[Duo]

I need some input, I have am looking for an older powerbook, pre-G3. The ones that I have in mind are the 5300c, 1400cs and the 2400. All I need to use the powerbook for is word processing and internet use, it have to be able to use an ethernent card. Which one would be my best choice?

Thanks,
Duo

[iDaver]

Originally posted by Duo:
I need some input, I have am looking for an older powerbook, pre-G3. The ones that I have in mind are the 5300c, 1400cs and the 2400. All I need to use the powerbook for is word processing and internet use, it have to be able to use an ethernent card. Which one would be my best choice?

I suppose this is not the answer you're looking for but I wouldn't recommend going with less than a G3. You must really be trying to save money. While the earlier 603 & 604 PPC processors were alright in their day, the G3 is very much better. It would be foolish, IMHO to consider anything less these days. If all you were doing was word processing, I'd say go for an older PowerBook, but for internet use, a G3 would be a better choice; preferrably, a lombard or newer since it'll run OS X 10.3, should you ever want to do that.

Take my advice with a grain of salt. I know sometimes one simply can't afford what others recommend. A lombard PowerBook would likely set you back $300 or more.

Anyway, I find apple-history.com quite useful for information on older Macs. You should be able to find the details you need there.
http://www.apple-history.com/frames/?

[Duo]

I know I would love a G3 powerbook. But its the money that is stopping me. I only have like 150-200 to spend.

Duo

[terrancew_hod]

You can scour ebay and see if they have anything available, but I would say you should continue to save up for a better powerbook. These 'books don't lose too much of their value, so I doubt you get anything in that $150-$200 price range (except if you want a desktop).

I did some saving to get my powerbook, it took longer (but i helped that a client of my needed a lot of work done so the last invoice covered my powerbook cost), but you'll get something that you would be satisfied with instead of settling.

Just start saving more money and get one of the G4 ibooks. It'll last longer than trying to look for a slower G3...

Terrance

[tooki]

I'd sooner recommend you an old 68K PowerBook than one of those early PPC PowerBooks (except maybe the 2400).

There's something inimitable about an old PowerBook 180 running 7.1... (of course, with machines that old, the batteries are long dead, urgh).

Or a PowerBook 100 running System 6.0.8... those are very snappy.



Oh wait, you wanted Ethernet, too... oh darn.

I'd say go for a PowerBook G3 then, and run OS 9 on it. (Get a Wallstreet, Lombard, or Pismo... the Kanga was disappointing, and can't be made to run OS X at all, if that should ever become necessary.)

tooki

[romeosc]

Ethenet is available on older systems.... I have a duo 2300 running ethernet with etherdock

Anything(almost) is possible if you search!

[dialo]

Originally posted by tooki:
There's something inimitable about an old PowerBook 180 running 7.1... (of course, with machines that old, the batteries are long dead, urgh).

I have a 190cs and it is really cool. Totally snappy and perfect for word processing. I even have an ethernet card for it. One of the batteries actually still works, but my problem is that it no longer works the with power adapter. The adapter itself works OK and I've used it to charge the battery in the charger, but the powerbook doesn't see it anymore so I can only use it off the battery.

It's really kind of sad because it works exceptionally well other than that. Anybody know what I could do to get it fixed? And, yeah, I reset PMU and all that.

[wr11]

Yeah I will vote for 1400c, I have one of these collecting dust... it was my main machine way back when, and it was very good.

The battery is a long way from usefull now, I think it can startup and go for about 5 mins before saying that it's almost out of juice. The 1400 series were all-stars especially when it comes to the keyboard, my new 12in PB is only a little better.

[runningdog]

i'd stay clear of the 5300c or even the faster 5300ce. They are okay for word processing but not for browsing. They do not come with ethernet or a modem built-in. Their performance is almost on par with the old '040 based Powerbook 540c (which has both modem and ethernet ports built in). i have a 5300ce/117, a 3400c/240, and a Wallstreet G3/300 (under repair). i don't use the 5300ce but i do like my 3400c/240. That little PPC 603+ running at 240 is not too bad though it's still nothing compared to a G3. But the 3400c has a combo modem/ethernet jack so you don't need to deal with a modem/ethernet pc card and a dongle like the 5300ce. Plus the 5300 were limited. There are no cd drives available for it. Battery life is much better on the 3400c as well with a Lithium-Ion battery. The 5300 series are limited to using just the older NiMH.

[petehammer]

I have a (broken) 5300cs I'll sell for $30 plus shipping. I know it works but it has that damn power adapter problem. Apple used to fix this problem for free, I don't know if they still do. Machine is in great cosmetic shape, and I'm very sure will work fine if you get the power adapter port on the computer fixed.

[bbales]

I have a 3400 with a broken trackpad. You know -- it works great for word processing and can surf the net, too. It's running 8.6, I think -- I'm not even sure if it could go to 9 or not. It's a good little machine, though obviously limited for today's world.

I looked on ebay once and they aren't going for much. You could probably get one.

And by the way, I have a 165 I'd give you for shipping. No CD drive, no nothing! I'm fairly certain ethernet would be but a dream on it, too ... It's VERY old.

[LittleRay]

To wr11;

"Yeah I will vote for 1400c, I have one of these collecting dust..."

I'm interested if you're selling it. Sent you email.