Compiled by Charles Moore
and edited by
Dan Knight
- 2003.05.02
Except as noted, prices are in US dollars.
MacResQ Mini AC Adapter for PowerBook G4
& White iBook
The MacResQ Mini AC
Adapter's slim and light design makes it easy and
convenient to carry around 
with
your PowerBook G4 or iBook. The package includes a Velcro strap to
safely bind the cord together. The exterior is specifically
designed so that you can simply wrap the cord around the adaptor.
Small enough to carry with you, and affordable enough to buy for
multiple locations. One year warranty
Price: $69.99
PowerLogix 800 and 900 MHz Pismo PowerBook CPU
Upgrades Shipping
PowerLogix has
announced shipment of the first ever software-controlled, variable
speed CPU upgrade. Available for the PowerBook G3 Pismo (a.k.a. FireWire or
PowerBook G3 2000), the Blue Chip G3 Pismo can be adjusted on the
fly (i.e., no reboot required) to a lower clock speed in order to
extend battery life.
The Blue Chip G3 Pismo is available in 800 MHz and 900 MHz
models. Tests show that up to 30 minutes of additional battery life
can be obtained by lowering the clock speed, which can be very
useful in certain situations, such as long plane flights. In many
cases, such as word processing, sheer clock speed takes a back seat
to battery life, and the Blue Chip G3 Pismo offers the best of both
worlds. The clock speed is user adjustable down to 300 MHz. The
Blue Chip G3 features the IBM 750FX PowerPC CPU with 512K of L2
cache running at the same speed as the processor.
Pricing:
- $299 for Blue Chip G3 800
- $349 for Blue Chip G3 900
New Willow Backpacks for 17" PowerBook
Willow Design has released two new backpacks specifically
designed for the 17" PowerBook, filling out its line of five other
17" PB specific cases. The "short" Edgewater will comfortably fit
those from 5' 3" to 5' 7, while the second larger Garibaldi fits
those with longer backs, or those who want to carry more
extras.
Both packs were designed from scratch for the new 17" PowerBook.
They both feature extra 
padded internal dividers to isolate the PowerBook on all
sides within the computer compartment and now incorporate a new
corrugated plastic stiffener within the the pack body to provide
even more stability.
The end result is even greater protection for the PowerBook. The
packs' predecessor, the Titanium Jacques Pack, most dramatically
displayed this protection for Chris Yip of Toronto, who ended up
using his pack with his G4/800 sleeping in it as a crash pad. Chris
was somersaulted from his bicycle over the hood of a car which had
cut him off - landing on his pack and then bouncing upright without
even hitting his head. Fortunately, and incredibly, both Chris and
his Titanium were fine.
The new packs feature two main laptop and paperwork compartments
with a host of organizer pockets scattered through the packs.
Particularly handy is removable accessory pouch to maximize space
utilization in the paperwork compartment.
The packs also now have special reflective strips for improved
nighttime visibility and safety on the front, sides, and shoulder
straps of the pack. Both conveniently 
convert to a shoulder bag or briefcase style
cases in seconds for more formal occasions.
The Edgewater and Garibaldi both feature Willow's lifetime
guarantee against defects in materials or craftsmanship, as do all
Willow's other products.
Available Colors: Black Charcoal Navy
Pricing: $238 Cdn., $162 U.S.
Available Colors: Black Charcoal Navy
Pricing: $243 Cdn.,$165 U.S.
Belkin ParkWay II and Freeport II Laptop
Backpacks Announced
Parkway II Backpack
The
Parkway II Backpack by Belkin gives you a great way to
carry your notebook, books, and supplies between classes. 
The lightweight Parkway II Backpack features
a padded rear panel to cushion your shoulders and back, and a
durable, soft mesh handle for easy lifting. The removable padded
computer sleeve protects your larger-size laptop. There's plenty of
room for pens, pencils, ID cards, paper files, CD or MP3 players,
and floppy disks. The Parkway II features a clear front compartment
that shows off your drawings, photos, or any paper you want to keep
handy and protected.
Advantages
- Clear pocket for pictures, drawings, or papers
- Reflective straps for safe, high-visibility at night
- Soft-touch webbing zipper pulls
- Ergonomic shoulder straps and handle
- Padded-removable insert for larger laptops - up to 11.5" x
13.5" x 1.25"
Colors: Blue/Black/White
Parkway II backpack, $49.99
Freeport II Backpack
The
Freeport II Backpack by Belkin packs all your electronic
essentials and gives you maximum comfort 
as you travel. In addition to its lightweight
design, the Freeport II features a padded external support panel to
cushion your shoulders and back, and a soft, sturdy handle for easy
lifting. The removable padded computer sleeve protects your
larger-size laptop. There's also plenty of storage room for pens,
pencils, ID cards, paper files, CD or MP3 players, and floppy
disks. There are external pockets for your cell phone and PDA as
well.
Advantages
- Features 2 removable PDA, phone, or MP3 player cases
- Keeps your MP3 headphones handy, in specially designed side
pocket
- Stores eyeglasses, wallet, passport, and more in quick-access
pocket
- Protects your notebook with added, removable insert section,
measuring 11.0" x 14.0" x 2.0"
- Also available in Red, Blue and Orange
Colors: Gray/Black
Freeport II Backpack, $69.99
Upgrades / Add-Ons
- Belkin K100 Notebook Security Lock, $34.95
- Universal AC Travel Adapter, $24.99
- TraveLite Retractable USB Lamp, $24.99
Waterfield Racer-X Case for PowerBooks
When you just need your PowerBook and a few accessories, throw
the Racer-X on your
shoulder and head out. This tough compact case with a plush
interior and a mountain bike grip protects your laptop from life's
hard knocks.
Available in three sizes to custom fit your Apple PowerBook -
(12" Racer-X shipping May 10)
- 12" Racer-X dimensions = 12" x 10" x 4.5"
- 15" Racer-X dimensions = 14.5" x 11" x 4"
- 17" Racer-X dimensions = 16.5" x 11.6" x 4.5"
Includes suspension shoulder strap. $129-139
New Sleeve for 17" PowerBook G4 from J.R.
Hill & Company
This new
sleeve for the 17" PowerBook was designed to be a simple
yet stylish leather case for Apples 
new
17" PowerBook G4. Made of durable full grain leather with 1/8"
padding in front, back, and sides, your PowerBook will be well
protected.
The PowerBook sleeve is made for people who don't want a full
sized notebook computer bag. It can either be carried by itself or
can be placed into a briefcase or backpack and your PowerBook will
be protected. The Sleeve also features a zipper on all three sides,
leather piping, and handles.
The Sleeve is backed by a lifetime warranty.
Shipping May 12, 2003
Price: $84
SpamBolt: Countdown to the End of Spam
Vicomsoft has announced that the countdown to the end of spam
has begun. With the release of SpamBolt, a brand new and
inventive server-based anti-spam solution at the end of May 2003,
spammers can see that the end in sight with SpamBolt promising to
bolt the door on Spam forever.
For many years Vicomsoft has been developing innovative and
original software that combats a great number of the problems that
businesses and institutions face from Internet threats and security
issues. During this time, an annoying side effect of electronic
communication has reared its ugly head and is plaguing
organizations in the global marketplace. This scourge of the
Internet age is everywhere; unceasing and relentless. It carries
with it harmful viruses that can infect networks in the blink of an
eye, while also spreading unsavory and distasteful content around
homes, businesses and schools, without a thought for who might see
these horrors of the inbox.
These unsolicited emails are also blocking up precious company
bandwidth and bombarding domains with unwanted junk mail that costs
literally millions of man-hours each and every year to clear. The
worst aspect of all though, is that spam is on the increase.
Organizations around the globe are just now beginning to realize
that the problem is out of control, and spam is very quickly
becoming the biggest threat that the Internet has ever seen.
Vicomsoft has also been a victim of unsolicited mail on a grand
scale; a fact that prompted their renowned and experienced
development team into action to create the most effective and
safest anti-spam software solution ever launched.
The name of this ingenious server-based anti-spam solution is
SpamBolt. Once installed on a network, SpamBolt will instantly
begin to protect mail servers from spam attacks, while providing
the system administrator with a powerful set of mail rules that
ensure spam is blocked forever-- and important and genuine emails
are led safely to their final destination. At last, companies and
institutions everywhere can bolt the door on spam and start to
communicate effectively again with like-minded users around the
Web.
SpamBolt locks away junk mail, keeping your inbox and your
bandwidth free, while protecting users from the seedy, offensive,
and downright disgusting elements that lurk within unsolicited
emails.
The countdown to the end of Spam has begun. A 30-day evaluation
version of SpamBolt will be available at the end of May 2003 to
download from http://www.vicomsoft.com for Mac OS
X and Microsoft Windows NT 4.0, 2000, or XP.
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).
- PowerBook G4 /400, 256/10/DVD, $1,135
- PowerBook Pismo G3/500, 256/12/DVD, $969
- PowerBook Lombard G3/400, 192/6/DVD, $839
- PowerBook Lombard G3/333, 192/4/CD-ROM, $515
- PowerBook 3400/200, 48/2/CD-ROM, $239
- PowerBook G4/550, 256/20/Combo, $1,479.99
- 12" PowerBook G4/867, 256/40/Combo, $1,649.99
- 12" iBook 600, 128/20/CD-ROM, OS X, free ground shipping, free
256 MB w/ $39 install fee, $799
- 12" iBook 700, 128/20/Combo, OS X, free ground shipping, free
256 MB w/ $39 install fee, $999
- refurb PowerBook G4/800, 512/40/Combo, AirPort, InCase large
leather laptop sleeve, $2,119
- new PowerBook G4/667 (DVI), 256/30/Combo, $1,849
- refurb 12" iBook 700, 640/20/CD-ROM, AirPort Base Station,
AirPort card, $1,165
- refurb 12" iBook 700, 128/20/CD-ROM, $879
- PowerBook Pismo G3/500, 128/10/DVD, $919.99
- Add a 30 GB hard drive, $89.99 installed
- Add 1 GB of RAM, $139.99
- Add 512 MB of RAM, $69.99
- PowerBook Pismo G3/400, 192/6/DVD, $984
- PowerBook Lombard G3/400, 320/20/DVD, $999
- PowerBook Pismo G3/500, 384/12/DVD, $1,167
For more deals on current or recently discontinued models, see
our Best PowerBook G4 Deals
and Best iBook Deals.
