Author Topic: Powerbook for sale (Read 2967 times)

kimmer · « **on:** July 23, 2006, 09:26:24 PM »

In our local paper:

Apple Powerbook laptop, Wall Street edition, G4 processor, 15" LCD screen, MAC OSX Panther edition, MS Office XP, dvd drive, built in wireles card, optical mouse, mint condition. Laptop case is included. $500.

Good deal or no?

kelly · « **Reply #1 on:** July 23, 2006, 09:51:54 PM »

Not in my opinion.

The Wallstreet is a G3 pre-Firewire Laptop.

Does that have a G4 Upgrade in it?

The same money would get a Pismo.

http://www.lowendmac.com/powerbooks.html

kimmer · « **Reply #2 on:** July 23, 2006, 10:03:47 PM »

Thanks. That's what my searches brought up as well.

We'll pass on it.

gunug · « **Reply #3 on:** July 24, 2006, 08:16:44 AM »

Was it the Wallstreet or the Pismo that had the problem with the cache memory on the processor boards going bad?

Al · « **Reply #4 on:** July 24, 2006, 08:47:20 AM »

I've heard stories of both the Lombard and Pismo owners having the L2 cache go down. So far my Pismo hasn't had that problem. I upgraded my processor to the 500 MHz G3 processor, but, I am keeping the 400 MHz card as a back up incase something arises in the future.

Interesting that this Wallstreet mentioned has a G4 upgrade? Those upgrades are usually expensive. But, the Wallstreet is only 66 MHz bus system and Pismo would benefit from an upgrade more.

krissel · « **Reply #5 on:** July 25, 2006, 04:08:33 AM »

The Lombards had a lot of processor/cache problems with trying to use X. Certain ones will not run X with more than 128MB RAM which makes it too slow and some will not install X at all.

That Wallstreet is very upgraded if it has a G4, internal wifi card (which must be a Cardbus) and DVD. The latter was only available as aftermarket and very expensive. The DVD requires a card in the PCMCIA slot as well. So if you have the wifi and dvd in the two available slots that elimiates the possibility of using USB and FW. I have cards for USB/FW in mine and a USB corded wifi. NO dvd because the Wallstreet only has 4MB of VRAM which is not great for video.

So while that machine is as up to date as possible in some respects it is lacking in others. Add to that the problem that poorly cared for Wallstreets often exhibit hinge problems, I'd only buy a Wallstreet if I knew the owner or was buying it for parts. I know my PB was well treated and the hinges are as tight as new but watching others with their PBs sometimes make me cringe seeing how rough they are with them. They don't say how much RAM or which version of Wallstreet it is.

If it is truly "Mint condition" it might make me consider offering something less for use as a backup machine.

jcarter · « **Reply #6 on:** July 25, 2006, 06:52:21 AM »

Ive got a Pismo with firewire that I hardly ever used, and left it for several years in our safe.
Consequently, its batteries are dead. I bought new batteries last September, the main one was about $100 and the bios one was cheap. Still I havent installed them yet!
I really should give it away or sell it. Its a darn nice little computer, but I just never need a laptop. Its got a 10 GB harddrive and I think 512 MB memory. The OS is 9.2.2. It is 400mhz I think.
I should get it up and running so that I could take all of my pictures off it. I just used it for downloading pictures on vacation, and for occasional email, and some photoshop lessons. Its got some nice programs on it too.
Jane

kimmer · « **Reply #7 on:** July 25, 2006, 11:11:46 AM »

QUOTE

If it is truly "Mint condition" it might make me consider offering something less for use as a backup machine.

Thanks for all the info. We passed, and then noticed in the latest edition of the paper this kid is selling several laptops. Apparently he either just bought something fancy, or is planning on it. Probably not the person I want to buy a laptop from.

I've been looking/considering a good used *mac* laptop that I could use wifi with in the kitchen, to look up recipes and such; as a backp if my tower goes fritz (not likely, but it was a good arguement to persuade Sneakers)

, and to take with us when we head out to goof off. Lots of time I don't tromp through the sand, I sit in the sun and read. A wifi would let me surf. (Yeah, there is wifi all the place around here).

Thanks again. I appreciate all the good info.

krissel · « **Reply #8 on:** July 25, 2006, 11:55:21 AM »

Here are some 14" iBooks within that price range.

http://www.macsolutions.com/ibookg314.html

kimmer · « **Reply #9 on:** July 25, 2006, 04:06:20 PM »

Thanks, Kris. I'll check them out.

Xairbusdriver · « **Reply #10 on:** July 25, 2006, 05:03:22 PM »

Just be careful how close to the water you get when you "surf" with any laptop!

And please don't store any of those beautiful agates in the computer bag!

In my opinion, getting a used laptop is a much bigger gamble than a desktop. I'd only ever buy one that had at least a year remaining of AppleCare ( which is transferable ) and only from a reuptable dealer with good service and support. Of course, you won't save as much money, on the front end, but it's the rest of the time that's maybe even more important.

kimmer · « **Reply #11 on:** July 25, 2006, 09:54:42 PM »

I promise no agates, no sand and no water in any laptop we buy.

Yeah, used laptops can be risky. We lucked into a great buy on our Linux running ibm.

kelly · « **Reply #12 on:** July 25, 2006, 09:59:11 PM »

Make Jane an offer for her Pismo.

It would be perfect for you running Panther.

News:

Author Topic: Powerbook for sale (Read 2967 times)