recommend a older laptop to me?

[mraroid]

Hi folks...

After I sold all my Macs but for my color classic, it seems hard to service it with out another working older Mac in the house.  I had to sell all but two computers because I am moving out of the country, and the country I am moving to will only allow me to bring in two computers.  So I kept my color classic and a dual boot ubuntu/PC box

My friend will be flying into Ecuador with no computers.  I was thinking about buying a Mac laptop that I can run a version of OS 7 on that he can put in his suitcase. I saw this on ebay:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/5300c-Color-monitor-Powerbook-Mac-Apple-1995-new-in-box-complete-factory-refurb-/171832610432?ssPageName=ADME:X:RTQ:US:1123

I sent the seller email asking for more info.

I wondered if that 53300C would do the job?  I do not know the Mac line of laptops from, say 1990 to maybe 1999.  It can run up to OS 9.22, but I will probably put a version of OS 7 on it.

Can someone recommend a laptop to me?  It would be nice if it had a CD reader and burner in it.  I do not know the first things about mac laptops from that era.

Thanks

jack

 

[TheWhiteFalcon]

You're not going to find an Apple laptop capable of running System 7 that has a CD burner. Heck, the only ones that'd have a CDROM would be the crappy 5300, the 1400 and the 3400.

 

[mraroid]

OK.  Thanks for the tip.  Can I buy a older laptop that has a SCSI external port on it?  I have a external Sun branded CD drive/burner that I can plug into the SCSI port on the back of my Color Classic.

jack

 

[Schmoburger]

If you want a solid System 7 capable laptop, the 1400/133c or 166c are very nice little units that are reliable and fairly fast... if you want something a bit more usable, I'd consider something OS compatible, which will still be able to interface with OS7 via a network. If the CC has ethernet, try and find a Powerbook G3 Lombard (which are fairly common) or a Pismo( a little less common but much better machines)... if you only have localtalk and sneakernet to play with, get a PDQ or Wallstreet, but for gods sake not the 12" model.

 

[Schmoburger]

Also... having read your last post, Lombard or Wallstreet/PDQ still retain a SCSI port.

 

[bibilit]

Heck, the only ones that'd have a CDROM would be the crappy 5300, the 1400 and the 3400.

The 5300 has no CD-rom available (or you have a one of a kind one) but i agree with you, none of the remaining ones has a burner.

If you are looking for a system 7 able laptop, the 1400 will be my first choice, if not i agree with schmoburger, go for a Powerbook G3 series.

 

[raoulduke]

You might be able to mod a cd burner with the 1400. But you are better off with an external SCSI drive most likely.

 

[mraroid]

Folks...

My Color Classic has a ethernet card in it (Farallon).  So I will look for a Powerbook G3 Lombard or a Pismo.

I sure apperciate all the tips and help!

Thanks

jack

 

[Elfen]

For a System 7 machine, it would be on what is needed. Thing is you may need a CD-ROM Burner. 

Problem with the 1400 - very few with using System 7 to 9.1 (7.5.3 - is the minimal system), with the 1400/166 starting at 7.6.1. Also, it does have an internal CD Drive and PCMCIA Slots, it does not have a burner. You could try to hack a burner from a G3 but then you would need its extensions. If not you would need a SCSI CD ROM Burner.

Problem with the 5300 - many if you believe the whispers of the crowd. The problem here is that there is no Internal CD ROM Drive with the 5300. Thus there is not way to hack in a CD ROM Burner like on the 1400. You would need an external CD ROM Drive & Burner (just the burner as it would be the CD ROM Drive.) The 5300 can System 7.5.2 to 8.1

The 5300ce is the faster Powerbook between the 5300 and 1400. The proof is in the data bus speed transfers, The 5300's have a 33.33HMz data bus speed and the 1400 has a 33MHz data bus speed despite having the faster CPU. That means that things involving I/O, the 5300 is faster - by a tiny bit. Booting from a CF on the IDE or PCMCIA  with the same system and set up on both machines, the 5300 will boot faster than the 1400. But for computing (graphics, information processing, CPU Intensive tasks) the 1400/133 and 1400/166 beats the 5300 while the 1400/117 ties with the 5300.

For that you want and need, the 5300 would be good. The 1400/33 with the CD and Floppy drive options would be better. And I say that even though I love the 5300ce. In either case, you would need to get as much RAM for it as possible.

Also, since I know you need to set up your CC, you would need a CF -> IDE and CF to PCMCIA adapters. These things are only a couple dollars from ebay with the PCMCIA being a bit more expensive between $5 - $10. Once you have them you can set up the CF in the laptop and then transfer it to the CC when you are done.

- - - -

The problems I see with the 5300 in the box is that it can be a nightmare. People sell things in "New in a box" condition, not aware that with electronics the caps and batteries (in case of laptops) can break down and leak. And hard drives stick when sitting around with spinning for  long time. Thus that "New" machine can end up being a dead machine when you get it. I would send him a question to boot machine and see if it turns on and boots, and get a guarantee on that if you choose to get it.

This guy wants $300 (with free shipping) for his 1400/166. It is complete with all the options and a laptop carrying case. And its working (as per the photos shown). The details are here:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Antique-Original-condition-Macintosh-Powerbook-1400C-166-OS-7-6-1-/201369240295?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2ee28ac2e7

 

[TheWhiteFalcon]

That's an insane price for a 1400. They go for far less, regardless of accessories. The only way that'd be worth that is if it had the solar cover.

 

[mraroid]

OK.  I will dig deep into all this additional info.  Thank you Falcon & Elfen.

What do you folks think of the Apple PowerBook G3 400 (Pismo)?  Will it run a classic OS like 7 something?  I have a full set of floppies to load 7.5.3 and upgrade floppys to upgrade to 7.5.5.  I do not think I am interested in OS 8.  For me, it is OS 7 something. I need a Mac laptop I can use to support my Color Classic.

I will start reading.  Thansk so much fo rthe tips!!!!

jack 

 

 

[uniserver]

i have a super clean powerbook 170,  its in good shape, i just oiled the hinges.

 

[Elfen]

Ebay Links (They are from Chinese sellers I dealt with in the past with no problems):

CF to PCMCIA Adapter ($2.55 - Free Shipping):

http://www.ebay.com/itm/CF-Compact-Flash-Card-Reader-Adapter-Converter-to-PC-Laptop-PCMCIA-WW-/161670539997?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item25a450aadd

CF to PCMCIA Adapter w/ 128MB CF ($10 - Free Shipping):

http://www.ebay.com/itm/STEC-128MB-COMPACT-FLASH-MEMORY-CARD-128-MB-Type-I-CF-to-PCMCIA-adapter-/261181967633?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3ccfa88d11

Note: There are other lower cost PCMCIA adapters but they do not have the metal shield to protect the CF Guide rails with. These do (the first more than the second). Believe me, those without the metal guard make a disgusting cracking sound then you sit on them - It's happened to me twice.

CF to Laptop IDE ($1.80)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pin-bare-Laptop-44-Pin-Male-IDE-To-CF-Card-Adapter-W8-/321766148948?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_2&hash=item4aeac1cb54

CF to Laptop IDE ($2.10)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/CF-To-44-Pin-Male-IDE-Adapter-PCB-Converter-As-2-5-IHDD-Drive-For-Laptop-fad-new-/321712883971?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4ae7950903

Note: In both cases it looks like Pin #20 on these adapters need to be removed or bent out of the way.

My experience with these Chinese sellers are that they are fast in their deliveries of 2 to 3 weeks and their products come out fine. Only once when I bought a batch of 20 or so CF->IDE adapters was 1 bad. After exchanging a few emails, I sent them the bad adapter and got a replacement in less than a month later (2 weeks going there and 2 weeks going back to me). But be aware that a CF->IDE adapter might come to you bad.

Hong Kong sellers have a lower price but my experience with them is that it can take 6 weeks for the item to arrive. Which is funny, because the things being sold are identical between the sellers.

You can search ebay for the adapters if you like. US Sellers have a higher price and sometimes charges for shipping, but will get to you in a couple of days.

 

[Elfen]

OK.  I will dig deep into all this additional info.  Thank you Falcon & Elfen.

What do you folks think of the Apple PowerBook G3 400 (Pismo)?  Will it run a classic OS like 7 something?  I have a full set of floppies to load 7.5.3 and upgrade floppys to upgrade to 7.5.5.  I do not think I am interested in OS 8.  For me, it is OS 7 something. I need a Mac laptop I can use to support my Color Classic.

I will start reading.  Thansk so much fo rthe tips!!!!

jack 

 

A Pismo/Lomdard/Wallstreet needs OS 8.0 minimum. They do have a floppy adapter but they are hard to find.

That's an insane price for a 1400. They go for far less, regardless of accessories. The only way that'd be worth that is if it had the solar cover.

That's the 1400C, with the better active matrix screen. Given that the price is high, it is working as per the pics showing it, and has everything. All other 1400s I seen today (6/23) on ebay are under $100 in AS-IS/For Parts Condition. Unless one wants to practice 1400 repairs, no one needs a headache.

The only way out of it is if somebody on the forum is selling a working 1400 with the CD and Floppy options with a powerpack for under $200.

 

[unity]

I recommend the Macintosh Portable.

 

[uniserver]

^ --- The portable is a pretty cool machine!  

 

[uniserver]

but if you are pretty solid on color, then the powerbook 180c or the powerbook 540c might be a good choice too.  I have a couple 540c's they are Active Matrix color.   The 540c is kinda like a Color Classic II in a Laptop.  but with the 640x480 mod already done. I should take one apart and spray the plastics Platinum.

 

[CC_333]

Is that your personal 540c, Uniserver?

If so, it looks really nice (aside from the writing along the top bezel).

c

p.s. If you need some parts for a 520/520c, I'll trade them with you for a 5xx power adapter!

 

[uniserver]

oh no cc,  that is just a (google images) photo.  I don't have an extra PB5XX adaptor right now buddy.