Hi Judith I have been four times in Namibia, total 10 month with a PB190 and a 1400 in 1997-99
>1) Which Powerbook available used for less than $500 would be good for >e-mail, word processing and -- if possible -- occasional Web access from >Third World country. She'll be lucky to have electricity and a connection, >certainly not counting on tech support nor repair service, so it must be >RELIABLE. Namibia is both third world and first world (awful labels!). Electricity is very reliable and found in all towns and many villages n the North. (220-230 volts, never heard of over-voltage shocks) She just needs a three leg connector, round legs, South African style, not British. She can buy it in every supermarket, cheap. Yes, there is (i.e. was in 99) technicl support, an authorised Apple dealer in Windhoek: Apple Centre 5 Storch Street tel: 225665 (I have the tel. directory!) It is quite central, just next to the former univeristy (now tech college) ground. Very nice people. There are computer (PC!) shops in many towns. There are a number of internet dealers. The best one in 99 was the South African 'iafrica' - they have a Namibia section. Probably they can be found as www.iafrica.co.na or .za. >2) Because I'm a PC user, I'm relying only on research. From what I can >tell, the Powerbooks came out in this order: 5300, 1400, 3400, G3, G4. >Correct? And this is my marginally informed assessment of options: I would take my old 190, the 68040 version of 5300. No paranoia over getting it stolen (they go for equal to USD 200 in Denmark), fine for mail, writing her diary etc. First time in Namibia, I used an external Sportster 24000 modem. A little spaghetti-like when an the road and But if she wants to surf she needs better than 520/540 or 190. Yet, she should not waste time sitting surfing when in Namibia! Lovely, interesting country. Loevely, interesting people. Go visit people, eat oshifima and listen to gossip and exchange senses of humor. How about printing, a 2.h. stylewriter 1200 perhaps? Or bring a 2. hand Epson 740. And: Whatever she takes, she could calculate on selling before going home - prices on all computer gear is high (new and used). Storch Str or an ad under classified in 'The Namibian' would work well. Whish her all the best, Christopher Tølløse Denmark -- PowerBooks is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/> and... Small Dog Electronics http://www.smalldog.com | Enter To Win A | -- Canon PowerShot Digital Cameras start at $299 | Free iBook! | Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html> PowerBooks list info: <http://lowendmac.com/lists/powerbooks.shtml> Send list messages to: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To unsubscribe, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> For digest mode, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subscription questions: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Archive: <http://www.mail-archive.com/powerbooks%40mail.maclaunch.com/> Using a Macintosh? Get free email and more at Applelinks! <http://www.applelinks.com>