The PowerBook G3 "Wallstreet" originally released in May 1998, just 7 months after the G3 Kanga was introduced. Unlike the Kanga, the Wallstreet was based on an entirely new-age design with clear Steve Jobs influence - and some things that were maybe not so like the Steve Jobs we so often think of, such as dual modular bays and easy upgradability.
The original Wallstreet, or as Apple called it, the "PowerBook G3 Series", released in May 1998 and came with three processor options and three display options. CPU options were 233, 250, or 292MHz, and LCD options were a 12.1" 800x600 Passive-Matrix panel, or a 13.3" or 14.1" 1024x768 Active-Matrix panel. Notably, the 233MHz model lacked any L2 cache, which caused a pretty large hit to performance. 233MHz Passive Matrix models as such aren't regarded very highly.
These models, usually the 12.1" low-end ones, are also frequently called "Mainstreet"
In September 1998, Apple replaced the Wallstreet with the PDQ, or as they called it, the "PowerBook G3 Series (September 1998)". Processor speeds for this one were 233, 266, or 300MHz, and this time, all three had L2 Cache. Display options were improved as well; the vast majority of PDQs shipped with 14.1" 1024x788 panels, but there was also a rare 12.1" 800x600 Active Matrix panel option, only available for a few months. The PDQ's introduction marked the death of passive matrix displays in Apple laptops.
These models are also frequently called "Wallstreet II"
Spec |
Wallstreet |
PDQ |
|---|---|---|
| Release Date | May, 1998 | September, 1998 |
| Discontinuation Date | September, 1998 | May, 1999 |
| CPU Options | 233, 266, or 292MHz | 233, 266, or 300MHz |
| Bus Speed | 66MHz (233MHz model) or 83MHz (266 and 292MHz models) | 66MHz |
| L2 Cache | 1MB (250 and 292MHz models only) | 512KB (233MHz model), or 1MB (266 and 300MHz models) |
| RAM | up to 512MB PC100, 2 slots | |
| Display Options | - 12.1" Passive Matrix @800x600 - 13.3" Active Matrix @1024x768 - 14.1" Active Matrix @1024x768 |
- 12.1" Active Matrix @800x600 - 14.1" Active Matrix @1024x768 |
| GPU | ATI Rage LT | ATI Rage Pro LT |
| VRAM | 2 or 4MB | |
| HDD Size (Standard) | 2.0GB | 2.0, 4.0, or 8.0GB |
| HDD Type | IDE/PATA 2.5" | |
| Uses Proprietary HDD Adapter/Cable? | Yes | |
| Internal Drives | Wallstreet/PDQ Modular Bay - supports Floppy, ZIP, CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, 2nd Battery | |
| Expansion | 2x PCMCIA/CardBus slots | |
| Networking | Modem and Ethernet | |
| Other I/O | 1x ADB, 1x Serial, 1x HDI-30 SCSI, 1x VGA Out, 1x S-Video (13.3 and 14.1" models only), Infrared, Line In, Line Out | 1x ADB, 1x Serial, 1x HDI-30 SCSI, 1x VGA Out, 1x S-Video Out, Infrared, Line In, Line Out |
| Main Battery | Lithium Ion (49 watt hour) | |
| PRAM Battery | Multi-cell Lithium | |
| Pointing Device | Trackpad | |
| Original Mac OS | Mac OS 8.0 | Mac OS 8.1 |
| Maximum Mac OS | Mac OS X 10.2.8 (officially), Mac OS X 10.4.11 (unofficially with XPostFacto) | |
| Retail Price | $2,299-$7000 | $2,799 (233MHz), $3,499 (266MHz), $3,999 (300MHz) |
See our page on IDE SSDs for more info.
G4 processor upgrades were made available for the Wallstreet and PDQ laptops, but they're expectedly very rare.
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