Compiled by Charles Moore
and edited by
Dan Knight
- 2003.04.04
Except as noted, prices are in US dollars.
1 GB RAM Module for 12" PowerBook and 17"
iMac
Germany's DSP
Memory now offers a 1 GB RAM module for the 12" PowerBook and 17" iMac. The availability of this module
means that the PowerBook can now be equipped with up to 1,152 MB of
RAM. instead of the Apple specified maximum of 640 MB in the little
portable.
The modules are suitable for the current 12" PowerBook as well
as 17" iMac (2003 model with GDR RAM). Availability will commence
shortly.
The GDR RAM memory module PC266 costs about € 800.
LittleAl Goes to War
USA Today photographer Jack Gruber is covering the war in Iraq
with a 12" PowerBook. You can check out some photos on the Sports
Shooter website.
PowerBook G3 Illustrated Tear-Down Tutorials
Posted
Michale Kliehm has posted three tear-down tutorials with lots of
photos for the three PowerBook G3 Series models, popularly known as
WallStreet, Lombard, and Pismo.
You can check them out at:
How to Calibrate PowerBook G4 and iBook
Batteries for Best Performance
Apple has posted a
Knowledge Base article explaining how to calibrate your new
iBook or PowerBook G4 Lithium Ion battery for best performance.
The battery of an iBook or PowerBook G4 computer has an internal
microprocessor that provides an estimate of the amount of energy in
the battery during charging and discharging. The battery needs to
be recalibrated from time to time to keep the onscreen battery time
and percent display accurate. You should perform this procedure
when you first use your computer and then every couple of months
thereafter.
SnowCrash Addapt Laptop Bag
Addapt
expands to fit the situation. The core element is a shoulder
carrying strap. Choose from the series of clip-on components to
make the bag that suits what you need to carry. The five clip-on
bags are scaled for different purposes: Travel bag, gym bag, office
bag, computer bag, wallet pocket.
Materials: polyester fabric, aluminum hooks
Willow Releases Five New Cases for 17"
PowerBook
Willow
Design has released five new cases specifically designed
for the 17" PowerBook. The three
slipcases and two traditional briefcase style cases range from an
ultra thin slipcase designed to be slipped into other bags to an
extremely protective two level case for the professional with tons
of peripherals and abusive usage.
The cases are constructed of tough polyester and nylon fabric
with 1/2" foam protection throughout, reinforced by combinations of
corrugated plastic, high density polyethylene on the handle side
and hardboard on the bottom.
As with all Willow's other 38 cases specifically designed for
Apple products, the new 17" PowerBook cases are covered by Willow's
lifetime guarantee against defects in materials and
craftsmanship.
SC-21: Lillooet 17" PowerBook
Sylph Slipcase
The Lillooet 17" PowerBook Sylph Slipcase offers the smallest
possible package for your laptop which still offers a measure of
protection. A front pocket and expandable rear pockets lie flat
when not in use but can bellow to carry a couple of inches of
accessories when needed.
Price $93 Cdn/$64 US
SC-26: Clearwater 17"
PowerBook Slipcase
The Clearwater 17" PowerBook slipcase is a lightweight, compact
solution for safely transporting your Titanium. Its 'end' opening
makes it particularly convenient for those using with a top opening
pack. The vertical orientation is also handy to minimize space in
tight commuting quarters.
Price $103 Cdn/$70 US
SC-37: Vermillion 17" PowerBook Slipcase
The Vermillion 17" PowerBook slipcase offers a lightweight,
compact solution for carrying your 17" PowerBook, power supply and
cord and some accessories. The stylish design takes up a fairly
small space but is expandable to carry more gear when you need
it.
Price $127 Cdn/$87 US
NL-18: Mission Light 17"
PowerBook Carry Case
The Mission Light 17" PowerBook case is a lightweight,
economical solution for safely transporting your PowerBook. The
simple effective design offers excellent protection for you
PowerBook in a clean, lightweight case.
Price $125 Cdn/$85 US
NL-19: Kemano 17" PowerBook &
Peripheral Case
The Kemano 17" PowerBook Case has been specifically designed to
maximize the protection of your 17" PowerBook and to compactly
carry the accessories that are a part of your working system - all
in a stylish, clean looking parcel.
Price $200 Cdn/$136 US
Low Cost Riser Stand for PowerBooks and
iBooks
MacMice.com has
announced its iTilt riser stand
for Apple notebook computers.
The iTilt is the least expensive desk top riser stand on the
market. With a wide range of adjustability, stable 
utility, sturdy construction, and a truly attractive
design, the iTilt is set to be one of the most popular accessory
products of the year.
The iTilt is constructed from specially drawn wire, is coated in
specifically selected white silicon rubber, and works well with any
recent dual USB iBook or G4 PowerBook, including the newest 12" and
17" versions. Just set your PowerBook or iBook into the iTilt,
adjust it where you want it, plug in your keyboard and mouse, and
you have the best ergonomic solution available - and at the lowest
price.
The MacMice iTilt is available now from the MacMice.com website
for US$12.99.
MacMice.com has also announced the release of an entire line of
pro-quality VESA standard based ergonomic mounting 
products for Apple LCD displays, iBooks, and PowerBooks.
The various products are being offered under the new ErgoMac trade
name and are only the first of what will be the industry's only
complete assortment of VESA mounting accessories for Macs and Mac
peripherals.
The ErgoMac line includes two types of ergonomic mounting arms,
a wall mount, and a desk stand. Used in combination with the many
MacMice mounting adapters, including the new iGrab mounting plates,
nearly any Apple LCD display, PowerBook, iBook, or any of hundreds
of third-party Apple-related products can now take advantage of the
industry standard VESA mounting system.
MacMice.com is the first company to solve a true need in the Mac
community for VESA standards based mounting devices, as this has
long been a major omission from Apple's product features.
All of the new ErgoMac mounting products are available now from
the MacMice.com website.
New CintiqPartner Pen Tablet Enables Wacom
Interactive Pen Displays to Integrate With Multiple Monitor
Systems
Wacom Technology, the
world's leading maker of pen tablets, has announced the
CintiqPartner, a pen tablet designed to use the Grip Pen from a
Cintiq interactive pen display and thereby provide fast cursor
control and easy desktop access in multiple-monitor configurations
involving a Cintiq.
Cintiq interactive pen displays allow users to work directly on
the screen with the natural control of a pen. The CintiqPartner
complements that capability by allowing the same Cintiq pen to be
used on the CintiqPartner pen tablet to navigate on any traditional
CRT or LCD monitor.
CintiqPartner will be demonstrated for the first time at Wacom
booth #SL2525 NAB 2003 in Las Vegas.
"A single pen does it all," says Michael Marcum, Senior Product
Manager. "The CintiqPartner makes it easy to add a Cintiq
interactive pen display to a computer system and efficiently use an
existing monitor to maximize an extended desktop."
The CintiqPartner can be easily configured to span the entire
desktop consisting of a Cintiq and a traditional monitor. This
makes dragging and dropping icons between the monitors very
intuitive.
"This is a great breakthrough for video editors, illustrators
and designers who want the ability to draw and paint directly on
the Cintiq as well as quickly get to palettes and tools on their
other monitor," says Dan Casey, Visual Effects Supervisor of Vinton
Studios, a character animation studio located in Portland, OR.
The CintiqPartner has an active area of 6" x 8". The Cintiq Grip
Pen controls the cursor in any application, offers 512 levels of
pressure-sensitivity and provides pen-point precision whether used
directly on the Cintiq screen or on the CintiqPartner tablet.
The USB connection of the CintiqPartner allows installation on
computers running either Apple Macintosh or Microsoft Windows
operating systems.
Priced at $199.99, the CintiqPartner will be available from the
Wacom Direct website and Cintiq authorized dealers by the end of
June 2003. A $50 manufacturer's mail-in rebate on the purchase of a
CintiqPartner will be available to customers who purchase a Cintiq
interactive pen display between March 1 and July 31, 2003. Offer
expires on July 31, 2003.
Specifications
- Cintiq 15x/18sx
- LCD Screen Size: 15"/18.1"
- LCD Active Area: 11.9" x 8.9"/14.1" x 11.3"
- Max LCD Resolution: 1024 x 768 (XGA)/1280 x 1024 (SXGA)
- Color Depth: 16,777,216 (24 bit)
- Contrast Ratio: 200:1/300:1
- Brightness (cd/m2): 270/210
- Viewing Angle: 80° L/R/U/D
- Pen Pressure, Eraser Pressure: 512 levels
- Programmable Pen Switches: Eraser and 2 side switches
- Coord. Accuracy Center: ±0.02"
- Tablet Reading Height: 0.2"
- Report Rate: 195 pps/205 pps
- Power Supply Input: AC 100-240 V
- Power Supply Output: DC18V
- Max Power Consumption: 45W/60W
- Tablet Dimensions (LxHxD):
16.0"x13.4"x2.1"/18.4"x16.0"x2.8"
- Weight (Excluding Stand): 8.5 lbs./17.0 lbs.
- Pen Batteries: none
- Connectors: VGA, DVI, USB, RS232
- Incline Adjustment: 15° to 72°/13° to 70°
- Display Rotation: none/±180°
- Price $1,899.95/$3,499.95
BookEndz Docking Station for 12" PowerBook
Coming
Photo Control has announced that a BookEndz
Docking Station for the 12" PowerBook is in the works.
BookEndz docking stations replicate all connectors and ports
from the side of the PowerBook and route them to the back of the
dock. The PowerBook 12" docking station is scheduled to ship in
May, 2003.
A BookEndz docking station for the iBook and several PowerBook
models are available now.
Berklee College of Music Requires Mac 'Books
for Entering Students
Berklee College of Music has posted its new computer
requirements for students entering in Fall 2003 or
afterwards.
"For over a half a century, Berklee College of Music has been
committed to preparing our students for the musical, technological,
and business necessities of the world they will be entering. It has
become increasingly clear that, to continue this commitment,
Berklee students must be well versed in computer technology, and
specifically, music technology.
"Accordingly, beginning in Fall 2003 semester, Berklee College
of Music will require all entering students to have an Apple
Macintosh laptop computer. The laptop computer must meet certain
minimum standards and must be outfitted with a software and
hardware package designed to effectively support the first-year
music education and coursework of students at Berklee. In addition,
students who plan to pursue technology-heavy majors such as
Contemporary Writing and Production, Film Scoring, Music Production
and Engineering, Music Synthesis, and Songwriting should be aware
that these departments will require additional hardware and
software components.
"Berklee uses Apple Macintosh computers throughout our
curriculum because the Macintosh platform is widely used in the
music profession and much of the software that supports our
curriculum runs exclusively on the Mac platform. We are requiring
portable computers, because we expect that students will utilize
them in classes and labs. We are also expanding wireless access in
public spaces around campus to the Internet, the Berklee library,
Berklee online curricula, e-mail, and other services that will
enhance the quality of our student's educational experience."
Bargain 'Books
There are two different versions of WallStreet running at 233
MHz, the cacheless MainStreet
version and the later Series II
with a level 2 cache. It's not always possible to determine from
the vendor's listing which is being offered, so we've included
links within this paragraph to the two models. The same goes for
the PowerBook G4/667 (Gigabit
Ethernet/2001) and G4/667
(DVI).
- iBook SE, 366 MHz,
128/6/CD-ROM, $599.99
- PowerBook Pismo G3/500,
128/20/DVD, $949.99
- PowerBook G4/550, 256/20/Combo,
$1,479.99
- PowerBook G4/667 (2001),
512/30/DVD, $1,549
- refurb 12" iBook 700,
128/20/CD-ROM, $899
- refurb 12" iBook 700,
128/20/CD-ROM, AppleCare, $1,099
- refurb 14" iBook 800,
256/30/Combo, $1,299
- refurb 14" iBook 800,
256/30/Combo, AppleCare, $1,459
- refurb PowerBook G4/800,
512/40G/Combo, AirPort, $1,999
- refurb PowerBook G4/800,
512/40G/Combo, AirPort, AppleCare, $2,249
PowerBook G3 Series
WallStreet
- 233 MHz, 14.1", 64/2/floppy, $399.99
- 233 MHz, 14.1", 64/2/CD-ROM, $424
- 266 MHz, 14.1", 288/2/CD-ROM, $449.99
- 500 MHz, 14.1", 288/2/CD-ROM, $649
- refurb PowerBook G4/667, 256/30/Combo, free Fellowes Kryptonite
Security Cable, $1,799
- refurb PowerBook G4/800,
512/40/Combo, $1,999
- 12" iBook 700, 128/20/CD-ROM, $888
For more deals on current or recently discontinued models, see
our Best PowerBook G4 Deals
and Best iBook Deals.
