PowerBook G3: Difference between revisions

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{{short description|Line of laptop Macintosh computers by Apple Computer}}
{{Infobox Computer
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2020}}
|name = PowerBook G3
{{Multiple issues|{{Original research|date=May 2023}}
|developer = [[Apple Computer]]
{{Inline citations|date=May 2023}}}}
|type = [[Laptop]]
{{Infobox information appliance
|photo = [[Image:Powerbook g3 pismo.jpg|250px|A "Pismo" PowerBook]]
|caption name = A "[[#PowerBook (FireWire)|Pismo]]" PowerBookG3
| image = Apple PowerBook G3 500 Pismo-2763.jpg
|first_release_date = November [[1997]]
| caption = A "[[#PowerBook G3 FireWire (Pismo)|Pismo]]" PowerBook
|discontinuation_date = January [[2001]]
| developer = [[Apple Inc.|Apple Computer]]
|processor = [[PowerPC G3]], 233 - 500 MHz
| family = [[PowerBook]]
| type = [[Laptop]]
| generation = G3
| releasedate = {{Start date and age|1997|11}}
| discontinued = {{End date|2001|01}}
| baseprice = Kanga {{USD|5700|1997}}<br>
Wallstreet I {{USD|2299|1998}}-{{USD|3499|1998}}<br>PDQ {{USD|2799|1998}}<br>Lombard {{USD|2499|1999}}<br>Pismo {{USD|2499|2000}}
| os = [[Mac OS 9]] & [[macOS|Mac OS X]] up to 10.4.11
| cpu = [[PowerPC G3]], 233–500&nbsp;MHz
| predecessor = [[PowerBook 1400]]c<br/>[[PowerBook 2400c]]<br/>[[PowerBook 3400c]]
| successor = [[PowerBook G4]]
}}
 
The '''PowerBook G3''' wasis a lineseries of laptop [[AppleMac Macintosh(computer)|Macintosh]] computers[[personal madecomputer]]s that was designed, manufactured, and sold by [[Apple ComputerInc.|Apple Computer]] betweenfrom 1997 to 20002001. It was the first laptop to use the [[PowerPC G3]] (PPC740/750) series of microprocessors., Itand was succededmarketed byas the Titaniumfastest [[PowerBooklaptop G4]]in linethe inworld 2001,for whichits usedentire production run. The PowerBook G3 was succeeded by the [[PowerPCPowerBook G4]] (PPC74xx) series of microprocessors.
 
The G3 was the first black Apple laptop, and was succeeded in this by the [[MacBook (2006-2012)|black MacBook]] in 2006. Previous [[PowerBook]]s were dark gray.
The PowerBook G3 (a "Pismo" or "Lombard" model) was featured prominently on the hit show Sex and the City, where it was used by Carrie Bradshaw.
 
The Wallstreet, Lombard, and Pismo models were praised for their straightforward upgrade options, not only for accessible drives and memory but also for their CPU daughtercards that could be detached from the logic boards. This encouraged the aftermarket, including Sonnet, Powerlogix, Wegener Media, and others, to offer G3 CPU upgrades across various series. In some instances, they even provided G4 upgrades, allowing these machines to rival or exceed the performance of Apple's contemporary 'G4 Titanium' PowerBooks of that era.
==PowerBook G3==
The first Macintosh PowerBook G3, codenamed "Kanga" was introduced in November 1997. At the time of its introduction, the PowerBook G3 was advertised as the fastest notebook computer available (a title formerly held by its predecessor, the 240 MHz PPC 603ev-based 3400c). This model was based on the [[PowerBook 3400]], and was unofficially known as the PowerBook 3500. It shares the same case and motherboard. The motherboard was upclocked from 40Mhz to 50Mhz, resulting in some incompatibility with older 3400 RAM modules.
 
==Macintosh PowerBook G3 (Kanga)==
The PowerBook G3 shipped with a 250 MHz G3 processor and a 12.1" TFT [[SVGA]] [[LCD]]. It is the only G3 system that is not officially compatible with [[Mac OS X]]. The Kanga was on the market for less than 5 months, and is largely regarded as a stopgap system that allowed Apple to ship G3 PowerBooks in a preexisting Apple design while Apple prepared its more revolutionary PowerBook G3 Series. As a result, the Kanga has the dubious distinction of being Apple's fastest depreciating Powerbook.
The first Macintosh PowerBook G3, code-named "Kanga", was introduced in November 1997. At the time of its introduction, the PowerBook G3 was advertised as the fastest notebook computer available (a title formerly held by its predecessor, the 240&nbsp;MHz [[PowerPC 600#PowerPC 603e and 603ev|PPC-603ev]]-based PowerBook 3400c). This model was based on the [[PowerBook 3400c]], and was unofficially known as the PowerBook 3500. It used the same case as the 3400c, and a very similar motherboard. The motherboard was upclocked from 40&nbsp;MHz to 50&nbsp;MHz, resulting in some incompatibility with older 3400 RAM modules. Other changes to the motherboard included doubling the onboard [[random-access memory|RAM]] from 16&nbsp;[[Megabyte|MB]] to 32&nbsp;MB, and a faster version of the on-board [[Chips and Technologies]] graphics controller. The G3 made the Kanga more than twice as fast as a 3400c,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://macspeedzone.com/archive/4.0/Prototypes.html |title=Macintosh Performance Comparisons – Prototypes |work=macspeedzone.com |access-date=February 7, 2007 |archive-date=March 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210325184412/http://macspeedzone.com/archive/4.0/Prototypes.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> and the improved graphics controller allowed it to refresh the screen 74 percent faster.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://lowendmac.com/misc/02/0529.html |title=PowerBook 1400, Kanga, and WallStreet Reflections |author=Charles W. Moore |work=lowendmac.com}}</ref>
 
This first PowerBook G3 shipped with a 250&nbsp;MHz G3 processor and a 12.1-inch TFT [[Super VGA|SVGA]] [[Liquid-crystal display|LCD]]. It is the only G3 system that is not officially compatible with [[Mac OS X]] (though various methods not sanctioned by Apple can be used to install OS X). The Kanga was on the market for less than 5 months, and is largely regarded as a stopgap system that allowed Apple to ship G3 PowerBooks sooner, while Apple prepared its more revolutionary PowerBook G3 Series. As a result, the Kanga has the dubious distinction of being Apple's most quickly deprecated PowerBook. Nevertheless, many people chose to purchase a Kanga to continue using their interchangeable expansion bay modules, batteries, and other peripherals from the Powerbook 190, 5300 and 3400 models. The Kanga was also notably smaller in depth and width than the subsequent Wallstreet Powerbooks, and the Kanga remained the smallest-when-open G3 laptop until the debut of the Apple iBook some years later.
==PowerBook G3 Series==
[[Image:Powerbookg3 wallstreet.JPG|thumb|"Wallstreet" PowerBook G3]]
The second generation of PowerBook G3s with the name PowerBook G3 series (Mainstreet/Wallstreet) were introduced on March 1998 with redesigned case which was lighter and more round and was still an [[Old World ROM]] Mac. 233 MHz (no L2 cache 13.3" version, no L2 cache in one of the 14.1" versions, other one having 512KB. L2 cachless uses the PPC740), 250 MHz and 292 MHz version were made available with three display options which were 12" passive matrix [[LCD]], 13.3" TFT LCD and 14.1" TFT LCD. The same design was updated on August 1998 (Wallstreet-II) and featured a 14.1" display on all models. Processors were bumped with 233 MHz, 266 MHz and 300 MHz models. The case contained two docking bays, one on each side. The left hand bay could accommodate a [[battery (electricity)|battery]], a [[diskette]] drive, a third-party [[Iomega]] [[Zip drive]], or a third-party add-on hard drive. The right hand bay was larger and could accommodate all of the above plus a 5-1/4" [[Optical disc|optical drive]] ([[CD-ROM]] or [[DVD|DVD-ROM]]). A small internal [[nickel-cadmium battery]] allowed swapping of the main batteries while the computer "slept". With a battery in each bay, battery life was doubled. [[DVD]]s could be displayed with the use of a hardware decoder built into a [[PCMCIA|CardBus]] (PCMCIA) card. The PowerBook G3 Series was Apple's first notebook offering to match the BTO customizability of the Power Mac G3 desktop line.
 
==PowerBook G3 Series (BronzeWallstreet KeyboardI)==
[[Image:WallstreetII.jpg|thumb|"Wallstreet" PowerBook G3]]
The third generation of PowerBook G3 (Lombard) was introduced in May 1999. It was dramatically thinner and lighter than its predecessor and was the first [[New World ROM]] PowerBook. It had longer battery life, and the user could double the duration to 10 hours by substituting a second battery for the optical drive in the expansion bay. The keyboard was also improved and now featured translucent bronze-tinted plastics, which is the origin of the "bronze keyboard" nickname. The Lombard was the first PowerBook to use industry-standard [[ATA]] optical drives. This change meant that CD and DVD recorders designed by other manufacturers could more easily be used in this computer, often at a price far less than those manufactured by Apple. Drives for the Lombard and Pismo can be used interchangeably. A DVD drive was optional on the 333 MHz model and standard on the 400 MHz version. The 400 MHz model included a hardware MPEG-2 decoder for DVD playback, while the 333 MHz model was left without (except for the PC card one used by Wallstreet). Further DVD playback optimizations enabled both models to play back DVDs without use of hardware assistance. This model introduced USB ports to the PowerBook line while retaining SCSI support and eliminating ADB entirely (although the keyboard and touchpad still used an ADB interface internally). Graphics were provided by a Rage LT Pro chipset on the PCI bus, to drive its 14.1-inch LCD at a maximum resolution of 1024 x 768.
The second generation of PowerBook G3s, now called the PowerBook G3 Series, was introduced in May 1998. The machine was completely redesigned with a new case that was lighter and more rounded than the previous PowerBook G3; however, it was still an [[Old World ROM]] Macintosh. The new PowerBooks, code-named Wallstreet, came in three screen sizes: a 12" passive matrix LCD, a 13.3-inch TFT LCD, and a 14.1-inch TFT LCD. The 12.1" models had 2&nbsp;MB VRAM onboard, while the 13.3" and 14.1" models were equipped with 4&nbsp;MB VRAM allowing for 'millions of colors' at maximum resolution (1024×768 for both; the 13.3" having a higher pixel density). The 13.3" display came with a quick-to-fail ribbon cable that was produced too short, leading to a swath of warranty repairs that led Apple to remove the 13.3" model from the lineup after the initial production run. The Wallstreet was the first PowerBook to use industry-standard [[AT attachment|ATA]] optical drives. This change meant that CD and DVD recorders designed for [[Wintel]] machines could more easily be used in this computer, often at a price far less than those manufactured by Apple. It also came in three CPU speeds: 233&nbsp;MHz, 250&nbsp;MHz, and 292&nbsp;MHz. The 233&nbsp;MHz model was sometimes nicknamed Mainstreet, as it lacked L2 cache, making it far slower than the other two in the lineup. The 250&nbsp;MHz and 292&nbsp;MHz models shipped with 1&nbsp;MB of cache. Because of this large cache, as well as the swifter system bus, the Wallstreets were known to suffer from some heat issues. Many of the problems of the Wallstreet PowerBook G3s were fixed in the next revision, the Wallstreet II. The WallStreet I was the last PowerBook assembled by Apple in [[Cork (city)|Cork, Ireland]].<!-- Unsourced image removed: [[Image:Powerbooks copy.jpg|500px|thumb|right|A PowerBook G3 along with an older Powerbook.]] -->
 
==PowerBook G3 Series (Wallstreet II, PDQ - "Pretty Darn Quick")==
Mac OS 8.6 - 10.3.9 is supported by Apple, but 10.4 is not, although there are issues when installing Mac OS X (above 10.0) if both RAM slots are not occupied with identical size RAM (ie. OS X will not install). The use of [[XPostFacto]] 4 allows users to upgrade to Tiger, and it runs quite well for an unsupported machine. More RAM (up to 512 MB), a larger hard drive (up to 128 GB), and CPU upgrades (up to a 433 MHz G4) are available for these reliable PowerBooks.
The Wallstreet design was updated in August 1998 (Wallstreet-II). It featured a 14.1-inch display on 266&nbsp;MHz and 300&nbsp;MHz models. The 233&nbsp;MHz machine was now equipped with a vastly improved TFT panel (compared to the passive matrix of the 12.1" Wallstreet I series), as well as a 512 KB backside cache allowing for far superior performance at the same 233&nbsp;MHz, though it was equipped with 2&nbsp;MB onboard VRAM compared to the 4&nbsp;MB on the faster 14.1" models. The 13.3" display was removed from the line, owing to both the falling production costs of the larger TFT and the near-guaranteed failure of the 13.3" models' ribbon cable through the hinge; it was produced slightly too short, and many failed soon after purchase. Processor speeds were bumped on the faster two models, resulting in 233&nbsp;MHz, 266&nbsp;MHz, and 300&nbsp;MHz models.
 
The case has two docking bays, one on each side. The left-hand bay can accommodate a [[electric battery|battery]], a 3.5" [[floppy disk]], a third-party [[Iomega]] [[Zip drive]], or a third-party add-on hard drive. The right-hand bay is larger and can accommodate any of the above plus a 5.25" [[optical disc|optical drive]] ([[CD-ROM]] or [[DVD|DVD-ROM]]). A small internal [[nickel–cadmium battery]] allowed swapping of the main batteries while the computer "slept". With a battery in each bay, battery life was doubled. [[DVD]]s can be displayed with the use of a hardware decoder built into a [[PC card#CardBus|CardBus]] (PCMCIA) card.
==PowerBook G3 (FireWire)==
A fourth generation of PowerBook G3 (Pismo), with the name PowerBook, was introduced in February 2000. The word "Pismo” means "[[scripture]]" in [[Polish language|Polish]] and also refers to the Pismo clam.
 
The PowerBook G3 Series was Apple's first notebook offering that matched the build-to-order customization of the Power Mac G3 desktop line. It was discontinued in May 1999. It is the last Apple computer ever to bear the rainbow-colored Apple logo, and the last Mac to support Apple's [[SuperDrive]]. It was also the last [[Old World ROM]] model in the PowerBook series. The PDQ series was entirely produced in Taiwan, and the machine's manufacture labels (showing production in Ireland or Taiwan) on the underside of the machines can be used to identify between otherwise nearly identical Wallstreet and PDQ series for collectors and enthusiasts.
The original Pismo was rumored to be a latchless design, akin to the similarly spec'd [[iBook]]. Apple settled on fitting the Pismo board into the form factor of the previous Lombard G3 PowerBook, but with many improvements. The Pismo was available at a CPU clock of 400 or 500 MHz, with a [[front side bus]] of 100 MHz, one-third faster than the Lombard's front side bus; it also implemented a unified motherboard architecture, and replaced [[SCSI]] with the newer [[FireWire]] interface (IEEE-1394). The [[Peripheral Component Interconnect|PCI]] graphics used on the Lombard were updated to an [[Accelerated Graphics Port|AGP]]-connected Rage Mobility 128, though the video memory was kept at 8 MB, and the screen's resolution was the same as well. A 2x DVD-ROM drive became standard for both speed grades. It was also the first PowerBook with [[AirPort|AirPort networking]] as an official option (although it could be added to the earlier models via various third-party [[CardBus]] (PCMCIA) cards).
 
The 12.1" and 13.3" Wallstreet I and PDQ series shared a more curved top case at all corners; the lid and its corners were flattened and squared off for the larger LCD of the 14.1" model resulting in a bulkier appearance. Many press releases and visual media at the time relied on the more 'attractive' curvature of the case on those smaller-display models, regardless of the 14.1" model's superior and more upmarket display.
The left expansion bay, like the Lombard, could only take a battery, but the right bay was able to accommodate a tray-loading or slot-loading [[Combo Drive]] or [[SuperDrive]], a [[Zip Drive|Zip]] 100 drive, a Zip 250 drive, an LS-120 [[SuperDisk]] drive, a VST [[floppy disk]] drive, a second hard drive (with adapter, which were difficult to find), or a second battery. Since the Lombard and Pismo share expansion bay designs, they could use each other's devices.
 
==PowerBook G3 Bronze Keyboard (Lombard) ==
All versions of Mac OS since 9.0.2 are currently supported. The Pismo can be upgraded with additional RAM (up to one gigabyte), a larger hard drive (up to 120 GB), or even a 550 MHz G4 processor. Brighter screens are also available. For some time, G3 CPU upgrades at speeds of up to 1 GHz were available, but these upgrades are now out of production and hard to find. Daystar was working on a video upgrade for these popular PowerBooks, however, it never reached production.
The third generation of PowerBook G3 (Lombard) was introduced in May 1999. It was much slimmer and lighter than its predecessor and was the first [[New World ROM]] PowerBook. It had longer battery life, and as with the Wallstreet II the user could double the duration to 10 hours by substituting a second battery for the optical drive in the expansion bay. The keyboard was also improved and now featured translucent bronze-tinted plastics, which is the origin of the "bronze keyboard" nickname. It was also the first Apple laptop to have a glowing Apple logo on the back.<ref name="q817">{{cite web | title=PowerBook G3 Q&A | website= EveryMac.com | date=2010-01-12 | url=https://everymac.com/systems/apple/powerbook_g3/faq/powerbook-g3-how-to-upgrade-processor-options.html#glow | access-date=2024-06-25}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.macrumors.com/2016/10/28/new-mbp-no-backlit-logo-or-power-extension-cable/ |title=New MacBook Pros Don't Include Backlit Apple Logo or Power Extension Cable |last=Rossignol |first=Joe |website=www.macrumors.com |date=October 28, 2016 |language=en|access-date=October 21, 2019}}</ref>
 
Internal hard drives for the Pismo, Lombard, and Wallstreet II can be used interchangeably. The expansion bay drives (DVD, CD, floppy, battery) are interchangeable on the Pismo and Lombard, but not on the Wallstreet. A DVD drive was optional on the 333&nbsp;MHz model and standard on the 400&nbsp;MHz version. The 400&nbsp;MHz model included a hardware MPEG-2 decoder for DVD playback, while the 333&nbsp;MHz model was left without (except for the PC card one used by Wallstreet). Further DVD playback optimizations enabled both models to play back DVDs without use of hardware assistance. This model introduced USB ports to the PowerBook line while retaining SCSI support and eliminating ADB entirely (although the keyboard and touchpad still used an ADB interface internally). Graphics were provided by an ATi Rage LT Pro chipset on the PCI bus, to drive its 14.1-inch LCD at a maximum resolution of 1024×768.
The Pismo PowerBook was the last of the G3 line. It was succeeded by the [[PowerBook G4]] Titanium models. It is still not uncommon to see Pismos today, as the expandibility offered by the expansion bay, and the durability compared to the Titanium PowerBook G4's (especially in hinge quality and scratch-resistance) is exceptional.
 
Mac OS 8.6–10.3.9 are supported by Apple, but 10.4 is not, although OS X will not install (except for 10.0) if both RAM slots are not occupied with identical size RAM. The use of [[XPostFacto]] 4 enables users to upgrade to Tiger, and it runs quite well for an unsupported machine.{{cn|date=January 2019}} More RAM (up to 512 [[megabyte|MB]]), a greater hard drive (up to 128&nbsp;GB), and CPU upgrades (up to a 433&nbsp;MHz G4) are available for these PowerBooks.
==External links==
 
==PowerBook G3 FireWire (Pismo)==
* [http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=24604 How to Identify Different Models] at Apple.com
The fourth generation of PowerBook G3 (Pismo), was introduced in February 2000. It was code named "Pismo" after the City of [[Pismo Beach, California]]. For this generation Apple dropped "G3" from the name.
* [http://lowendmac.com/powerbooks.html Portable Mac index at Lowendmac]
* [http://pbfixit.com/Guide/6.19.1.html Pictures of Pismo internals]
 
The original Pismo was rumored to be a latchless design, akin to the [[iBook]], which is similar in specification. Apple settled on fitting the Pismo board into the form factor of the previous Lombard G3 PowerBook, but with many improvements. The Pismo was available at CPU speeds of 400&nbsp;MHz or 500&nbsp;MHz, with a [[front side bus]] speed of 100&nbsp;MHz (one-third swifter than the Lombard's front side bus); it also implemented a unified motherboard architecture, and replaced [[SCSI]] with the newer [[FireWire]] interface (IEEE-1394). The [[Peripheral Component Interconnect|PCI]] graphics used on the Lombard were updated to an [[Accelerated Graphics Port|AGP]]-connected ATi Rage Mobility 128, though the video memory was kept at 8&nbsp;MB, and could not be upgraded, and the screen's resolution was the same as well. A 6× DVD-ROM drive became standard.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://lowendmac.com/2000/pismo-powerbook-2000-firewire/ |title=Pismo PowerBook |work=Low End Mac|date=February 9, 2000 }}</ref> It was also the first PowerBook with [[AirPort|AirPort networking]] as an official option (although it could be added to the earlier models via various third-party [[PC card#CardBus|CardBus]] cards). The Pismo can be upgraded with additional RAM (officially 512&nbsp;MB with then-available RAM, but it accepts 1 [[gigabyte]]) and a larger hard drive (up to 128&nbsp;GB). Brighter screens and replacement batteries were also available.
{{Apple hardware since 1998}}
 
The left expansion bay, like the Lombard, could take only a battery, but the right bay was able to accommodate a tray-loading or slot-loading [[Combo Drive]] or [[SuperDrive]], a [[Zip drive|Zip]] 100 drive, a Zip 250 drive, an LS-120 [[SuperDisk]] drive, a VST [[floppy disk]] drive, a second hard drive (with adapter, which was tough to find), or a second battery. Lombard and Pismo accept the same expansion bay devices.
[[Category:Macintosh computers]]
 
Versions of Mac OS from 9.0.2 through 10.4.11 are officially supported. For some time, G3 (750FX) CPU upgrades at speeds of up to 900&nbsp;MHz and G4 (7410LE) upgrades up to 550&nbsp;MHz were available. These upgrades are now out of production and must be purchased secondhand.
 
The Pismo PowerBook was the last of the G3 line. It was succeeded by the [[PowerBook G4]] Titanium models.
 
== Technical specifications ==
{{All are obsolete}}
{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible <!--mw-collapsed-->" style="font-size:small; text-align:center"
 
|-
! rowspan=2 | PowerBook G3<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://everymac.com/systems/apple/powerbook_g3/index-powerbook-g3.html |title=Mac Systems: Apple: PowerBook G3 |publisher=EveryMac |access-date=July 24, 2022}}</ref>
! Formal name
! style="background:#FF9999" | Macintosh Powerbook G3<ref>{{Citation |title=PowerBook G3 250 (Original/Kanga/3500) Specs (Original/Kanga, M5993LL/A, N/A*, M3553, None): EveryMac.com |url=https://everymac.com/systems/apple/powerbook_g3/specs/powerbook_g3_1st.html |access-date=2022-07-24}}</ref>
! colspan=5 style="background:#FF9999" | PowerBook G3 Series (1st Series)<ref>{{Citation |title=PowerBook G3 233 (Wallstreet) Specs (G3 Series/Wallstreet, M6477LL/A*, N/A*, M4753, None): EveryMac.com |url=https://everymac.com/systems/apple/powerbook_g3/specs/powerbook_g3_233.html |access-date=2022-07-24}}</ref>
! colspan=4 style="background:#FF9999" | PowerBook G3 Series (2nd Series)
! colspan=2 style="background:#FF9999" | PowerBook G3 Series Bronze Keyboard
! colspan=2 style="background:#FF9999" | PowerBook G3 FireWire
 
|-
! Code name
| "Original", "Kanga", "PowerBook 3500"
| colspan=3 | PowerBook G3/233 "Wallstreet"<br/>aka "Mainstreet"
| PowerBook G3/250 "Wallstreet"
| PowerBook G3/292 "Wallstreet"
| PowerBook G3/233 Late 1998<br/>"PDQ" ("Pretty Darn Quick"), "Wallstreet II"
| PowerBook G3/266 Late 1998<br/>"PDQ" ("Pretty Darn Quick"), "Wallstreet II"
| colspan=2 | PowerBook G3/300 Late 1998<br/>"PDQ" ("Pretty Darn Quick"), "Wallstreet II"
| colspan=2 | "Lombard", "101"
| colspan=2 | "Pismo"
|-
! rowspan=2 | Timetable
! Introduction
| November 10, 1997
| colspan=5 | May 6, 1998
| colspan=3 | September 1, 1998
| October 1, 1998
| colspan=2 | May 10, 1999
| colspan=2 | February 16, 2000
 
|-
! Discontinuation
| March 14, 1998
| colspan=5 | September 1, 1998
| colspan=4 | May 10, 1999
| colspan=2 | February 16, 2000
| colspan=2 | January 9, 2001
 
|-
! rowspan=3 | Model
! Model number
| M3553
| colspan=9 | M4753
| colspan=2 | M5343
| colspan=2 | M7572
 
|-
! Model identifier
| N/A (Gestalt ID 313)
| colspan=3 | N/A (Gestalt ID 314)
| colspan=2 | N/A (Gestalt ID 312)
| colspan=4 | N/A (Gestalt ID 406, however this is shared by many other models)
| colspan=2 | PowerBook 1,1
| colspan=2 | PowerBook 3,1
 
|-
! Order number
| M5993
| M6477 (modem and floppy)<br/>M6359LL/A (no modem or floppy)
| M6481 (modem and floppy)
| M6484 (modem and floppy)
| M6357
| M6541
| M7109
| M7110
| M7111
| M7310
| M7304
| M7308
| M7630
| M7633
 
|-
! rowspan=3 | [[Display device|Display]]
! Size
| colspan=2 | 12.1"
| 13.3"
| 14.1"
| 13.3"
| colspan=9 | 14.1"
|-
! Type
| [[TFT LCD|TFT]]
| [[STN Passive matrix]]
| colspan=12 | [[TFT LCD|TFT]]
|-
! Resolution
| 16-bit 800×600
| 24-bit 800×600
| colspan=4 | 1024×768
| colspan=8 | 24-bit 1024×768
 
|-
! rowspan=6 | Performance
! [[Central processing unit|Processor]]
! colspan=14 | [[PowerPC 750|PowerPC 750 "G3"]]
|-
! [[Clock speed]]
| 250&nbsp;MHz
| colspan=3 | 233&nbsp;MHz
| 250&nbsp;MHz
| 292&nbsp;MHz
| 233&nbsp;MHz
| 266&nbsp;MHz
| colspan=2 | 300&nbsp;MHz
| 333&nbsp;MHz
| colspan=2 | 400&nbsp;MHz
| 500&nbsp;MHz
 
|-
! L1 [[Cache_(computing)|Cache]]
| colspan=14 | 64k
|-
! L2 [[Cache_(computing)|Cache]]
| 512k on a 100&nbsp;MHz backside bus
| colspan=3 | N/A
| 1&nbsp;MB on a 125&nbsp;MHz backside bus
| 1&nbsp;MB level on a 146&nbsp;MHz backside bus
| 512k on a 116&nbsp;MHz backside bus
| 1&nbsp;MB on a 133&nbsp;MHz backside bus
| colspan=2 | 1&nbsp;MB on a 150&nbsp;MHz backside bus
| 512k on a 133&nbsp;MHz backside bus
| colspan=2 | 1&nbsp;MB on a 160&nbsp;MHz backside bus
| 1&nbsp;MB on a 200&nbsp;MHz backside bus
 
|-
! [[Random-access memory|Memory]]
| 32&nbsp;MB 60&nbsp;ns EDO DIMM<br/>''Expandable to 160&nbsp;MB''
| colspan=4 | 32&nbsp;MB PC100 SDRAM<br/>''{{Gray|Expandable to 192&nbsp;MB}}''
| 64&nbsp;MB PC100 SDRAM<br/>''{{Gray|Expandable to 192&nbsp;MB}}''
| 32&nbsp;MB PC100 SDRAM<br/>''{{Gray|Expandable to 192&nbsp;MB (Apple) or 512&nbsp;MB}}''
| colspan=3 | 64&nbsp;MB PC100 SDRAM<br/>''{{Gray|Expandable to 192&nbsp;MB (Apple) or 512&nbsp;MB}}''
| colspan=2 | 64&nbsp;MB of PC100 SDRAM<br/>''{{Gray|Expandable to 384&nbsp;MB (Apple) or 512&nbsp;MB}}''
| colspan=2 | 64 or 128&nbsp;MB of PC100 SDRAM<br/>''{{Gray|Expandable to 512&nbsp;MB (Apple) or 1 GB}}''
 
|-
! [[Computer graphics|Graphics]]
| 2&nbsp;MB of SGRAM
| colspan=4 | ATI Rage LT with 2&nbsp;MB or 4&nbsp;MB of SGRAM
| ATI Rage LT with 4&nbsp;MB of SGRAM
| colspan=4 | ATI Rage Pro LT with 4&nbsp;MB of SGRAM
| colspan=2 | ATI Rage Pro LT with 8&nbsp;MB of SDRAM
| colspan=2 | ATI Rage 128 with 8&nbsp;MB of SDRAM
 
|-
! rowspan=2 | Storage
! [[Hard drive]]
| 5&nbsp;GB
| colspan=3 | 2&nbsp;GB
| 4&nbsp;GB
| 8&nbsp;GB
| 2&nbsp;GB
| 4&nbsp;GB
| colspan=2 | 8&nbsp;GB
| 4&nbsp;GB
| 6&nbsp;GB
| 4–6&nbsp;GB
| colspan=2 | 6–18&nbsp;GB
 
|-
! [[Optical drive]]
| colspan=6 | 20× CD-ROM
| colspan=2 | 20× CD-ROM<br/>{{Gray|''Optional 1× DVD-ROM''}}
| 1× DVD-ROM
| 20× CD-ROM
| colspan=2 | 24× CD-ROM or 2× DVD-ROM
| colspan=2 | 6× DVD-ROM
 
|-
! rowspan=3 | Connections
! Connectivity
| [[10BASE-T|10BASE-T Ethernet]]<br/>[[33.6k modem]]
| colspan=9 | [[10BASE-T|10BASE-T Ethernet]]<br/>[[56k modem]]
| colspan=2 | 10/[[Fast Ethernet|100BASE-T Ethernet]]<br/>[[56k modem]]
| colspan=2 | 10/[[Fast Ethernet|100BASE-T Ethernet]]<br/>[[56k modem]]<br/>Optional [[AirPort]] 802.11b
 
|-
! Peripherals
| colspan=10 | 1x [[Apple Desktop Bus|ADB]]<br/>1x Serial [[GeoPort]]<br/>2x [[PC Card]] II (1x PC Card III)<br/>1x HDI-30 SCSI<br/>Audio out mini-jack
| colspan=2 | 2x [[USB]] 1.1<br/>2x PC Card II (1x PC Card III) (333&nbsp;MHz) or 1x PC Card II (400&nbsp;MHz)<br/>1x HDI-30 SCSI<br/>Audio out mini-jack
| colspan=2 | 2x USB 1.1<br/>2x [[FireWire]] 400<br/>1x PC Card I/II<br/>Audio out mini-jack
 
|-
! Video out
| colspan=4 | [[Video Graphics Array|VGA]]
| colspan=10 | [[Video Graphics Array|VGA]] and [[S-Video]]
 
|-
! colspan=2 | Battery
| 47-watt-hour removable lithium-ion
| colspan=9 | 49-watt-hour removable lithium-ion (1 or 2)
| colspan=4 | 50-watt-hour removable lithium-ion (1 or 2)
 
|-
! colspan=2 | Maximum [[operating system]]
| [[Mac OS 9]].1 and [[Mac OS X Server]] 1.2<br/>{{Gray|Unofficially can run Mac OS 9.2.2 with OS9Helper.}}
<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://eshop.macsales.com/OSXCenter/OS9Helper/Framework.cfm?topic=32 |title=Other World Computing: OS 9 Forever |publisher=Other World Computing |access-date=January 1, 2014}}</ref>
| colspan=9 | [[Mac OS X Jaguar|Mac OS X 10.2.8]] "Jaguar", [[Mac OS 9]].2.2 and [[Mac OS X Server]] 1.2<br/>{{Gray|Unofficially can run [[Mac OS X 10.4|Mac OS X 10.4.11]] with [[XPostFacto]], or [[Mac OS X 10.5.8]] if a G4 processor upgrade is also installed.}}<ref name="macsales1">{{Cite web |url=http://eshop.macsales.com/OSXCenter/XPostFacto/Framework.cfm |title=Other World Computing: OS X for Legacy Macs |publisher=Other World Computing |access-date=January 1, 2014}}</ref>
| colspan=2 | [[Mac OS X Panther|Mac OS X 10.3.9]] "Panther" and [[Mac OS 9]].2.2<br/>{{Gray|Unofficially can run [[Mac OS X Tiger|Mac OS X 10.4.11]] "Tiger" with [[XPostFacto]], or [[Mac OS X Leopard|Mac OS X 10.5.8]] "Leopard" if a G4 processor upgrade is also installed.}}<ref name="macsales1"/>
| colspan=2 | [[Mac OS X Tiger|Mac OS X 10.4.11]] "Tiger" and [[Mac OS 9]].2.2<br/>{{Gray|Unofficially can run [[Mac OS X Leopard|Mac OS X 10.5.8]] "Leopard" with third-party software and a G4 processor upgrade.}}
 
|-
! rowspan=2 | Dimensions
! Weigh
| {{Convert|7.5|lb|kg|abbr=on}}.
| colspan=3 | {{Convert|7.2|lb|kg|abbr=on}}
| colspan=2 | {{Convert|7.6|lb|kg|abbr=on}}
| colspan=4 | {{Convert|7.8|lb|kg|abbr=on}}
| colspan=4 | {{Convert|6.1|lb|kg|abbr=on}}
 
|-
! Volume
| {{Convert|2.4|*|11.5|*|9.5|in|cm|abbr=on}}
| colspan=9 | {{Convert|2.0|*|12.7|*|10.4|in|cm|abbr=on}}
| colspan=4 | {{Convert|1.7|*|12.7|*|10.4|in|cm|abbr=on}}
 
|}
 
== Supported operating systems ==
{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible style="font-size: 90%;
 
|-
! colspan="5" style="text-align:center;" | Supported Mac OS releases
!
|-
!OS release
! colspan="1" | 1997 (Kanga)
! colspan="1" | Early 1998 (Wallstreet)
! colspan="1" | Late 1998 (PDQ)
! 1999 (Lombard)
!2000 (Pismo)
|-
! [[Mac OS 8]]
| {{Ya}}
| {{Ya|text=8.1}}
| {{Ya|text=8.1}}
| {{Ya|text=8.6}}
| {{N/a}}
|-
! [[Mac OS 9]]
| {{Ya}}
| {{Ya}}
| {{Ya}}
| {{Ya}}
| {{Ya|text=9.0.2}}
|-
! [[Mac OS X 10.0|10.0 Cheetah]]
| {{Partial|patch}}
| {{Ya}}
| {{Ya}}
| {{Ya}}
| {{Ya}}
|-
! [[Mac OS X 10.1|10.1 Puma]]
| {{Partial|patch}}
| {{Ya}}
| {{Ya}}
| {{Ya}}
| {{Ya}}
|-
! [[Mac OS X Jaguar|10.2 Jaguar]]
| {{Partial|patch}}
| {{Ya}}
| {{Ya}}
| {{Ya}}
| {{Ya}}
|-
! [[Mac OS X Panther|10.3 Panther]]
| {{Partial|patch}}
| colspan="2"{{Partial|patch}}
| {{Ya}}
| {{Ya}}
|-
! [[Mac OS X Tiger|10.4 Tiger]]
| {{Partial|patch}}
| colspan="3"{{Partial|patch}}
| {{Ya}}
|-
! [[Mac OS X Leopard|10.5 Leopard]]{{R|group=Note|10.5PPCFinal}}
| {{Partial|patch, requires processor upgrade}}
| colspan="4"{{Partial|patch, requires processor upgrade}}
|}
 
{{Reflist|group=Note|refs=
<ref name="10.5PPCFinal">Mac OS X Leopard is the final release to support PowerPC Macs.</ref>
}}
 
==In popular culture==
The PowerBook G3 was featured in many facets of popular culture from the late 1990s to the mid 2000s, including ''[[You've Got Mail]]'', ''[[NewsRadio]]'', ''[[Curb Your Enthusiasm]]'', ''[[Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me]]'', ''[[House on Haunted Hill (1999 film)|House on Haunted Hill]]'', ''[[Mission: Impossible (1966 TV series)|Mission: Impossible]]'', ''[[Disney's The Kid]]'', ''[[Dark Angel (2000 TV series)|Dark Angel]]'', ''[[What Women Want]]'', ''[[The West Wing]]'', ''[[Friends]]'', ''[[The Lone Gunmen (TV series)|The Lone Gunmen]]'', ''[[The Core]]'', ''[[Duplex (film)|Duplex]]'', ''[[Saw (2004 film)|Saw]]'', ''[[Sex and the City]]'',<ref>{{cite web |url=http://mac.freeip.org/carriespbook.html |title=Carrie Bradshaw's PowerBook |work=freeip.org |access-date=May 18, 2008 |archive-date=February 12, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090212210431/http://mac.freeip.org/carriespbook.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> ''[[How I Met Your Mother]]'', ''[[Night at the Museum]]'', ''[[Charmed]]'', ''[[Everybody Loves Raymond]]'', ''[[Stargate SG-1]]'', ''[[That's So Raven]]'' and ''[[Angel (1999 TV series)|Angel]]''.
 
== Timeline ==
{{Timeline of portable Macintoshes}}
 
== Notes ==
{{Notelist}}
 
==References==
{{reflist}}
 
==External links==
{{commons category|PowerBook G3}}
* Apple Support
** {{Cite web |url=https://support.apple.com/kb/SP127?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US |title= PowerBook G3 - Technical Specifications |publisher=Apple Inc. |date=July 26, 2017}} (Original / Kanga)
** {{Cite web |url=https://support.apple.com/kb/SP128?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US |title=PowerBook G3 Series - Technical Specifications |publisher=Apple Inc. |date=July 26, 2017}}
** {{Cite web |url=https://support.apple.com/kb/SP119?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US |title=PowerBook G3 Series (Bronze Keyboard) - Technical Specifications |publisher=Apple Inc. |date=July 26, 2017}}
** [http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=24604 How to Identify Different Models] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080327201043/http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=24604 |date=March 27, 2008 }} at Apple.com
* [http://lowendmac.com/powerbooks.html Portable Mac index] via Lowendmac
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20050909165828/http://www.pbfixit.com/Guide/6.19.1.html Pictures of Pismo internals], via pbfixit.com
* [http://www.forevermac.com/tag/powerbook-g3-pdq/ Powerbook G3 PDQ], [http://www.forevermac.com/2000/02/apple-powerbook-pismo-g3-400mhz-firewire-laptop/ Powerbook Pismo 500mHz] via Forevermac.com
 
{{Apple hardware before 1998}}
{{Apple hardware since 1998}}
 
[[Category:PowerBook|G3]]
[[de:Apple Powerbook Pismo]]
[[Category:PowerPC Macintosh computers]]
[[fr:PowerBook G3]]
[[Category:Computer-related introductions in 1997]]
[[it:PowerBook G3]]
[[Category:Discontinued Apple Inc. products]]
[[pl:Pismo (komputer)]]
[[pt:PowerBook G3]]