I’d been looking for a G3 Powerbook 3500 aka ‘Kanga’ for well over 2 years, and almost given up hope of finding one.
First thing every morning, I’d been in the habit of checking local sites, but on that particular day, for some reason I didn’t get the chance to check until mid afternoon. And when I did, there was one ad. that made me sit-up straight! Someone was selling a single lot of 3 Apple computers, with photos of a G4 15” aluminium PowerBook, a G4 iBook and a G3 PowerBook - which from the photo appeared to be…….a Kanga!
All 3 looked to be in excellent condition, but the description mentioned that the iBook was non-functional. And all were complete with their power supplies. The asking price for all three made me sit-up even straighter! 60€ (70 US$)!!
As I said, this was mid afternoon, and without wasting a second longer, I snatched up the phone and called the seller’s number. An elderly-sounding guy answered, and apologetically told me he was sorry but they had already been sold. My heart sunk! I asked him if he was sure, and was it not possible that the prospective buyer may have a change of mind, or default in payment leaving things open for re-negotiation. The reply was not what I wanted to hear. The buyer had telephoned early morning, arrived soon afterwards, paid in cash and left with all three. In a choked-up voice I thanked him, and hung up - devastated!
I was in a semi-comatose state for the rest of the evening. And truly, I slept badly that night. Even the next day I had difficulty coming to terms with my misfortune, and questioning why the hell I hadn’t checked the ads. early morning as usual.
For the next few days I wasn’t myself. I just love a good bargain, and a ‘never-to-be-repeated’ bargain had just slipped right through my fingers.
Fast forward three days. Whilst checking the ads for those special ‘wants’ on my short-list - I couldn’t believe what I saw! A PowerBook for sale, specifying “A Rare Kanga – Offers.”
And the photo I was looking at was the very same Kanga that I’d seen a few days previously. I knew this for sure because the photo on the first ad. showed a small blue sticker on the keypad just above the power key. And this new ad. displayed the same blue marker.
It became obvious that this was clearly someone wishing to make a healthy profit on their ‘once in a lifetime’ deal.
Next question was how much was I prepared to offer? Too low and I risked loosing it. However I knew how much it was worth to me, so within the first 30mins of the ad. being posted, I called the guy, and made an offer subject to additional detailed photos in order to confirm that the condition met with my expectations.
Within the hour I’d received the photos, confirming that this Kanga was in superb condition, and within minutes with a call back we confirmed the deal.
I could have asked if he was prepared to mail it to me for an additional charge, but feared that in the week that it would have taken to mail a cheque, get it cleared then cashed, and to pack & dispatch the PowerBook, he may get and accept a much better offer. Too risky. I wanted this Kanga!
The seller’s location showed that he was a five-hour return drive away. So without further ado, I bit the bullet, and said I would arrive the following day and settle in cash - this I’ve found by experience reassures a seller, so it was improbable that he would look around for another buyer.
By lunch time the next day I’d reached the Mediterranean coast, and within the hour was driving home with my new prize, but not before stopping off at a delightful small bistro overlooking the sea, and drinking to my good fortune with a fine glass of the local red Coteaux-du-Languedoc.
To say the Kanga lives up to my expectations would be an understatement. The condition is superb. For it's age the active matrix led display is exceptionally sharp & bright.
A small scuff mark just above the CD drive is a somewhat disappointing but minor defect.
The rear cover latch is missing (from what I've read it's easily detached and lost). Same on my PowerBook 3400c, which design-wise appears to share similar dna to the Kanga.
And the sound from the bulging so-called 'sub-woofers' within the top lid, is indeed impressive for a PowerBook of this vintage. Also I just love the way the rear support legs spring out to attention when their activation latches are depressed. So cool!
And, there's a plus cherry-on-the-cake . As I settled in cash, SWMBO - my financial accountant - doesn’t know what I paid, so at least on this transaction I won’t end up in the monetary doghouse – which quite frequently happens these days.......
And, unknown to the little lady, I hid her charger!
Now, if there’s anyone reading this who has a PowerBook 2400c that they can’t stand the sight of, and wish to give away, or one purchased cheap and they’d like to double their money – I’m interested!
First thing every morning, I’d been in the habit of checking local sites, but on that particular day, for some reason I didn’t get the chance to check until mid afternoon. And when I did, there was one ad. that made me sit-up straight! Someone was selling a single lot of 3 Apple computers, with photos of a G4 15” aluminium PowerBook, a G4 iBook and a G3 PowerBook - which from the photo appeared to be…….a Kanga!
All 3 looked to be in excellent condition, but the description mentioned that the iBook was non-functional. And all were complete with their power supplies. The asking price for all three made me sit-up even straighter! 60€ (70 US$)!!
As I said, this was mid afternoon, and without wasting a second longer, I snatched up the phone and called the seller’s number. An elderly-sounding guy answered, and apologetically told me he was sorry but they had already been sold. My heart sunk! I asked him if he was sure, and was it not possible that the prospective buyer may have a change of mind, or default in payment leaving things open for re-negotiation. The reply was not what I wanted to hear. The buyer had telephoned early morning, arrived soon afterwards, paid in cash and left with all three. In a choked-up voice I thanked him, and hung up - devastated!
I was in a semi-comatose state for the rest of the evening. And truly, I slept badly that night. Even the next day I had difficulty coming to terms with my misfortune, and questioning why the hell I hadn’t checked the ads. early morning as usual.
For the next few days I wasn’t myself. I just love a good bargain, and a ‘never-to-be-repeated’ bargain had just slipped right through my fingers.
Fast forward three days. Whilst checking the ads for those special ‘wants’ on my short-list - I couldn’t believe what I saw! A PowerBook for sale, specifying “A Rare Kanga – Offers.”
And the photo I was looking at was the very same Kanga that I’d seen a few days previously. I knew this for sure because the photo on the first ad. showed a small blue sticker on the keypad just above the power key. And this new ad. displayed the same blue marker.
It became obvious that this was clearly someone wishing to make a healthy profit on their ‘once in a lifetime’ deal.
Next question was how much was I prepared to offer? Too low and I risked loosing it. However I knew how much it was worth to me, so within the first 30mins of the ad. being posted, I called the guy, and made an offer subject to additional detailed photos in order to confirm that the condition met with my expectations.
Within the hour I’d received the photos, confirming that this Kanga was in superb condition, and within minutes with a call back we confirmed the deal.
I could have asked if he was prepared to mail it to me for an additional charge, but feared that in the week that it would have taken to mail a cheque, get it cleared then cashed, and to pack & dispatch the PowerBook, he may get and accept a much better offer. Too risky. I wanted this Kanga!
The seller’s location showed that he was a five-hour return drive away. So without further ado, I bit the bullet, and said I would arrive the following day and settle in cash - this I’ve found by experience reassures a seller, so it was improbable that he would look around for another buyer.
By lunch time the next day I’d reached the Mediterranean coast, and within the hour was driving home with my new prize, but not before stopping off at a delightful small bistro overlooking the sea, and drinking to my good fortune with a fine glass of the local red Coteaux-du-Languedoc.
To say the Kanga lives up to my expectations would be an understatement. The condition is superb. For it's age the active matrix led display is exceptionally sharp & bright.
A small scuff mark just above the CD drive is a somewhat disappointing but minor defect.
The rear cover latch is missing (from what I've read it's easily detached and lost). Same on my PowerBook 3400c, which design-wise appears to share similar dna to the Kanga.
And the sound from the bulging so-called 'sub-woofers' within the top lid, is indeed impressive for a PowerBook of this vintage. Also I just love the way the rear support legs spring out to attention when their activation latches are depressed. So cool!
And, there's a plus cherry-on-the-cake . As I settled in cash, SWMBO - my financial accountant - doesn’t know what I paid, so at least on this transaction I won’t end up in the monetary doghouse – which quite frequently happens these days.......
And, unknown to the little lady, I hid her charger!
Now, if there’s anyone reading this who has a PowerBook 2400c that they can’t stand the sight of, and wish to give away, or one purchased cheap and they’d like to double their money – I’m interested!
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