OK, some opinions please!

[sluggo]

Been thinking about looking at used laptops (Apple of course) on ebay. This would only be used for hanging out on the couch now and then and surfing the net, email, and possibly instant messaging. It would probably only require the system software and a brower.
What would be the minimum machine required and what Airport hardware/software would I need to make it work with my iMac 600/Linksys BEFSR41 Router/RoadRunner?
Keep in mind that this is just a whim that I'll pursue only if I can get out of it cheaply.

[RobW]

Well, if it's for the couch you might want to make sure it's "Golden Retriever Fur Proof".      (I love those pictures on your home page.)

[sluggo]

Rob - The piece of furniture that I'll most likely be using is a leather love seat. One dog or the other is always up there with me. There's a blanket on it to prevent paw punctures, plus it's easy to clean. Just wipe the Golden hair right off!

[pendragon]

Todd,

I am using a G3/333/OS 9.2.2 Lombard PB in much the same way you described/envisioned. It is a fine computer and has a built in SCSI port. But to connect via WiFi, it was necessary to get a Farallon (or equivalent) WiFi card for the PC slot. It works great and file sharing with my G4 DP/800/OS 10.2.3 has been a joy.

But, the next model up, the Pismo G3/400 comes with Firewire (instead of the SCSI) and, by some reports, will better accommodate OS X; though many have installed OS X on a Lombard. It’s just one of those machine that is on the “cusp”, so results may vary. Still, I think the Pismo may be the first choice. Unless, SCSI is important.

In my case I have upped the RAM to 384 MB and the HD to an IBM 20 GB. Perhaps that will help as a point of reference/baseline.

Harv

[sluggo]

Thanks Harv. I figured it should be a G3, but whether I'll need X or not is debateable. Just a bottom line machine to surf and send email from the living room. There probably won't even be a need for file sharing.
It would just be a little luxury, so if I can't do it cheap I'll stick with the old fashioned way and walk these legs rigth out to the computer room.

[Paddy]

If you're thinking of ever running X on it, don't get a Lombard! Anything manufactured before September (I think - it could actually be later than that) has a motherboard which may flat out refuse to cooperate. I've read of a few users getting their motherboards replaced by Apple, but I wouldn't count on it. My husband's Lombard is August 1999 - so we haven't tried it.

Working Pismos go for close to $800 on eBay (Lombards around $600 + )- plus shipping. For that sort of money, I think I'd pay a little more and get a 12" iBook. They're nice little machines - had the opportunity to play with one the other day helping my son's teacher set up hers. Just my 2¢.

I wouldn't go for a clamshell iBook - the screens are nowhere near as good as the new iBooks and all the Powerbooks from the Wallstreet on.

Much depends on whether you want to use X on it - think about how long you would want to keep it etc.

[krissel]

I'm putting in a plug for the Wallstreet as a great older PB to consider. Yes, you would need a PC card to run WFI but the machine itself is very adaptable to legacy and present peripherals.

As to running X, I have Jag running just fine on my Wallstreet. I did upgrade the processor to a 466, added RAM and a 20 G drive two years ago, so it isn't in stock form but it has behaved very nicely and will hopefully for some time.

[kbeartx]

Oh, yes definitely!

Wouldn't touch it with a ten-foot pole!

You're a freakin' genius!

You must be completely off your rocker!

Go for it!

Stupidest idea I ever heard!

Cool idea - wish I'd thought of it first!

Don't quit your day job!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Well, you did ask for opinions, didn't you?

     - kbeartx

[sluggo]

kris - Just did a Wallstreet search on ebay. I put a couple on my watch list, but it was mostly 4 pages of Wallstreet junkyard. Parts everywhere! One person is even selling the original cardboard box that a Wallstreet came in and the bids are up to $91!
 
 [ 02-06-2003, 11:22 AM: Message edited by: sluggo ]

[kelly]

A Pismo or Wallstreet would be cool. But you just don't know what shape it would be in.  

Probably better off with something like this.

iBook 500 MHz, 64/10/CD-ROM, $719.99 from Poweron

http://new.lowendmac.com/ibook/ideals.html

You wouldn't need a CDRW.

[sluggo]

Probably not a bad deal kelly, but I'd like to do this as low budget as possible. This really is just for convenience so that I can stay plopped out on the love seat in the living room with the Goldens and watch TV while I surf, email or IM. Any disposable income lately has been going for Harley dress up stuff so if I have to do my computing the old fashioned way, then so be it.

[kelly]

Ok Todd.    

http://www.wegenermedia.com/3400.htm

http://www.macopinion.com/columns/roadwarr...rrior/99/12/02/

Hmm. Says this will work with the 3400. Lucent Airport Cards

http://www.wegenermedia.com/wls.htm

http://www.wegenermedia.com/wllst.htm

http://www.wegenermedia.com/indexa.html

http://www.macopinion.com/columns/roadwarr...rchivepage.html

[sluggo]

OK, some more opinions please. Is this a fair deal? G3 366 Graphite iBook with 6gig HD, 128 RAM, CD and 56k modem for $499. Add $49 for an installed Airport card (though Apple specs say Airport ready) and another $149 for and Airport base. I'll have to do some more investigating to see if it's ethernet ready.
According to Apple specs, it has 10/100 Base-T ethernet. This is through Mac of All Trades, which I found through lowend mac.
 
 [ 02-07-2003, 09:52 AM: Message edited by: sluggo ]

[kelly]

Seems a bit high to me. At least now we know your price range.