Apple FIRST PowerBook G3 "Wallstreet" (1998): the fastest laptop in the world - Macintosh

[ ATTENTION – a 100% working "WALLSTREET POWERBOOK" is NOT often sold ]

Meet the PowerBook G3 "Wallstreet"!
The perfect gift for a Mac fan …

>> FORWORD
Please don't make any assumptions, but READ the accompanying text – and look at the photos "very carefully" to avoid disappointments.

// When the World's FASTEST LAPTOP was a Mac!

Featuring the iconic Apple brand and other distinguishing characteristics, this laptop is a must-have for any Apple vintage collector. The PowerBook G3 is a Macintosh laptop series sold by Apple Computer from 1997 to 2001. It was the first laptop to use the PowerPC G3 series of microprocessors, and was marketed as "the fastest laptop in the world" for its entire production run. Unlike previous PowerBook models that had a dark gray chassis, the PowerBook G3 was Apple's first laptop with a "black" chassis.

There a few variations of the Powerbook G3. This particular one is the FIRST MODEL and is called the "Wall Street". It was introduced by Steve Jobs in 1998. No USB or FireWire yet (that stuff came later). It was also the last Apple computers with the rainbow-colored Apple logo

The "Wallstreet", "Lombard" and "Pismo" models were praised for being easily upgradeable. Not only were the drives and memory easily accessible, the CPU was on a removable daughter card and not on the motherboard. This led to companies like Sonnet and Powerlogix offering not only G3 CPU upgrades for each of these G3 series, but in several cases also G4 upgrades that could make these machines as fast as (and in later cases even faster than) the Titanium G4 PowerBooks offered by Apple at the time.

The PowerBook G3 series was available in three screen sizes:
– 12.1 inch passive matrix LCD;
– 13.3 inch TFT LCD;
– 14.1 inch TFT LCD screen.

This specific one is the 14 inch version!

// HOT SWAPPABLE

The case contained two docking bays, one on each side. The left compartment housed a battery. The second docking bay can be used for a 3.5-inch floppy drive, an Iomega Zip drive, a hard drive, a second battery or another expansion module.

Luckily even today "expansion modules" are easy to obtain on dedicated websites.

This specific model has two batteries (one on each side).

FYI: The Batteries – as you can imagine on a 1998 machine – are NOT working.

// UPSIDE DOWN LOGO

This was another interesting thing. The Apple logo looks like its right side up until you flip the lid up. Then the logo is upside down. This mistake was there for many years and Steve Jobs made a big deal out of it when it got changed.

The upside-down-logo is considered a rarity for many Apple collectors.

// JUST WAIT A MINUTE …

Typical with these powermacs. It takes a while for the computer to boot up. The Mac needs time and a sort of latency periode while the system detects if its in good shape to kick over.

Another thing. Something we take for granted today. How fast our devices can lock/unlock, go to sleep/wakeup. On this older Mac it takes much longer!

// ingenious Apple feature

On power up … the green light comes up automatically (indicating power) – without the User touching the power switch. The fans spooled up and that is normal behaviour. When the laptop has been off for a while and the P battery is dead the laptop assumes it's got dust in there … so it turns the fans on full blast to blow any dust out of the vents. SO don't freak out if it does this. There's nothing wrong … its just the ingenious build-in Apple feature.

// @ the movies

The PowerBook G3 frequently appeared in films and television series in the late 1990s to mid-2000s; including:

You've Got Mail, NewsRadio, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me, Mission: Impossible II, Dark Angel, What Women Want, The West Wing, Friends, The Lone Gunmen, The Core, Duplex, Saw, Sex and the City, How I Met Your Mother, Night at the Museum, Charmed, Everybody Loves Raymond, Stargate SG-1, That's So Raven en Angel.

// IMPORTANT – WHY BUY FROM ME?
(instead of other sellers)

I am a Mac user from way back in the Legacy Era. I offer Vintage Apple computers as I would buy them myself. My admiration for Steve Jobs' legacy is so great that I want the Macs I sell, to stand "the test of time". Furthermore I only sell items I have "passion" for.

Hardware-wise, all my sold computers are completely disassembled, cleaned – and, if necessary, repaired – in order to extend their lifespan.

Long-Story Short. Computers from other vendors may look the same on the outside. I can guarantee you that the inside is very different! So if you want to enjoy your investment for as long as possible, choosing "wisely" is advisable.

This Vintage computer is in Great Working Condition! Perfect for any Retro computing or Apple enthusiast or vintage tech collectors (important: Non-collectors, this is not a modern computer and cannot do what a recent computer can do).

// SPECS (M4880)

Serial: CK8450M2EVO

– Installed Mac OS: 8.6 (ENGLISH) + applications (Photoshop; Illustrator; Pagemaker & Microsoft Word)
– 96 MB RAM
– 14.1 inch TFT LCD screen [1024 x 768 px]

// INCLUDING M4896 POWER AC ADAPTER
>> BE AWARE – THE BATTERY DOESN'T HOLDS CHARGE
After more-than-25-years – the battery doesn’t hold a charge anymore.
PS/ vintage laptops that holds charge after all this time doesn't exist*!

FYI: there are experts who can re-build the battery (all necessary parts are included in this bundle).

Note: the laptop needs to be plug-in (with the special "adapter" to get power).

// IMPORTANT
As these are "vintage items", they are being sold as. Normal signs of use and wear (some user traces esp. on the front & back cover). Scratches on the outside are a well known issue on this type of laptops. See detailled pictures.

There are no cracks except one on the righthand-side (see detailled picture).

But as an experienced connoisseur I can guarantee that these items are in VERY GOOD condition (always keeping in mind their age). The numerous images are part of the meticulous description. Thus: judge yourself!

As this computer is used and more-than-25-years old, expect minor scratches, discolouration, scuffs, marks or scrapes here or there. Sadly they are not easy to capture on picture (but they are there! Therefore have realistic expectations).

IMPORTANT:

– The keyboard is AZERTY (but it's easily swappable by your preferated keyboard layout);

PS/
be aware that the mechanical parts of vintage computers make (a lot) more noice (compared to modern computers)! Don't bid on this mac if you think that the aformentioned things will bother you. Please also have realistic expectations about "speed, etc"!

Note: starting-up a vintage 1998 computer can feel very slow in 2024. Be patient while starting-up (the screen stays "dark" for a while before the screen popups). Computing and using the software feels also slow comparing to current computers.

– again! regarding performance … This is a vintage computer (collectable) – not a modern computer.

// PACKAGING & SHIPPING
The "PowerBook G3 "Wallstreet"" is packaged securely and carefully for safe shipment.
Moreover, the "PowerBook G3 "Wallstreet" is shipped INSURED because of its precious value.
Because of the precious content extra attention is paid to the CUSTOM packaging.
The extra cost is included in the shipping price.

"One More Thing"
– Steve Jobs quote

Don't miss this unique opportunity.
Great opportunities don't come everyday!

Let the bidding begin … for the World's FASTEST LAPTOP and the first "PowerBook G3 … the "Wallstreet"".
An iconic Apple computer!

"One More Thing"
When in doubt, check my positive customer reviews ;)
(… because there are some "copycats" out there, who copy my style and pretend to be me). By-the-way: There is only one "VISENTO"! That's me ;)