust. RIP.
Why on earth do people think parcel logistics operate like this?

carry.jpg
 
As mentioned in my Which PowerBook thread two PowerBook models:
  • PowerBook 5300ce, mostly functional - $128.00
  • PowerBook 180, unknown operational condition as the seller did not have a power supply - $25.00
Here they are sitting side by side on my workbench. For details on the 5300ce see my Which PowerBook thread. The 180 looks to be in pretty good shape. Just some sticker residue to clean off. The case screws appear to be slightly corroded (as if it was store in a damp environment). I have a universal adapter which may provide the necessary voltage / amperage. If not I have a bench power supply which I can configure but will need an appropriate barrel plug, not sure if I have one laying around.

I am trying to figure out how I want to handle the 180. It was advertised as a 180c. Given the price I paid for it I don't think it's worth asking for a discount. It's more the Ebay feedback. Even though it's not what I thought I was buying I still think positive feedback with a note is appropriate. What says the forum?

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I am trying to figure out how I want to handle the 180. It was advertised as a 180c.

What says the forum?

Me: if it was advertised as a 180c and you bought it on the basis then it was misrepresented by the seller and that's very reasonable grounds to push for a discount. I understand where you're coming from that you feel it was already cheap enough but you paid for a 180c, not a 180.

If you're able to get it working, would you be able to make use of it in spite of it being a different model?
 
Me: if it was advertised as a 180c and you bought it on the basis then it was misrepresented by the seller and that's very reasonable grounds to push for a discount. I understand where you're coming from that you feel it was already cheap enough but you paid for a 180c, not a 180.

I reached out to the seller to notify them of the issue and they offered to give me a partial refund of $10. That was acceptable to me so now this PB cost me $15.00.

If you're able to get it working, would you be able to make use of it in spite of it being a different model?

Yes, I can use it. Aside from a black and white versus color display the two units appear to be identical.
 
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Why on earth do people think parcel logistics operate like this?
People need to learn once and for all, G5s are for collection only. If the seller has not got the original foam inserts and box and isn't explicitly stating on top of that that it will be securely and carefully packaged then you are going to be removing your shipped PowerMac from its packaging like a piece/pieces of contemporary art.
 
People need to learn once and for all, G5s are for collection only. If the seller has not got the original foam inserts and box and isn't explicitly stating on top of that that it will be securely and carefully packaged then you are going to be removing your shipped PowerMac from its packaging like a piece/pieces of contemporary art.

If the case breaks in two during shipping and handling, does that make it two Power Mac G5s? 🤔
 
People need to learn once and for all, G5s are for collection only. If the seller has not got the original foam inserts and box and isn't explicitly stating on top of that that it will be securely and carefully packaged then you are going to be removing your shipped PowerMac from its packaging like a piece/pieces of contemporary art.
Sadly true! In my case, if I can get the seller to agree to a discount, I can use it as a build machine anyway for leopard.sh. Was hoping for a "display" piece though 🤣
 
Yes, I can use it. Aside from a black and white versus color display the two units appear to be identical.
$15 for a 180 is a great price, so you got a bargain even if it needs a bit of work.

I have a 180 and the active matrix greyscale screen is superb! In many ways I think the best of the 100-series PBs. The 180c tends to look a bit sharper because the screen is smaller so better pixel density, but that also tends to make the 180's greyscale a little easier on the eyes.

They do suffer tunnel vision issues though, so that's something to watch for once you have it powered up. Unfortunately mine does, but luckily doesn't manifest too much for an hour or so, which makes it perfectly usable.

Great find!
 
Probably not a bargain as such, but a G3/266 dated May 1998, selling for $40, and said to be tested and 'functional', but with no hard drive. Photos suggested it has had a very hard life as a foot stool, but could be good for parts. And anyway, who could resist a Beige G3?

Apparently, not me. I set a few of these up in my former life as a IT manager in higher ed, and remember them fondly for being quite fast and rather excellent to use.

When it was delivered, it was actually very well packaged and as a result, in one piece. That was good. It powered up so it was alive, that was even better. Then it booted, because it still had a hard drive after all, that was excellent!

I have never seen such a jumble of files and stuff, so will probably do a clean install, but can't decide whether to go with 8.1, which was what I think it probably had when new, or 9.0 which is what it is running now. It appears to have been last used in 2006, and has 160Mb RAM, but is otherwise stock.
 
See this is a feature, how else will people know your laptop is from the 2000s 🤣

Clean it up, inside and out, taking especial care to preserve the Hannah Montana motif, and then list on eBay as a OnE oF a KiNd PrOtOtYpE at the Buy-It-Now price of $3,299.

“WITH GIFTS!”
 
$15 for a 180 is a great price, so you got a bargain even if it needs a bit of work.

I have a 180 and the active matrix greyscale screen is superb! In many ways I think the best of the 100-series PBs. The 180c tends to look a bit sharper because the screen is smaller so better pixel density, but that also tends to make the 180's greyscale a little easier on the eyes.

They do suffer tunnel vision issues though, so that's something to watch for once you have it powered up. Unfortunately mine does, but luckily doesn't manifest too much for an hour or so, which makes it perfectly usable.

Great find!
Just began the exterior cleaning. It's cleaned up nicely but there is still sticker residue on the top, right. I was thinking of using some Goo Gone to remove it but wanted to check with the forum to see if there are any negatives to doing so. Has anyone used Goo Gone on this plastic (or this age) with / without any adverse effects?
 
Just began the exterior cleaning. It's cleaned up nicely but there is still sticker residue on the top, right. I was thinking of using some Goo Gone to remove it but wanted to check with the forum to see if there are any negatives to doing so. Has anyone used Goo Gone on this plastic (or this age) with / without any adverse effects?

You should have a look at this thread.
 
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