PowerBook G3 500 (Firewire/Pismo) Specs (Firewire/Pismo, M7633LL/A*, PowerBook3,1, M7572, 1840-1): EveryMac.com

Apple PowerBook G3 500 (Firewire/Pismo) Specs

Identifiers: Firewire/Pismo - M7633LL/A* - PowerBook3,1 - M7572 - 1840-1

All PowerBook G3 Models | All 2000 Models | Dynamically Compare This Mac to Others

Apple PowerBook G3 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.

Despite the age of this system, site sponsor Other World Computing has RAM, hard drives, SSDs, and other upgrades available for this specific Mac while supplies last.

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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).

Also see: All Macs introduced in 2000.

Processors:

Geekbench 2:

258

Details:

This model only is compatible with the 32-bit Geekbench 2 benchmark. These numbers reflect an average of user provided 32-bit and 64-bit results as submitted to the Geekbench website. Higher numbers are better.

You also might be interested in reviewing all 32-bit Geekbench 2 user submissions for Macs with the PowerBook3,1 Model Identifier, which may include multiple models.

To dynamically compare Geekbench results from different Macs side-by-side, see EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Comparison.

Processor Speed:

500 MHz

Processor Type:

PowerPC 750 (G3)

Details:

N/A

Processor Upgrade:

PB G3 Daughtercard

FPU:

Integrated

Details:

A variety of third-party processor upgrades were available.

System Bus Speed:

100 MHz

Cache Bus Speed:

200 MHz (5:2)

Details:

N/A

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:

1 GB*

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.

In the US (and many other countries), site sponsor Other World Computing sells memory -- as well as other upgrades -- for this PowerBook G3.

In Germany, site sponsor CompuRAM sells memory and other upgrades for this PowerBook G3.

Also see: Actual Max RAM of All G3 & Later Macs.

Motherboard RAM:

None

RAM Slots:

Details:

N/A

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 Storage:

12.0, 20.0 GB*

Std. Storage Speed:

N/A

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).

This model does not support hard drives larger than 128 GB.

Site sponsor Other World Computing sells storage upgrades for this PowerBook G3.

Also see: SSD Compatibility Guide for All G3 & Later Macs.

Storage Dimensions:

2.5" (12.5 mm)

Storage Interface:

Ultra ATA/66

Details:

This model supports an internal Ultra ATA/66 (ATA-5) 2.5" hard drive that is up to 12.5 mm thick. It must be smaller capacity than 128 GB.

Standard Optical:

6X DVD-ROM*

Standard Disk:

None

Details:

*This model has a single "hot-swappable" 5.25" bay (on the right side) that holds a tray-loading 6X DVD-ROM by default. The right bay can hold a battery as well, but the battery bay (on the left side) only supports a battery.

Standard Modem:

56.6k

Standard Ethernet:

10/100Base-T

Details:

N/A

Standard AirPort:

802.11b (Optional)

Standard Bluetooth:

None

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.

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. Additionally, Apple notes that expansion modules designed for the "Bronze Keyboard/Lombard" models will work with this system, but not necessarily vice versa.

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:

PB G3 Firewire/Pismo

Details:

N/A

Apple Order No:

M7633LL/A*

Apple Subfamily:

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.

Apple Model No:

M7572 (EMC 1840-1)

Model ID:

PowerBook3,1

Details:

Please note that these identifiers refer to more than one model.

Also see: All Macs with the M7572 Model Number, the 1840-1 EMC Number, and the PowerBook3,1 Model Identifier.

For more about these identifiers and how to locate them on each Mac, please refer to EveryMac.com's Mac Identification section.

Battery Type:

50 W h 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:

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 Mac OS 9 and using Mac OS 9 applications within the Mac OS X "Classic" environment.

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):

US$3499

Est. Current Retail:

N/A

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.

Click on a category for additional details. The most commonly needed info is "open" by default, but all info is important. The icons correspond with the icons for each port on the computer.

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Video (Monitor):

1 (VGA)

Floppy (Ext.):

None

Details:

N/A

ADB:

None

SCSI:

None

Details:

No ADB or SCSI.

Serial (Standard):

None

Serial (Geoport):

None

Details:

N/A

USB:

2 (1.1)

Firewire:

2 (400)

Details:

Dual onboard USB 1.1 ports and Firewire "400" ports.

Modem:

1 (RJ-11)

Ethernet:

1 (RJ-45)

Details:

Internal 56.6k modem and 10/100Base-T Ethernet standard. IrDA port also provided.

S-Video Input:

None

S-Video Output:

Details:

N/A

Microphone:

1 (Internal)

Sound In:

Details:

Internal microphone and 16-bit stereo sound audio in jack.

Sound Out:

Headphone:

None

Details:

Single 16-bit stereo sound output minijack also can be used with headphones.

Security (Lock):

Joystick (PC):

None

Details:

N/A

Power:

N/A

Power Adapter:

Details:

100V-240V AC power adapter, 45 Max watts.

Ten of the most popular Q&As about the PowerBook G3 models follow.

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