Compiled by Charles Moore
and edited by
Dan Knight
- 2003.04.18
Except as noted, prices are in US dollars.
FireWire Port Failures Subject of WiebeTech
White Paper
WiebeTech has published a white paper,
FireWire Port Failures in Host Computers and Peripheral
Devices, that provides useful information on the causes and
prevention of FireWire port failures, especially in host
computers.
"We have seen much interest on the part of FireWire users
regarding this subject as judged by recent comments on industry
websites. We think users will be interested in reading our analysis
of the cause and prevention of port failures," said James Wiebe,
CEO of WiebeTech.
Silicon and Graphite, a Materials Match Made
in Battery Heaven
Researchers at the Department of Energy's Sandia National
Laboratories in Livermore, CA, have developed a new class of
composite anode materials composed of silicon and graphite that may
double the energy storage capacities currently possessed by
graphite anodes, potentially leading to rechargeable lithium-ion
batteries with more power, longer life, and smaller sizes.
"Manufacturers of electric automobiles, laptop computers, cell
phones, power tools, and other hybrid microsystems will likely all
benefit from this kind of technology," said Scott Vaupen of
Sandia/California's Business Development Department. Vaupen said
Sandia is actively seeking collaborators to further develop the
technology for eventual licensing and commercialization.
The marriage of silicon and graphite may improve the specific
capabilities of commercial graphite anode materials up to 400
percent, said Jim Wang, Manager of the Analytical Materials Science
Department at Sandia.
Wang said researchers have been vexed for years by the capacity
limits associated with traditional lithium battery anodes. Sandia
turned to silicon, which offers more than 10 times the lithium
capacity potential of graphite, but is hampered itself by a rapid
capacity loss during the battery cycling phase. When small
particles of silicon are combined within a graphite matrix,
however, the large capacities are retained.
Sandia researchers acknowledge that some potential
vulnerabilities exist with the new material. The complete
elimination of fading of long-term cycling capacity in the
silicon-based electrodes, Roberts said, may not be possible, though
it can likely be minimized by the design of the carbon-silicon
composite microstructure.
802.11b PC Card on a PowerBook 5300
A PowerBook 5300 owner sent
xlr8yourmac.com a long
email with comments and links on using a 802.11b PC Card
(Orinoco gold card) with a nearly eight-year-old PowerBook and Mac
OS 8.1 and 8.6.
How to Find Your iBook's Serial Number
Apple has posted a Knowledge
Base article explaining how to find the serial number on
each model of iBook computer - but here's a shortcut if you're
running OS X: Open "About This Mac" and click on where it says
"Version 10.x.x."
The version of the OS X you're using will appear.
Click on that number, and the the number OS X build you're
using will be displayed.
Now, click again on the build number, and your iBook's serial
number will appear (this works with most Macs about three years old
or newer, but not with older units).
To find the serial number located on the computer:
iBook, iBook (FireWire)
The serial number for these 
iBook models is located in the battery bay.
- If the computer is on, shut down it down and close the
lid.
- Turn the computer over so you are looking at the battery
door.
- Remove the battery door.
- The serial number is located near the bottom edge of the
battery door.
iBook (Dual USB), iBook (Late 2001), iBook (14.1 LCD), iBook
(16 VRAM), iBook (14.1 LCD 16 VRAM), iBook (Opaque 16 VRAM), iBook
(32 VRAM), and iBook (14.1 LCD 32 VRAM)
For these models, the serial number 
may be located in one or both of two
locations, under the keyboard or in the battery bay.
Under the keyboard:
- If the computer is on, shut it down and leave the lid
open.
- Remove the computer's keyboard. F
- The serial number and Ethernet ID (also called a MAC address)
are located underneath the keyboard on the upper ledge. The
Ethernet ID is located on the left side of the ledge, and the
serial number is to the right.
In the battery bay:
- If the computer is on, shut it down and close the lid.
- Turn the computer over so you are looking at the battery
door.
- Remove the battery door.
- The serial number is located on the bottom of the bay.
Brenthaven Mobile Urban Case
The Mobile
Urban is a professional looking wheeled case with good
carrying capacity and maximum 
protection from vibration and jarring. The Mobile Urban
has a fully extended height of 39".
Features:
- The invisible telescopic handle hides when not in use and is
tall enough for someone over six feet tall to use - with a fully
extended height of 39-3/4-inches.
- The softdrive wheel suspension system is a pair of skate wheels
that minimize the damaging vibration caused by sidewalk seams and
other obstructions you roll over.
- The vertically oriented Mobile Urban rolls down the aisle of a
commercial aircraft without catching on the seats - something that
can't be said for horizontal wheelies.
The Brenthaven computer protection sleeve protects the computer
body using an ultra-light, corrugated polyethylene shell. This
rigid shell, when combined with a lower bed of proprietary
high-density foam, provides the heart of Brenthaven's family of
award winning sleeves.
Stage 1 Protection:
Proprietary High-density Foam
Upon initial impact, the computer begins to sink into the bed of
high-density foam at bottom of the sleeve. Due to the
distinguishing nature of this materials, impact immediately begins
to dissipate.
Stage 2 Protection:
Frame Compression
The shell is constructed using vertical corrugated plastic
flutes that are lightweight while providing an extreme amount of
strength and great energy absorption properties. While the bed of
high-density foam is absorbing the shock impact, the rigid walls
also begin to flex providing the second level of unmatched computer
protection. This rigid wall system also prevents sharp objects from
puncturing through the sleeve helping reduce the risk of side
impact damage.
The Mobile Urban sells for $379
WiebeTech Introduces USB 2.0/FireWire Combo
Version of MicroGB+ Pocket Drive
WiebeTech
announces MicroGB+™ Combo, featuring both FireWire and USB
2.0 ports. The compact, rugged case made of anodized aluminum
easily fits into a pocket.
The MicroGB+Combo is a sister product to the original MicroGB+.
Unlike the original MicroGB+, the Combo version features a FireWire
port and a USB 2.0 port, which is also backwards compatible with
USB 1.1. The new Combo version is immediately available in
capacities to 80 GB.
"The MicroGB+ Combo includes the enclosure, drive, cables, AC
adapter and an attractive carrying case," said James Wiebe, CEO of
WiebeTech LLC. "We also include a copy of MediaFour's excellent Mac
Drive 5™ software, which allows Mac formatted drives to be
read on Windows computers. This software has a value of $59.95. The
user configurable version of the product also includes a
screwdriver for easy installation of any 9.5mm notebook drive.
"The MicroGB+ Combo is based on the popular OXFW911 controller
chip, and features extremely fast transfer rates as well
compatibility with virtually all computers," continued Wiebe.
"MicroGB+ Combo utilizes an ultra thin aluminum case, which is
superior to plastic enclosures in size and in heat
dissipation."
- MicroGB+Combo basic product, $129.95
- 20 GB, 5400 RPM, $229.95
- 30 GB, 4200 RPM, $249.95
- 40 GB, 4200 RPM, $269.95
- 40 GB, 5400 RPM,8 MB cache, $299.95
- 40 GB, 5400 RPM, 16 MB cache, $349.95
- 60 GB, 4200 RPM, $379.95
- 60 GB, 5400 RPM, 8 MB cache, $429.95
- 80 GB, 4200 RPM, 8 MB cache, $459.95
Basic product includes aluminum enclosure, cables, carrying case
and screwdriver for easy installation. A world voltage AC adapter
is also included.
In the US and Canada, dealers may purchase the MicroGB+Combo
from WiebeTech's distributor, Dr. Bott LLC, and end users may
purchase them through local dealers. All configurations are in
stock and available directly from WiebeTech. Canadian resellers may
purchase products from EMJ.
Other World Computing Raises Maximum Capacity
of Mercury Elite FireWire + USB 2.0/1.1 Combo Series to 250 GB
Other World
Computing has announced it has increased the capacity of
its line of Mercury Elite FireWire + USB 2.0/1.1 Combo storage
solutions to as much as 250 gigabytes. In addition, all prices of
existing models in the Mercury Elite FireWire + USB 2.0/1.1 Combo
series line of storage solutions have been reduced as much as 11
percent.
Previously, the largest capacity drive within the Mercury Elite
FireWire + USB 2.0/1.1 Combo line of storage solutions was 120 GB,
but the line now includes models with capacities of 160, 180, 200,
and 250 GB.
The 7200 RPM combo drives, which feature two FireWire ports and
one USB port, are compatible with Apple operating systems
v8.5-9.2.x, as well as OS X 10.0.3 and higher; Microsoft Windows
98SE, ME, 2000, and XP; and any other operating system that
supports FireWire and/or USB ports. Pricing for the newest Mercury
Elite FireWire + USB 2.0/1.1 Combo storage solutions is as
follows:
- 250 GB with 8 MB of cache: $479.99
- 200 GB with 8 MB of cache: $389.99
- 180 GB with 8 MB of cache: $339.99
- 160 GB with 2 MB of cache: $339.99
New pricing for the existing products in the Mercury Elite
FireWire + USB 2.0/1.1 Combo series is as follows:
- 120 GB with 8 MB of cache: $249.99
- 120 GB with 2 MB of cache: $229.99
- 80 GB with 2 MB of cache: $199.99
- 60 GB with 2 MB of cache: $179.99
- 40 GB with 2 MB of cache: $167.99
OWC also announced a price reduction of up to $20 on all Mercury
Elite FW 400 FireWire-only storage solutions. All OWC Mercury Elite
FireWire + USB 2.0/1.1 Combo and Mercury Elite FW 400 storage
solutions come with a two-year warranty and are shipped with Intech
HD SpeedTools.
DLX185 USB 2.0/FireWire Hard Drive
Housing
ADS Tech has a new
Dual Link drive kit that lets you use existing IDE and
ATA drives as external FireWire or USB devices.
Key features
- Add multi-gig storage to your PC or Mac
- Instantly enhance almost any IDE hard drive; ATA-100, ATA-133,
or ATA-66 drive
- Convert your DVD or CD drive to FireWire or USB 2.0
- Supports drives up to 250 GB
- Convert your internal hard drive to USB 2.0 or FireWire
- Super fast & reliable external storage
- Make your DVD-R drive portable
- Intech's SpellTools Utilities for Mac OS 9.x and OS X
- Plug in the drive & it mounts automatically. Adding a drive
is fast & easy!
- Hot Swappable: Real plug & play for your external
drives
- Includes pop-out front bezel to cover a hard drive - or remove
for CD drive installation
- Supports sustained data transfer rates up to 35 MB/sec.
- Power supply supplies both 5 volts and 12 volts to your
drive.
- Silent ball bearing fan to keep your drive cool and running
smooth.
- Micro-Slot security protection. Keep your drive from walking
away.
- Compatible with Anchor Pad and Kensington Micro-Slot
Locks.
- Lighted rear power toggle switch
- Hard drive activity light
Key FireWire features
- Stackable and daisy-chainable
- Provides (2) two 400 Mbits/sec ports
- Connect one port to host computer
- Use second port for daisy chain to a second drive, your digital
camcorder, scanner, or Pyro web cam
Key USB 2.0 features
- Provides (1) 480 Mbits/sec port
Mac requirements: USB 2.0 enabled Mac, FireWire enabled Mac
running OS 9 or OS X, or USB 1.1.
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).
- 12" iBook 800, 256/20/Combo,
$1,205
- PowerBook G4/400, 256/10/DVD,
$1,135
- 12" iBook 500, 256/20/Combo, OS
9 & X CDs, $789
- 12" iBook 500, 256/10/CD-RW, OS
9 & X CDs, $735
- PowerBook 3400/200, 144/2/CD,
floppy, $290
- PowerBook 3400/200, 48/2/CD,
floppy, $248
ExperCom/FlyMilesMicro
- refurb PowerBook G4/800,
512/40/Combo, Airport, one year warranty, InCase large laptop
sleeve (leather), $2,119
- 14" iBook 800, 256/30/Combo,
leather screen protector (with Small Dog logo), Macally icePad
laptop tray and stand, Macally icePad, $1,376
For more deals on current or recently discontinued models, see
our Best PowerBook G4 Deals
and Best iBook Deals.
