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Apple PowerBook G3 500 (Firewire/Pismo) Specs

Identifiers: Firewire/Pismo - M7633LL/A* - PowerBook3,1 - M7572 - 1840-1

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Apple PowerBook G3The PowerBook G3/500 (Firewire/Pismo) -- formally a member of the "PowerBook Firewire" series (note the lack of official "G3" designation) as dubbed by Apple, but often referred to by its codename of "Pismo" -- features a 500 MHz PowerPC 750 (G3) processor with 1 MB of "backside" level 2 cache, 128 MB of RAM, a 12.0 GB or 20.0 GB hard drive, a tray-loading 6X DVD-ROM drive, and ATI Rage Mobility 128 graphics with 8 MB of SDRAM in a sleek black portable case with a 14.1" TFT active-matrix color display.

Although each shares a case that is quite similar to the "Bronze Keyboard/Lombard" PowerBook G3 models that came before them, the "Firewire/Pismo" systems use a faster logic board design with a faster bus (100 MHz), faster hard drive standard (Ultra ATA/66), faster graphics (Rage Mobility 128), support for optional AirPort (802.11b), and dual Firewire ports (dropping SCSI).

There are two slightly different configurations of this model. It originallly shipped with a 12.0 GB hard drive (M7633LL/A), and on September 13, 2000, this was increased to a 20.0 GB hard drive (M7712LL/A). The price for each configuration was US$3499.

Despite the age of this system, site sponsor Other World Computing has RAM, hard drives, SSDs, and other upgrades available for this specific Mac while supplies last.


  • Tech Specs
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  • Popular Q&As

Click on the category for related details. The most commonly needed info is "open" by default, but all info is important.


February 16, 2000* January 9, 2001
Details: The "Introduction Date" refers to the date a model was introduced via press release. The "Discontinued Date" refers to the date a model either was replaced by a subsequent system or production otherwise ended.

On September 13, 2000, Apple increased the size of the hard drive from 12.0 GB to 20.0 GB (M7712LL/A).

Also see: All Macs introduced in 2000.
1 258
Details: This model only is compatible with the 32-bit Geekbench 2 benchmark. These numbers reflect an average of user provided 32-bit and 64-bit results as submitted to the Geekbench website. Higher numbers are better.

You also might be interested in reviewing all 32-bit Geekbench 2 user submissions for Macs with the PowerBook3,1 Model Identifier, which may include multiple models.

To dynamically compare Geekbench results from different Macs side-by-side, see EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Comparison.
500 MHz PowerPC 750 (G3)
Details: N/A
PB G3 Daughtercard Integrated
Details: A variety of third-party processor upgrades were available.
100 MHz 200 MHz (5:2)
Details: N/A
Open Firmware 1 MB
Details: The Boot ROM is roughly 1 MB, other instructions are loaded into RAM.
64k 1 MB (backside)
Details: Includes a 1 MB level 2 cache on a 200 MHz backside bus.
PC100 SDRAM 10 ns
Details: Supports 144-pin PC100 SDRAM SO-DIMM memory modules.
128 MB 1 GB*
Details: *Apple officially supports 512 MB of RAM in this model. However, third-parties have been able to upgrade it to 1.0 GB using two 512 MB memory modules.

In the US (and many other countries), site sponsor Other World Computing sells memory -- as well as other upgrades -- for this PowerBook G3.

In Germany, site sponsor CompuRAM sells memory and other upgrades for this PowerBook G3.

Also see: Actual Max RAM of All G3 & Later Macs.
None 2
Details: N/A
Rage Mobility 128 SDRAM
Details: ATI Rage Mobility 128 graphics with 8 MB of SDRAM.
8 MB 8 MB
Details: The video cannot be upgraded.
14.1" TFT 1024x768
Details: A 14.1" color TFT active-matrix display with a 1024x768 native resolution. Supports 640x480 and 800x600 when scaled.
Dual/Mirroring 1024x768
Details: Simultaneously supports native resolution on the internal display and a maximum of 1024x768 on an external display.
12.0, 20.0 GB* N/A
Details: *The original model was equipped with a 12.0 GB hard drive (M7633LL/A). 20.0 GB hard drive standard starting September 13, 2000 (M7712LL/A).

This model does not support hard drives larger than 128 GB.

Site sponsor Other World Computing sells storage upgrades for this PowerBook G3.

Also see: SSD Compatibility Guide for All G3 & Later Macs.
2.5" (12.5 mm) Ultra ATA/66
Details: This model supports an internal Ultra ATA/66 (ATA-5) 2.5" hard drive that is up to 12.5 mm thick. It must be smaller capacity than 128 GB.
6X DVD-ROM* None
Details: *This model has a single "hot-swappable" 5.25" bay (on the right side) that holds a tray-loading 6X DVD-ROM by default. The right bay can hold a battery as well, but the battery bay (on the left side) only supports a battery.
56.6k 10/100Base-T
Details: N/A
802.11b (Optional) None
Details: Internal support for "AirPort" (802.11b), but not pre-installed by default. No internal support for Bluetooth.
2 (1.1) 2 (400)
Details: Dual onboard USB 1.1 ports and Firewire "400" ports.
1 Type I/II PC Card* 1 5.25"
Details: *1 Type I/II PC card slot (CardBus compatible). This system has one "hot-swappable" 5.25" bay that shipped with a 6X DVD-ROM by default. Please note that these bays are not backwards compatible with the Wallstreet/PDQ models. Additionally, Apple notes that expansion modules designed for the "Bronze Keyboard/Lombard" models will work with this system, but not necessarily vice versa.
Full-size Trackpad
Details: Apple reports that the integrated keyboard has 77 (US) or 78 (ISO) keys, including 12 function keys, 4 arrow keys, and an embedded numeric keypad. The trackpad supports tap, double tap, and drag capabilities.
Notebook PB G3 Firewire/Pismo
Details: N/A
M7633LL/A* Firewire/Pismo
Details: *M7633LL/A was assigned to the original configuration with a 12 GB hard drive. M7712LL/A was assigned to the second configuration equipped with a 20 GB hard drive.
M7572 (EMC 1840-1) PowerBook3,1
Details: Please note that these identifiers refer to more than one model.

Also see: All Macs with the M7572 Model Number, the 1840-1 EMC Number, and the PowerBook3,1 Model Identifier.

For more about these identifiers and how to locate them on each Mac, please refer to EveryMac.com's Mac Identification section.
50 W h LiIon 5 Hours, 9-10 Hours*
Details: *Apple estimated 5 hours with a single battery and 9-10 hours with dual batteries under "normal usage conditions".
9.0.2 X 10.4.11
Details: This system cannot run versions of MacOS X more recent than 10.4.11.
Boot/Classic Mode Emulation Only
Details: This model is capable of booting in Mac OS 9 and using Mac OS 9 applications within the Mac OS X "Classic" environment.
1.7 x 10.4 x 12.7 5.7-6.1 lbs (2.6-2.8 kg)
Details: In inches while closed - height by width by depth, (4.1 cm, 32.3 cm, 26.4 cm). Apple reported that the weight varied by configuration.
US$3499 N/A
Details: Please note that on average the estimated current retail pricing of used systems is updated twice a year (please refer to the date on the bottom of the page for the date last updated).

Photo Credit: Apple Computer.


Click on a category for additional details. The most commonly needed info is "open" by default, but all info is important. The icons correspond with the icons for each port on the computer.


1 (VGA) None
Details: N/A
None None
Details: No ADB or SCSI.
None None
Details: N/A
2 (1.1) 2 (400)
Details: Dual onboard USB 1.1 ports and Firewire "400" ports.
1 (RJ-11) 1 (RJ-45)
Details: Internal 56.6k modem and 10/100Base-T Ethernet standard. IrDA port also provided.
None 1
Details: N/A
1 (Internal) 1
Details: Internal microphone and 16-bit stereo sound audio in jack.
1 None
Details: Single 16-bit stereo sound output minijack also can be used with headphones.
1 None
Details: N/A
N/A 1
Details: 100V-240V AC power adapter, 45 Max watts.

Ten of the most popular Q&As about the PowerBook G3 models follow.



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