For budget-limited switchers
Written: Dec 09 '02 (Updated Dec 10 '02)
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Pros: Looks great, quiet operation, runs the latest MacOS
Cons: Awful keyboard and mouse
The Bottom Line: Want to try the latest MacOS X 10.2 without spending a fortune on a new Macintosh? A Blue & White G3 may be just what you need.
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| rfman's Full Review: Apple Power Macintosh G3 (M7104LL/A) Mac Desktop |
Most of you have probably seen the “Switch” campaign that Apple Computer has been airing on TV for the last months, claiming how much better Macs are compared to PCs. You’ve probably seen screenshots of Mac OS X, or maybe even played with it a bit at a computer store. You want to try the new operating system and its UNIX stability; but you don’t want to spend over 1500$ for a new Macintosh. Welcome to the “Budget-Limited Switchers” club.
To be truthful, my first attempt at running OS X was on an upgraded PowerMac 9500, with a G3 card, IDE card and upgraded video card. While the computer did indeed operate with Mac OS 10.2, it was not the most spectacular performer with that operating system. Apple never intended for X to run on the pre-G3 Macs anyways.
Just about the same time as I had completed the upgrade of the 9500, I was able to purchase a Blue & White G3 for the ridiculously low price of 200$. It was a first-revision, low-end model, but at least it had double the bus speed at 100 MHz, it used standard SDRAM, and supported standard IDE hard drives. I didn’t hesitate to sell the FrankenMac that the 9500 had become, and I bought the G3.
At first contact with this computer, it becomes quite apparent why all models sold prior to it are called OldWorld Macs. The Blue & White G3 is so far ahead of them in every single way that you have to wonder what happened internally at Apple leading to the design of the Blue & White. One of the most drastic changes is in the case design. The styling changes are obvious, and although inconsequential to the operation of the computer, the uniqueness of it goes a long way in attracting customers. It’s also very solidly built, which is not always the case with PCs from large, low-margin builders.
The most amazing feature has to be the fold down side panel however. Rather than attaching the motherboard to the inside of the case, it is attached to the outer panel of the case, which folds down completely flat, exposing the motherboard and expansion cards. Adding a card to this Mac (and all subsequent desktop Macs, as a matter of fact) is ridiculously easy. Adding memory is even easier. If you’ve ever tried to add memory in a 9500 or a similar model, you know just how much of an improvement this is. For those of you who don’t know, adding RAM to a 9500 required physically removing the motherboard from the case, which means detaching all cables from it and removing all add-in cards. That was torture to say the least.
This G3 also features much in terms on on-board devices. USB and FireWire (IEEE1394) support is included on the motherboard itself. The video is on a separate PCI add-in card. This ATI Rage 128 card features 16 MB of RAM, and is sufficient for any 2D applications, but don’t count on it for games and 3D apps. It should be noted that there is an ADB port for older-style keyboards, but the included keyboard and mouse is USB.
And while on the subject of the keyboard and mouse, I can’t go any further without commenting on them; they are truly awful. Whether this was an effort in cost reduction or some sort of industrial design compromise, it’s still the worse I’ve used. The mouse (often referred to as the “puck” mouse), is round, with one button on top. It looks good, and that’s it. The simple fast that it's round is its biggest drawback. It makes it impossible to tell what way the mouse is pointing without looking for the cord. If the mouse wasn’t pointing away from you, the cursor will not move as you intended it to on the screen. Not to mention that its small size makes it very awkward to hold in your hand. Within an hour of starting to use it, you will want something better. Fortunately, pretty much any USB mouse will work in its place. The keyboard in not much better. It’s only strong point is it’s compact design. It’s small keys remind of a laptop keyboard. The function keys are only half the size of the regular keys, as are the cursor keys. You’d don’t notice how much the cursor keys are used until you try to use them on this keyboard. Also frustrating is the absence of some keys, such as the delete key. With this keyboard, you must be content with using the Backspace key, which involves using the cursor keys to position your cursor to be able to use Backspace, thus compounding the previous problem. While you’re changing the mouse, get a keyboard too. A keyboard with a built-in USB hub (like the Apple keyboard has) is a good idea, or else your 2 USB ports on the main computer will be taken up, with no room to add printers or scanners.
Now that I’ve gotten that issue off my chest, I can go on to the topic of upgradeability. The Blue & White G3 is quite easy to upgrade. For example, I’ve replaced the hard drive with a 30 GB unit from Maxtor, I’ve upgraded the memory to 288 MB, and replaced the Rage 128 video card with a 32 MB ATI Radeon 7000. The included 24X CD-ROM can be replaced with a CD-Burner, although DVD Burning requires a G4 processor for some reason. This makes for a very useable machine with all the software I need to use. I also want to mention, for all my fellow computer hardware extremists, that the G3 CPU is extremely easily overclocked (see www.xlr8yourmac.com for instructions). My 300 MHz CPU has been working flawlessly at 400 MHz since I first bought it. Some even reported 450 MHz at a stable speed. For more mild-mannered users, there are CPU upgrades available up to G4s at 550 MHz.
Reliability-wise, I have not experienced any hardware failures or problems with this machine. Everything is 100% stable, although some of the credit must go to OS X in this regard. Having bought this computer used, I did not get any technical support, nor did I need any.
I am very happy with my Blue & White G3 Macintosh, and I would really recommend getting one if you find it at a low price, if only to be able to experience the pleasures of Mac OS X. (See my other review for my impressions on Mac OS X 10.2)
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 200 (used)
Operating System: Macintosh
Processor speed: 301-400
RAM: 64
Internal Storage: CD-ROM
Hard Drive (GB): Under 4
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Epinions.com ID:
rfman
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Member: Luc Delorme
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Reviews written: 103
Trusted by: 15 members
About Me:
Electrical Engineer, amateur photographer, car buff, technophile, video game player and collector.
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