In the tech world, the year 1998 marked a significant milestone for Apple as it unveiled the PowerBook G3 14.1-inch Mid, an addition to its PowerBook G3 series of Macintosh computers. Launched on May 6, 1998, this powerhouse notebook promised a blend of high-end performance and sleek design that captivated the hearts of Mac enthusiasts.
The PowerBook G3 Series, the second generation of PowerBook G3s, brought a wave of innovation in May 1998. A complete redesign featuring a lighter and more rounded case distinguished it from its predecessor, the PowerBook G3. Code-named Wallstreet, these cutting-edge machines introduced three screen sizes: a 12″ passive matrix LCD, a 13.3″ TFT LCD, and the star of the show, a 14.1″ TFT LCD.
The 12.1″ models boasted 2MB VRAM onboard, while the 13.3″ and 14.1″ models stepped it up with 4MB VRAM, allowing for a vivid ‘millions of colors’ display at a maximum resolution of 1024×768. The Wallstreet was a trailblazer, being the first PowerBook to adopt industry-standard ATA optical drives. This meant CD and DVD recorders designed for Wintel machines could seamlessly integrate, often at a more budget-friendly price than Apple’s proprietary options.
The Wallstreet series offered a range of CPU speeds, including 233 MHz, 250 MHz, and 292 MHz. The 250 MHz and 292 MHz models, equipped with 1 MB of cache, showcased swifter system buses, albeit at the cost of some heat issues. The Wallstreet PowerBook G3s paved the way for subsequent revisions, addressing and fixing the initial problems.
An interesting historical note is that the Wallstreet I was the last PowerBook assembled by Apple in Cork, Ireland. It symbolizes an era when Apple’s hardware was crafted in different corners of the world.
At the heart of the PowerBook G3 14.1-inch Mid 1998 lay its powerhouse — the 292 MHz PowerPC 750 G3 processor. This high-performance processor elevated the notebook’s capabilities, making it ideal for resource-intensive tasks such as video editing and graphic design. The promise of smooth and quick application performance was a game-changer in 1998.
The 14.1″ color LCD display of the PowerBook G3 14.1-inch Mid 1998 was a standout feature. Delivering crisp and clear visuals, it became a go-to choice for both work and entertainment. Backed by 32 MB of RAM, users had the flexibility to choose between 4 GB or 8 GB hard drive options, ensuring a well-rounded and versatile computing experience. The inclusion of a 1.44 MB floppy drive, 20x CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive, and 2 MB ATI Rage LT graphics in the base model further enhanced its impressive specs.
The case of the PowerBook G3 14.1-inch Mid 1998 was not just about aesthetics. It featured two docking bays, providing users with a range of options. The left-hand bay accommodated a battery, floppy drive, third-party Iomega Zip drive, an adapter for a second hard drive, or a “blank” weight-saver module. Meanwhile, the right-hand bay, larger in size, expanded the possibilities to include a CD-ROM drive, a DVD-ROM drive, or a third-party SuperDrive.
A small internal nickel-cadmium battery allowed users to swap the main batteries while the computer “slept,” enhancing the device’s practicality. DVDs could be displayed with the use of a hardware decoder built into a CardBus (PCMCIA) card. Notably, the PowerBook G3 14.1-inch Mid 1998 was the last to showcase the six-color Apple logo, with subsequent models adopting the new white emblem.
Quality comes at a cost, and the PowerBook G3 14.1-inch Mid 1998 was no exception. Priced at a starting point of $5,599, it positioned itself as a premium choice in the market. Despite the hefty price tag, it found a dedicated audience among Mac enthusiasts who valued the notebook’s combination of performance, design, and functionality.
The journey of the PowerBook G3 14.1-inch Mid 1998, however, was short-lived. Discontinued on September 1, 1998, this notebook, now 26 years old, continues to hold a special place in the hearts of Apple fans. Its cutting-edge specs and stylish design left an indelible mark on the tech landscape, showcasing Apple’s commitment to innovation and pushing the boundaries of what a notebook could achieve.
PowerBook G3 14.1-inch Mid 1998 Details
| Introduced | May 6, 1998 |
| Discontinued | September 1, 1998 |
| Model Identifier | 312 |
| Model Number | M4753 |
| Order Number | M6541LL/A |
| Original Price | $5,599 |
| Colors | Dark Grey |
| Weight | 7.8 Ibs. 3.538 KG |
| Dimensions | 2” H x 12.7” W x 10.4” D 5.08 cm H x 32.25 cm W x 26.41 cm D |
PowerBook G3 14.1-inch Wallstreet Tech Specs
Processor
| Processor | PowerPC 750 G3 |
| Processor Speed | 292 MHz |
| Architecture | 32-bit |
| Number of Cores | 1 |
| System Bus | 83 MHz |
| Cache | 64 KB L1 1 MB backside L2 |
| Coprocessor | Built-in FPU |
Storage & Media
| Storage | 4 GB 8 GB |
| Media | 1 – 1.44 MB floppy 1 – 20x CD-ROM or DVD-ROM |
Memory
| Built-in Memory | 32 MB |
| Maximum Memory | 192 MB (Apple) 512 MB (Actual) |
| Memory Slots | 2 – PC-100 144-pin SO-DIMM |
| Minimum Speed | 10 ns |
| ROM | N/A |
| Interleaving Support | No |
Display
| Built-in Display | 14.1″ Color TFT Active Matrix Display |
| Resolutions | 1024 x 768 |
Graphics
| Graphics Card | ATI Rage LT |
| Graphics Memory | 2 MB 4 MB |
| Display Connection | 1 – VGA 1 – S-Video |
| Display Modes | Video mirroring only |
| External Resolution | None |
Expansion
| Expansion Slots | 2 – Type II or 1 – Type III PC Card |
| Hard Drive Interface | ATA-2 |
| Bays | 2 – PowerBook Media Bays (1998) |
Connections
| Wi-Fi | None |
| Ethernet | 10BASE-T |
| Modem | 56k |
| Bluetooth | None |
| Infrared | 1 – 4 Mbps |
| ADB | 1 – External 1 – Internal for Trackpad |
| Serial | 1 |
| SCSI | 1 – HDI-30 |
| Floppy Port | None |
| Audio In | 1 – 3.5-mm analog input jack 1 – Built-in microphone |
| Audio Out | 1 – 3.5-mm analog output jack 2 – Built-in speakers |
| Display | 1 – VGA 1 – S-Video |
| Security Slot | 1 – Kensington cable lock |
Keyboard and trackpad
| Keyboard | Built-in Full-size 77-key (U.S.) or 78-key (ISO) incl. 12 function and 4 arrow keys |
| Trackpad | Built-in Solid-state trackpad (Tap, double-tap, and drag) |
Software
| Original OS | Mac OS 8 |
| Maximum OS | Mac OS X 10.2.8 |
| Firmware | Macintosh ROM |
| Bundled Software | None |
Power
| System Battery | 49 Wh Lithium-Ion (M6385 & M4685) |
| Backup Battery | PowerBook G3 Backup Battery (922-3380) |
| Battery Life | 3.5 hours on one battery 7 hours on two batteries |
| Maximum Continuous Power | 45 W |
| Line Voltage | 100-240 V AC |
| Power Adapter | 45 W AC (M4402) |
Further Reading and References
- PowerBook G3 Series: Technical Specifications – Apple Support
- PowerBook G3 – Wikipedia
- WallStreet PowerBook G3 Series – Low End Mac
- Testing Apple’s PowerBook G3 Series (Wallstreet) – YouTube
- The most upgradable portable Mac ever – 512 Pixels
- PowerBook G3 Wallstreet – Apple Rescue of Denver
- Apple Macintosh Powerbook G3 Wallstreet (Photos) – OldCrap
Disclaimer: The data presented in this article is under continuous development and has been manually collected from various sources based on their availability. The author of this article may revise this dataset as additional research is conducted and reviewed. Please note that the information is provided “as is” and “as available” without express or implied warranties. The author cannot be held responsible for any omissions, inaccuracies, or errors in the published information. Any warranties relating to this information are hereby disclaimed.
Last updated: January 8, 2024
