[wondermac]

Hello, I hope I have posted in the correct forum, if not I apologize.

I just bought a PowerBook Pismo 500 MHz 40GB 512MB DVD-ROM 10.4.3 & 9.2.2(Inluding original system & Tiger 10.4 DVD disks) Battery still holds a decent charge, for $440.00 on eBay. I hope I didn't pay too much. I also have an Apple Powermac Sawtooth G4-400/768MB/60GB(10.4.3) & 20GB(10.3.9)/DVD bought on ebay too, for $235.89. I have an old Beige Powermac G3 B/W 350 MHz proccessor(Overclocked at 375MHz 83MHz Bus) in it, 512MB(Was 768, 256 chip moved to G4) 10.2.8 & 9.2.2, OrangeLink+ FireWire and USB 2 combo card.

I originally was going to purchase an X2gen 19" LCD Flat Panel($209.00) and a 120GB Titanium IEEE 1394 FireWire Hard Drive 7200rpm($79.00) to use with the G3 and G4. I bought the Pismo and then suddenly realized that I would have 3 machines. I really don't need 3 computers and am have decided to just keep one. Which computer is most worth holding on to and upgrading? and with what upgrades? Even if it means selling all three and using the money for something else. I'm having a difficult time deciding. Is there anyone here on the forums willing to give their advice and what they would do? all 3 are in very good shape.Thank you!

I was going to post a few photos of the Pismo but, I'm not sure how to do this.

-wondermac-

[Goldfinger]

Err the Sawtooth. The other ones are seriously outdated and not worth any money, not even the Pismo...

So upgrade the Sawtooth or better yet sell them all and get a newer PowerMac.

[shunt]

We all know what pismo's look like, they made boatloads of them. (I'm staring at one right now)...

Now, on to the used Mac market. You're not the first person to be enticed by low priced 4-6 year old PB's and PM's. However, as you will soon find out, their performance may or may not fit your needs.

Which quickly brings us to the meat and potatoes questions:

What are your needs? Have you thought about why these machines have come into your possesion, aside from the low prices? What do you plan on doing with a computer? (I feel stupid even saying that, but from your hurried barrage of tech-ly/spec-ly/register-recieptly goodness, you obviously needed to hear it).

I believe that as you put them into service and venture into the world of Mac software, their current capabilities will probably delegate/retire their existence automagically. Don't be discouraged if you find that they fall a little short of your expectations. Realistically, you don't have much there, but they can always become introductory machines for friends or relatives who are so commonly hesitant to make that first Mac purchase.

I mean, you're talking about very small money here, and if they serve (I'm betting) as your intro to Mac platform I'd say keep them all (for now) as each one is quite handsome in its own way. You have only begun on the journey of filling Apple's bank accounts (indirectly, but soon to be directly) with moola, there's along road ahead. Stay the course....a thousand points of light...be true to your personal faith and all will be revealed.

Now, plug the damn things in and have some fun....

...or superglue them all together and make a sculpture.

Hope this helps

[Kyros]

If you want/need portability then keep the Pismo, otherwise the Sawtooth.

[photoeditor]

I'd consider offloading the whole lot and getting something newer.

However, the Sawtooth is exponentially more upgradable than the others. I run a Digital Audio (the next version after the Sawtooth) with a processor upgrade and it does quite well; it is especially upgradable with regard to hard drive capacity. You may want to check the "Uni-N" revision on the motherboard with an upgrade card manufacturer to see if it supports dual processors or not.

Perhaps dump the Beige and the Pismo and use that to upgrade the processor, video and hard drive as need be. RAM too if you need it. You could upgrade the Sawtooth to full Core Image compliance on video and a big serial ATA (ATA) hard drive along with a much faster processor and an extra 512MB of RAM for a total of a bit over $600.

One thing I'd recommend with the Sawtooth is to check the main 120mm cooling fan in the case. Replacements run abot $15 to $20 and are likely to be quieter and more effective at cooling than the original. Other than Maxtor's and IBM's lawsuit-inspiring hard drives, the cooling fan is the only part of my Digital Audio to have failed. I caught it before it stopped but after it had gotten slow and noisy, so the system was running noticeably warm.

[wondermac]

Thanks for all the comments. I'm highly considering selling all three and using it for a new mac of some sort. For now though, I may just sell the Pismo and G3 and stick with the G4 and upgrade it some and sell it when I'm good and ready for a new purchase. I've even thought of buying a Mac mini but think I'll wait a few months and see what unfolds within the next few months to a year or so. I'll make my decision within a week and let you know in case anyone is interested in the Pismo and G3. Thanks again!

-wondermac-