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PowerBooks are very helpful for school use. I should know - I
carry my PowerBook with me to all my classes and everywhere else.
It's proven to be a lifesaver for lots of assignments and
projects.
I've had a few friends trying to decide which PowerBook to use
for their classes. They didn't want to spend a lot but wanted a few
key features, so here are a few models for school use, along with
their pros and cons.
PowerBook 540c
All the 500 series are good, but most students would want a nice
color screen (for games after all) :-P. Also, the 540c provides plenty of power for most
uses, thanks to its speedy(?) 68LC040 processor (it can be upgraded
to a PowerPC 603e at 100 to 183 MHz). It can run up to OS 8.1 (or 9
with the PPC card), so most modern software will work. Playing MP3s
is also possible with the PPC card.
Pros
Built-in modem (19.2k) for easy access to the Internet
(slowly)
Built-in AAUI ethernet port for
access to most networks (requires a 10Base-T transceiver)
Small size compared to newer notebooks
Trackpad
16-bit sound
Can be bought inexpensively ($40-100)
Cons
SCSI hard drive (expensive to upgrade)
Intelligent Batteries (expensive, inefficient)
Plastic is prone to breaking
RAM is hard to find
PowerBook 5300c/ce
The 5300c and ce are essentially
the same computer, but the CE is slightly faster and has an 800 x
600 screen instead of the 640 x 480 screen on the 5300. The 5300
series are very stable and very powerful for the price, but they do
have their flaws (in the cons). The 5300 series offer a expansion
bay for either a floppy drive, PC card holder, Zip drive, MO drive,
or hard drive. The 5300 series also offer PCMCIA slots, an infrared
port, and the possibility for Lithium-Ion batteries, but most
(about 95%) have NiMH. These are less "intelligent" than the 500
series batteries, so they tend to work better. Lastly, make sure
the one you buy has been through the Apple "REA" program to fix the
problems - it expires June 2002.
Pros
PPC 603e processor as standard equipment
PCMCIA slots
Expansion bay
IDE hard drive for cheaper upgrade
RAM is easier to find
10.4" screen
"Dumber" batteries than the 500 series: cheaper, tend to work
better.
Cheap PPC PowerBook ($50-200)
Cons
mono-speaker that sucks; use headphones or external speakers
for best sound.
case that is prone to falling apart (unless it's been through
REA).
motherboard / power system tends to also have problems (unless
it's been through REA).
The Duo 280c is a wonderful
computer, combining the power of the 540c with a smaller case, more
readily available RAM, and less "intelligent" batteries. The 280c
features a trackball, as well as an 8.4" active matrix color
screen. The 280c is one of the lightest color PowerBooks, but
requires a dock. This makes the Duo easy to carry between classes
since it weighs less than 5 pounds.
Pros
68LC040 processor can run most modern software (OS 8.1)
RAM is easy to find
internal modem (although slow)
use of docks can make it as connectable as you want
stronger case than 540c
batteries as dumb as the 5300 series, so they work well.
clear active matrix 8.4" screen
Cons
SCSI hard drive (expensive to upgrade)
limited built-in ports; requires different docks
small screen
not cheaply (or easily) upgraded to PowerPC.
tends to cost more than the 540c
The Duo 2300c is similar, but it
has a PowerPC processor, a slightly larger screen, an IDE hard
drive, and a trackpad. Otherwise it's about the same.
So, which one?
These PowerBooks are excellent computers in their own right.
Sure, other PowerBooks (100 series, other Duos, 1400 and up) are
nice, but they either don't have enough power/features or they are
too expensive for students that don't need or can't afford a new
computer. My favorite is the 540c, but I know many people that
swear by their Duo 280c or 5300c. Just be sure to choose a
PowerBook that will work for your needs.
Mac of the Day: Power Mac 4400, Nov. 1996 - Apple does cheap to compete with clones - and nobody is impressed.
List of the Day: Leopard List Low End Mac's email list covering Mac OS X 10.5.
October 11 in LEM history: 99: Kihei revisited - 00: Bring back beige - AT&T proposes extortion - 01: Mimio for the Mac - 02: Of docks and roadblocks - Reasons not to switch - PowerBook G3 repair - 04: Virtual PC 7 puts Windows on your Mac - Modem Magic - 05: Why we oppose any iPod tax - Trash shortcuts - 06: 30 days of old school computing - Firefox and Safari chipping away at Microsoft
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Used 14" WallStreet G3/266 MHz, $90; Lombard G3/400 MHz, $150; Pismo G3/400 MHz, $300; 500 MHz, $350.
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If your old Mac is too slow, too noisy, too plain looking, or has too little room for expansion, you might want to mod it.
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Used 15" 700 MHz CD-RW, $269; 800 Combo, $300; 1 GHz, $390; 17" 1.25 GHz SuperDrive, $400; 20", $529.
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Used 1.83 GHz Core Duo, $995; 2.16, $1,125; new, 2.2, $1,400 after rebate; refurb 2.4, $1,699; 2.5, $1,999; 2.6, $2,299; rebates on new.
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DVD upgrade from 10.3, $75; upgrade bundle with 10.3, $118; full version, $129; family pack, $200; 10-user Server, $350; unlimited, $400.
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By switching to Leopard Server, everyone in the office will be able to move to a Mac - but which ones will best meet their needs?
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We've settled on Joomla as the content management system that should work very well for Low End Mac, but we're running stuck with templates.
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540c
5300c/ce
