Apple G3

Apple G3 Computer

Editor's Note: This article was written when the Macintosh G3 was released and began shipping and was published on our archive site December 17, 1997. Since then this computer became the basis for the iMac and the next version of it will be released in the first week of January called the G3 Pro. Though the G3 is now a full year old its still twice as fast as the fastest Pentium II based computer. The one being used to create this page a G3 266 Desktop, with a Zip drive, 96MB of Ram, 4GB drive, ATI Xclaim VR video excellorator is now on the market with its two monitors. So if you want to get in on a bargain and have a complete A/V machine for desk top publishing get in touch with us.

The break throughs in computer technology seem to be coming along at an increased rate and it is easy to lose sight of the significance of these milestones as they occur. Our first home computers were all 8 bit simple machines based on either the 8088 Intel processor or the 6502 Motorola. These processors made their appearance in the seventies and powered computers and equipment right up until the present. Intel's 8086 continues to be the basis for the majority of computers on the planet. The 286, 386, 486 were surplanted by the 586, hence referred to as Pentium are found everywhere and have moved from 16 bit to 32 bit processing.
In 1980 Motorola developed the 68000 32bit processor that first made its appearance in Apple's Lisa, an overpriced wonder that was later introduced in a simpler form as the Macintosh in 1984. (We have a Lisa if you would like to see some images of one and a story about it let us know and we will do up a page on the Lisa.) Atari and Commodore also brought 68000 processors to market with Commodore's outstanding Amiga machine just shortly after the Macintosh. These computers used graphics interfaces and business computers of the day were still 8 bit 8086 machines most in the form of IBM's XT. The 68000 was a major break through and in 1992 its later versions were at their limit and IBM and Motorola had developed the processor called the PowerPC, 601, 603 and 604. Apple, Motorola and IBM all have made computers based on this high speed RISC based processor that is cooler and less expensive then the Intel Pentium. A PowerPC IBM unit is the heart of the little Mars rover Sojourner.
This fall IBM and Motorola have introduced the 750 processor called by Apple "G3". Though with a clock speed of 233 and 266 this processor is actually more then twice as fast as similar speed 603e, 604e and Pentium II. These new computers offer the user outstanding performance and reasonable cost. The machine shown in the images on this page is a 233Mhz ZIF socketted processor with 32MB of RAM, a 4GB hard drive, 24x CD, Ethernet and sells for $2999. (The 15" KDS monitor shown above is $390)

Here is John Geis using his new G3. John has installed Virtual PC on his machine and discovered equivalent performance to the Pentium he uses at work. You will notice the Apple Microphone on the top of John's monitor, the G3 ships with the microphone included. These images were made using John's Connectix QuickCam. John is the past president of Regina MUGORs (Macintosh Users Group of Regina) where for years he kept the membership informed on developments in the Apple computer world.

Apple's new G3 comes in several flavours, above is the 233Mhz version desktop and on the left is a 266Mhz, which has the faster processor and this one was fitted out for work in a print shop went to the customer with 96MB of memory. The new G3 uses SDRAM DIMMs these are synchronous memory modules "4 clock speed" and are now the standard for all future Macintoshes though they are close in price to regular 168pin DIMMs (dual inline memory modules).

We were very impressed with Apple's new 750 display. This 17 monitor atop the G3, has an ADB plug seen on the left side of it and has dramatically powerful, yet simple to use colour calibration software. The ADB plug lets the user put the computer elsewhere and the display can support the keyboard and mouse.

Both the 233Mhz and 266Mhz machines also come in tower cases with bays for added peripheries and larger hard drives. Standard on the G3 of any type is the Iomega 100MB Zip drive.

Editor's Note: This article was written when the Macintosh G3 was released and began shipping and was published on our archive site December 17, 1997. Since then this computer became the basis for the iMac and the next version of it will be released in the first week of January called the G3 Pro. Though the G3 is now a full year old its still twice as fast as the fastest Pentium II based computer. The one being used to create this page a G3 266 Desktop, with a Zip drive, 96MB of Ram, 4GB drive, ATI Xclaim VR video excellorator is now on the market with its two monitors. So if you want to get in on a bargain and have a complete A/V machine for desk top publishing get in touch with us.
The break throughs in computer technology seem to be coming along at an increased rate and it is easy to lose sight of the significance of these milestones as they occur. Our first home computers were all 8 bit simple machines based on either the 8088 Intel processor or the 6502 Motorola. These processors made their appearance in the seventies and powered computers and equipment right up until the present. Intel's 8086 continues to be the basis for the majority of computers on the planet. The 286, 386, 486 were surplanted by the 586, hence referred to as Pentium are found everywhere and have moved from 16 bit to 32 bit processing. In 1980 Motorola developed the 68000 32bit processor that first made its appearance in Apple's Lisa, an overpriced wonder that was later introduced in a simpler form as the Macintosh in 1984. (We have a Lisa if you would like to see some images of one and a story about it let us know and we will do up a page on the Lisa.) Atari and Commodore also brought 68000 processors to market with Commodore's outstanding Amiga machine just shortly after the Macintosh. These computers used graphics interfaces and business computers of the day were still 8 bit 8086 machines most in the form of IBM's XT. The 68000 was a major break through and in 1992 its later versions were at their limit and IBM and Motorola had developed the processor called the PowerPC, 601, 603 and 604. Apple, Motorola and IBM all have made computers based on this high speed RISC based processor that is cooler and less expensive then the Intel Pentium. A PowerPC IBM unit is the heart of the little Mars rover Sojourner. This fall IBM and Motorola have introduced the 750 processor called by Apple "G3". Though with a clock speed of 233 and 266 this processor is actually more then twice as fast as similar speed 603e, 604e and Pentium II. These new computers offer the user outstanding performance and reasonable cost. The machine shown in the images on this page is a 233Mhz ZIF socketted processor with 32MB of RAM, a 4GB hard drive, 24x CD, Ethernet and sells for $2999. (The 15" KDS monitor shown above is $390)



Here is John Geis using his new G3. John has installed Virtual PC on his machine and discovered equivalent performance to the Pentium he uses at work. You will notice the Apple Microphone on the top of John's monitor, the G3 ships with the microphone included. These images were made using John's Connectix QuickCam. John is the past president of Regina MUGORs (Macintosh Users Group of Regina) where for years he kept the membership informed on developments in the Apple computer world.
	Apple's new G3 comes in several flavours, above is the 233Mhz version desktop and on the left is a 266Mhz, which has the faster processor and this one was fitted out for work in a print shop went to the customer with 96MB of memory. The new G3 uses SDRAM DIMMs these are synchronous memory modules "4 clock speed" and are now the standard for all future Macintoshes though they are close in price to regular 168pin DIMMs (dual inline memory modules). We were very impressed with Apple's new 750 display. This 17 monitor atop the G3, has an ADB plug seen on the left side of it and has dramatically powerful, yet simple to use colour calibration software. The ADB plug lets the user put the computer elsewhere and the display can support the keyboard and mouse. Both the 233Mhz and 266Mhz machines also come in tower cases with bays for added peripheries and larger hard drives. Standard on the G3 of any type is the Iomega 100MB Zip drive.