Age-old Pismo questions

[mstudio]

About 3 or 4 years ago, I gave my then pristine Pismo to a friend. Over the years he always told me how great it was. A package arrived a week or so ago with my old Pismo, still in perfect condition. The battery is dead but otherwise, perfect. A note from my friend indicated he bought a new MBP and didn't want to keep or sell the Pismo because he knew how I felt about it.
The fact is that I really didn't miss it when I passed it along and was just doing a down on his luck (at the time, he's much better now) friend a favor. I don't need or want it anymore so will try to sell it either on CL or LEMlist.

Question one: what's it worth? 400MHz, 80gig drive, 1 gig ram.
Question two: what do I do with it if I don't sell it?

Before anyone suggests it, I've already thought about our Free Monday deal.

[WHiiP]

It could serve as an ITunes server, but iTunes wouldn't be the current version. jI think you might be stuck at Tiger for the OS and then whatever iTunes would install for that.

It will still run OS 9 if you have any old programs that are interesting to you, games maybe.

[space-time]

Question two: what do I do with it if I don't sell it?

you could set it up to wake up and do certain tasks, like place bid on eBay via jbidwatch for example. I am sure other things come to mind. run a file server. run a VOIP server.

[Buzz]

Of all the old Macs over the years that have been hard to let go of, the Pismo is the winner of the all-time-keeper award. The original Mac II w/ its various processor upgrades; bye bye. The classics, even the SE/30; bye bye. Finally parted w/ the graphite iMac G3 SE which was the first AirPort-able-ized desktop that I really hated to see go. PB1400's , the PB3400 that set productivity records, also bye bye. Pismo will never go willingly. As noted, great for OS 9 stuff, and handles Tiger reasonably well overall, great for many things. The video is way underpowered by today's standards, but it still ranks as my all time favorite, and most functional, Apple design. It is a trophy/testament to Apple's greatness; whatever you do, make sure it ends up in hands that will appreciate it.

Pismo - The Laptop Worthy of Worship.

///

[silvarios]

mstudio wrote: Question one: what's it worth? 400MHz, 80gig drive, 1 gig ram. Question two: what do I do with it if I don't sell it?

Good question. A nice PowerBook, possible one of the nicest, I can't imagine the demand is high for an old G3, even for a Pismo. I wouldn't pay more than $50/$60 shipped. I bet you get more on eBay, even substracting fees.

I couldn't sell a decent condition 1.33 GHz iBook G4 with 80GB hard drive and 1.25GB RAM on the local craiglist for $150. Best offer was a little over $100. Decided to keep it as it still felt decently fast with TenFourFox as a browser and a few other light apps.

[testcase]

Free Monday is coming! :wink:

[sekker]

I use an old PB G4 (with a defective power port) as a video capture device from my DVR; the Pismo might work for that application especially if you use one of the externally powered USB sticks.

Tiger is likely fine for an email/web browser machine, but you won't be able to do online banking or related Internet financial transactions that need fully updated security software. That was the reason I updated my in-law's machine 4 years ago - his G3 Mac browsers for Tiger were not up to snuff.

Could also be a decent gaming machine.

[silvarios]

sekker wrote: That was the reason I updated my in-law's machine 4 years ago - his G3 Mac browsers for Tiger were not up to snuff.

Could also be a decent gaming machine.

TenFourFox. Assuming you don't need Java or Flash for banking.

I assume you are referring to classic gaming, perhaps a little Connectix Virtual Game Station as well.

[DRR]

Just give it to someone that needs it.

[p8712]

G4 Upgrades appear on ebay from time to time. Spend $150 and get a modest speed boost for your 11 year old computer!


I also have a pismo. I'll never get rid of it!