Hi hi... some of you may know me from AppleFritter, where i go by the same username. Anyway, i recently acquired a PowerBook G3 Wallstreet which is apparently in need of a new logic board. I can, for now at least, get a lew logic board for around $22. So, my question is this: Is this machine worth more as parts, or in working form? I.e. am i better off fixing it and selling it as a working unit, or should i just sell the known good parts (basically, everything except the logic board).

Other than the logic board, everything else is working just fine (the machine boots up, but will not display any video, either on the LCD, or via the s-video or VGA outputs). The machine has a couple of cosmetic flaws, but, nothing that would hinder it's use.

Thanks for your help everyone.

If the Wallstreet has no appeal to you as a working machine, which needs that you fix its unknown defects, you are left with disposing of it, either as an inert lump or as parts. What's your time worth to you, either notionally or as recoverable reward-for-effort?

If you part it out, how will you be able to describe the utility of the electronic parts? If you can get a useful display by starting the 'Book in TDM, whether or not you can successfully connect to a host Mac, you may know more about the functionality of other parts such as the HDD and so on. At this moment, there isn't enough known to advise you whether to fix it for yourself, fix it for sale or demolish it for sale.

de
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(60x) 13DT + 3PB + PTPro; (G3) 7DT/MT; (G4) 3T + PB. System 8.1 to OS 10.5.8

I've decided to try to fix it. I don't know if i am then going to sell it, or keep it. I'm def. looking forward to getting it working playing around with it.

There you are, then. That's the spirit that makes us Macficionados.

de
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(60x) 13DT + 3PB + PTPro; (G3) 7DT/MT; (G4) 3T + PB. System 8.1 to OS 10.5.8

Just an update for anyone who's interested... I've got it working. It needs a little TLC, but it boots & runs perfectly.

Glad to hear that you've got it working. I have a couple Wallstreets that could use some TLC as well. I love that laptop. One in particular served me well from 1998 to 2004. The thing just wouldn't die even though I gave it a thorough beating in my college years.

The Wallstreet isn't worth much. $50 to $75 for a working model would probably be about right. At that price, there isn't much point in fixing one up to sell. You'll never recoup your time in the sale price. But for a hobbiest, it could be a worthwhile adventure.

I hope whatever you do with that Wallstreet you at least enjoy doing it!

Peace,
Drew
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Power to the PowerPC!

If i do sell it, and i can get $50 to $75 for it, it's defiantly worth it to me, seeing as i got this machine practically for free, and spent a minimal amount of money on it. All of the repair work was done during my free time, as a hobby, so, i'm not counting any cost there. Either way, i've had fun fixing it up, and fiddling with it (it's been a while since i've had anything running oS 9, so..). I will probably end up selling it tho, as i really don't need another machine lying around. I'm sure the prices you quoted were for a machine in very good condition, am i right? If so, i probably won't get that much for this one. Although it does work perfectly, the casing is a bit banged up, due to some rough treatment by the previous owner. It's got a small dent on the bottom, just under the latch, and a ding on the back of the lid, near the hinge. None of this affects the usability of the machine, but, cosmetically, it's not perfect.

I have a Wallstreet in need of a backlight. Wegener sells the bulbs for like $70 for just the part and sells them installed for $229 so my Wallstreet runs headless now as I can almost buy a Pismo or early G4 Powerbook for what it would cost to have someone else fix it and I'm not handy enough to do it myself.

Honestly, a Wallstreet probably isn't worth as much in time and money as you'd have to put into it to get it back into top condition. I got lucky recently and stumbled on a complete LCD screen assembly for mine for $20 because it needed a backlight bulb which was going to cost more to replace than if I bought a titanium Powerbook. Fixing it up to sell is probably going to end up costing you money so unless you plan to keep it because you want to use it and don't care about the cost, I'd sell it as is and put the money towards a newer Powerbook. The earlier titanium G4's are really cheap now so there's not much point to keep using a G3 Powerbook these days (and yes, that includes the Pismo).