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Holy **** PBG3!
- Thread starter neoelectronaut
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They have a blueberry 12" clamshell ibook on display at the compusa near me. It was running mac os 10.0 and it was on and working fine. It really looked kind of ridiculous next to the other mac laptops. I wanted to ask how much it was, but I couldn't get a hold of a salesperson.
The PowerBook 2000 Firewire (a.k.a. "Pismo") is, I think, the high-water mark of Apple laptop engineering. I bought one of those 9the 400 mHz one) in January 2001 and have been using it as my frontline machine ever since. It was the Apple laptop that did away with all the legacy ports, instead embracing Firewire and USB, and the first PB with a DVD drive. I've watched (NOT enviously) as hinges cracked on the Tis and logic boards failed on the dual-USB iBooks, and I am only now buying a new PB. I have never had a single problem with it in almost five years of daily use and much traveling.
The Pismo was the best Mac I've ever owned (Quadra, 7100, 7300, Pismo, and now the newest 15" PB); no others come close. It was the most rugged, reliable and upgradeable PowerBook Apple ever made and I'm fortunate that I happened to buy it. I've maxed the thing out over the years--G4/550 CPU upgrade, slot-loading Superdrive, 80GB/5400rpm Travelstar HDD, Airport card, and a high-efficiency battery. Only since Tiger have I perceived it as slow--the 8MB non-upgradeable Rage Pro GPU has long been the albatross around its neck. If you're able to get one new in its box after all this time, GET IT. You won't be sorry.
P.S.: If you don't understand why people are gushing praise for the Pismo, you haven't owned one. I'm not spoiling for a fight either, I'm just doing my best to explain the Pismo thing. I cannot say enough good things about this machine, and there is a huge cadre of Pismo-users who are stubbornly hanging onto their machines and upgrading them even though they are now quite outdated. If the newest PB wasn't the last PPC PB, I would hold out even longer, but I want to ensure that I can use my PPC software for several more years. I was just talking with a Pismo user today while ordering some replacement rubber feet, and we didn't have to say much--we both felt lucky to have this laptop. When computers today are starting to look increasingly disposable, this is one of those very rare computers that people can't bring themselves to throw away. Some guy private messaged me about buying my Pismo on the MR forum after I mentioned I was buying a new PB 15", and I laughed him off--you'd have to pry my Pismo out of my cold dead fingers.
The Pismo was the best Mac I've ever owned (Quadra, 7100, 7300, Pismo, and now the newest 15" PB); no others come close. It was the most rugged, reliable and upgradeable PowerBook Apple ever made and I'm fortunate that I happened to buy it. I've maxed the thing out over the years--G4/550 CPU upgrade, slot-loading Superdrive, 80GB/5400rpm Travelstar HDD, Airport card, and a high-efficiency battery. Only since Tiger have I perceived it as slow--the 8MB non-upgradeable Rage Pro GPU has long been the albatross around its neck. If you're able to get one new in its box after all this time, GET IT. You won't be sorry.
P.S.: If you don't understand why people are gushing praise for the Pismo, you haven't owned one. I'm not spoiling for a fight either, I'm just doing my best to explain the Pismo thing. I cannot say enough good things about this machine, and there is a huge cadre of Pismo-users who are stubbornly hanging onto their machines and upgrading them even though they are now quite outdated. If the newest PB wasn't the last PPC PB, I would hold out even longer, but I want to ensure that I can use my PPC software for several more years. I was just talking with a Pismo user today while ordering some replacement rubber feet, and we didn't have to say much--we both felt lucky to have this laptop. When computers today are starting to look increasingly disposable, this is one of those very rare computers that people can't bring themselves to throw away. Some guy private messaged me about buying my Pismo on the MR forum after I mentioned I was buying a new PB 15", and I laughed him off--you'd have to pry my Pismo out of my cold dead fingers.
It's awesome when you find a computer that is good enough to earn that kind of loyalty. If it works and you love it dearly, stay with it. I feel that way about my iBook. No one can tear me from it.fklehman said:
At the risk of double posting within a thread, what is the exact meaning of outdated? That is a term that is different for every case. A typical average consumer is led to think that what they have is "outdated" just because of all the acclaim that is attributed to all the "updates" the newer computers receive. Despite the fact that what they already have is perfectly sufficient for what they use it for, they are sucked in to this "bigger better" schtick. (I know all too well, I am one of them)
Pismo Upgrades
Hey, FKLehman,
My EZQ Firewire DVD-RW drive recently stopped communicating with my Pismo (whose original drive no longer reads CD's but still reads DVD's, oddly enough). Anywho - just wanted you to know that your sig line encouraged me to get the drive you have, rather than getting another external. It's supposed to arrive tomorrow!!! The thought of slot-loading a DVD into my baby gives me the warm fuzzies.
I was kind of curious about your experience with the G4 550 upgrade. That's the one that scares me. Care to share your experience?
Thanks!
John.
Hey, FKLehman,
My EZQ Firewire DVD-RW drive recently stopped communicating with my Pismo (whose original drive no longer reads CD's but still reads DVD's, oddly enough). Anywho - just wanted you to know that your sig line encouraged me to get the drive you have, rather than getting another external. It's supposed to arrive tomorrow!!! The thought of slot-loading a DVD into my baby gives me the warm fuzzies.
I was kind of curious about your experience with the G4 550 upgrade. That's the one that scares me. Care to share your experience?
Thanks!
John.
seriously, if you don't get this.. could you get it for me and I pay you back?? I have all the PB things from my older 2 (2 wallstreets) that I've sold. I want this bad. If I were you I'd buy it and have it as a "project" or something.
Let me know...
I had a WallStreet and it didn't have USB and FireWire so I just got rid of it, but I loved that damn thing to death.
Let me know...
I had a WallStreet and it didn't have USB and FireWire so I just got rid of it, but I loved that damn thing to death.
Problem is that its at CompUSA. The GM will take one look at the original cost and run for high water. Good luck getting a deal. He/She will most likely just sit on it a few more years.
pismo value
hey pismo fans
how well do you think the pismo will retain its value once the intels hit? just wondering.
cs
hey pismo fans
how well do you think the pismo will retain its value once the intels hit? just wondering.
cs
My experience with the G4/550 upgrade was great. When I bought it you still had to mail the PB to Daystar, but I've heard that now there's a do-it-yourself option. I filed a pretty detailed report on http://www.XLR8yourmac.com, in the CPU upgrade profiles--I suggest you consult them if you're considering a CPU upgrde, since there are a couple options (Daystar, Fastmac, etc.). I went with Daystar after reading all the reviews because they had the best feedback and the fastest G4 upgrade at the time, but maybe a different one will work for you (I don't like to sound like a corporate shill). I'm really pleased with the upgrade, it made iTunes importing much faster and iPhoto more responsive, and OS X is more responsive as well. Anything that benefits from Altivec, including OS X, will benefit from the G4. I went from a 400 mHz G3 so the difference was even more pronounced. The cost/benefit of the upgrade continues to decline though as more new PBs come out. The Pismos have been holding their value well because many people recognize their value as rugged, capable computers, but once Intel comes they will probably plummet like everything PPC. The Pismo is the earliest PB still officially supported by OS X, but sadly I doubt it will make the jump to 10.5, even though there will undoubtedly be a PPC version.
PS: The slot-loading Superdrive rocks! I had upgraded to a combo drive in fall 2003 that I made compatible with Patchburn, and then upgraded again to the Superdrive in summer 2004. It's only single-layer but is 8x, so it's pretty sweet. Haven't regretted it at all. And speaking of DVD drives etc., another great thing about the Pismo is that it was the last PB to sport dual expansion bays. Sometimes I head out with 2 batteries and leave the Superdrive at home, and I get almost 8 hours of runtime--sick.
PS: The slot-loading Superdrive rocks! I had upgraded to a combo drive in fall 2003 that I made compatible with Patchburn, and then upgraded again to the Superdrive in summer 2004. It's only single-layer but is 8x, so it's pretty sweet. Haven't regretted it at all. And speaking of DVD drives etc., another great thing about the Pismo is that it was the last PB to sport dual expansion bays. Sometimes I head out with 2 batteries and leave the Superdrive at home, and I get almost 8 hours of runtime--sick.
Yep. I thinkepepper9 said:I believe the pismo(or the bronze/lombard/wallstreet) is(/are) the only PB(s) that can have a second battery in the cd/dvd drive slot
I think the Kanga PB might have had the drive bays, too. Not sure, though.
epepper9 said:I believe the pismo(or the bronze/lombard/wallstreet) is(/are) the only PB(s) that can have a second battery in the cd/dvd drive slot
I thought all the PBG3s had dual expansion bays, but then again I've only owned a Pismo so what would I know. If that's true, then the pismo truly was one of a kind. Apple had to dispense with the dual bays to shrink the form factor, I'm sure, but I know there are a lot of people out there who would like to see Apple market a "toughbook"-type laptop that sacrifices some weight/size in exchange for extra ruggedness, performance and flexibility. The Pismo had all that at the time--it was one of the easiest laptops ever to work on, I changed the hard drive twice and each time it only took about 10 minutes. Can't say that about any of today's PBs.
yes... and all this
at just the size and weight of the current 14'' ibook g4. and it does run os 9 really really fast, even in its original configuration. maybe it would still be worth it to buy the old (new) one at compusa?
besides the pink screen, does anyone know of any typical failure points for the pismo?
cs
at just the size and weight of the current 14'' ibook g4. and it does run os 9 really really fast, even in its original configuration. maybe it would still be worth it to buy the old (new) one at compusa?
besides the pink screen, does anyone know of any typical failure points for the pismo?
cs
fklehman said:
Something i seriously want in the G4 PBs and iBooks
typewriterchimp said:
Not that I know of... But, both of my WallStreets had serious screen problems. Like a TV screen
neoelectronaut said:
Heres a link to some great step-by-step instructions for just about anything you will need to upgrade on your, somewhat new powerbook:
PBFixit.com
just enter in what powerbook it is, then away you go.
Ryan
Pink screen was the only doom scenario with the Pismos; mine never suffered from it though. No other big problems. After five years of daily use, my hinges are a little loose and the LCD backlight has clearly lost some zip. I lost 2 rubber feet but super-glued a new set on just the other day. Once I get my new PB 15" I plan to attempt the "risky" repairs that I dared not try when the Pismo was my only machine. I'm getting a new LCD backlight for $70 and will try to install it myself, since it won't be the end of the world if I screw up. It should improve the screen brightness dramatically. I may also fix the hinges. Both repairs involve separating the LCD from the display casing, it can get pretty hairy. I'm going to change its name from "Badass Pismo" to "Franken-Pismo."
The hard drive upgrade is easy: all you have to do is lift up the keyboard and the HDD is right there. You have to remove the heatsink with a philips screwdriver and remove the HDD screws with a Torx-8, and then the HDD comes right out. Doesn't take long at all. The Pismo is a dream to work on. You just have to be careful with the screws--the original heatsink screws are pretty short and the head strips easily if you're not careful. Use as large a philips as you can or you'll chew up the head real quick. I replaced them with soem longer Torx-8 screws made of a harder metal, they don't strip. You might also check the heatsink and apply a little fresh thermal paste if it's been sitting around for a long time.
The hard drive upgrade is easy: all you have to do is lift up the keyboard and the HDD is right there. You have to remove the heatsink with a philips screwdriver and remove the HDD screws with a Torx-8, and then the HDD comes right out. Doesn't take long at all. The Pismo is a dream to work on. You just have to be careful with the screws--the original heatsink screws are pretty short and the head strips easily if you're not careful. Use as large a philips as you can or you'll chew up the head real quick. I replaced them with soem longer Torx-8 screws made of a harder metal, they don't strip. You might also check the heatsink and apply a little fresh thermal paste if it's been sitting around for a long time.