Apple PowerBook G3 500 (Firewire/Pismo) Specs (M7633LL/A*)
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The PowerBook G3/500 (Firewire/Pismo) -- formally a member of the "PowerBook Firewire" series (note the lack of official "G3" designation) as dubbed by Apple, but often referred to by its codename of "Pismo" -- features a 500 MHz PowerPC 750 (G3) processor with 1 MB of "backside" level 2 cache, 128 MB of RAM, a 12.0 GB or 20.0 GB hard drive, a tray-loading 6X DVD-ROM drive, and ATI Rage Mobility 128 graphics with 8 MB of SDRAM in a sleek black portable case with a 14.1" TFT active-matrix color display.
Although each shares a case that is quite similar to the "Bronze Keyboard/Lombard" PowerBook G3 models that came before them, the "Firewire/Pismo" systems use a faster logic board design with a faster bus (100 MHz), faster hard drive standard (Ultra ATA/66), faster graphics (Rage Mobility 128), support for optional AirPort (802.11b), and dual Firewire ports (dropping SCSI).
There are two slightly different configurations of this model. It originallly shipped with a 12.0 GB hard drive (M7633LL/A), and on September 13, 2000, this was increased to a 20.0 GB hard drive (M7712LL/A). The price for each configuration was US$3499.
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| Introduction Date: |
February 16, 2000* |
Discontinued Date: |
January 9, 2001 |
| Details: |
The "Introduction Date" refers to the date a model was introduced via press release. The "Discontinued Date" refers to the date a model either was replaced by a subsequent system or production otherwise ended.
On September 13, 2000, Apple increased the size of the hard drive from 12.0 GB to 20.0 GB (M7712LL/A). |
| Processor Type: |
PowerPC 750 (G3) |
Processor Speed: |
500 MHz |
| Processor Upgrade: |
PB G3 Daughtercard |
FPU: |
Integrated |
| System Bus Speed: |
100 MHz |
Cache Bus Speed: |
200 MHz (5:2) |
| ROM/Firmware Type: |
Open Firmware |
ROM/Firmware Size: |
1 MB |
| Details: |
The Boot ROM is roughly 1 MB, other instructions are loaded into RAM. |
| L1 Cache: |
64k |
L2/L3 Cache: |
1 MB (backside) |
| Details: |
Includes a 1 MB level 2 cache on a 200 MHz backside bus. |
| RAM Type: |
PC100 SDRAM |
Min. RAM Speed: |
10 ns |
| Details: |
Supports 144-pin PC100 SDRAM SO-DIMM memory modules. |
| Standard RAM: |
128 MB |
Maximum RAM: |
512 MB* |
| Details: |
*Apple officially supports 512 MB of RAM in this model. However, third-parties have been able to upgrade it to 1.0 GB using two 512 MB memory modules.
Site sponsor Other World Computing sells PowerBook G3 memory, as well as hard drives, batteries, carrying cases, and accessories. |
| Motherboard RAM: |
None |
RAM Slots: |
2 |
| Video Card: |
Rage Mobility 128 |
VRAM Type: |
SDRAM |
| Details: |
ATI Rage Mobility 128 graphics with 8 MB of SDRAM. |
| Standard VRAM: |
8 MB |
Maximum VRAM: |
8 MB |
| Details: |
The video cannot be upgraded. |
| Built-in Display: |
14.1" TFT |
Native Resolution: |
1024x768 |
| Details: |
A 14.1" color TFT active-matrix display with a 1024x768 native resolution. Supports 640x480 and 800x600 when scaled. |
| 2nd Display Support: |
Dual/Mirroring |
2nd Max. Resolution: |
1024x768 |
| Details: |
Simultaneously supports native resolution on the internal display and a maximum of 1024x768 on an external display. |
| Standard Hard Drive: |
12.0 GB, 20.0 GB |
Int. HD Interface: |
Ultra ATA/66 |
| Details: |
The original model was equipped with a 12.0 GB hard drive (M7633LL/A). 20.0 GB hard drive standard starting September 13, 2000 (M7712LL/A). |
| Standard Optical: |
6X DVD-ROM* |
Standard Disk: |
None |
| Details: |
*This model has a single "hot-swappable" 5.25" bay that holds a tray-loading 6X DVD-ROM by default. |
| Standard Modem: |
56.6k |
Standard Ethernet: |
10/100Base-T |
| Standard AirPort: |
802.11b (Optional) |
Standard Bluetooth: |
N/A |
| Details: |
Internal support for "AirPort" (802.11b), but not pre-installed by default. No internal support for Bluetooth. |
| USB Ports: |
2 (1.1) |
Firewire Ports: |
2 (400) |
| Details: |
Dual onboard USB 1.1 ports and Firewire "400" ports.
Also see: Complete Ports. |
| Expansion Slots: |
1 Type I/II PC Card* |
Expansion Bays: |
1 5.25" |
| Details: |
*1 Type I/II PC card slot (CardBus compatible). This system has one "hot-swappable" 5.25" bay that shipped with a 6X DVD-ROM by default. Please note that these bays are not backwards compatible with the Wallstreet/PDQ models. |
| Incl. Keyboard: |
Full-size |
Incl. Input: |
Trackpad |
| Details: |
Apple reports that the integrated keyboard has 77 (US) or 78 (ISO) keys, including 12 function keys, 4 arrow keys, and an embedded numeric keypad. The trackpad supports tap, double tap, and drag capabilities. |
| Case Type: |
Notebook |
Form Factor: |
PowerBook G3 Firewire/Pismo |
| Apple Model No: |
M7633LL/A* |
Apple Subfamily: |
PowerBook G3 - Firewire/Pismo |
| Details: |
*M7633LL/A was assigned to the original configuration with a 12 GB hard drive. M7712LL/A was assigned to the second configuration equipped with a 20 GB hard drive. |
| Gestalt/Model ID: |
N/A |
Machine Model: |
PowerBook3,1 |
| Details: |
Please note that these identifiers refer to more than one model. |
| Battery Type: |
50 W/Hr LiIon |
Battery Life: |
5 Hours, 9-10 Hours* |
| Details: |
*Apple estimated 5 hours with a single battery and 9-10 hours with dual batteries under "normal usage conditions". |
| Pre-Installed MacOS: |
9.0.2 |
Maximum MacOS: |
X 10.4.11 |
| Details: |
Please note that this system cannot run versions of MacOS X more recent than 10.4.11. |
| MacOS 9 Support: |
Boot/Classic Mode |
Windows Support: |
Emulation Only |
| Details: |
This model is capable of booting in MacOS 9 and using MacOS 9 applications within the MacOS X "Classic" environment.
Site-sponsor OHS specializes in heavily upgraded Macs capable of running both MacOS X and MacOS 9 applications. |
| Dimensions: |
1.7 x 10.4 x 12.7 |
Avg. Weight: |
5.7-6.1 lbs (2.6-2.8 kg) |
| Details: |
In inches while closed - height by width by depth, (4.1 cm, 32.3 cm, 26.4 cm). Apple reported that the weight varied by configuration. |
| Original Price: |
US$3499 |
Est. Current Retail: |
US$350-US$400 |
| Details: |
Please note that on average the estimated current retail pricing of used systems is updated twice a year (please refer to the date on the bottom of the page for the date last updated).
Photo Credit: Apple Computer. |
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