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Recycled Computing

Blue Clamshell iBook Ready for Action

- 2009.09.03

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The big, blue Clamshell is now working as a login computer for my computer labs. It is replacing an old PowerBook 500 series laptop from 1994, which will be consigned to the ash heap of history. Wipe those tears away - the 500 served faithfully, but the hinges on the screens were wearing out and hard drive bearings started to squeal like pigs. Besides, the Clamshell has a bigger screen - and I can run OS X on it.

indigo clamshell iBook
No other laptop looks like a clamshell iBook.

My boss' daughter had left some files on the Clamshell when I got it, so when I installed Mac OS X 10.3 "Panther" on it, I used Disc Utility to erase the hard drive. I was able to install using the Clamshell's CD-ROM drive (which proved it worked), but since the Clamshell I got has FireWire, I can also use FireWire Target Disk Mode to install Mac OS X 10.4 "Tiger" with my Pismo.

I have put such an installation on hold, since it would require me to buy a 512 MB memory stick and install a larger hard drive. I have taken apart a Clamshell in the past, but if I replace the measly 10 GB drive in it, I will not want to have to replace that drive in the future. One and done. So without these upgrades, I'm just going to play with it for now.

The one thing that you notice right off with the Clamshell iBook is that it is sturdy and heavy. This is a computer that can take a licking and keep on ticking. It is a great laptop for field work and would be a great first computer for a youngster. It has an AirPort Card, modem, Ethernet port, FireWire 400, USB 1.1 (which means that my iPod touch does not want to charge or play nice with it).

My Pismo's PC Card slot allows me to run USB 2.0 on it, so the iPod touch can sync and recharge with iTunes 8. The Pismo is still, IMO, one of the greatest PowerBooks ever If I were to use an older iPod, the Clamshell would probably support it, but I will have to wait until my daughter updates her iPod nano to check that out.

Back to the Clamshell. I set up an account for students to use for the login function. I choose Simple Finder and limited it to running AppleWorks. (Funny story, I couldn't find my AppleWorks install disc, but I used a FireWire cable and Target Disc Mode to copy AppleWorks from my Pismo. Still, where could I have put that install disc?) Hopefully, this "stripped" account will keep the curious and ingenious monkeys that visit my lab from doing anything to the Clamshell.

I set up a spreadsheet for them to use, but it is a little disappointing that a number of students have to have the features explained to them. They Twitter. They use Facebook and YouTube. But a spreadsheet baffles them. I remain a little worried about Social Security.

I don't find the relatively small 800 x 600 pixel screen all that much of a handicap, and the keyboard is good, although not at the Pismo Gold Standard. That keyboard just has the right feel for my ham-handed attempts at typing. Still, the clamshell is okay for typing and surfing the Internet. Obviously, videos might be a big issue, and I think that OS X gaming is a stretch. Still, you could partition the drive and run OS 9 on it for some "Classic" games.

The AirPort Card means you can hang out at Panera and show off your "cute" computer to other wireless users. It would make a good travel computer, in that it has little value (one would hope) in the stolen laptop market and, of course, you would not be out much if it was stolen or lost. I wouldn't particularly use this as everyday workhorse, but it might be a hoot to take on vacation.

the clamshell iBook even has a handleIt's probably a great icebreaker at an Internet Café, but if you get a little too enthusiastic about describing it's history and features, you could put your audience to sleep.

But just show them the built-in handle and they'll perk right up. No modern notebook has that! LEM

Want your own Clamshell iBook? See Low End Mac's Best G3 iBook Prices.

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