G3 - affordable power or misfit?

PC - Tower - RAM: 32 MB - CD-ROM more

Fast enough to handle the toughest video and publishing applications with ease. Smart enough to grow with your needs for years to come. Stylish enough to make your computer time...
more...more enjoyable than ever. With the Power Macintosh G3 computer, all these features are yours in one great system, at one remarkably low price. Whether you're a design professional who appreciates the marriage of beauty and power, an educator who needs performance and flexibility in a system that provides a solid investment for the future, or a home user whose family wants to run business applications, Internet programs, and games, the Power Macintosh G3 computer is a superb choice. The innovative design of the Power Macintosh G3 does much more than simply makes it look great. Just flip the computer open for fast access to everything inside. The easy-open (but lockable) enclosure lets you easily add memory, storage, or PCI cards. Built-in handles simplify moving the computer from room to room.

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G3 - affordable power or misfit?

A review by fiorbitleeds on Apple Power Mac G3 - PPC G3 266 MHz
September 28th, 2000

Author's product rating: Apple Power Mac G3 - PPC G3 266 MHz - rated by fiorbitleeds

Speed
Design
Manufacturer Support
Ease of use
Value For Money

Advantages:	faster than predecessors (Performa 6400 etc)
Disadvantages:	not enough improvement and now superceded by iMac & G4

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Having purchased my G3 new in Xmas '98, I was keen to get the speed and power I'd longed for. I've always had Macs (12 years plus) and worked with them, but never been able to afford anything big or fast. This new machine promised to be a SIGNIFICANT increase in processing speed and sheer "MEAT" - however it has consistently failed to live up to it's expectations.

Firstly; it has ALWAYS been "buggy" - whatever O/S I install (gone from 8.0 thru' to 9.0.4) and seems prone to minor addressing errors (lost defaults, minor directory damage, un-accessible data etc)

Secondly: I don't appear to have gained much ACTUAL speed, despite going from 166Mhz processor to 275Mhz

Also: it is VERY difficult to keep running "on top form" - I am a keen "amateur mechanic" and like my machines to be tuned to maximum performance, but it has always been hard to make any improvements, I seem to spend my time catching up with things which have gone wrong.

Don't get me wrong, I love my G3 - "Geoffrey" [get it?!!] as I'm a "Mac Maniac" and wouldn't part with him unless I could afford a MUCH bigger G4 etc, but I'm very frustrated at the ACTUAL lack of improvement it has afforded me from my old machine.

Buy this machine IF you are competent & confident doing your own maintenance and repairs OR if you find one going very cheap, but iMacs and "smaller" G4s represent better value for money in my opinion.