PowerBook G3 250 (Original/Kanga/3500) Specs (Original/Kanga, M5993LL/A, N/A*, M3553, None): EveryMac.com

Apple PowerBook G3 250 (Original/Kanga/3500) Specs

Identifiers: Original/Kanga - M5993LL/A - N/A* - M3553 - None

All PowerBook G3 Models | All 1997 Models | Dynamically Compare This Mac to Others

Apple PowerBook G3 The PowerBook G3/250 (Original), codenamed "Kanga" and often called the "PowerBook 3500" -- as it could have been dubbed as a member of the PowerBook series -- features a 250 MHz PowerPC 750 (G3) processor with a 512k "backside" level 2 cache, 32 MB of RAM, 2 MB of VRAM, a 5.0 GB hard drive, and a 20X tray-loading CD-ROM drive in a black portable case with a 12.1" color TFT active-matrix display. It also has "zoomed video" support, "hot-swappable" bays, a four speaker sound system, and dual PC card slots.

The PowerBook G3/250 (Original) was the first PowerBook to use the "third-generation" (G3) PowerPC 750 processor which also unveiled a new "backside" level 2 cache and consequently the system broke new ground in what was expected from a notebook, performing even better than many desktop systems.

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.

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Introduction Date:

November 10, 1997

Discontinued Date:

March 14, 1998

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.

Also see: All Macs introduced in 1997.

Processors:

Geekbench 2:

N/A

Details:

N/A 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 N/A* 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.

Processor Speed:

250 MHz

Processor Type:

PowerPC 750 (G3)

Details:

N/A

Processor Upgrade:

Soldered

FPU:

Integrated

Details:

N/A

System Bus Speed:

50 MHz

Cache Bus Speed:

100 MHz (2.5:1)

Details:

N/A

ROM/Firmware Type:

Macintosh ROM

ROM/Firmware Size:

4 MB

Details:

N/A

L1 Cache:

64k

L2/L3 Cache:

512k (backside)

Details:

Includes a 512k level 2 cache on a 100 MHz backside bus.

RAM Type:

PowerBook G3*

Min. RAM Speed:

60 ns

Details:

*Supports a unique 60 ns EDO DIMM memory module.

Standard RAM:

32 MB

Maximum RAM:

160 MB

Details:

Site sponsor Other World Computing sells memory -- as well as other upgrades -- for this PowerBook G3.

Also see: Actual Max RAM of All G3 & Later Macs.

Motherboard RAM:

32 MB

RAM Slots:

Details:

32 MB of RAM onboard, single expansion slot open by default.

Video Card:

N/A

VRAM Type:

Onboard

Details:

2 MB of onboard VRAM.

Standard VRAM:

2 MB

Maximum VRAM:

2 MB

Details:

The video cannot be upgraded.

Built-in Display:

12.1" TFT

Native Resolution:

800x600

Details:

12.1" color TFT active-matrix display with an 800 by 600 native resolution.

2nd Display Support:

N/A

2nd Max. Resolution:

N/A

Details:

N/A

Standard Storage:

5.0 GB

Std. Storage Speed:

N/A

Details:

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.

Storage Dimensions:

N/A

Storage Interface:

ATA

Details:

N/A

Standard Optical:

20X CD-ROM

Standard Disk:

1.44 MB (Manual)

Details:

This model has a "hot-swappable" 5.25" bay that holds a 20X CD-ROM drive by default. The floppy drive also is a swappable 3.5" module.

Standard Modem:

33.6k

Standard Ethernet:

10Base-T

Details:

N/A

Standard AirPort:

None

Standard Bluetooth:

None

Details:

This model does not support AirPort or Bluetooth.

USB Ports:

None

Firewire Ports:

None

Details:

N/A

Expansion Slots:

2 Type II PC Card

Expansion Bays:

1 3.5", 1 5.25"

Details:

Two Type II PC card slots (also supports one Type III card) and one "hot-swappable" 5.25" bay that was shipped with a 20X CD-ROM drive. The floppy drive also is a swappable 3.5" module. Please note that these bays are backwards compatible with the PowerBook 190 and 5300 models, but are not compatible with other PowerBook G3 systems.

Incl. Keyboard:

Full-size

Incl. Input:

Trackpad

Details:

Apple reports that the integrated keyboard has 77 (US) or 78 (ISO) keys, including 12 function keys, and 4 arrow keys. The trackpad supports tap, double tap, and drag capabilities.

Case Type:

Notebook

Form Factor:

PowerBook 3400

Details:

The original PowerBook G3 used a housing identical to that introduced by the previous PowerBook 3400 series.

Apple Order No:

M5993LL/A

Apple Subfamily:

Original/Kanga

Details:

The Apple order number should be unique to this system.

Apple Model No:

M3553 (EMC None)

Model ID:

N/A*

Details:

*This model does not have a Model Identifier. Its Gestalt ID is 313.

Please note that these identifiers refer to more than one model.

Also see: All Macs with the M3553 Model Number, the None EMC Number, and the N/A* Model Identifier.

For more about these identifiers and how to locate them on each Mac, please refer to EveryMac.com's Mac Identification section.

Battery Type:

47 W h LiIon

Battery Life:

2-4 Hours

Details:

2-4 hours under "normal usage conditions" as estimated by Apple.

Pre-Installed MacOS:

8.0

Maximum MacOS:

9.1

Details:

This system cannot run MacOS X.

MacOS 9 Support:

Boot Only

Windows Support:

Emulation Only

Details:

This model is capable of booting in Mac OS 9. It cannot boot Mac OS X.

Dimensions:

2.4 x 11.5 x 9.5

Avg. Weight:

7.5 lbs (3.4 kg)

Details:

In inches while closed - height by width by depth, (6.1 cm, 29.2 cm, 24.1 cm).

Original Price (US):

US$5700

Est. Current Retail:

N/A

Details:

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.

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Video (Monitor):

1 (HDI-15)

Floppy (Ext.):

None

Details:

N/A

ADB:

SCSI:

1 (HDI-30)

Details:

Single ADB and SCSI ports.

Serial (Standard):

None

Serial (Geoport):

Details:

Single Geoport can be used with either a serial printer or modem.

USB:

None

Firewire:

None

Details:

N/A

Modem:

1 (RJ-11)

Ethernet:

1 (RJ-45)

Details:

Internal card provides 33.6k modem and 10Base-T Ethernet. Infrared port also provided.

S-Video Input:

None

S-Video Output:

None

Details:

N/A

Microphone:

1 (Internal)

Sound In:

Details:

Internal microphone and 16-bit stereo sound audio in jack.

Sound Out:

Headphone:

None

Details:

Single 16-bit stereo sound output minijack also can be used with headphones.

Security (Lock):

Joystick (PC):

None

Details:

N/A

Power:

N/A

Power Adapter:

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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