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Apple PowerBook G3 266 (PDQ - Late 1998) Specs

Identifiers: Late 1998/PDQ - M7110LL/A - N/A* - M4753 - None

All PowerBook G3 Models | All 1998 Models | Dynamically Compare This Mac to Others

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Apple PowerBook G3The PowerBook G3/266 (PDQ - Late 1998) -- formally a member of the second "PowerBook G3 Series" as dubbed by Apple, but more commonly referred to by its codename of "PDQ" (Pretty Damn Quick) -- features a 266 MHz PowerPC 750 (G3) processor with 1 MB of "backside" level 2 cache, 64 MB of RAM, 4 MB of SGRAM for video, a 4.0 GB hard drive, and a 20X tray-loading CD-ROM drive in a curvaceous black portable case with a 14.1" TFT active-matrix color display.

The "PDQ" PowerBook G3 models are quite similar to the "Wallstreet" PowerBook G3 models before them -- and share a case design, 2D/3D graphics acceleration, "zoomed video" support, dual "hot-swappable" bays which both can hold batteries or expansion modules (the left is a 3.5" bay and the right a 5.25" bay), dual Card Bus compatible PC card slots, and the "fn" key which creates a numerical keyboard for quicker data entry.

However, the "PDQ" PowerBook G3 series was vastly simplified -- cutting the number of display sizes from three (12.1-inch, 13.3-inch, and 14.1-inch) to one (14.1-inch) and standardizing the motherboard design to use a 66 MHz bus (compared to 66 MHz and 83 MHz before) -- in an effort to fix inventory and supply problems in a "Pretty Damn Quick" manner.

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.


  • Tech Specs
  • Ports
  • Popular Q&As

Click on the category for related details. The most commonly needed info is "open" by default, but all info is important.


September 1, 1998 May 10, 1999
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.

Also see: All Macs introduced in 1998.
1 N/A
Details: N/A 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 N/A* 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.
266 MHz PowerPC 750 (G3)
Details: N/A
PB G3 Daughtercard Integrated
Details: A variety of third-party processor upgrades were available.
66 MHz 133 MHz
Details: N/A
Macintosh ROM 4 MB
Details: N/A
64k 1 MB (backside)
Details: Includes a 1 MB level 2 cache on a 133 MHz backside bus.
PC100 SDRAM 10 ns
Details: Supports 144-pin PC100 SDRAM SO-DIMM memory modules.
64 MB 512 MB*
Details: *Apple officially supports 192 MB of RAM in this model. However, third-parties have been able to upgrade it to 512 MB using two 256 MB memory modules.

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.
None 2
Details: N/A
Rage Pro LT SGRAM
Details: Apple formally reports only that this model has 4 MB of SGRAM, but it uses onboard ATI Rage Pro LT graphics.
4 MB 4 MB
Details: The video cannot be upgraded.
14.1" TFT 1024x768
Details: A 14.1" color TFT active-matrix display with a 1024x768 native resolution.
Mirroring Only 1024x768
Details: This model also has S-video out.
4.0 GB N/A
Details: 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.
2.5" (17 mm) Ultra ATA
Details: This model supports an internal Ultra ATA 2.5" hard drive that is up to 17 mm thick. It must be smaller capacity than 128 GB.
20X CD-ROM* 1.44 MB (Manual)
Details: *This model has a "hot-swappable" 5.25" bay that holds a 20X CD-ROM drive by default -- starting October 1, 1998 a DVD-ROM drive also was available by custom configuration. The floppy drive also is a swappable 3.5" module that can be inserted in either bay.
56.6k 10Base-T
Details: N/A
None None
Details: This model does not support AirPort or Bluetooth.
None None
Details: N/A
2 Type II PC Card* 1 3.5", 1 5.25"
Details: *2 Type II PC card slots also support one Type III card (CardBus compatible). This system has one "hot-swappable" 5.25" bay that commonly shipped with a 20X CD-ROM drive, and one 3.5" bay that shipped with a battery. Please note that these bays only are compatible with the Wallstreet/PDQ models.
Full-size 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.
Notebook PowerBook G3 Wallstreet
Details: N/A
M7110LL/A Late 1998/PDQ
Details: The Apple order number should be unique to this system.
M4753 (EMC None) N/A*
Details: *This model does not have a Model Identifier. Its Gestalt ID is 406, but this is shared by many other models.

Also see: All Macs with the M4753 Model Number, the None EMC Number, and the N/A* Model Identifier.

For more about these identifiers and how to locate them on each Mac, please refer to EveryMac.com's Mac Identification section.
49 W h LiIon 3.5 Hours, 7 Hours*
Details: *Apple estimated 3.5 hours with a single battery and 7 hours with dual batteries under "normal usage conditions".
8.1 X 10.2.8
Details: This system cannot run versions of MacOS X more recent than 10.2.8.
Boot/Classic Mode 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.
2.0 x 10.4 x 12.7 7.8 lbs (3.5 kg)
Details: In inches while closed - height by width by depth, (5.1 cm, 32.3 cm, 26.4 cm).
US$3499 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.


1 (VGA) None
Details: N/A
1 1 (HDI-30)
Details: Single ADB and SCSI ports.
None 1
Details: Single Geoport can be used with either a serial printer or modem.
None None
Details: N/A
1* (RJ-11) 1 (RJ-45)
Details: *Internal 56.6k modem standard on most configurations. IrDA port also provided.
None 1
Details: N/A
1 (Internal) 1
Details: Internal microphone and 16-bit stereo sound audio in jack.
1 None
Details: Single 16-bit stereo sound output minijack also can be used with headphones.
1 None
Details: N/A
N/A 1
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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