Is it worth to buy a cheap iBook or PowerBook?

[Hrududu]

Thank you all for replying. Sounds like it totally is worth it. I don't need more answers regarding this.

One thing I haven't got much from is whether G3s are still worth when it's a lot cheaper than its G4 equivalents. More opinions are welcomed!

One thing I'm concerned about is the odd keyboard smell of the iBook G3, which kind of makes me want to avoid it. Much of the reliability problems were mainly on the iBook G3. Can I conclude from this that the iBook G3 Snow is the least reliable of the lot?

And also, what would your opinion be on using an iBook G3 Clamshell? It's clear these would be much less usable than the others mentioned (as they're older), but can it still function for light stuff?

Don't get a clamshell unless you want to run Mac OS 9. I cannot stress enough how BAD the 800x600 screen resolution is, especially under OS X. Even the 466MHz models with 576MB of RAM are NOT good Mac OS X machines. The web browsing experience is brutal unless you go to mobile sites. I LOVE the look at feel of Clamshell iBooks, and I would love to be able to use them more than I do, but despite the look, super keyboard, and handle, they're just terrible computers for OS X. I highly recommend a G4 processor so you can run Leopard & have higher system RAM available to you. Keep in mind no G3 iBook can handle more than 640MB of RAM and you're never going to run anything higher than 10.4 Tiger. It's much better to have a PowerBook that CAN run Leopard, but choose to run Tiger, or have 768MB of RAM and have the option to upgrade to 1.25GB or 2GB later on.

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One more thing to add:
Another reason to go a little newer with your PowerBook or iBook choice is having an Airport Extreme card vs the original Airport card found in the Titanium PowerBooks and G3 iBooks. While 802.11G speeds in itself is a huge benefit, also being able to connect to newer WPA2 networks is becoming increasingly important, especially if you're going out and using the laptop where you cannot control the network security. I've found that over the last couple years, original Airport Cards are less and less compatible with networks. Just one more thing to consider that I don't think anyone else here has brought up yet.

 

[Bug-Creator]

One thing I haven't got much from is whether G3s are still worth when it's a lot cheaper than its G4 equivalents. More opinions are welcomed!

An early G4 iBook (800-1000MHz) can be scored for 30Euro or less, doubt you'll even find working G3 at that price let alone "a lot cheaper".

My rule of the thumb:
HW should be able to 10.5 out of the box (867MHz, 256MB min) to be usefull even if you plan to only use 10.4 on it (which you should do for anything below 1GHz/1GB).

Useing even older versions of OSX can't be advocated and running OS9 is just about as much running "MacOS" as running Win3.11 is running "Windows" (read you don't want to go there unless your on a pure retro-trip).

 

[Intell]

What do you mean by the "company image for those machines"? Sorry if I am missing something. Out of curiosity Intell, is your job being a technician for Macs?

Yes, my primary job is an Apple/Mac technician. The place I work for used iScroll2 in a premade NetBoot/NetInstall image. It's still in those images, but they've all been archived as Powerbooks aren't used anymore.

 

[Altemose]

Yes, my primary job is an Apple/Mac technician. The place I work for used iScroll2 in a premade NetBoot/NetInstall image. It's still in those images, but they've all been archived as Powerbooks aren't used anymore.

Do you know if iScroll 2 will work on a PowerBook G4 1.5/1.33 GHz 15". It has the 1.5 GHz processors and Leopard?

 

[Intell]

It will work on any and all aluminum Powerbooks that do not natively have two finger scrolling. If installed on one that has native two finger scrolling, it causes the trackpad to stop working. It also does not work on titanium Powerbooks.

 

[Altemose]

It will work on any and all aluminum Powerbooks that do not natively have two finger scrolling. If installed on one that has native two finger scrolling, it causes the trackpad to stop working. It also does not work on titanium Powerbooks.

Thanks Intell. I am going to look about installing it on my new Goodwill PowerBook!

 

[Intell]

You're welcome. It isn't as good as Apple native two finger scrolling, but it's very close. You can adjust it using its pref pane. It even gives you two finger right click.

 

[Altemose]

You're welcome. It isn't as good as Apple native two finger scrolling, but it's very close. You can adjust it using its pref pane. It even gives you two finger right click.

Thanks Intell! I will look into it. I really like my (not really mine) 1.67 GHz PowerBook with all the features, but I bought this Goodwill one for $23.50 so I am not complaining! Now I need to find RAM for it, but no one on this forum has it and I can't afford the prices on Newegg.

 

[ihuman:D]

You could try Amazon or Crucial for the RAM. They have good deals here, not sure about the US but it's worth a shot.

 

[Altemose]

You could try Amazon or Crucial for the RAM. They have good deals here, not sure about the US but it's worth a shot.

It was advertised as having 2 GB but came with 512 MB. I am in contact with Goodwill and will create a thread about this machine when the time comes.

 

[InstructionSet!]

Thanks for the replies!

It does suck that the iBook G3 Clamshell is stuck at 800x600. So even the most powerful 466MHz model would be bad at running OS X? Even Cheetah or Puma?

EDIT: The Clamshells are much more expensive than the newer G3s and even some G4s!

 

[Intell]

Cheetah and Puma are nearly unusable for anything in the current age. Even in their time, their usability was limited. Panther would be the oldest version of OS X that can still be somewhat usable in the modern world, but most would draw the line at Tiger.

 

[jruschme]

The Clamshells are much more expensive than the newer G3s and even some G4s!

I've never understood that one. You can almost touch the very low end of MacBook pricing for what a good Clamshell will go for.

I can only assume it's the sheer "Appleness" of the design that makes it sought after. (I will confess to a hankering for a Tangerine one but, in terms of actual usefulness, would get more value out of my Lombard.

 

[2984839]

I've never understood that one. You can almost touch the very low end of MacBook pricing for what a good Clamshell will go for.

I can only assume it's the sheer "Appleness" of the design that makes it sought after. (I will confess to a hankering for a Tangerine one but, in terms of actual usefulness, would get more value out of my Lombard.

I think the price increase is due to speculators. It's a completely unique design that was discontinued and was made by Apple, so they think they will be worth big money 10-20 years from now. Ironically, they may be correct, if only because of other speculators at that time who will think the same thing.

 

[TacticalDesire]

Nah! It's actually, not even really a laptop bag. I found it at the Goodwill years ago. Used to be some sort of tech worker's bag, like for a phone company or something. Lots of pockets and such and the one in the rear has dividers (three slots). I put my two PBs facing oppsite directions in the front and rear slot (which leaves a cushion in the middle) and both are protected by some heavy duty bubble wrap I put in there a long time ago. Everything else goes in all the individual pockets in the front.

I've had the bag for years and was really glad when I found it would take both my laptops. It has a shoulder strap, but the clip is plastic so I carry it by the heavy duty carry handles instead when I have both laptops in there. It's a great bag, but I just see that plastic clip snapping and my bag tumbling to the ground. Not the way I want my PowerBooks to go out!

What do you use two for?

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Thanks for the replies!

It does suck that the iBook G3 Clamshell is stuck at 800x600. So even the most powerful 466MHz model would be bad at running OS X? Even Cheetah or Puma?

EDIT: The Clamshells are much more expensive than the newer G3s and even some G4s!

Finding software for PPC isn't easy, Cheetah and Puma would be next to impossible. Like Intell said, Jaguar is the lowest you would want to go and most don't go lower than tiger.

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Thanks Intell! I will look into it. I really like my (not really mine) 1.67 GHz PowerBook with all the features, but I bought this Goodwill one for $23.50 so I am not complaining! Now I need to find RAM for it, but no one on this forum has it and I can't afford the prices on Newegg.

Try ebay or some internet shops.

 

[eyoungren]

What do you use two for?

My 1.0Ghz 17" is for personal use, web browsing, email, word processing, etc. My 1.67Ghz 17" is for work related or graphic design stuff.

Technically, I would have only used one, but I ended up with two Macs. Shortly after I bought the first, the LCVD cable died. I bought the second because at that time I no longer had a portable Mac. Later on I took the dive into fixing these Macs and I managed to get the screen on the 1.0 working. Eventually, I swapped out the LCD screen.

So that left me with two good Macs and a conflict as to what to use them for. I figured the 1.67 would be best for design and the 1.0 would be good enough for light tasks. I could have sold one, but after wanting to get a 17" PB for so long I finally had TWO of them. And better yet, I had the first model and the last model. So, I kept both.

 

[TacticalDesire]

My 1.0Ghz 17" is for personal use, web browsing, email, word processing, etc. My 1.67Ghz 17" is for work related or graphic design stuff.

Technically, I would have only used one, but I ended up with two Macs. Shortly after I bought the first, the LCVD cable died. I bought the second because at that time I no longer had a portable Mac. Later on I took the dive into fixing these Macs and I managed to get the screen on the 1.0 working. Eventually, I swapped out the LCD screen.

So that left me with two good Macs and a conflict as to what to use them for. I figured the 1.67 would be best for design and the 1.0 would be good enough for light tasks. I could have sold one, but after wanting to get a 17" PB for so long I finally had TWO of them. And better yet, I had the first model and the last model. So, I kept both.

Do you notice much of a performance difference between the two?

 

[thejadedmonkey]

Trade in value for a 2009 MacBook is $50 at Best Buy. If you can find someone willing to trade their 2009 Mac in at Best Buy, you can find someone who would gladly sell you a "good condition" laptop for $75. Given that Powerbook G4's go for $100+ on ebay, you might want to reconsider your blanket ban on MacBook's.

 

[eyoungren]

Do you notice much of a performance difference between the two?

Actually, yes. The 1.67 is definitely faster. However, the difference in web browsing is minimal, except when under load. Then the 1.67 outperforms the 1.0.

However, I much prefer the tactile feel of the trackpad on my 1.0 and the 1.0 actually has (to me) a richer and more vibrant LCD than the 1.67. Consequently, I really do like how I've split out the duties. They both handle what I throw at them well.

In fact, I used my 1.67 for two weeks at work as a stand-in until we got the Mac Pro. It ran everything the G4 and the G5 were running and did it fine. I would have seriously hesitated to try that on the 1.0 though.

 

[InstructionSet!]

Is it okay to run OS X Jaguar or Panther? I know they are old and pre-Tiger, but remember that I am only doing simple/light stuff. Don't you think they can handle things like word processing on a G3?

 

[SkyBell]

Is it okay to run OS X Jaguar or Panther? I know they are old and pre-Tiger, but remember that I am only doing simple/light stuff. Don't you think they can handle things like word processing on a G3?

Sure, a G3 with 10.2 or 10.3 can handle word processing, email, music playing, and very light web browsing; but how well they will be able to do any of these things, and for that matter how much longer without requiring workarounds, is anyone's guess.

 

[TacticalDesire]

Is it okay to run OS X Jaguar or Panther? I know they are old and pre-Tiger, but remember that I am only doing simple/light stuff. Don't you think they can handle things like word processing on a G3?

For word processing yes. And perhaps email if you can find a desktop client. Nothing that has to do with using a web browser will work very well.

 

[InstructionSet!]

That's great. It's unlikely I'll have a G3 since Clamshell iBooks are expensive, Snow iBooks are unreliable and PowerBooks don't have the pretty style. So I'll probably go with a iBook G4 or PowerBook G4.

 

[eyoungren]

…and PowerBooks don't have the pretty style.

I beg your pardon!

My PowerBooks have aluminum casings and compared to blinding plastic white are quite stunning and infinitely more stylish than any iBook G3 or G4 could ever hope to aspire to.

Note, take the above statements (made in jest) with a grain of salt seeing as I am a self-described non-liker of iBooks.

 

[Altemose]

That's great. It's unlikely I'll have a G3 since Clamshell iBooks are expensive, Snow iBooks are unreliable and PowerBooks don't have the pretty style. So I'll probably go with a iBook G4 or PowerBook G4.

Some Snow iBooks run great to this day... We are at the point where the ones that were desperately affected by the problem and saw a rough life (carrying by the corner, drops, etc.) are weeded out into parts machines. The Clamshells rarely go for a cheap price unless it is a thrift shop or Goodwill type of store. G3 PowerBooks, well have the power of a G3 but do not have the looks of a modern machine.

In summary, G4s are the way to go if one can afford it.