PowerBook G3

PowerBook (Pismo)

a.k.a. PowerBook (FireWire)

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The last G3 PowerBook (just PowerBook, no longer "PowerBook G3") was announced on February 16, 2000. It's the same size and weight at the original "Lombard" PowerBook G3, but this model has FireWire ports instead of SCSI, room for an AirPort card, and a 100 MHz motherboard.

In the field, a single battery yields up to 5 hours of use. Using two batteries can increase that, possibly boosting it to the 10 hour range. The PowerBook uses the same drive bay devices as the Lombard PowerBook G3, although its DVD drive cannot be used on Lombard.

Finally, the Pismo PowerBook can be used as an external FireWire drive in FireWire Disk Mode.

Pismo supports both screen mirroring and screen spanning when using VGA or S-video output.

Lid Closed Mode: Pismo supports "lid closed" (or clamshell) mode, which leaves the built-in display off and dedicates all video RAM to an external display. To used lid closed mode, your 'Book musts be plugged into the AC adapter and connected to an external display and a USB mouse and keyboard (you might also want to consider external speakers). Power up your 'Book until the desktop appears on the external display and then close the lid. Your 'Book will go to sleep, but you can wake it by moving the mouse or using the keyboard. The built-in display will remain off and the external monitor will become your only display. Since all video RAM is now dedicated to the external monitor, you may have more colors available at higher resolutions. The Pismo is designed to run safely in closed lid mode, but if your Pismo runs hot (perhaps due to a G4 upgrade or high ambient temperatures), you may want to open the lid when in lid closed mode: The screen will remain off and the computer will more readily vent heat from the CPU.

To resume use of the internal display, you need to disconnect the external display, put the computer to sleep, and then open the lid. This will wake up your 'Book and restore use of the built-in display.

Warning

According to the Road Warrior, the drive controller in G3 PowerBooks is incompatible with some ATA-6 hard drives. When replacing the internal hard drive, you should be sure to obtain an ATA-5 compliant drive or an ATA-6 or ATA-7 drive known to work with Pismo.

Details

introduced 2000.02.16 at US$2,499 and 3,499
requires System 9.0 or later; Mac OS 9.2.2 and OS X 10.3.9 recommended, 10.4.x can generally be installed using XpostFacto 4. Can run 10.5 with a G4 upgrade, but DVD Player will not work (VLC works, but at a horribly low frame rate). You have to work around the Leopard installer to get it installed.
CPU: 400 or 500 MHz PPC 750 (a.k.a. G3)
bus: 100 MHz
performance:
- Geekbench 2 (Tiger): 212 (400 MHz), 3 277 (500 MHz)
ROM: 4 MB, NewWorld ROM in RAM architecture
RAM: 64 or 128 MB, expandable to 1 GB using two PC100 3.3 volt unbuffered low-power 144-pin 100 MHz SO-DIMMs
Level 2 cache: 1 MB
Video: ATI Rage Mobility 128 on an AGP 2x bus
VRAM: 8 MB
display: 14.1" 24-bit 1024 x 768 color active matrix, resolution scaling to 640 x 480 and 800 x 600, also has S-video and VGA output with support for 512 x 384, 640 x 480, 800 x 600, 832 x 624, and 1024 x 768 with 24-bit color (VGA also supports 640 x 870, 800 x 500, 856 x 480, 1024 x 640, 1152 x 864, 1152 x 870, 1280 x 960, 1280 x 1024, 1360 x 768, 1600 x 1000, and 1680 x 1050 with 24-bit color, dependent on the connected display; S-video also supports 720 x 480). 1920 x 1200 possible with 8-bit color.
hard drive: 6, 12, or 18 GB UltraATA-66; revised to 10, 20, or 30 GB in Sept. 2000
DVD-ROM: 2x
floppy drive: external USB only
expansions bays: one
USB: 2 USB 1.1 ports
FireWire ports: two
ethernet: 10/100Base-T
modem: v.90 56k
4 Mbps IrDA
PC Card slots: 1
size: 10.4 x 12.7 x 1.7" (26.4 x 32.3 x 4.3 cm)
weight: 6.1 lb (2.8 kg) with optical drive, 5.7 lb. (2.6 kg) with weight saving module replacing optical drive
family number: M7572

Accelerators & Upgrades

PowerLogix offers 500 MHz G4 Pismo upgrade, Peter Cohen, MacCentral, 2002.06.14.
SuperDrive DVD-RW expansion bay module, MCE Technologies, $479. 2x1x8x DVD, 16x8x24x CD. 2x DVD-RAM. 2 MB buffer.
Combo drive expansion bay module, MCE Technologies, $389. 8x DVD, 24x10x24x CD. 2 MB buffer.

Online Resources

Best used PowerBook G3 deals, updated monthly.
Best classic Mac OS deals. Best online prices for System 6, 7.1, 7.5.x, Mac OS 7.6, 8.0, 8.1, 8.5, 9.0, 9.2.2, and other versions.
Best Mac OS X 10.0-10.3 deals. Best online prices for Mac OS X 10.0, 10.1, 10.2, and 10.3.
Best Mac OS X 10.4 'Tiger' deals. Best online prices for Mac OS X 10.4.
Best Mac OS X 10.5 'Leopard' deals. Best online prices for Mac OS X 10.5.
Unsupported Leopard installation, Dan Knight, 2007.10.31. How to install Mac OS X 10.5 on unsupported hardware - plus field reports.
Faking out the Leopard installer with Open Firmware, Dylan McDermond, Unsupported Leopard, 2007.12.06. You don't have to hack the installer to make the Mac OS X 10.5 installer run on sub-867 MHz G4 Macs by using this simple Open Firmware trick.
What's the best version of OS X for my Mac?, Ian R Campbell, The Sensible Mac, 2008.02.28. Which version of Mac OS X is best for your hardware depends on several factors.
Low End Mac's Compleat Guide to Mac OS 9, 2008 edition, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2008.05.12. Declared dead by Steve Jobs 6 years ago, Mac OS 9 remains fast and stable, but Classic software hasn't kept up with Web changes. What Macs support OS 9, where to buy it, and how to update to version 9.2.2.
Value of old Power Macs, old computers in school, Panther or Tiger on Pismo, and more, Dan Knight, Low End Mac Mailbag, 2008.05.12. Also new 20" Penry iMac vs. 24" Santa Rosa and great results with a low-cost external SuperDrive.
Dinosaur desktops, lid closed mode, G4 upgrade advice, death of a WallStreet, and more, Dan Knight, Low End Mac Mailbag, 2008.05.07. The greening of Apple, benefits of WiFi cards that use AirPort drivers, deleting files from a Performa, drive enclosures, and Leopard on a 466 MHz Power Mac.
Pismo battery and screen problems, Zip vs. hard drive for backup, and MacBook Air packaging, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2008.05.07. Diagnosing battery problems and a fuzzy screen on a Pismo, backup options for Power Macs, and the small size of the MacBook Air's packaging.
Prosumer Mac suggestions, bring back the 12" 'Book, Pismo displays, and more, Dan Knight, Low End Mac Mailbag, 2008.05.06. Readers offer more thoughts on a midrange Mac, the need for a new 12" 'Book, using F-keys as F-keys in OS X, and lid closed video mode for Pismo.
Macintosh peace of mind, PA Semi and the iPhone, $40 802.11g PCI card, and more, Dan Knight, Low End Mac Mailbag, 2008.05.01. Also Power Mac vs. Mac mini, more on DVD User Op Patch, 12" vs. 14" iBook, and VGA for a Power Mac 6100.
Mac value, the Hackintosh market, unsupported Leopard, and USB 2.0 for older PowerBooks, Dan Knight, Low End Mac Mailbag, 2008.04.30. High-end Macs cost less than comparable HPs and Dells, the need for a Mac minitower, a Leopard installation tip, Leopard on an 800 MHz iBook, and which PC Cards work with Mac OS X drivers.
A very Pismo Christmas in April, John Hatchett, Recycled Computing, 2008.04.30. Everyone maintaining a vintage Mac should have a parts donor, and sometimes the parts machine may have upgrades for your old Mac.
Overpriced Macs, 4-core Mac Pro value, USB for G3 PowerBooks, and more, Dan Knight, Low End Mac Mailbag, 2008.04.24. Also reader feedback on running a keyboard through the dishwasher, tips for using external DVD drives, and 8 GB partition issues with the Classic Mac OS on the beige G3.
OS X for PCs, Mac mini with HDTV, 802.11n options, upgrading from Mac OS 9, and more, Dan Knight, Low End Mac Mailbag, 2008.04.22. Also reviving a dead PowerBook 5300, Lucida Grande, external FireWire SuperDrive advice, OS X and the DeskWriter, and royalties.
Atom CPU runs cooler and longer, MacBook Air a supermodel, 2008 MacBook migration tips, and more, The 'Book Review, 2008.04.04. Also MacBooks for earthquake detection, 802.11g for G3 and G4 PowerBooks, upgrades for Pismo PowerBooks, CPU Speed Menu Switch software, bargain 'Books from $150 to $3,099, and more.
Outliners for word processing, Mac compatible WiFi cards, iWork disappoints, and more, Dan Knight, Low End Mac Mailbag, 2008.03.27. Also running Leopard on a maxed out Digital Audio Power Mac, Clamshell iBook hacks, Lombard external display resolutions, and collective nouns.
Fading magic at Apple, Major League Baseball's rebound, and an iMac that won't boot from a CD, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2008.04.02. Reflections on Apple's success as a business, CD-ROM problems in a G3 iMac, and Pismo processor problem solved with thermal paste.
Designing a better laptop: Look to the past, John Hatchett, Recycled Computing, 2008.02.27. Modern Apple notebooks have less expansion and upgrade options than G3 PowerBooks from a decade ago
Stupid Pismo tricks, 2008 edition, John Hatchett, Recycled Computing, 2008.02.20. Six uses for the weight saving device and how to use the Pismo as a DVD player.
Intel Mac mini value, best YouTube browser in Tiger, additional Pismo resolutions, and more, Dan Knight, Low End Mac Mailbag, 2008.03.19. Also more in iSub incompatibility with Leopard, PC Card compatibility with PowerBooks, and Leopard on 3 more unsupported Power Macs.
Wireless FAQ for Older Apple PowerBook Computers. Resources to help you to install and maintain 802.11b/g wireless PC Cards on older PowerBook computers.
The Complete and Utter Guide to PC Cards and Expansion Bays on the PowerBook, Insanely Great. All about the PCMCIA, PC Card, or CardBus slots used in various PowerBooks.
Jaguar or Panther on Pismo?, Mac 128K corrections, installing OS X from an iPod, and more, Dan Knight, Low End Mac Mailbag, 2008.02.29. Also an old iMac, an optical trackball for ADB Macs, internal or external hard drive for an eMac, and Leopard on a 500 MHz PowerBook G4.
Power your recycled laptop with a rebuilt battery, John Hatchett, Recycled Computing, 2008.02.20. Old notebook computers usually mean old batteries that may be dead or on their last legs. You can buy a replacement battery, or you can have your old battery rebuilt.
Reinstall OS X on MacBook Air, going from MacBook to Eee PC, high capacity batteries, and more, The 'Book Review, 2008.02.15. Also thoughts on the next MacBook Pro, more MacBook Air reviews, updates from Apple, Windows XP almost ready for OLPC, and bargain 'Books from $170 to $2,599.
PowerBook 3400c and Pismo: Two of Apple's best notebooks ever, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2008.02.11. Two PowerBooks celebrate birthdays this week, and each was the fastest laptop on the plant when it was introduced.
YouTube tips, Mac users who bash Windows, iSub broken in Leopard, and more, Dan Knight, Low End Mac Mailbag, 2008.02.11. The importance of expandable computers, ways to improve YouTube viewing on older Macs, frustrating with losing iSub support in OS X 10.5, and Windows bashers.
3 ways to better YouTube viewing on older Macs, Dan Knight, Low End Mac Mailbag, 2008.02.06. Watching YouTube videos in your browser on G3 Macs can be painfully slow, but there are several ways to improve your YouTube viewing experience.
Better YouTube viewing on older Macs, too many dead pixels, Safari problems in Panther, and more, Dan Knight, Low End Mac Mailbag, 2008.02.05. Also picking the right used G4 iBook, Quartz Extreme support for PCI video, problems with Mac OS 9.x on G4 Power Macs, open firmware problems with 667 MHz PowerBook, and more.
Adding keyboard shortcuts in OS X, Pismo vs. MacBook Air, horrid Microsoft customer support, and more, Dan Knight, Low End Mac Mailbag, 2008.01.24. Also the MacBook Air is not for power users, MBA SuperDrive and the MacBook, unsupported Leopard on an 800 MHz iMac G4, and putting an ATX motherboard in a G4 case.
MacBook Air: What do you do when there's no WiFi?, John Hatchett, My Turn, 2008.01.22. Every modern PowerBook had ethernet and a modem, but how do you connect the MacBook Air when there's no WiFi service?
MacBook Air a Road Apple?, beautiful Macquarium, a Compact Flash to SCSI adapter, and more, Dan Knight, Low End Mac Mailbag, 2008.01.18. Also problems with a D-Link USB WiFi adapter, hi-def iTunes movie resolution, MacBook Air whiners, and another Pismo lover.
Too few USB ports in too many Macs, developer Leopard ran on Yikes, Mac IIfx RAM heaven, and more, Dan Knight, Low End Mac Mailbag, 2008.01.16. Also Macworld Expo disappoints, Pismo a great field computer, using flash memory in vintage Macs, and Word vs. Pages for academic writing.
Keeping G3 Macs from becoming ewaste, my other Mac is a Pismo, and thoughts on a midrange desktop Mac, Dan Knight, Low End Mac Mailbag, 2008.01.10. G3 iMacs are too useful to be stripped for recycling, Pismo still a great field computer, and thoughts on additional desktop Macs Apple could add to the line.
This old Pismo, John Hatchett, My Turn, 2008.01.08. Tips on upgrading a used Pismo for better performance under Mac OS X.
Menu bar opacity and translucency in Leopard, better Rage video in Leopard, and more, Dan Knight, Low End Mac Mailbag, 2008.01.02. Also why GeForce 5200 may be a good choice, USB webcams work with iChat in 10.4.9 and later, and moving some files to a new Mac.
Other great USB keyboards, cooler running laptops, the value of old G3 Macs, and more, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2007.12.17. Other alternatives to Apple's aluminum keyboards, booting OS 9 from RAID, weak AirPort reception, and cool running notebooks.
The Swiss Army knife of notebook Macs, John Hatchett, My Turn, 2007.12.06. The 2000 Pismo was the high point of PowerBook design and flexibility with a great keyboard, expandsion bays, two PC Card slots, and a wonderful curvaceous design.
MacBook Pro 'the best', PC veteran falls for Pismo, solar power for laptops, folding keyboard, and more, The 'Book Review, 2007.11.30. Also Leopard gobbling up battery power, first laptop orchestra, 802.11n for AirPort Extreme Macs, battery status widget, bargain 'Books from $149 to $2,699, and more.
Classic still useful, a cooler running MacBook, Panther vs. Tiger for text editing, and more, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2007.11.19. Classic is far from dead, Text Edit in Tiger slower than in Panther, the case for a quieter laptop, Buffalo WiFi in Pismo, and Word files on an 800K floppy.
The G4 Power Mac that won't run Leopard, more OS X 10.5 success stories, and Pismo tips, Dan Knight, Low End Mac Mailbag, 2007.11.08. A dual 533 MHz Digital Audio Power Mac that refuses to boot Leopard, other unsupported Macs that do run it, and suggestions for improving a Pismo running OS X 10.5.
Leopard with 384 MB RAM, on a PowerBook G4/550, benchmarked, and more, Dan Knight, Low End Mac Mailbag, 2007.11.06. Leopard on Digital Audio, Quicksilver, and Sawtooth Power Macs. Questions on CPU load in OS X 10.5 and whether beige G3s and PCI Power Macs might run it.
Leopard on Pismo, how Apple thinks different, a universal Leopard boot drive, and more, Dan Knight, Low End Mac Mailbag, 2007.11.05. More Mac OS X 10.5 field reports on unsupported and barely supported hardware, including problems with the 867 MHz 12" PowerBook G4.
Dell's 802.11g card for PowerBooks, glad for the death of Classic, FireWire cams, and more, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2007.11.05. Also silent computing with 'obsolete' Macs, Leopard and the 867 MHz limit, and Tiger performance on a 600 MHz G3 iBook.
Reasons for sticking with the Classic Mac OS, Tommy Thomas, Welcome to Macintosh, 2007.10.30. Whether it's the simplicity, elegance, speed, or desire not to replace lots of expensive hardware, there are lots of good reasons for sticking with Mac OS 9.
iBook G3 quality, 802.11g for older PowerBooks, installing Tiger on a CD-ROM eMac, and more, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2007.10.29. Also FireWire webcam options for the classic Mac OS and installing Leopard on an upgraded Power Mac G4.
Leopard 'Book compatability, gold plated MacBook Pro, Wegener's 550 MHz G4 Pismo upgrade, and more, The 'Book Review, 2007.10.26. Also the value of 17in PowerBooks, the 'compleat' guide to antique and collectable Mac notebooks, bargain 'Books from $170 to $2,688.
FastMac 8x SuperDrive and BurnAgain DVD: Fast and easy multisession disc burning, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2007.10.08. FastMac's 8x SuperDrive upgrade is remarkably fast compared with older PowerBook burners, and BurnAgain DVD makes it easy to append files to a previously burned CD or DVD.
My PowerBook pilgrimage, 1996 to present, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2007.09.24. Starting with a grayscale PowerBook 5300 bought end-of-life in late 1996, the author has used six different 'Book models over the past 11 years
Tiger on a G3 iMac and Pismo, running OS 9 from a flash drive, 7200 rpm drive heat, and more, Dan Knight, Low End Mac Mailbag, 2007.09.13. Also iMac upgrade advice, iBook G3 video chip resoldering, and how to get your website indexed by Google.
The future of G3 PowerBooks in the Age of Leopard, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2007.09.11. There's no G3 support in Leopard. What does that mean for Kanga, WallStreet, Lombard, and Pismo PowerBooks?
12" PowerBook G4 reliability, iMac slowdown blues, PowerTools Mac clones, cooling a MacBook, and more, Dan Knight, Low End Mac Mailbag, 2007.09.05. Also Pismo as the king of PowerBooks, burning a CD for Macs with System 7, and thinking about a small Mac Beowulf cluster.
PC war losers, Mac 'just works', $68 802.11n for older Macs, a free font manager, and more, Mac News Review, 2007.08.31. Also DVD region locking, the iMac's glossy screen, Mac mini powerful enough, Chromac iMac housings, SanDisk's 8 GB flash drive, and more.
Pismo the best PowerBook, capacitor problems in Macs, XPostFacto for Leopard, and more, Dan Knight, Low End Mac Mailbag, 2007.06.28. Also more on tin whiskers and why you sometimes have to remove RAM to get OS X to install on older Macs.
Even if Leopard leaves G3 behind, Tiger users will still be able to run up-to-date apps, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2007.06.18. While Apple may drop G3 support in OS X 10.5, there will continue to be plenty of options for 10.4 users who want to run up-to-date browsers, email clients, and instant messaging programs.
Compact Flash faster than a hard drive, CF in a clamshell iBook, eSATA for PowerBooks, and more, Dan Knight, Low End Mac Mailbag, 2007.06.12. Faster boot times with a flash drive, replacing the hard drive in an iBook with Compact Flash, eBay feedback tips, eSATA CardBus options for PowerBooks, and the importance of G3 support in Mac OS X 10.5.
A whisper quiet notebook drive, Pismo runs cool with 7200 RPM drive, upgrading from OS X 10.1, and more, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2007.06.06. Also WallStreet wireless faiure, 12" PowerBook G4 reliability, and Pismo's fan rarely kicks in.
Operation FlashBook: Running Tiger from flash on a PowerBook G4, John Muir, Mac Daniel, 2007.05.29. With the hard drive failing and Compact Flash prices falling, it was time to consider running the PowerBook G4 from flash. Looking back at 6 months, was it worth it?
Silence is golden: Running your existing notebook using flash memory, Dan Knight, Low End Mac Reviews, 2007.05.23. With a new adapter from Addonics, you can replace your laptop's IDE hard drive inexpensively and boot silently from a Compact Flash card.
Most durable 'Book, prepping a blue & white G3 for OS X, 7200 rpm drive too hot for Pismo?, and more, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2007.05.21. Also how the need to run "Tiger" is a problem, an iBook G4 with serious shutdown issues, and burning CDs at a lower speed may make them easier to read in older Macs.
3 GB in a MacBook, CRT danger, need for 'Tiger' already a problem, a BeOS for Mac source, and more, Dan Knight, Low End Mac Mailbag, 2007.05.16. Also a display problem in Safari, MS Office for OS X 10.2, G4 upgrades for Pismo, an improved Extended Keyboard clone, the Backspace key, and how the Enter key puts the Finder in rename mode.
Apple on mini CDs, 74 minute CD-Rs more compatible, iBook G4 reliability, and more, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2007.05.14. Also installing OS X using Target Disk Mode, partitioning your hard drive, Google's tool to simplify web pages, Canada and copyright law, and more.
Why Apple must continue G3 support in Mac OS X 10.5 'Leopard', Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2007.05.08. "We're worried about what happens if Apple unchecks that box in Xcode to include the instructions necessary to run OS X on G3 processors at all."
Format any drive for older Macs with patched Apple tools, Tyler Sable, Classic Restorations, 2007.04.25. Apple HD SC Setup and Drive Setup only work with Apple branded hard drives - until you apply the patches linked to this article.
First Blu-ray drive for Apple's 'Books, replace notebook hard drive with Compact Flash, and more, The 'Book Review, 2007.04.13. Also 160 GB 7200 rpm hard drives, upgrading from a MacBook Pro to a MacBook, Waterfield's flexible new Sling bag, bargain 'Books from $170 to $1,699, and more.
Drag and drop problems with flash drive, troubleshooting a Mac with Linux, G3 video problems, and more, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2007.03.27. Also FireWire boot drives, bootable partitions, bootable external DVD drives, and maximum hard drive size on older Macs.
Troubleshooting an iMac and possible Pismo overheating, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2007.03.19. Figuring out what's wrong with a G3 iMac that won't boot properly and possily spurious temperature readings from Gauge Pro.
Pismo Spotlight woes solved with simple fix, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2007.03.16. After working for 8 months, Tiger's Spotlight indexing had simply stopped working. Here's why - and the easy solution to the problem.
Pismo Spotlight and Find woes persist with latest version of Tiger, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2007.03.12. In early 2006, Spotlight and Find inexplicably stopped working on the G4-upgraded Pismo. A year and four OS X updates later, the situation hasn't changed.
Why OS X 10.2 is best for Classic, switching to Opera, installing Tiger on a B&W G3, and more, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2007.03.05. Also thoughts on Firefox, modem problems on a Pismo with OS X 10.4, and connecting an Apple Studio Display to a MacBook.
OS X 10.3 or 10.4 on a G4/533?, Lombard to Pismo hard drive swap, 'Book repair, and more, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2007.01.29. The best OS for a G4/533, migrating by swapping hard drives, WallStreet and iBook repair and replacement options, and upgrading RAM in Lombard.
PC Card WiFi for OS X PowerBooks, installing Classic for OS X, Gmail problem with Shiira, and more, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2007.01.15. A low-cost WiFi PC Card for PowerBooks running OS X, tips on installing Classic under Tiger, Gmail broken with Shiira 1.2.2 browser, and stimulating a flashd rive on pre-USB PowerBooks.
How much PowerBook or iBook do you need to run Mac OS X?, Ted Hodges, Vintage Mac Living, 2007.01.15. You don't need the latest and greatest Mac to be productive in OS X. Here are six iBook and PowerBook suggestions built between 2000 and 2003.
Web leaving Mac OS 9 behind, Pismo and Tiger, USB for PowerBook 5300, and more, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2006.12.11. Also a Pismo with no video, USB vs. USB and FireWire external drive enclosures, free WordPerfect download, and iListen in Canada.
Disabling deep sleep on MacBooks, 'Other Red' a scam?, mixed RAM can reduce performance, and more, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2006.11.13. Also other disk utilities Mac owners should know about, Lombard cooling, Netscape 7 on OS 9, Final Vinyl for ripping LPs, and more.
Best OS X for Pismo, mixing RAM speeds, LP to MP3, SpeedFan cools MacBook running Windows, and more, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2006.10.30. Also Lombard still rocks, Powerlogix WallStreet upgrade tip, old Macs still perform admirably, a 64 GB flash drive, and RadTech's clever BT600 mouse design.
Ubuntu on older Macs; Lombard, Pismo, and WallStreet upgrade questions; installing clamshell RAM; and more, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2006.10.09. Also more on why some older Macs can't read modern CR-R discs and Russell Beattie's 'underhanded' criticism of OS X.
Better laptop performance: What's the best upgrade?, Andrew J Fishkin, The Mobile Mac, 2006.10.09. Memory, CPU, bus speed, and hard drives all impact performance and battery life. Which upgrades will give you the most up time in the field?
Is Ubuntu Linux a sensible alternative for Mac users?, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2006.09.18. If your Mac can run OS X decently, is there any reason to try Ubuntu Linux? If it can't run OS X well, is Ubuntu a reasonable choice?
MacBook shutdown solved, better batteries after recall, MacBook Pro better for Vista than Vaio, and more, The 'Book Review, 2006.09.15. Also MacBook troubleshooting, the value of a used iBook, Apple to sell 1 million 'Books this quarter, replacing cells in an old PowerBook G3 battery, bargain 'Books from $299 to $1,299, and more.
Using FireWire Target Disk Mode to install OS X on Macs without DVD drives, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2006.09.14. Two methods for using FireWire Target Disk mode to install OS X on a Mac that can't read DVDs.
iMac startup problem solved, PowerBook 5300 and WallStreet memories, removing languages, and more, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2006.09.11. Also Kanga "all I need", another WallStreet upgrade, dual USB iBook thoughts, and problems reading CD-R in older Macs.
Inside your notebook's battery: Ordinary AA Li-Ion cells, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2006.09.08. That expensive battery in your notebook computer probably holds less than $30 worth of off-the-shelf AA Li-Ion batteries.
Is the G3 still a practical choice?, Matthew Jay, Macs to the Max, 2006.08.10. Although the G3 is several generations old, it has enough horsepower for most of the things we do on our computers.
Customizing Mac OS 9, Nathan Thompson, Embracing Obsolescence, 2006.08.01. Fiddling with themes, picking a browser, and making the Classic Mac OS work just the way you want it to.
7 tools for keeping your laptop (uh, notebook) cool, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2006.07.24. A quick look at the Podium CoolPad, ChillMat, ChillHubs, Laptop Desk, Xpad, iLap, and iBreeze - seven stands designed to keep you 'Books running cooler.
Upgrade your Pismo with a dual-layer DVD burner, Jason Schrader, Maximize Your Mac, 2006.07.19. If you want to add a DVD burner to your PowerBook Pismo, FastMac's new dual-layer SuperDrive merits serious consideration.
More ways to add OS 9 features to OS X, modem problems with MacBook and USB modem, Opera problem, and more, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2006.07.17. Also potential problems using Target Disk Mode to install the OS, using Classic on Intel Macs, value of Pismo G4 upgrades, "Tiger" on a G3 iMac, better laptop ergonomics, and more.
Installing OS X 10.4 'Tiger' on DVD-challenged Macs using FireWire Target Disk Mode, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2006.07.10. Mac OS X ships on a single install DVD, which Apple will exchange for CDs at $10. But if you have access to a DVD-equipped Mac and a FireWire cable, you're good to go.
Mac Pro musings, no Pismo startup chime, changing a user's Short Name, MacBook drive upgrades, and more, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2006.06.26. Also OS X installation questions, a cool hard drive gadget, thoughts on Mark Pilgrim switching from the Mac, and more on an upgraded Pismo vs. a PowerBook G4.
Mac nostalgia: Why Apple should introduce a modern Pismo and SE/30, Matthew Wright, My Turn, 2006.06.14. The best PowerBook ever made and the iconic all-in-one compact Mac are just crying out to be reinvented for our nostalgic "everything old is new again" retro culture.
Pismo downgrade a treat, IE for OS X, pimp my SE/30, education market reality, and more, Dan Knight, Low End Mac Mailbag, 2006.09.06. Also a church looking for five Macs for a cybercafé, another ADB mouse source, why not USB?, and LEM had the answer all along.
Power strategies for using your 'Book in the field: Batteries and AC adapters, Andrew J Fishkin, The Mobile Mac, 2006.06.05. One or two extra batteries and at least one spare AC adapter can be essential when you're traveling and need to get hours and hours of use from your 'Book.
Upgraded Pismo vs. 12" PowerBook G4, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2006.06.05. Also how DiskWarrior can save the day even when it 'fails', thoughts on keyboards for those with neuropathy in their hands, Norton SystemWorks for Mac, and more on OS X browsers.
Pismo modem issues, best Mac keyboard, Pismo processor upgrade value, and more, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2006.05.01. Also swapping screens between Lombard and Pismo, more on Frankenpismo, PRAM reset may resurrrect dead Lombard, and more on the dead Lombard.
Replacing Lombard with a TiBook: which one is enough?, Joe Rivera, Mac Fallout Shelter, 2006.04.19. Nice as the Lombard was, it has a new owner. The new 'Book should have FireWire, G4 power, and run Tiger nicely. How much TiBook is enough?
Making the move from Jaguar (OS X 10.2) to Panther (10.3), Ted Hodges, Vintage Mac Living, 2006.04.11. One advantage of Apple's "no upgrades" policy for OS X - someone can give you their old copy after upgrading without worrying about violating their license.
Pismo and Panther, Pismo on last legs, and Lombard vs. PowerBook G4, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2006.03.08. More on OS X 10.3.9 as the best for Pismo, Pismo plagued with kernel panics, and whether to upgrade a Lombard or replace it with a PowerBook G4.
Tips for Pismos, 10.3.9, resetting a stuck modem, using widgets without Tiger, and more, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2006.02.27. More advice on dealing with Pismo modem problems, OS X 10.3.9 as the best OS for Pismos, and two utilities Panther users should know about.
Dvorak adoption notice, tips for Apple's Yo-yo power supply, old iMac a good value?, and more, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2006.02.27. Also a 'Pismo up in smoke' update, Lombard up in smoke, iBook G3 logic board problems, Wangwriter appreciation, and more.
Back to the future: downgrading my Pismo to OS X 10.3.9, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2006.02.20. With Spotlight and Tiger's Find refusing to work on the Pismo, it was time to backtrack to OS X 10.3.9 - which actually seems faster and more stable on this PowerBook.
Tiger 10.4.4 update cripples Pismo's internal modem, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2006.02.13. Pismo's internal modem works flawlessly under OS 9 and OS X 10.3, but it's grown less reliable under 10.4, becoming unusable with the most recent update.
FastMac's $190 8x dual-layer SuperDrive for PowerBooks and dual USB iBooks, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2006.01.30. For US$190-250 you can replace the CD-ROM, CD-RW, Combo, or slow old SuperDrive in most PowerBooks, white iBooks, slot-loading iMacs, and Cubes with a faster, dual-layer drive.
Replacing or upgrading the optical drive in your PowerBook G3 or 1400, Joe Rivera, Mac Fallout Shelter, 2006.01.24. If your CD-ROM or DVD-ROM has died or you want to upgrade to a CD or DVD burner, here's how to do it yourself.
Web browser tips for the classic Mac OS, Nathan Thompson, Embracing Obsolescence, 2006.01.03. Tips on getting the most out of WaMCom, Mozilla, Internet Explorer, iCab, Opera, and WannaBe using the classic Mac OS.
The best browsers for PowerPC Macs and the classic Mac OS, Nathan Thompson, Embracing Obsolescence, 2005.12.16. Two browsers stand out from the pack: iCab 3 is modern and remains under development, and WaMCom brings Mozilla to older Macs.
The 'Pismo' PowerBook is a great value and handles Tiger nicely, Charles Webb, PowerBook Beat, 2005.12.09. If you're looking for an affordable PowerBook with FireWire that works comfortably in OS X, the 'Pismo' PowerBook might be just what you need.
Pismo LCD lamp and display replacement, Charles W. Moore, Road Warrior, Mac Opinion, 2004.10.19. Options for replacing the whole screen or just the backlight on the Pismo PowerBook G3.
FixIt Guide: PowerBook G3 Pismo, PB FixIt. All you need to know to take apart, upgrade, repair, and put your PowerBook back together again. Online and print versions available.
Hotrodding the Pismo, phase 6 - FastMac 4x SuperDrive expansion bay module, Charles W. Moore, Road Warrior, Mac Opinion, 2004.06.15. "The FastMac 4x SuperDrive module for Pismo , which is the hands-on subject of this review, is based on the same Matsushita UJ-8255 mechanism used in the Aluminum PowerBooks."
Hotrodding the PowerBook, phase 5 - Miglia Alchemy FW 800 PC Card, Charles W. Moore, Road Warrior, Mac Opinion, 2004.06.09. "Phase 5 of my ongoing Pismo PowerBook hot rod project is the addition of the subject of this review - the Miglia Alchemy FW 800 PC Card."
The 1 GHz Pismo, Charles W. Moore, Road Warrior, Mac Opinion, 2004.04.13. "The Blue Chip G3 1.0 GHz Pismo . . . adds another attractive alternative to the already rich choice of processor upgrade options for the Pismo PowerBook."
What a long strange trip back to Pismo, Kevin Webb, The Mac Webb, 2004.03.29. The 15" and 12" G4 PowerBooks were nice, but the old Pismo is the PowerBook that seems just right.
WallStreet and Pismo processor upgrades: Do they make economic sense?, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2004.02.23. A faster clock speed always helps, but should you choose a G3 or a G4 processor?
Daystar MACHSpeed G4 Pismo upgrade review, Charles Moore, Road Warrior, Mac Opinion, 2004.02.10. "While the economics of processor upgrading can be dubious in some cases, with the G3 Series PowerBooks it substantially less so."
Dueling PowerBook G3 CPU upgrades: Which is better for you, a G4 or a fast G3?, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2003.10.20. Which is the better WallStreet or Pismo upgrade, a faster G3 or a 500-550 MHz G4?
Pismo PowerBook a good value, but better than Lombard?, Dan Knight, Mac Daniel, 2003.03.21. The "Pismo" PowerBook is a real powerhouse, but does it offer more value than the "Lombard" model?
PowerBook G3 Pismo 14.1" LCD replacement, Scadboy, 2003.02.08. The key is a $200 replacement LCD, the right tools, and these step-by-step instructions.
Flash memory improves PowerBook, Dan Knight, Mac Daniel, 2002.11.14. Using Compact Flash to boot, save files, run silently, extend battery life, and as virtual memory on a PowerBook.
A year with Pismo, Charles Moore, Road Warrior, Mac Opinion, 2002.11.05. "...if it continues its solid, reliable, workhorse ways, I think it will displace my recently deceased WallStreet as my pick for the best computer I've ever owned."
Shot in the foot again: Firmware update disables RAM, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2001.03.25. "...we should not be at risk of losing some or all of the memory in our Macs because of a firmware update."
SCSI and FireWire Disk Modes, Paulo Rodrigues, Tangerine Fusion, 2000.11.29. How to use SCSI Disk Mode and FireWire Target Disk Mode for ultrafast file transfers.
466 MHz FireWire iBook vs. 400 MHz Pismo PowerBook, Bare Feats, 2000.10.23. Real world tests with iMovie, Cinema 4D, and Bryce.
Pismo revision blocks some memory modules, Go2Mac.com, 2000.09.19. Change in RAM slot configuration prevents some modules from fitting.
Pismo four months later: A second look, PowerBook Zone, 2000.05.23. "...if this is the biggest issue we can come up with, obviously Apple's done a great job. "
PowerBook 2000, Andrew Gore, Macworld. "With the release of the latest PowerBook G3, Apple has added a host of improvements to a product that just a year ago Macworld deemed without peer."
Accelerate Your Mac! has downloadable color profiles for the iBook and recent PowerBooks that really improve on-screen color.
Apple issues warning that Pismo PowerBook not compatible with Password Security control panel, Charles Moore, Applelinks, 2000.03.08
Recovering a stolen PowerBook, The 'Book Page. One user's experience.
PowerBook G3 Series memory pricing, ramseeker
Review: PowerBook G3s, Macworld, September 1999, p. 34
Apple Specs Online for PowerBook (FireWire)
PowerBook G3 Computers: How to Identify Different Models, Apple TIL 24604

Cautions

G3 Macs may not be supported in Mac OS X 10.5 "Leopard", which is scheduled to ship in October. Apple has not spoken on the record, but the beta cannot be installed on any G3 Mac.
Do not under any circumstances use the Password Security control panel with any PowerBook running Mac OS 9 - see PowerBook (FireWire): Late Breaking News - it will render your PowerBook inoperable. The only fix is to put the drive in an older PowerBook, open Password Security, go to Setup, and click the Reset button, and then put the drive back in your Pismo.
There is an incompatibility between the Kensington Startup ADB extension and the Trackpad control on the iBook with Mac OS 9.0.4. Symptom: trackpad responds during boot, but not later. Solution: disable Kensington Startup ADB extension. This may also apply to other USB portables and versions of the Mac OS.

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