This week: PowerBook G3
- Available Nov 1997 until Jan 2001
- Came with OS 9. can run up to OS X 10.4.11
- Hot swappable expansion bays allow for two batteries, zip drives or DVD drives to be added
- Maximum RAM 1GB
- Screen 14" TFT LCD panel
PowerBook. Until the clunky name change to MacBook, this donated Apples range of notebook and laptop computers. Up until the PowerBook G3 range of machines, Apples laptops had been functional but uninspired. The G3 range changed all that. Apples innovative and stylish case design screamed class and power. It was also tough. Tough as old boots and many many G3 PowerBooks are still in happy daily use. The black casing had a pleasing curved design and the combination of hard black and soft touch plastic made the machine a tactile delight.
Coupled with a range of speedy G3 processors which could be upgraded the PowerBook G3 range could more than hold its own against PC laptops. A unique selling point was the ability to hot swap a range of peripherals including CD/DVD drives and Zip drives in and out of the two removable drive bays. Indeed a second battery could be easily added to give the machine extra life when on the road, a feature that many current MacBook owners would love to have now.
With it's ability to run OS X up to version 10.4, a PowerBook G3 still makes sense for ultra budget concious users, and indeed many owners still hold the machine as the high point of Apple laptop design.
A late model PoweBook G3 can still fetch around £200 on ebay.
DHM rates the PowerBook G3 as 4.75 out of 5
