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IIci extinct but my Pismo still rules! Long...
#1
I'm at the end of my Friday workday surfing on my Pismo/500/Superdrive right now downin' a Mississippi Mud brew, chillin'. It's my guest computer that I use when I'm relaxing, watching TV and just laying around on the sofa surfin'. It's got Tiger loaded, still looks new, the best powerbook keyboard action ever and it's still the coolest form factor of all the Macs in my fleet of Macs. Eight years and going strong! I even travelled with my Pismo overseas this summer again. I may have given up years ago on my IIci but my Pismo still rules. Maybe I'll write a book "Zen and the Art of Pismo Maintenance" to help those appreciate the sense of harmony I'm feelin' when I'm at one with this machine (brew or no brew). What a beauty!

http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/po...00_fw.html

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Redux...Old schoolers: remember this thread...

My Pismo still turning heads, but will I learn my lessons? (Long)
Posted by: MacMission (IP Logged)
Date: August 17, 2007 04:48PM

I was begrudgingly enlisted to help an excited switcher who purchased a new black MacBook yesterday to set up his home wireless network. You know how it is. Business switcher gets new toy and calls up his Mac buddy who he has teased for years about owning Apples. So being a nice, pleasant old-school Apple expert (not!) I broke out my trusty Pismo for testing purposes.

Picture this profile: two guys sitting side by side, parallel laptops balanced on knees--my friend with his freshly minted, magnetic black MacBook and me with my classic, black Pismo. Upon revelation, this switcher gazed with appeal at my sexy Pismo and was tenderly captivated by the dual comparison. I then witnessed his demeanor change, his script alter, his anticipatory nature sidetracked and he grinned in admiration and bounced his head repetitively-- understood as a man's compliment on ownership of another's nice toy.

It was a bona fide, unspoken, albeit unilateral, acknowledgement by my friend of wise purchase decisions shared between two guys which under most circumstances be sufficient to precipitate an appropriate and pleasurable bond between a geek and a wannabe. Self admittedly, I was somewhat coy and with an undeserving patronized smile said thanks to my friend who was in a state of bliss anticipating his first Mac tutorial. The moment seemingly sealed, I should have willfully left well enough alone. . .

But noooo, my clumsy pride interceded and compelled me to brag that my precious Pismo, by comparison, was eight years old. And then I just had to frame historically that all powerbooks used to be black at no extra charge. And then the coup de grace--that you can purchase Pismos on Craigslist for a couple of C-notes. Jesus, where's all this warped pretense coming from?

I sensed my friend's body language slightly shift and his mind recalibrate momentarily in sync. His fleeting emotional discomfort was mild but palpable. Upon reflection, I exposed my own sinful, exuberant pride in my venerable 500mhz/1gig Pismo--a 20th century machine that had never been serviced, never been waxed, travelled internationally and tricked out with a superdrive and 60gig MCE Xcaret expansion hard drive bay sporting the standard dual firewire/usb ports, s-video, etc. (insert background music here).

I felt ashamed of raining on a switcher's parade certified by his dampened enthusiasm, half-smile, lowered head and blinking eyes as he adjusted to the wisdom of his new purchase. I knew right then I had erred. But the damage was done. Indignity aside, I reshaped the odd moment back to my pleasing by elevating his status, even though I knew I was censurable and should have been dutiful to the cause at hand. I completed my four hour tutorial assignment (no easy projects) and then slipped my slim, curvaceous ebony Pismo back into it's faded flea-market case and crept out my friend's front door into the dark of night. Where will I find forgiveness?

Did I mentioned he showed off his new iPhone, repetitively? (Karma?)
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#2
I took mine to the beach this year. I said mine, my daughters I should say. Anyway I was walking around the resort comparing WiFi as I was getting many. A couple of people asked how much my Mac cost. Different groups of People. I would smile and say "this Mac is 8 years old but it has the best antenna and it goes with us when we travel".

It is OUR only laptop. he he
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#3
I pulled my pismo outta the closet for a trip and the batteries are dead and won't take a charge. :X

I'm leaving @ 6AM and I'm taking it since I can still use it with the ac adapter. Guess I'll look for batteries upon my return.
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#4
My Pismo 500 is still running strong. I feel guilty after buying a MacBook to replace it for road duty.

The Pismo is definitely one in a million design. I do prefer the key action on the Pis to the MacBook's Chiclets.

I would like to find a nice home for my Pismo. It's a shame to leave it sit.
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#5
My Pismo is handling the music chores in my entertainment system. Works effortlessly. Only wish I had a remote that worked with it in iTunes. The hard drive has crapped out as has the battery, but an external drive and the AC adapter goes a long way.
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#6
Both of the batteries in my Pismo have bitten the dust. I think I'll have to get it going again, but I DON"T need it. It is one of those computers that seems to have a soul though. I still have my SE30 too.

Anyone know of a good buy on Pismo batteries? How hard it it to replace the PRAM battery?
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#7
I see Pismo batteries for sale on eBay. Seller located in Hong Kong. Looks like aftermarket batteries. Buyers have complained about the length of time it takes to get the batteries.

Price is somewhere around $50-60 including shipping.
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#8
[quote WHiiP]My Pismo is handling the music chores in my entertainment system. Works effortlessly. Only wish I had a remote that worked with it in iTunes.
This remote works with iTunes perfectly.
http://shop1.frys.com/product/4497426?si...IN_RSLT_PG
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#9
[quote iaJim]How hard it it to replace the PRAM battery?
Very easy. Just lift up the keyboard and oops there it is.
http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Newer%20T...RAMPBG3LP/
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#10
[quote WHiiP]The hard drive has crapped out as has the battery, but an external drive and the AC adapter goes a long way.
It's easy to upgrade the hard drive in Pismos. Just lift up the keyboard and there's just a few screws to remove:

http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Mac/PowerBoo...ment/6/10/
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