Just Bought A Pismo

[MasonS247]

I just bought a Powermac G3 Pismo. I don't really know much about macs. I bought it off eBay. The specs are:

400MHz G3
576MB Ram
6GB Hard Drive
DVD-R
Mac OS 10.1 Puma
AC Adapter
Dead Battery

I paid $100 shipped for it. Good deal?

Now to the Operating System. I know I can't run the most current (Leopard) on the machine, but I was thinking of installing either x.4 x.3 or x.2. I have x.2 somewhere around the house so that won't be a problem, but anything else I will have to buy.

I read somewhere that with the Wallstreet and Lombard you have to boot into OS 9 to watch DVDs. Is this true for the Pismo?

Is there anything I should know about this machine? Is there a cheaper wireless solution than an Airport Card? I don't really feel like putting much money into such an old machine.

Thanks!

 

[Sherman Homan]

You can run Panther (10.3) but no further. You actually have a pretty good rig, maxed out on ram and a DVD drive, good score!
Try after the mac:
http://afterthemac.com
for a decent "G" speed usb wireless adapter. You done good!

 

[Tallest Skil]

You can run Panther (10.3) but no further.

No, Tiger. It won't run quickly, so disable Dashboard and Spotlight, but you can run Tiger.

 

[adamyoshida]

The Pismo is a wonderful machine. Easily the most expandable Apple laptop.

Though, to really make use of that, you're going to need some more stuff.

http://cgi.ebay.ca/512MB-PC133-PC10...ryZ99261QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

For that, for $20, you could take the RAM up to 1 Gig. Very much worth it.

http://cgi.ebay.ca/MAXTOR-FIREBALL-...yZ116342QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

For another $20 you can put a nice and fast hard drive into it.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Powerbook-Lomba...ryZ51042QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

For another $50, you could put an acceptable battery in it.

Then you've got a very nice system for running 10.3

 

[adamyoshida]

You can run Panther (10.3) but no further. You actually have a pretty good rig, maxed out on ram and a DVD drive, good score!
Try after the mac:
http://afterthemac.com
for a decent "G" speed usb wireless adapter. You done good!

There are plenty of older G PCMIA cards which will run well with a Pismo. I'd recommend one of those.

 

[0007776]

You can run Panther (10.3) but no further. You actually have a pretty good rig, maxed out on ram and a DVD drive, good score!
Try after the mac:
http://afterthemac.com
for a decent "G" speed usb wireless adapter. You done good!

You can run 10.4 without hacking, and if he wants to spend the money for a G4 upgrade you actually can get Leopard running on one with some hacking. However as far as speed is concerned 10.3.9 is the best for that machine.

 

[durruti]

how'd u get it at that price?

how'd you get a pismo at that price??? What method did you use when you ebayed?

I'm looking for a pismo (ideally) or a lombard that I can use for writing and classic OS for $100 downwards, considering the specs....