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Can you tell me the difference between Pismo,
Lombard, and WallStreet?
I am searching the PowerMax site for a used PB, and the numbers
just don't tell the story. I haven't kept up with all the models.
Is there a simple difference or a Web site pointing out the
uniqueness? Which one should l not buy.
Plus, have you seen how these babies hold their value? Urk! That
iBook keeps looking better
and better. I need to be able to run MS Word, ClarisWorks 4, and a
floppy drive would be nice.
The range of G3 PowerBooks can be confusing. As John notes, there
are three separate models, unofficially known as WallStreet, Lombard,
and Pismo - which are at least more distinctive than the official
nomenclature of PowerBook G3 Series, PowerBook G3 (Bronze Keyboard),
and PowerBook G3 (FireWire).
Actually, the WallStreet was available in three subcategories: The
original WallStreet 292 MHz and 250 MHz with 1 MB of backside
cache 83 MHz system buses, plus a 233 MHz model with no backside
cache ("MainStreet"), and the "PDQ" revision in 300 MHz and 266 MHz
models with 1 MB of backside cache and 66 MHz system buses, plus
a "LE" entry level model with a 233 MHz CPU and 512 KB of backside
cache.
The WallStreet and MainStreet 'Books were available with 1024 x 768
resolution 14.1" and 13.3" active matrix displays, and the
MainStreet could also be had with a passive matrix 12.1" display.
The two faster PDQ models all had 14.1" active matrix screens,
while the "LE" had an 800 x 600 12.1" active matrix display.
Things got a little less confusing with the introduction of the
Lombard in May, 1999, which only came in two models, 333 MHz and 400
MHz, each with 1 MB of backside cache, a 66 MHz system bus, and
a 14.1 " 1024 x 768 screen. The 400 MHz model also came with a DVD-ROM
drive. The Lombard was also the first PowerBook to ship with built-in
USB ports, and no serial or ADB ports. It did still have a SCSI port.
Lombards also have just one PC Card slot instead of the WallStreet's
two.
The Pismo replaced the Lombard in February, 2000, and looks
virtually identical to its predecessor. It has a
completely different motherboard architecture with a 100 MHz system
bus and 400 MHz or 500 MHz CPUs, both with DVD-ROM drives and two
FireWire ports instead of the Lombard's SCSI port.
None of these machines is irredeemably bad, although the cacheless
"MainStreet" is slow and the passive matrix 12.1" screen is murky and
slow compared with the active matrix units. The 13.3" WallStreet
screens also had some unfortunate problems with unreliable ribbon
cable video connectors.
The WallStreet has been plagued with screen hinge failures,
especially on 14.1" screen models, and since the Lombard and Pismo
have somewhat similar screen hinge engineering, they may also be
afflicted as they get older. WallStreets have also had more than
their share of power management board failures.
Both the WallStreet and Pismo have their CPU units mounted on
processor daughtercards, which makes them processor upgradable. The
Pismo has its CPU soldered to the motherboard and is an unlikely
candidate for processor upgrading. A G4 upgrade for WallStreet is
reportedly coming, which might be a consideration.
WallStreets have held their value amazingly well, while Lombards
and Pismos have not done so well in that department (although their
initial prices were generally lower than WallStreets).
What sort of connectivity ports you need or want may be key to
your decision.
I own a WallStreet LE and a 500 MHz Pismo. My son had a WallStreet
LE and now has a 333 MHz Lombard. These have all been excellent,
trouble-free, tough machines. A well-cared for example of any of
these units should give you excellent service.
New Willow Case for Titanium, iBook &
Printer
Willow is finishing its first run of the LapMac
Portaprint Case, specifically designed for the Titanium or
iBook plus any of the portable printers. "The case came out of many
requests from
Mac travelers with portable printer and others who are just carrying
around a pile of gear they wanted centrally protected", commented
Willow president Nigel Peck.
Although the LapMac Portaprint is not included in the Willow
Year End Sale going on right now, Willow is extending its
half-price shipping for cases shipped by ground in Canada and the
United States until December 15th, so the LapMac will be covered.
Cases are expected to be ready for shipping by December 14th.
The sale has been a huge success with many of Willow's case color
selections being wiped out. Peck commented that new runs are being
produced as quickly as possible, but, once again, Willow was
overwhelmed by the reaction of the Mac community.
"We've been making cases for 15 years now, always trying to raise
the standard - it's really humbling to find that philosophy so
embraced by the Mac user community. For us, it's now even more
important to meet or exceed peoples' expectations," says Peck.
J.R. Hill Shipping iPod Sleeve
J.R. Hill's new iPod
Sleeve carrying cases for Apples new iPod MP3 player are made
of full grain leather with a nylon elastic along the sides for a snug
fit.
The first version, the iPod Sleeve
(CA10), functions as a simple carrying case with belt clip. There is
a small opening on the top for access to the headphone jack.
The second version, the iPod Sleeve Deluxe (CA11), functions much
the same way cell phone cases do. It has a clear plastic area for the
display and a round, open area beneath to access the special jog dial
to control the iPod. It will also feature a hole on the top to access
the headphone jack and a belt clip.
Both iPod Sleeves come with a lifetime warranty.
CA10 iPod Sleeve, $29.99
CA11 iPod Sleeve Deluxe, $39.99
Which AC Power Adapter Goes with what 'Book?
Apple has posted a
document providing information for all PowerBook and iBook
computer power adapters, batteries, and battery chargers, and how to
identify them.
Bargain 'Books
There are two different versions of WallStreet running at 233 MHz,
the cacheless Mainstreet
version and the later Series
II with a level 2 cache. It's not always possible to determine
from the vendor's listing which is being offered, so we've included
links within this paragraph to the two models.
Mac of the Day: Mac LC III, Feb. 1993 - The first LC without compromise: 25 MHz 68030 CPU, 32-bit memory, up to 36 MB of RAM.
List of the Day: G4 'Books an email list for G4 iBooks and PowerBooks.
September 8 in LEM history: 99: Big sound from the little iMac - Ethernet alternative to USB drives - 00: Building a back-to-school bundle - 03: 17" 1.25 GHz iMac G4 - My Mac Plus revisited - 06: Inside your notebook's battery - Andy Hertzfeld, software wizard - OS X is a pleasure to use - MacBook random shutdown - Core2 7% faster
Listen to Just the Music with the V-Moda Vibe Earbuds, Tommy Thomas, Welcome to Macintosh, 09.05.
Well built, the noise canceling earbuds will let you hear all the nuances of your music without letting through background noise.
Best iPod touch Deals, Low End Mac Deals, 09.05.
Refurb 8 GB, $199; new, $284; refurb 16 GB, $299; new, $370; refurb 32 GB, $399; new, $453.
Best 15" MacBook Pro Deals, Low End Mac Deals, 09.05.
Used 1.83 GHz Core Duo, $999; 2.16, $1,125; new, 2.2, $1,450 after rebate; refurb 2.4, $1,699; 2.5, $1,999; 2.6 Santa Rosa, $1,849; rebates on new.
Best iMac G4 Deals, Low End Mac Deals, 09.05.
Used 15" 700 MHz CD-RW, $279; 800 Combo, $300; 1 GHz $390; 17" 800 MHz SD, $439; 1.25 GHz, $449; 20", $569.
Best Mac mini Deals, Low End Mac Deals, 09.04.
Used 1.25 GHz G4 SD, $549; 1.42 Combo, $409; new 1.83 Core2 Combo, $569 after rebate; 2.0 SD, $769 after rebate.
Tomorrow's Solid State Drives and Notebooks, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 09.04.
Flash drives are great but have some shortcomings. Some thoughts on building better SSDs and notebooks to use them.
Best 12" PowerBook G4 Deals, Low End Mac Deals, 09.04.
Used 867 MHz Combo, no APX, $490; 1 GHz, $550; SuperDrive, $625; 1.5 GHz w/o APX, $660; w/APX, $675.
Best 17" PowerBook G4 Deals, Low End Mac Deals, 09.04.
Used 1 GHz, $779; 1.33 GHz, $799; 1.5 GHz, $859; 1.67 GHz, $910.
11 Mac Browsers Compared, Simon Royal, Mac Spectrum, 09.03.
The latest versions of Internet Explorer, Opera, Safari, Shiira, iCab, Radon, Firefox, Netscape Navigator, SeaMonkey, Flock, and Camino tested in Leopard.
Best eMac Deals, Low End Mac Deals, 09.03.
Used 700 MHz Combo, $120; 1.25 GHz SuperDrive, $150; 1.42 GHz, $349.
Best Mac OS X 10.5 'Leopard' Deals, Low End Mac Deals, 09.03.
Mac OS X 10.5, single user, $99; 5 users, $140; 10.5 Server, 10 users, $395; unlimited, $850.
Best MacBook Air Deals, Low End Mac Deals, 09.03.
Refurb 1.6 HD, $1,499; new, $1,690 after rebate; refurb 1.8, $1,699; new, $1,919 a/r; refurb 1.6 SSD, $2,099; new, $2,294 a/r; refurb 1.8, $2,299; new, $2,400 a/r.
Psystar Strikes Back, Countersues Apple, Frank Fox, Stop the Noiz, 09.03.
Psystar is trying to paint Apple as a monopoly and force it to license the Mac OS.
LA Computer Company: Specials on AppleCare, iMac's, Apple Batteries and Apple A/C Adapters. Also Great prices on Used Apple Computers. Call 1-800-941-7654 Click Here.
OWC: Upgrade to a Larger Hard Drive, Add Additional Drives SATA for Mac Pro and G5s, up to 1.0TB in each Bay. 500GB from $90!
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the
MainStreet could also be had with a passive matrix 12.1" display.
a
completely different motherboard architecture with a 100 MHz system
bus and 400 MHz or 500 MHz CPUs, both with DVD-ROM drives and two
FireWire ports instead of the Lombard's SCSI port.
from
Mac travelers with portable printer and others who are just carrying
around a pile of gear they wanted centrally protected", commented
Willow president Nigel Peck.
Sleeve
(CA10), functions as a simple carrying case with belt clip. There is
a small opening on the top for access to the headphone jack.
