Member Avatar for Amy M.

I realize I'm probably reaching for the stars, but I have a wonderful PowerBook Wallstreet model which I would like to be using.

It's 233 mhz with only 2 gig hard drive and currently OS9. I would like to be able to add a USB port if possible, so I could add an external hard drive. I'd also like to add RAM and install OSX.

Plus, I would like to be able to load Photoshop on it and am not sure if the 233 is too slow to handle that.

Does anyone know what upgrade options I would have? Also, where I might be able to find equipment to upgrade it with?

Thanks very much for your help.

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A few practical paths that add real value without promising a vintage PowerBook will suddenly feel modern. Start by deciding whether the goal is (a) a reliable Classic-era machine for Photoshop/printing and web work under Mac OS 9, or (b) an experiment in squeezing a usable early Mac OS X install out of old hardware—those goals call for different upgrades and different expectations. Mentioning earlier replies from and : expansion via the machine’s removable/slot hardware and careful expectations about speed are both sensible starting points. (ifixit.com)

Most cost-effective upgrade: replace the internal 2.5" ATA hard disk with a higher-capacity 2.5" Ultra‑ATA drive or a CompactFlash/IDE adapter. CF adapters and micro‑ATA SSD adapters avoid moving parts and make the machine more reliable, but pick one that supports UDMA/ATA signalling if you need the drive to be bootable; there are known gotchas with jumpers, thickness and legacy ATA limits to watch for. (everymac.com)

Memory and serviceability: add the largest compatible SO‑DIMM modules the board accepts and follow a step‑by‑step teardown for safe installation. iFixit’s Wallstreet device pages and drive/PRAM guides are useful for photos, screw maps and the exact order of connectors to remove. If swapping parts feels daunting, harvest/clone the old drive first so data isn’t lost. (ifixit.com)

Software note for Photoshop: older Photoshop versions (for example, Photoshop 6 and 7) were written for Classic Mac OS and will run on period hardware far better than modern CS/CC releases; check each version’s system requirements before buying used software and expect modest RAM and disk needs compared with today’s apps. (webdesignmuseum.org)

Where to look for parts and compatibility writeups: reputable vintage Mac vendors and communities (OWC/MacSales for legacy upgrade kits, LowEndMac for compatibility discussions, and iFixit for repair guides) are good starting points; use those resources to confirm exact model numbers before buying. (eshop.macsales.com)

Cautions: confirm the exact PowerBook G3 submodel before purchasing parts, avoid assuming modern USB mass‑storage will be seamless, and accept that dramatic speed gains require a newer machine rather than incremental classic‑era upgrades.

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Member Avatar for John A

This should be what you're looking for:
http://www.macupgrades.co.uk/store/machine.php?name=powerbook-g3-wallstreet

USB can be added through the computer's PCMCIA slot, although if it's only for an external hard drive, I'd recommend looking into a Firewire card instead. Firewire's a lot faster than USB, not to mention that it's bootable (so you could have an entire installation of OS X residing on your external hard drive).

You can add up to 192 MB of RAM according to the web page linked above, which will be enough to run Mac OS X 10.2 (Jaguar). However, Jaguar's not being sold by Apple anymore, so you'll need to get it secondhand (Amazon has some mint copies, might also want to look in eBay for some relatively-decent prices).

Member Avatar for Calixa

You really are pushing the envelope on the G3 even trying. I have one and semi-retired it when OSX came out. Photoshop 2 (!) runs OK on it using OS 9.2.2. No matter how much RAM you put in the processor is really too slow for OSX. I saved and got a MacBook for that reason!

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