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PowerBook G3 Q&A - Updated January 8, 2010
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What is AirPort? Which PowerBook G3 models support AirPort? Can AirPort be added to PowerBook G3 models without internal support?
According to Apple's own AirPort FAQ [subsequently deleted], "AirPort [802.11b] is a wireless local area network (LAN) technology that offers a simple, affordable way to bring the Internet to every room in your home or every desk in a classroom--without cables, additional phone lines, or complicated networking hardware."
The "Firewire/Pismo" PowerBook G3 models -- the PowerBook G3/400 (Firewire/Pismo) and G3/500 (Firewire/Pismo) -- have internal support for AirPort but neither had it pre-installed by default. Installation is a fairly simple procedure -- essentially unscrewing and removing the keyboard, unscrewing and removing a heat shield, plugging in the AirPort card, and reassembling everything -- and is covered on pages 31-37 of the instruction manual (PDF).
No other PowerBook G3 models have internal support for AirPort, but a variety of options to use wireless networking remain nevertheless.
The "Bronze Keyboard/Lombard" PowerBook G3 models -- the PowerBook G3/333 (Bronze Keyboard/Lombard) and G3/400 (Bronze Keyboard/Lombard) -- have USB 1.1 ports and can use a third-party USB wireless device if they are running a later version of Mac OS X. As aftermarket AirPort cards are expensive, this is a good option to consider for the "Firewire/Pismo" models as well, as they also are equipped with USB 1.1 ports. Site sponsor Other World Computing once had a selection of moderately priced third-party solutions; a vintage option or two may still be available.
PowerBook G3 models also can be equipped with wireless via a CardBus/PCMCIA expansion card. Site sponsor Other World Computing may have a vintage card or two available. These tend to be natively compatible with MacOS X 10.3 and higher. This would limit the use of these cards to the "Bronze Keyboard/Lombard" and "Firewire/Pismo" models, but support for earlier PowerBook G3 models booting MacOS X or MacOS 9 also can be added via a third-party driver from IOXperts [no longer in business].
What is Bluetooth? Do PowerBook G3 models support internal Bluetooth? Can it be added?
Apple reports that Bluetooth is:
A cutting-edge open specification that enables short-range wireless connections between desktop and notebook computers, personal digital assistants, mobile phones, camera phones, printers, digital cameras, keyboards and even a computer mouse. Bluetooth wireless technology uses a globally available frequency band (2.4GHz) for worldwide compatibility.
In a nutshell, Bluetooth technology unplugs your digital peripherals and makes cable clutter a thing of the past. . . You can link your handheld device, mobile phone and other peripherals with Bluetooth technology -- and do it wirelessly, within a 30-foot range.
No PowerBook G3 models support an internal Bluetooth module. However, it is possible to add Bluetooth to a "Bronze Keyboard/Lombard" or "Firewire/Pismo" PowerBook G3 using an external USB Bluetooth dongle.
A number of Bluetooth dongles once were available; site sponsor Other World Computing may have a vintage option or two still available.
What type of modem is standard with the PowerBook G3 models?
The PowerBook G3/250 (Original/Kanga) has a 33.6k modem and all other PowerBook G3 models have an internal 56k modem. The Original (Kanga) PowerBook G3 as well as the "Wallstreet" and "PDQ" lines also are capable of using an external Mac serial-based modem and the "Bronze Keyboard/Lombard" and "Firewire/Pismo" lines are capable of using an external USB modem.
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