Could 10, 1999: The third-generation PowerBook G3 is available in 20% slimmer and a pair of kilos lighter than its predecessor, however most individuals bear in mind the laptop computer for its “bronze” keyboard. Though it doesn’t get a brand new identify to differentiate it from earlier laptops within the lineup, followers name it “Lombard” after Apple’s inner code identify (or just the “PowerBook G3 Bronze Keyboard”).
Bettering the PowerBook G3 system
The PowerBook G3, launched on at the present time in 1999, will not be my favourite of the laptop computer line. (That might be the following yr’s “Pismo” PowerBook, which nonetheless stands as one in every of Apple’s all-time finest laptops.) Nonetheless, the Lombard mannequin proved extremely popular in its day.
Because the (precise) identify suggests, it boasted Apple’s zippy PowerPC 750 (G3) processor. Operating at both 333 or 400 MHz, the Lombard clocked in larger than its predecessors. Nevertheless, Apple decreased the L2 cache, which meant that typically the laptop computer ran a bit extra slowly.
No one might quibble in regards to the laptop computer’s battery life, although, as a result of Apple improved it considerably over earlier fashions. The PowerBook G3 Lombard might run for 5 hours on a single cost. Plus, house owners might add a second battery by switching out the optical drive within the growth bay. That doubled battery life to a whopping 10 hours.
The translucent keyboard that gave the laptop computer its frequent identify was fabricated from bronze-tinted plastic quite than metallic. A DVD drive got here as an non-compulsory further for the 333 MHz mannequin, or as commonplace on all 400 MHz variations.
PowerBook G3 Lombard lastly brings USB ports
The Lombard launched USB ports to the PowerBook, though the laptop computer retained SCSI help for what turned out to be the final time. It dropped Apple Desktop Bus help altogether and ditched one of many PC Card slots, leaving only one.
Over the lifespan of the PowerBook G3, Apple phased out ADB and SCSI in favor of USB and the corporate’s Emmy Award-winning FireWire interface. These modifications made the Lombard a really transitional laptop computer.
The PowerBook G3 Lombard provided 64MB of RAM, a 4GB onerous drive, ATI Rage LT Professional graphics with 8MB of SDRAM, and a 14.1-inch TFT active-matrix shade show. It required Mac OS 8.6 or later, however might run any Apple working system as much as OS X 10.3.9.
1999: An incredible yr for Apple
The PowerBook G3 Lombard scored one other dwelling run for Apple. It got here the yr after Cupertino returned to profitability, as onlookers waited for the corporate to journey up.
In the long run, 1999 proved a seminal yr for the corporate. The ultra-popular iMac rolled out in new colours, Apple launched Mac OS 9, and the world received a glimpse of OS X for the primary time.
Whereas the brand new ultra-connected iBook grew to become an important participant in Apple’s laptop computer lineup later that yr, the PowerBook G3 Lombard definitely didn’t let the crew down by any measure. The $2,499 laptop computer packed specs far forward of what the competitors provided on the time.
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