Rumor has it... <http://www.macopinion.com/columns/roadwarrior/02/12/23/index.html> that PowerLogix will soon offer an 800MHz G3 upgrade for the Pismo.
"If you prefer a faster AltiVec enabling chip, work with Audio/video software, make your own music CDs, etc, we recommend continuing with the G4/500mhz upgrade. If you primarily use your Pismo for work, documents, email, surfing, etc., then you may want to consider the G3/800mhz option which is expected to retail for $399, all shipping included." Now that sounds really interesting. The Pismo G4 upgrade is still only 500MHz (and, so I hear, will likely never be faster), so its speed improvements are mostly limited to AltiVec-enabled SW, which is not what I mostly use; and the Pismo can't be upgraded to make use of Quartz Extreme anyway. But an 800MHz G3 should show a significant improvement in everyday work even without QE, bringing the Pismo up to near the performance of a late-model iBook (which is still G3 also). Aside from why this should cost $100 more than the G4 upgrade, when it's less trouble for the supplier--requires sending in the CPU card rather than the whole PB--and isn't an outright purchase of a replacement card like the Lombard G4 upgrade, my only question would be about heat: while the G4 chip is supposed to run cooler than the G3, an 800MHz G3 would likely be hotter than a 500MHz G3, unless it's a significantly different later model. If it isn't hotter than the stock 500MHz, this upgrade would keep my Pismo going until I can get a 1GHz G4 iBook (with--I can dream--a more user-friendly case with rounded edges). I'll be looking for early reports. Andrew Main -- G-Books is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/> and... Small Dog Electronics http://www.smalldog.com | Refurbished Drives | -- Check our web site for refurbished PowerBooks | & CDRWs on Sale! | Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html> G-Books list info: <http://lowendmac.com/lists/g-books.html> --> AOL users, remove "mailto:"; 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/g-books%40mail.maclaunch.com/> --------------------------------------------------------------- >The Think Different Store http://www.ThinkDifferentStore.com ---------------------------------------------------------------
