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Home > Buyer's Guide > PowerBook G3 2000
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PowerBook Buyer's Guide
PowerBook G3 2000 (Pismo)
by Steve Hildreth
The 2000 PowerBook G3 signaled a significant change from previous G3 models, although these changes were not necessarily apparent on the surface, since Apple chose to use the same form factor as Lombard (1999) PowerBook G3's. Pismo PowerBooks, as they are called, included faster G3 processors, a 100MHz system bus (as opposed to 66MHz on Lombard models), two FireWire ports, and built-in AirPort technology. These machines represented the pinnacle of G3 technology and were the fastest portables on the planet when introduced. Meant to be used as a desktop replacement, Pismo models were really the first portable Macs capable of doing anything that their desktop counterparts could do. With larger screens, more powerful processors, and greater expansion capabilities, Pismo PowerBooks were also marketed as the professional alternative to the consumer-focused iBooks - although for a $1000 premium over the iBook.
In September 2000, Apple introduced the Revision 'B' PowerBook G3 2000 models. The only difference between the original Revision 'A' Pismo models was the inclusion of 10GB (with 400MHz models) and 20GB (with 500MHz models) hard drives.
Rating
At the time: A+
General (PowerBook G3/500)
- 500MHz PowerPC G3 processor
- 1MB backside L2 cache
- 128MB standard RAM, maximum 512MB
- Available 12 or 20GB hard drives
- DVD-ROM drive
- 56k internal modem
- No floppy drive
- Available as build-to-order through Apple Store
General (PowerBook G3/400)
- 400MHz PowerPC G3 processor
- 1MB backside L2 cache
- 64MB standard RAM, maximum 512MB
- Available 6.0 or 10GB hard drives
- DVD-ROM drive
- 56k internal modem
- No standard floppy drive
- Available as build-to-order through Apple Store
Ports
- 2 USB
- stereo in
- stereo out
- video out
- S-video out
- 2 FireWire
- IR
- 2 expansion bays
- 1 PC card slots
- ethernet
- internal modem
- internal AirPort slot
Display
- 14.1" TFT XGA active matrix at 1024x768 resolution, able to display varying resolutions.
Weight
Apple's Specifications:
PowerBook G3 (FireWire)
| Logic Board |
Ports |
Power |
| Processor: |
G3, 400, 500 MHz |
| PMMU: |
integrated |
| FPU: |
integrated |
| Data Path: |
64-bit, 100 MHz |
| L1 Cache: |
64K |
| L2 Cache: |
1MB |
| 2nd Processor: |
none |
| Slots: |
One Type I or Type II PC Card |
|
| ADB: |
n/a |
| Video: |
VGA Style |
| Floppy: |
none |
| SCSI: |
none |
| Geoports: |
none |
| Ethernet: |
10/100Base-T |
| FireWire: |
2 |
| Mic Type: |
Built-in |
| Other Ports: |
Speaker,
Headphone,
|
|
| Max Watts: |
45 |
| Amps: |
1.2 |
| BTU per Hr: |
153.9 |
| Voltage: |
|
| Freq Range: |
Hz |
| Battery Type: |
50 Watt Hr LiIon |
| Soft Power: |
yes |
|
| Memory |
Video Memory |
| Logic Board: |
none |
| RAM Slots: |
2, PC100 SO-DIMM |
| Min - Max RAM: |
64 MB - 512 MB |
| Min RAM Speed: |
|
| RAM Sizes: |
Up to 256 MB |
| Install in Groups of: |
1 |
|
| Resolution |
Video Memory
Built-in LCD
(built-in) |
| 512 x 384 |
n/a |
| 640 x 400 |
n/a |
| 640 x 480 |
n/a |
| 800 x 600 |
n/a |
| 832 x 624 |
n/a |
| 1024 x 768 |
n/a |
| 1152 x 870 |
n/a |
| 1280 x 1024 |
n/a |
Notes: S-video and VGA video output ports |
| Physical |
Software |
Storage |
| Introduced: |
2/15/2000 |
| Discontinued: |
n/a |
| Form Factor: |
PowerBook |
| Gestalt ID: |
|
| Weight (lbs): |
6.1 |
| Dimensions (in): |
10.4 H x 12.7 W x 1.7 D |
| Notes: |
Weight is 5.7 pounds with DVD-ROM module removed and weight saving module installed. |
|
| Addressing Modes: |
32-bit |
| Orig SSW: |
9.0 |
| Orig Enabler: |
n/a |
| ROM ID: |
n/a |
| ROM Ver: |
n/a |
| ROM Size: |
4 MB |
| AppleTalk Ver: |
n/a |
Mac OS
Supported: |
8.6
9 |
|
| Floppy Size: |
n/a |
| Floppy Inject: |
n/a |
| Min. Int HD Size: |
6, 12, 18 GB |
| Int HD Interface: |
ATA |
| Orig CD Speed |
24x |
| Int CD Support: |
yes |
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