Compiled by Charles Moore
and edited by
Dan Knight
- 2003.05.16
Except as noted, prices are in US dollars.
SubRosaSoft Ships Disk Guardian 2.0, New OS X
Disk Utility Software
SubRosaSoft, Ltd., a software company based in New Zealand
focusing on disk utility and privacy software, announced the
availability of
SubRosaSoft DiskGuardian 2.0. DiskGuardian is a collection
of tools that alert users of imminent hard drive failure in
addition to performing volume repairs, backup and restore,
benchmarking, surface scanning for media defects, and verification
of data integrity on storage subsystems.
"DiskGuardian utilizes a feature called Self Monitoring Analysis
and Reporting Technology, or SMART, that is built into most modern
hard drives to monitor and alert users before the drive starts to
fail," explained Marko Kostyrko, SubRosaSoft's founder. He
continued, "DiskGuardian will alert the user on screen, with sound,
by email, by updating your personal web server, or FTP to a
destination of your choice. This allows users to respond before
their data is lost no matter where they are."
"DiskGuardian not only predicts problems before they occur but
can diagnose and repair disks as well," explained Ben Slaney,
co-author of DiskGuardian and author
of FWB SMART Toolkit. "It includes a comprehensive suite of tests
for the physical media of the drive and the drive subsystem. Tests
can be set to run for extended period of time to determine
consistent performance of a storage subsystem. The tests analyze
the overall integrity of the transfer data by writing, reading, and
comparing the data. And if you do have a problem with the drive
data, you can use DiskGuardian's Volume Repair feature for
repairing most faults."
DiskGuardian also features the ability to backup a partition to
an image and restore the image to create a volume identical to the
original. "DiskGuardian Backup/Restore is a tool to backup and
restore every block on your disk." Marko Kostyrko explained,
"Unlike other backup systems, SubRosaSoft DiskGuardian can even
backup many disks that are known to have physical faults. For
example, scratched CDs and disks with bad blocks."
"And for the performance-oriented users, Disk Guardian includes
a benchmarking feature for measuring the performance of hard drives
under different types of test and load. The Benchtest feature gives
the user the ability to make sure the drive is up to par for usage.
The test results can be exported either as a text file for detailed
analysis, or a JPEG file which users can easily post online,"
concluded Marko Kostyrko.
SubRosaSoft DiskGuardian 2.0 is now available at the
manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of $69.95.
Competitive upgrades are available. Utilities such as Drive10,
TechTool Pro, SMART Toolkit, Norton Utilities, and Disk Warrior all
qualify for the $54.95 crossgrade.
System requirements:
- SubRosaSoft DiskGuardian 2.0 requires Mac OS X 10.2 or
higher.
- SMART feature requires internal IDE drives.
CharisMac Adds Support for Apple's New iTunes
Music Store Audio Format in Discribe
CharisMac announced support for Apple's new digital audio
format, AAC (Advanced Audio Coding) in their Discribe
V5.0.36 CD/DVD burning software.
Music purchased and downloaded from Apple's new iTunes Music Store
is stored in the new format. Users can now simply drag and drop AAC
tracks over the Discribe interface in order to burn the files to a
standard audio CD that can be listened to in all car and home audio
CD players. Converted files can also be saved to the user's hard
drive in AIFF format for future use.
Using any iTunes Music Store authenticated machine, a user may
purchase a song from the iTunes music store and then burn the
downloaded file to CD using Discribe. Discribe V5.0.36 requires OS
10.2.5 or higher as well as QuickTime 6.2 or higher. Prior to
adding support for this new file format, Discribe users could only
burn songs to CD from Apple's iTunes.
When burning songs through iTunes, the purchased files can not
be saved to the users hard drive as AIFF files. Using Discribe, the
customer can convert them to AIFF and then save the file for future
use.
Discribe V5.0.36 is available for $69.95 directly from CharisMac
Engineering. A demo version is also available on the CharisMac
website. The demo version allows users to burn up to five CDs.
Upgrades from previous versions of Discribe are available for
$39.95. Competitive upgrades from any competing CD burning packages
are also available for $39.95.
PowerBook G3 Lombard/Pismo and WallStreet
Batteries
If you work on the road, you want a second battery for your
PowerBook. These
batteries are the ideal spare or replacement for your G3
PowerBook.
These batteries (equivalent to Apple part #M7318) will fit the
1999 Lombard (also known at Bronze) G3
PowerBook or the 2000 Pismo (also
called the FireWire G3 PowerBook). (The WallStreet G3 PowerBook requires
a different battery that sells for the same price.)
Price: $147.95
MCE Internal DVD-R/RW "SuperDrive" Upgrade for
Dual USB iBook
The new MCE DVD-R/RW "SuperDrive"
upgrade for the iBook (Dual USB) allows iBook owners to
author professional-quality DVDs as well as create, store, and
share their collections of videos, music, and photographs. Plus,
the fast, highly reliable drives are compatible with most computer
and set-top DVD video players and other DVD burners - so video and
data DVDs created using these drives can be shared with business
associates, friends, and family.
The MCE DVD-R/RW "SuperDrive" upgrade must be professionally
installed into your iBook (Dual USB) by us, or at one of our
worldwide MCE Authorized upgrade centers. Once installed you'll be
able to easily record up to 4.7 GB of data, video or audio onto
recordable DVD discs right from your iBook!
Features
- 1x DVD-R/RW recorder
- Tray-loading mechanism
- 2 MB Cache Buffer
- Buffer underrun protection
- Bootable
- Ships with DVD Authoring software for your iBook for creating
Video DVDs and Video CDs.
- Bootable
- Compatible with iTunes, Disc Burner, and Apple DVD Player
Specifications:
- DVD Authoring Software compatible with Mac OS 9.x only.
Customers who purchase now will also receive a free copy of the Mac
OS X version set to be released May 1.
- MCE Internal DVD-R/RW SuperDrive Upgrade for Apple iBook (Dual
USB)
- DVD Speeds (maximum): Write, Read 1x DVD-R, 1x DVD-RW, 8x
DVD-ROM
- CD Speeds (maximum): Write, Rewrite, Read 16x CD-R, 10x CD-RW,
24x CD-ROM
- Writing Compatibility 4.7 GB DVD-R, 650 MB CD-R/RW, 700 MB
CD-R/RW
- Disc Format DVD-ROM, DVD-R (General Use), DVD-RW, DVD-RAM (Read
Only), DVD-Video, CD-ROM (Mode 1, Mode 2 Form 1), CD-ROM XA (Mode 2
Form 2), CD-DA, CD-Extra, CD-Text, Photo CD (Single and
Multisession), Video CD
- Buffer Size 2 MB
- Dimensions (LxWxH) 5.0" x 4.9" x 0.5" (128 x 126 x 12.7
mm)
- Loading System Tray-loading
- System Requirements: Apple iBook (Dual USB) running Mac OS 9.1
or later; 64 MB RAM (256 MB or greater recommended)
- Warranty: 1 year
Suggested Retail Price $399
Other World Computing Introduces Mercury
Elite 320 GB FireWire/USB Combo Drive
Other World Computing (OWC) has expanded its popular line of
Mercury
Elite external FireWire (1394a)/USB 2.0+1.1 combo storage
solutions with the introduction of a 320 GB model priced at
$459.99.
Additionally, OWC reduced prices on all of the company's Mercury
Elite external FireWire/USB storage solutions, with the exception
of its 250 GB 7200 RPM model with 8 MB cache memory that
debuted in March. The new prices are from $10 to $50 lower and
constitute reductions of up to 14 percent.
New pricing for the Mercury Elite FireWire/USB combination
drives range from $149.99 for a 40 GB 7200 RPM model w/2 MB cache
up to $339.99 for a 200 GB 7200 RPM model w/8 MB cache.
"Technology continues to progress at an extremely quick pace,
which makes the introduction of this 320 GB storage solution and
these price reductions possible," said Larry O'Connor, president of
OWC. "Advancing technology translates into better products
appearing in the marketplace. It also means the high-quality
technology already on the market is becoming much more
affordable."
Also new from OWC is a 250 GB 7200 RPM model, which is being
introduced at $439.99. Each Mercury Elite drive measures 1.5" x
9.0" x 5.5", weighs less than three pounds, and ships with Intech
HD SpeedTools, a FireWire cable, an external power adapter, and a
two-year OWC warranty. The drives are compatible with Mac OS 8.6
and up as well as Windows 98, 2000 and XP.
Mercury Elite FireWire/USB combo drives are available
exclusively from OWC.
"Slim" PowerBook Case From Acme
It's called the Slim, and it's here
to protect your Apple PowerBook. The Acme Bags Slim is designed to
be thin enough to fit within your daily bag or carried on its own.
It's here in 12", 15", and 17" sizes - designed protection.
The Slim is Acme Made's new bag/sleeve hybrid designed
specifically for the Apple PowerBook line of laptops. The
streamlined design allows the Slim to be inserted into another bag
or carried with or without it's removable shoulder strap
(included).
Product features:
- Shell: Ballistic nylon w/waterproof coating
- Padding: 3/8" and 1/4" closed cell foam and "high impact"
plastic
- Lining: Quilted satin
- Zipper: YKK "Splash-proof" zippers
- Handles: Genuine leather
- Hardware: Black anodized nickel
- Strap: 1.5" webbing w/black anodized hardware
- Designer Shells: Heavy duty woven textiles
While minimal in design, the Slim maintains a high standard of
protection utilizing closed cell foam, high impact plastic,
"Splash-proof" zippers and a quilted lining all encased in a
water-resistant, ballistic nylon shell or designer textiles .
Constructed entirely in the United States. Warranted for 1
year.
The iBook 12" fits within the Slim 12" model.
The Slim sells for $79.99 to $94.99. The Designer Slim sells for
$129.99 to $149.99.
Willow Somerset Laptop Backpack
Willow's Somerset laptop
backpack briefcase is designed for those with shorter backs or
those who want a more compact case. The Somerset carries your
laptop and accessories, up to three inches of letter sized
paperwork and features our convenient outer organizer pocket
system.
Somerset Features:
- Elegant design - at home on the road and acceptable in the
boardroom in its briefcase form.
- Increased personal security by making your case not look
like a briefcase or laptop case
- Properly, securely, and safely fits many large display laptops
such as the 14" iBook, NEC Toughbooks, Dell Latitudes, Toshiba
Portégé, and ThinkPad 240, among others.
- Extreme carrying comfort with contoured, padded shoulder
straps
- Convenient shoulder strap flap to hide away shoulder straps
which can double as an easy to get to newspaper or magazine
pocket
- Removable sternum strap for increased stability and comfort
with additional doubling of shoulder strap material for extreme
durability
- Contoured pack back and bottom that will not allow anything to
dig into your back, especially in your low back area
- Additional thickly padded removable wrap handle for extra
comfort in briefcase or vertical handle carrying mode
- A thickly padded traditional single shoulder carrying strap
when you want to look more cosmopolitan
- Superb laptop protection through a centrally protected location
surrounded by thick, single piece foam padding on the back, sides
and bottom
- Front protection is assured by three separate levels of foam
layers
- .090 thickness of high density polyethylene reinforcement
underneath the web handles with quadruple rivet reinforcing for
even greater strength and durability
- Easy storage of adapters, cables, etc. with convenient Velcro
secured, fold-down
- Accessory divider/pocket system
- Room in the paperwork compartment for a eight centimeter (3")
depth of legal sized file folders or other items
- Lots of organizer pockets in the outer pocket and throughout
the case
- Security pocket on back panel hidden under shoulder strap
flap
- Convenient shallow outer zippered pocket for airline tickets,
change or other items you want fast access to
- Lifetime guarantee against defects in materials or
craftsmanship.
Available colors: black, charcoal, navy, teal, purple
Pricing: $215 Cdn., $153 U.S.
SportFolio for TiG4 & 14" iBook
The SportFolio
laptop case offers rugged, high-tech neoprene construction with a
built-in plastic shell for impact protection. The exterior features
an easily accessible front pocket, a back zippered pocket and a
vulcanized rubber bottom and sides for a secure grip.
The case zips closed to hold its contents securely. The
all-black interior features a soft, plush fabric, and a large
pocket. A removable black shock-absorbing shoulder strap is
included. All in all a great combination of features that make this
case stand out from the crowd.
Case features:
- Easily accessible exterior front pocket
- Roomy, zippered back pocket
- Large, secure interior pocket
- Dual zippers for easy opening
- Rugged 3 mm neoprene construction
- Plastic inner shell for impact protection
- Plush-lined interior with document pocket
- Easy-grip bottom for carrying as a folio
- Padded for all-around protection
Shoulder strap features:
- Easy-grip, shock-absorbing design
- Swivel clips prevent twisting
- Adjustable length for maximum comfort
- Easily removable
Inside case dimensions: 13.75" x 10.5" x 2" (35 cm x 26.7 cm x
5.1 cm)
Price: $39.95
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 600, 128/20/CD-ROM,
OS X, free ground shipping, free 256 MB ($39 install fee),
$799
For more deals on current or recently discontinued models, see
our Best PowerBook G4 Deals
and Best iBook Deals.
