MCE manufactures a line of devices that fit into the PowerBook G3’s expansion bay, including hard disks, CD and DVD-ROMs, CD-RWs and SuperDisk or floppy drives. Any PowerBook expansion bay device that works in the FireWire-equipped PowerBook G3 or the Bronze keyboard equipped (sometimes known as Lombard) 1999 PowerBook G3 model should work. Depending on their specifications, expansion bay devices working in the FireBay can either be bus-powered or powered using an optional AC adapter.
Multiple expansion bay devices can be used simultaneously, as well. FireBays can operate either as single, standalone units or stacked on top of one another. And FireBays contain a “topside” FireWire port that eliminates cable clutter when units are stacked.
Practical applications for the FireBay include the ability to capture digital video on location using a PowerBook and an expansion bay hard drive, then editing it on a Power Mac G4 later. Users could also do CD-to-CD copies, software installations to expansion bay drives, and more.
The MCE FireBay FireWire Expansion Bay comes with driver software, FireWire cable and owner’s manual. The retail price is US$169.