Compiled by Charles Moore
and edited by
Dan Knight
- 2003.05.30
Except as noted, prices are in US dollars.
Apple Slot Combo Drive Update for PowerBooks
and Xserves
This update installs new firmware on PowerBook and Xserve Combo
drives. The update prevents Combo drives from intermittently
failing to eject discs. It's recommended that you install this
update to ensure that your Combo drive avoids this problem.
IMPORTANT: If you are currently unable to eject a disc from your
drive, you can't use the update application to update your drive
firmware. If you have tried all methods of ejecting discs as
described in your user manual, you may need to contact AppleCare
for service. Consult the documentation that came with your computer
for support information.
System requirements:
- Mac OS X 10.2 or higher
- This update is for Xserve servers and PowerBook computers with
an internal slot-loading Combo drive.
For more information, see Apple
Knowledge Base Document 120212.
iBook G3/900 MHz vs. PowerBook G4/867
Performance Comparo
MacSpeedZone's David Engstrom has posted a
benchmark comparo of the new 14" iBook 900 and the 12" PowerBook G4/867.
Engstrom writes:
- ...both portables are fairly evenly matched. In standard
processing work the iBook is slightly ahead, however in game
performance the PowerBook, with its more robust graphics card,
pulls ahead . . . but not dramatically so. The difference
in drive performance is nil, and in window redraws both 'Books'
came out the same.
But in applications tuned for the PowerBook's G4 processor, it is a
different story. Here the PowerBook, though clocked slower, and
with half the amount of high-speed L2 cache, came out on top
. . . sometimes way on top.
...If you make heavy use of QuickTime, iMovie, Final Cut Pro
. . . don't waste your time on a G3. At $300 more the
PowerBook is well worth the extra brass.
On the other hand, if you are not a heavy user of
AltiVec-optimized applications, it's hard to make a compelling case
for shelling out the extra bucks for the PowerBook over the iBook
on the basis of speed, although there are other considerations that
may make the PowerBook more desirable. However, the iBook is
cheaper, runs cooler, and goes a lot longer between battery
recharges.
David Engstrom notes: "In battery life we were able to eke out
50% more uptime on the iBook (despite its bigger screen), when both
portables were under similar load configurations."
TouchStream Mac NTouch Keyboard for Titanium
PowerBook
The TouchStream Mac
NTouch Keyboard is a revolutionary add-in product for the
15" PowerBook G4 that integrates the functions of a large-area
super touch pad, a multi-hand, gesture input command station, and a
Zero Force keyboard, all on the same smooth surface.
The Mac NTouch's non-mechanical Zero Force keys require only the
lightest touch, make no sound, and can be moved around to
suit the needs of the individual user. Users of
the Mac NTouch Keyboard will never have to move their hands between
the Zero Force keys and the pointing device, since the "mouse" is
always under their fingertips.
The most exciting and revolutionary aspect of the Mac NTouch
Keyboard, however, is its ability to interpret the touching and
movement of both hands to quickly and effortlessly enter commands
normally done by typing hot keys or by mouse pointing and clicking.
The Mac NTouch Keyboard has a large number of built-in gestures for
doing picture, text, and image editing, file operations, and web
browsing. These gestures are used to do commonly executed
operations like opening and closing files, cutting and pasting
text, and zooming and rotating objects. They are quick to use and
easy to remember. But what really makes the Mac NTouch's gesture
input powerful is the ability for each user to create customized
gestures using our free MyGesture Editor. This means that you can
create gesture sets that perfectly match the needs of your favorite
applications.
The Mac NTouch Keyboard is designed to be a drop-in replacement
for the existing 15" PowerBook mechanical keyboard. The PowerBook's
existing keyboard easily lifts out and the Mac NTouch drops in -
all in about 2 minutes. No software drivers are needed to start
using the Mac NTouch immediately.
The Mac NTouch 's large surface is more than big enough for
full-range pointing, touch-typing, and gesture input. The Mac
NTouch 's Zero-Force key layout is split to provide a relaxing and
stress-reduced posture for both hands and body.
The Mac NTouch is only available with a QWERTY layout.
Price: $259
Spire Flux 17" PowerBook Bag
You bought the most gorgeous laptop ever made, now how do you
carry it? Spire has
heard your desperate cries for help and responded. The new 2003
Flux is the perfect solution for holding your 17" PowerBook.
It's slim - only 2" thick. Why carry a huge, bulky case for such
a sleek computer? You can put documents and other thin 
items into the large rear pocket. Other great
features include:
- Lockable zippers
- Zipper pulls with glow-in-the-dark tips
- Beefy 2" Shockpad on the bottom for extra protection
- Padded carrying handles
- Removable shoulder strap
- Cool looking chrome hardware
The Flux offers incredible protection at a value price, and it's
made to fit the 17" PowerBook like a glove.
Price: $65
iShuttle iBook Case
The first thing you will notice about the Sumdex
iShuttle is its enticing design and a shape that is sure to
attract attention. 
This
water-resistant and durable EVA case comes in five delectable
colors: blueberry, tangerine, graphite, lime, and indigo.
Features:
- Made of a semi-hard, water resistant EVA material
- Padded computer compartment with Velcro securing straps and
adjustable / detachable padded divider
- Interior file pocket
- Holders for pens/pencils, business cards, floppy and Zip disks,
and CDs.
- Adjustable/detachable strap with anti-slip pad
- Ergonomic, comfort grip handle
- Dual pulling, self-healing zippers
- All metal hardware
iShuttle iBook Case: $98.95
Ice Creme Removes Surface Abrasion and
Scratches from Acrylic Surfaces
Ice
Creme allows you to easily remove the scuffing, scratching,
and abrasion that tends to occur on highly polished 
acrylic panels, such as those used in several
consumer devices and popular computers. Products like the iPod,
iBook, PDAs, and cell phones can all benefit from the ease of use
and power of Ice Creme, which makes scuffed-up plastic products
gleam like new. Great when you want to spruce up or sell your
gear.
The regular formula is for plastic products. The "M" version
contains an additional bottle of metal polish for products like the
iPod's polished metal back panel. Both versions include special
application and polishing cloths.
Features:
- Two part formula removes even aggressive damage.
- "M" version removes damage from iPod's metal back pan.
- Enough to repair several units.
- Includes application and polishing cloths.
'Book Accessories and Batteries from
DevDepot
G3 to G4 Converter for Apple G3 AC Adapter
Convert your existing G3 Micro-Adapter to work with the
PowerBook G4 with this handy and economical device. This product
works only with Apple brand PowerBook adapters. $17.95.
iBook Bags
Thick foam padding protects your iBook from accidental bumps -
from $19.95.
PowerBook 15" Titanium G4 Battery
Ready for a trip? If you're going to be mobile, even moving
around the office for meetings - a spare battery adds a whole new
meaning to the word portable. Each extra battery can add up to 5
hours of life to your 15" G4 PowerBook. $126.95.
PowerBook G3 Lombard/Pismo Battery
These batteries are the ideal spare or replacement battery for
your G3 Lombard or Pismo PowerBook. $147.95.
PowerBook G3 WallStreet Battery
These batteries are the ideal spare or replacement battery for
your G3 WallStreet PowerBook. $147.95.
For more information, visit DevDepot.
Plextor Introduces DVD+R/RW Drive with USB
2.0, FireWire
Plextor
Corporation has announced the new PX-504UF DVD+R/RW drive.
The external DVD/CD burner delivers fast 4x DVD+R Writing, 2.4x
DVD+RW Rewriting, and 12x max DVD-Reading; the versatile 6-in-1
drive also supports 16x CD Writing, 10x CD-Rewriting, and 40x
CD-Reading.
The PX-504UF DVD+R/RW drive features Plextor's first dual
interface to support both Hi-Speed USB 2.0 and full-speed compliant
IEEE-1394 FireWire for high-speed data transfer. Now PlexWriter
customers can easily share a single DVD/CD recorder among multiple
Apple Macintosh and Microsoft Windows-based personal computer
systems. The new Plextor drive also bundles a package of premium
digital media software from Roxio, including Easy CD Creator 5.3
DVD Edition, and PhotoSuite 5 SE and Toast 5 Lite.
"Many of the people who purchase PlexWriter drives also use
Apple Macintosh computers, and we want them to be able to take
advantage of the performance and convenience of FireWire
connectivity," said Howard Wing, vice president of sales and
marketing for Plextor. "It's not uncommon for a single household to
have both Windows PCs and Apple Macintoshes. With the new PX-504UF,
Mom and Dad can use the PlexWriter drive on the Windows PC to
backup work data to a CD, and then five minutes later the kids can
use the exact same external drive to play a DVD on the Macintosh in
their room."
The Plextor PX-504UF is a highly versatile DVD/CD burner
specifically designed to deliver high-quality recording
performance. The drive gives users the ability to create, edit, and
share customized DVDs and CDs using video, photos, audio, and data.
Users can use the Roxio applications to back up and archive up to
4.7 GB on a single-sided Recordable DVD disc and create photo
albums for viewing with DVD players.
Lossless-linking technology enables users to perform basic
editing tasks directly on the DVD disc, so there is no need to
reload DVD content back to a PC to make minor changes - and no need
to re-burn an entire DVD after making small edits. The unit
features a 2 MB data buffer and burst data transfer rates of
5.5 MB/sec., allowing users to burn a 4.7 GB CD disc in less than
fifteen minutes.
Software Bundle: Roxio Easy CD Creator 5.3 DVD Edition,
PhotoSuite 5 SE, and Toast 5 Lite
Roxio Easy CD Creator 5.3 DVD Edition includes DVD Builder,
Roxio's DVD authoring application that allows consumers to capture
digital video, add transitions and background music, create
animated menus, organize clips and photos into custom slide shows,
and burn to a DVD or CD that can be played in set-top DVD players.
Easy CD Creator 5.3 DVD Edition combines the power of Easy CD
Creator Basic and DVD Builder into one complete, easy to use,
integrated solution. Easy CD Creator 5.3 DVD Edition includes
DirectCD (packet writing), CD and DVD pre-mastering, DVD video
authoring, one-button CD copier, and the ability to create enhanced
and mixed-mode CDs. Easy CD Creator 5.3 DVD Edition simplifies the
production of DVD videos while also providing the ability to create
music CDs, photo slide shows synchronized with music, data CDs and
DVDs, and back up copies of personal discs.
Roxio PhotoSuite 5 SE allows consumers to capture, organize,
edit and share digital photos. It includes simple electronic albums
and a combination of automated and advanced photo editing tools,
including the ability to easily remove red eye and wrinkles,
lighten or darken, crop and rotate. Consumers can also print and
share online or quickly E-mail them without leaving the program.
With PhotoSuite 5 SE's integrated Easy CD Creator burning
technology, Plextor consumers will be able to burn photos to CD,
Video CD or DVD.
Roxio Toast 5 Lite is a limited version of Toast 5 Titanium, the
comprehensive, all-in-one DVD and CD burner software that enables
consumers to create, organize, share and store all of their digital
content on CDs or DVDs. Roxio's award winning Toast DVD and CD
burner software works with Mac OS X and Mac OS 9.1.
The Plextor PX-504UF DVD+R/RW drive is scheduled for shipment to
distributors and resellers in North and South America in June 2003.
It will also be available nationwide through Best Buy stores. The
PX-504UF drive has a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP)
of $329.00 USD. All retail packages include unlimited toll-free
technical support and one-year full warranty. Reservations for the
PX-504UF drive are now being accepted.
Mobility Electronics, Kensington Technology
Group Form Strategic Alliance
Mobility
Electronics, Inc., a leading provider of innovative
portable computing solutions for the mobile computer user,
announced today a strategic alliance with Kensington Technology
Group, a personal computer accessories leader. Products
from Mobility Electronics' power product line will also be sold
under the well-known Kensington brand name.
As part of the alliance, Kensington will globally market and
distribute Kensington-branded versions of Mobility's power product
family, including several next-generation products and products to
be developed by the two companies. To complement the power product
family, Kensington will also carry Mobility's Peripheral Powering
System (PPS) product line under the Kensington brand. These
products will be packaged and branded according to Kensington's own
specifications, and made available to consumers throughout
Kensington's broad network of partner retailers and resellers.
By combining the functionality of several power devices and
compatibility with both AC and DC power sources, the Mobility
Electronics' power adapter eliminates the need to carry a separate
notebook AC adapter, mobile phone adapter, and/or handheld/PDA
power adapters (with optional accessory). Business travelers and
other mobile users can now replace bulky power packs and numerous
adapters with a single power source, eliminating extra weight and
jumbled power cords. The combination AC/DC power adapter is
compatible with more than 600 of today's most popular notebook
computers, including brands such as Dell, Hewlett Packard/Compaq,
IBM, Gateway, Toshiba, Fujitsu/Siemens, and Apple.
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).
CompUSA
- refurb 12" iBook 700,
128/20/CD-ROM, $799
- refurb 14" iBook 700,
256/30/Combo, $1,099
- refurb 12" iBook 800,
128/30/Combo, $1,049
- refurb 14" iBook 800,
256/30/Combo, $1,249
- refurb 15" PowerBook G4/867,
256/40/Combo, $1,999
- refurb 15" PowerBook
G4/1 GHz, 512/60/SuperDrive, $2,499
- 12" iBook 700, 128/20/CD-ROM,
EZQuest Cobra Slim 40 GB 5400 RPM Portable FireWire Drive, EZQuest
CD-RW FireWire 52x24x52x w/CharisMac, $1,299
- PowerBook G4/667 (DVI),
256/30/Combo, $1,799
- For more information, visit:
For more deals on current or recently discontinued models, see
our Best PowerBook G4 Deals
and Best iBook Deals.
