| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
longtallugly
Tux's lil' helper
Joined: 27 Mar 2003
Posts: 83
Location: iowa
|
 Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2004 5:53 pm Post subject: powerbook & gentoo questions... |
 |
|
hi, i'm thinking about getting a powerbook so i can learn more about ppc architecture, and maybe get a good grip on OSX... i would dual boot gentoo and osx more than likely, but before i get one, there's a couple questions i have.
1. wireless/wired network card : do pcmcia cards work with both x86 and ppc architecture, or would i need to get a special "apple compatible" card? and if so, will the "apple compatible" card work in gentoo?
2. speed: i know the mac processor speeds are slower, but they make up for it elsewhere, so what x86 hardware would a 400 mhz laptop with 192MB ram compare to? maybe like a 700 mhz x86 or so?
i guess those are the only big questions i had at first... i guess perhaps how much value would you put on a powerbook G3 400 mhz with 192 megs ram, 6 gig internal hdd and 6 gig swapable drive. thanks!
jay |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
tomchuk
Guru
Joined: 23 Mar 2003
Posts: 317
Location: Brooklyn, NY
|
| Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2004 6:16 pm Post subject: Re: powerbook & gentoo questions... |
|
|
| longtallugly wrote: | hi, i'm thinking about getting a powerbook so i can learn more about ppc architecture, and maybe get a good grip on OSX... i would dual boot gentoo and osx more than likely, but before i get one, there's a couple questions i have.
1. wireless/wired network card : do pcmcia cards work with both x86 and ppc architecture, or would i need to get a special "apple compatible" card? and if so, will the "apple compatible" card work in gentoo? |
Yes, it'll be fine. A good card to consider is an Orinoco Silver or Gold.
| Quote: | | 2. speed: i know the mac processor speeds are slower, but they make up for it elsewhere, so what x86 hardware would a 400 mhz laptop with 192MB ram compare to? maybe like a 700 mhz x86 or so? |
In my experience a g3 400 would be about equal to a 550-600 MHz P3. The big differences in performance per clock cycle start occuring when you compare G4s with P4s - but the same is true when comparing P4s to almost any other processor.
| Quote: | i guess those are the only big questions i had at first... i guess perhaps how much value would you put on a powerbook G3 400 mhz with 192 megs ram, 6 gig internal hdd and 6 gig swapable drive. thanks!
jay |
In my opinion it'll cost more than it's worth. Laptops matching your specs are going for $400 - $600 on ebay - simply too expensive for what you're getting. If you're a student (which I seem to remember you are for some reason) you can get some great deals on a new iBook from Apple. You can pick up a 12" iBook G4 800 for $950. Just go to http://www.apple.com/education/store/ , pick your school and browse prices. If that's a little much you should probably think about getting a used G4 desktop or a used TiBook instead of a used G3 Lappy - much better performance for the same price or a little more.
Also, OS X is dog slow on a G3, and since one of your goals is to run OS X I'd look to faster alternatives (read G4 iBook). |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
longtallugly
Tux's lil' helper
Joined: 27 Mar 2003
Posts: 83
Location: iowa
|
| Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2004 6:35 pm Post subject: |
|
|
hey, thanks for the great response... yeah, i do happen to be a student, and yes, that makes cost a big factor...  hehe... you're right about ebay too, that's where i was looking around, but like i said i don't have any clue how much they are worth, so a big thanks there. looks like my best bet would be to get more hours at work to get the $$ to put towards a G4 (either desktop or laptop) and use the macs on campus for now. thanks for the input! 
jay |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
tomchuk
Guru
Joined: 23 Mar 2003
Posts: 317
Location: Brooklyn, NY
|
| Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2004 6:42 pm Post subject: |
|
|
If your credit is alright you can pick up a G4 on an Apple Student lease plan. But trust me (I'm speaking from experience here) It'll be awfully tempting to spend your monthly lease payment on a night at the bar.
Deals like this have resulted in my great collection of hardware and credit rating that makes red lights flash every time I apply for anything - It took a $1K cash deposit to get cell phone service 
Last edited by tomchuk on Fri Jan 16, 2004 6:45 pm; edited 1 time in total |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
longtallugly
Tux's lil' helper
Joined: 27 Mar 2003
Posts: 83
Location: iowa
|
| Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2004 6:44 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| haha, if indeed i do that... i'll be quite careful, but it's also another thing i hadn't really though of. so yet again... thanks! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
|
|
Kernel & Hardware
