Looking at a PowerBook 520c

[coius]

Yeah, I am shopping around for a 68k PowerBook just for the hell of it, and came upon a 520c. Guy says it has loose plastic around the screen but can be fixed. Screen is passive-matrix, but it's not going to kill me. No idea how much ram, I can install a system from CD-ROM if I have to, so if I install anything, all I have to do is make one floppy and use that to boot from and install.

I got a few questions:

What would be the best OS for this? 7.6? 7.5? 7.5.3?

Say I would have like 8MB RAM, what about that?

I am sure I can figure out anything about networking/OTP, networking and whatnot.

Say I have a Lucent Wifi card that works with the IOExperts driver that I paid for. Can I use that driver under classic OS with this to get it working? The software is tied to the card already, so using it would be no problem if I needed to install it.

Does this have an ethernet port? I mean, "Apple's" ethernet port, and if so, where do I can an adapter? What about Serial->ethernet. Does that work? Where would I get it?

Sorry for asking these questions, but the last time I had one of these was back in 1997, and I had to send it back due to it being DOA from eBay.

 

[Christopher]

Everymac.com should answer some of your questions.

http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/powerbook/stats/mac_powerbook520c.html

 

[4seasonphoto]

I'd probably use one of the earliest OSes that had Open Transport, for the TCP/IP and DHCP support is provides.

Got a PCMCIA module? Can't use a wifi card without one, and better hope that yours is actually PCMCIA and not CardBus or some other newer standard.

Ethernet jack is an RJ45, and what I think I'd do is just run an ethernet cable from that to an Airport Express!

 

[John8520]

Ethernet on a 5xx is not RJ45, it's AAUI. As for wifi, the ioexerts driver is for OS X only; drivers for classic are free, and you'll need the rev c PCMCIA expansion box (goes in one of the battery bays) which is incredibly hard to find. In 8MB RAM I wouldn't dare run anything higher than 7.1.1p, I'd at least double it before putting on 7.5 or higher, if you want any speed that is. 7.1.1p has mactcp (which is fine unless you "need" DHCP). Serial network links are only possible if you have another mac running as gateway.

 

[Bolle]

yep... and wifi really works only with a Rev C PCMCIA module. the rev b I got for free with my 540c shows my orinoco/wavelan as "unrecognizable card". meh, at least it sees that there is a card at all.

 

[Byrd]

If you can, go a 540c, the 520 screen is rubbish and not worth using for long periods of time. Powerbook 5x0 are pretty cheap anywhere I think.

JB

 

[MacMan]

I have a 520c running System 7.5.3 with 8MB RAM and it is quite usable. I might change it to System 7.1 though as it is a little limited on memory when running larger applications. Other than that it is a good machine and the built-in ethernet is a nice bonus, (as mentioned above, you will need an AAUI to RJ45 adaptor to connect it to a network). The screen on the 520c is also fine in my opinion so long as you get the brightness and contrast settings right. It's never going to be as good as the 540c active matrix but it is by no means terrible.

If you're looking to play with WiFi I would suggest getting a PowerBook model that has built in PCMCIA slots, mainly because it is nigh on impossible to find a suitable 500 series PCMCIA "cage". The 5300s and 1400s make pretty good retro WiFi machines.

 

[register]

I have a 520, running a lean 8.1 well with 20 MB of RAM. If you have a choice, look for another PB series than the 5xx. WiFi capable equipment would be far overpriced. A lot of 5xxs have an issue with the one external serial port. If I had to pay for one I would go for a top of the line 540/540c, as you probably would not like the screen of the 520 compared to recent computers. If you sticked with 7.1 just for liberation, the 180 might be a good choice. If you want to have an old laptop machine fitting into present work environment, you might look for a fully started up 1400 (not exactly a 68kM, but one of the finest PBs Apple made).

 

[coius]

well, it's a moot point. Lost by $.50 http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=130219287572&ssPageName=STRK:MEDW:IT&ih=003

 

[John8520]

So... you didn't even have it yet.

 

[coius]

no, but I am looking around to find one. If I can't, i will get a 540c or something. I really am just looking for a decent 68k PowerBook/Duo

I am also looking at 68k macs. I just want to get back into the 68k scene again as the "Vintage" bug has bit me when my friend acquired a full load of stuff.

 

[Bunsen]

What would be the best OS for this? 7.6? 7.5? 7.5.3?Say I would have like 8MB RAM, what about that?

I would say 7.6.1, perhaps 7.1 with gamba's suggested upgrades if you've only got 8MB.

Wifi card

Expect to pay obscene amounts for the rare PCMCIA adapter or a 5x0 with one in it.

Does this have an ethernet port? I mean, "Apple's" ethernet port, and if so, where do I can an adapter?

Yes, yes (it's called AAUI), and ebay or the Trading Post forum.

What about Serial->ethernet. Does that work? Where would I get it?

Yes it does - Farallon Ethertalk is one brand, and AFAIK the only one known to use the full potential speed of the Apple RS422 serial ports (around 230k/s). There were others, sold as Ethernet adapters for Localtalk printers, but they'll work with a serial Mac as well. I wouldn't bother with one if you can source an AUUI to twisted pair dongle. Beware you don't get stuck with an AAUI to coax (10base2) version.

 

[Forrest]

If you want to run a web browser on it, suggest looking for a computer with more RAM installed. I bought my 520c a few years ago with 20 MB installed, and it's running System 7.6.1.

 

[coius]

I found one. Thanks though! it seems to be in very good condition. Not sure about ram though...