Mac · The Beige Era · 1997
PowerBook G3
The professional PowerBook gained the G3, becoming a genuine desktop-replacement laptop. Its later "Wallstreet/Lombard/Pismo" revisions were beloved by power users.
PowerBook G3: key facts
When was the PowerBook G3 released?
The PowerBook G3 was released in November 1997. Apple discontinued it in 1998.
How much did the PowerBook G3 cost?
The PowerBook G3 launched at $5,700 in 1997 — about $11,343 in today’s money (approximate, US CPI).
What are the PowerBook G3’s specs?
The PowerBook G3 used a PowerPC G3 (750) running at 250 MHz, with 32 MB of memory and 4.9 GB of storage. It ran Mac OS 8.0.
Why does the PowerBook G3 matter?
First G3 laptop — a portable that could outrun many desktops.
Full specifications
| CPU | PowerPC G3 (750) · 250 MHz |
|---|---|
| Cores | 1 |
| Memory (RAM) | 32 MB (up to 160 MB) |
| Storage | 4.9 GB |
| Display | 12.1"–14.1" colour, up to 1024×768 |
| GPU | built-in video |
| Ports | SCSI, ADB, PCMCIA, IrDA |
| Weight | 3.4 kg |
| Dimensions | Clamshell laptop |
| Operating system | Mac OS 8.0 |
| Released | November 1997 |
| Discontinued | 1998 |
| Launch price | $5,700 |
How the PowerBook G3 compares to today
A 16 GB Apple Silicon MacBook Pro has about 512× more memory than this device shipped with.
At 250 MHz, the clock is roughly 13× slower than a single performance core of a 16 GB Apple Silicon MacBook Pro — and that is before counting cores, width and IPC.
This held about 1,250 modern phone photos — a respectable library even today.
Launched at $5,700 in 1997 — about $11,343 in today’s money (approx., US CPI).
Cross-architecture speed figures are clock-only and approximate; inflation figures use US CPI.
Did you know?
The black, curvy G3 PowerBooks were a styling bridge to the iBook era.
Related Mac models
Open the PowerBook G3 in the interactive archive →
Last updated: 2026-06-25