I've always wanted an old Mac, and I thought my iMac G3/Powerbook G4 12 could satisfy that need, but alas, I need something older. I have limited desk space (I even had to move my iMac G3 to the floor because I have no room for it), and as far as I know, the LC series is as small as it gets (compact macs are out of the question as I am not recapping an analog board). I've narrowed it down to either the LC 475/Performa 605, or the LC III, depending on which I can find on my local marketplaces and the RE-PC I live near (although their prices tend to be way too high). There are probably some other ones to consider that I haven't found yet, so I'm still considering my options. I could use some recommendations on models, information and things to look for about these, and other things, so please post some in the comments. I wish (or maybe there is and I didn't find it) a buyers guide for vintage macs in general (best I could find was the Mac84 series which I just finished watching). I would probably want to do some light gaming on this, and maybe even internet browsing through a blueSCSI I plan on getting.
Which LC/Performa to buy?
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I'm guessing you're in Seattle? There's someone in Spanaway selling a Performa/LC 475 on the 'bay.
Unforunately, Spanaway is too far for me.
How about a PowerBook?
They are a tad more failure prone than an LC to be fair. I'd be cautious.
If you don’t like the thought of replacing an analog board capacitor, you probably wouldn’t like dealing with a PowerBook and some of the issues that it has, especially if you buy one with screen troubles.
The LCIII is usually cheaper but the 475 is far faster. Alternately, buy a IIci. It’s not much larger and has a lot of expansion potential.
The LCIII is usually cheaper but the 475 is far faster. Alternately, buy a IIci. It’s not much larger and has a lot of expansion potential.
I have both an LCIII and a Quadra 605. The 605 is definitely more powerful, but it's still not enough to do some of the more demanding things. Like the next logic step after an LCIII is a PowerPC. Anything I do on a Quadra 605 is done better on a PowerPC, or not possible on an LCIII.
Any LC3 you buy will need capacitors replaced if they have not been done yet. Also make sure it has a hard drive as they are 50 pin SCSI and getting expensive to replace (also make sure the floppy drive works so you can install an OS 7.1 is nice). Getting ethernet is also a good idea if you are going to move files from your PPC machine to the LC.
Basically, any decent 030/040 that is local should work for you if want and old school Mac. A IIci/IIcx is also nice (same recap problem as the LC3) and they can be mounted sideways taking up less desk room then the LC3.
Basically, any decent 030/040 that is local should work for you if want and old school Mac. A IIci/IIcx is also nice (same recap problem as the LC3) and they can be mounted sideways taking up less desk room then the LC3.
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