Feedback: Mac Daniel #42

Convincing the Boss to Buy a G3

KAP writes: After reading this column, I cannot help but mention that to keep using the Power Mac 6100, the user's greatest need is replacing the hard drive. The drive which shipped with the 6100 is not only small, but very slow. Simply upgrading to a larger hard drive will not only improve the performance, but will also permit a clean system install and, hopefully, a fresh install of the user's software.

The minimal free hard drive space is the probable cause of a lot of crashes. Ideally, you should not fill your hard drive over 80 percent of the drive.

Still, replacing the 6100 with a G3 is a no-brainer. Not only do you obtain the latest technology and large hard drive, but you insure yourself of one of the fastest systems available and future upgradability, especially with the Mac OS and various software packages.

MG writes: Hi. I'm writing to offer a correction to your column, in which you suggested that a Power Mac 6100 would benefit from a G3 processor and a 1 MB L2 cache card. I believe that you are mistaken. The G3 card will have its own backside cache, which will trump the L2 cache on the 6100 motherboard.

In fact, removal of L2 cache cards is recommended by many of the G3 upgrade manufacturers.

I enjoy your column, and think that it provides a valuable service. Just wanted to help out.

Mac Daniel responds: Oops. It should have said 1 MB cache or G3 accelerator. And, ideally, a G3 with a 1 MB cache. Thanks for pointing out my error.

Recent Mac Daniel & Friends columns

Online with a PowerBook Duo, Julie Fugett, Mac Daniel, 11/17/1999
Time to buy an iMac?, Dan Knight, 11/15/1999
Surfing With Low RAM Macs, Manuel Mejia, 11/9/1999
6100 value, Voodoo3, Charlie Ruggiero, 11/4/1999
Getting an old Mac running, Julie Fugett, 10/26/1999
What can I do with a Mac Plus, SE, or Classic?, Manuel Mejia, 10/22/1999
Mac On? Mac Off?, Charlie Ruggiero, 10/20/1999
Mac Connectivity, Julie Fugett, 10/14/1999
Improving the LC 475, Dan Knight, 6/28/1999
Used 7500 or G3?, Dan Knight, 6/21/1999
more on the Mac Daniel index

Not sure if you should upgrade your old Mac or replace it? Check the index to see if we've already addressed your problem recently -- and look in the archive if it's not in the recent columns. If not, visit our staff page for the names of several people who may be able to help you.

Dan Knight, webmaster, Low End Mac

MacPromote Xchange
Member of the Mac Web Network

Low End Mac established April 7, 1997. This page, the entire Low End Mac site, and all subsites of <http://lowendmac.net/> copyright ©1997-99 by Dan Knight unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved.

LINK POLICY: This site allows and encourages links to any public page, so long as the linked page does not appear within a frame that prevents bookmarking the linked page.

Apple, the Apple logo, Macintosh, and iMac are registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc. Additional company and product names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of the individual companies and are hereby acknowledged.

Low End Mac • Mac Daniel

Go to Mac Daniel Index

Feedback: Mac Daniel #42

Convincing the Boss to Buy a G3

Recent Mac Daniel & Friends columns