The 233 MHz models used a PPC 740 processor, and had a 66 MHz bus and no backside cache. The 12.1″ models used a 16 bit, 832×624 passive matrix screen, and had a gestalt ID of 314.

Announced in March 1998, The PowerBook G3 Series was an entirely new design, which resembled its predecessor only in name. The G3 Series was the first Built-to-Order PowerBook line, and filled Apple’s PowerBook offerings, from low to high end, with a single motherboard design. The G3 Series was available with a variety of BTO options including a 233, 250 or 292 MHz PPC750 processor and either a 12″ passive-matrix screen, a 13.3″ TFT Active Matrix screen, or an incredible 14.1″ TFT Active Matrix Screen. All models included two RAM slots which used industry standard RAM modules (the same used in most IBM Thinkpads), hardware 2D and 3D Graphics acceleration, a VGA port, and 4 Mbps IrDA. The G3 Series had a large, redesigned keyboard which included a new Function button allowing the keyboard to take on the functionality of a full size 105-key keyboard. It had 2 PC-card slots, which were CardBus compliant (a powerbook first), and the 13.3″ and 14.1″ models included an S-Video output. The G3 Series had two drive bays, either of which could hold a battery or a wide array of 3.5″ expansion devices, such as floppy or zip modules. The right drive bay could also accommodate larger 5.25″ devices. The PowerBook G3 Series started at $2,299 for 233 MHz with no floppy drive and a 12″ screen, and cost around $7,000 fully loaded. The PowerBook G3 Series was replaced at the end of the summer, by a second revision of the same design.