Powerbook 1400CS questions

**Mage** · 07-20-2005, 02:38 PM

hey everyone,

I have a pb 1400CS (32mb ram 6GB hd CDROM 117Mhz) running OS 8.1.

I want to use it for mp3 and DivX (gps if I can find something that will run on it) but mainly mp3s. this is also my main laptop right now so I need it for net and stuff.

so my questions are:

1. any cheap wireless cards will work on it?
2. how do I get software on it from the net (free programs) since I dont have a floopy nor net on the thing. this is my only mac.
3. what's a good mp3,Divx,gps? program that will not cost me an arm and a leg?
4. anything I should know about the thing?

thanks

Peace
Mage

**justintime** · 07-20-2005, 03:00 PM

PB 1400CS? OMG!!!!! the memories!

**al256** · 07-20-2005, 03:29 PM

Apple-History.com says,

Announced in October 1996, The PowerBook 1400 was a partial answer to a number of questions about recent PowerBooks. Powered by the same 117 Mhz 603e as the 5300, The 1400 was the first PowerBook to include an internal CD-ROM drive (6X). The bay for the sleep-swapable drive could also accomidate a variety of other storage options, including MO and zip drives. The RAM came in stackable modules (another PowerBook 1st) allowing for up to 64 MB of RAM. The 1400 also included an Internal expansion slot for video-out or Ethernet cards, and two PC Card slots that could accommodate two Type II PC Cards or one Type III PC Card. Faster models with a small L2 cache and an 8x CD-ROM drive were also released. The 1400 was discontinued early in 1998.

So with that it sounds like any wireless card will work with it so long as you have a more modern OS, 8.5 at least, and the drivers. This one works with OS 9 http://eshop.macsales.com/item/MacSense/WPE700/ Um... I have to say this is a pretty old computer to be working with... good luck.

[edit] I just remembered... if you get OS 9 on it you can run iTunes 1.x but that's if you can find it.

**Mahalis** · 07-20-2005, 03:33 PM

I don't even know if it's possible to decode mp3 fast enough to play it on a 117mhz 32mb machine. DivX, at any decent resolution, would be totally out of the question. As to getting software on it - I'm assuming it has an ethernet port - just find a friend with a DSL/cable modem or a router and plug into that. Beyond that, can't help you, though I would strongly suggest you save your $ and get a Mac Mini or a used iBook or suchlike, since the majority of Mac frontend software only runs on OS X.

**Mage** · 07-21-2005, 10:04 AM

thanks for the help so far!

nope no net access no modem no nic no wire nothing.

I found alot of Software that will work but no way to get it on there (tryed burning cds from my pc) just wander wich would be the best (o and my 75mhz with 16MB ram runs mp3's just fine.)

and I can afford to buy a mac mini (got this laptop for $75!) right now Just bought a new car.

Peace
Mage

**sdashiki** · 07-21-2005, 10:12 AM

$75?? Not a bad price, but cmon. Then again if it does what you want, cool.

But you say it doesnt do what you want, too slow for video and possibly GPS, so perhaps splurging to get a more recent PB or mac mini would work.

Though going with the mini:

Mini - $400+
Screen - $300+
GPS - $100+
car audio - $0-1000+

lotsa money to spend whereas:

With a PB you only need to wire it up to the speakers, plus a couple other things, but not nearly as expensive.

**Mage** · 07-21-2005, 11:23 AM

true but this is more for me to play mp3 and word pros. :P not a car PC persea (though I will use it in the s10 since it does not havea cd or tape player.)

really I need to know how to get mac software from a PC to a MAC via CD.

thanks

Peace
Mage

**sdashiki** · 07-21-2005, 11:29 AM

A PC formatted CD has always and always will be readable by a mac. Even since system 6.0, a 3.5" windows disk showed up as a "PC" disk.

This was and is always a major oversight of windows, not reading mac disks period and refusing to mount them. WHY THE **** IS THAT MR. GATES YOU WHORE!?

So if you got a CDR burned on a pc, and a CDROM drive on your mac, I dont see why its not mounting?

**Mage** · 07-21-2005, 11:42 AM

o I can see the cd and content but all the .sit and .hqx files just open up quick time as a text to video converter or some crap like that.

Peace
Mage