Compiled by Charles Moore
and edited by
Dan Knight
- 2003.06.20
Except as noted, prices are in US dollars.
New 15.4" PowerBooks to Ship "in the Second
Half in the Year"
David Tzeng of
DigiTimes.com reports:
"Already producing Dell Computer and Hewlett-Packard's (HP)
first 15.4" widescreen Centrino notebooks, Compal Electronics
recently landed orders to produce the first 15.4" widescreen
notebooks from Apple Computer and Acer....
"According to sources, Compal will start shipping 15.4"
widescreen PowerBooks for Apple in the second half of this year,
with initial monthly shipments estimated at 30,000-40,000
units."
Of course, the second half of this year is a little over a week
away....
New G4/550 MHz CPU Upgrade for PowerBook
Pismo
FastMac is
offering a new upgrade option for the Pismo G3 PowerBook with a 533 MHz CPU
running at 550 MHz and including 1 MB Level 2 backside
cache.
The upgrade requires sending in your existing G3 processor
module to FastMac for the upgrade; 7 day turnaround service is
quoted.
Price: $289.95
Combo Drive Upgrades for Lombard, Pismo
PowerBook
Zone has imported a batch of Matsushita UJDA710 "Combo"
DVD/CD-RW expansion bay drives. This drive will add CD burning to
the DVD and CD playback functionality of your current drive - all
in one unit! These are compatible with both Lombard and Pismo PowerBooks, but the DVD playback
functionality only works with the 400 MHz Lombard model with DVD
decoding built-in.
Specs:
- CD-R write speed: 8x
- CD-RW write speed: 4x
- DVD playback speed: 8x
- CD playback speed: 24x
Two options are offered:
- For $220, you get the bare drive if you're comfortable putting
your current caddy on the new drive.
- Let PB Zone do the switch for only $30 more. For $250, they'll
replace your drive in the caddy with the UJDA710 and send the new
drive and your old unit back to you.
The drive is bootable and will come with modified iTunes drivers
for both Mac OS 9 and Mac OS X. PB Zone guarantees it
with a two year warranty and should be able to transfer your
drive's current bezel to the new unit (in a small percentage of
cases, this is not possible). The cost for each includes two day
shipment back to you.
iBreeze Laptop Cooler Stand
Do you own a PowerBook or iBook? Ever get concerned about how
hot it runs? Ever get annoyed when the noisy internal fan starts to
run? As Apple laptops have gotten smaller, thinner, and more
powerful, they have also gotten hotter. That heat can make the top
and bottom panels uncomfortable to touch and can, over time,
contribute to deterioration of your 'Book's performance and
reliability. The new iBreeze PowerBook
cooling stand from MacMice is built to quietly and elegantly bathe
the underside of your PowerBook with a gentle cooling breeze.
The iBreeze works with all models of Dual USB iBooks and G4
PowerBooks. iBreeze measures 11.75" wide and 9.75" deep. A USB
extension cable is included for use with models with side-mounted
USB ports.
Instead of using one large, loud fan, MacMice used two small (60
mm) whisper quiet fans, each operating at less than one-half their
maximum rated speed. Noise isn't
even an issue with the iBreeze. And, as clutter is very inelegant,
the iBreeze gets its power not from an ugly wall transformer, but
directly from the USB port of the connected laptop. There's a
female USB passthrough port on the iBreeze, so you don't even have
to give up one of your 'Book's USB ports.
The subtle silver/gray appearance of today's PowerBooks is
clearly evident in the design of the iBreeze. Crafted from the
clearest acrylic sheet and backed with a thin coating of silver
metalflake, the iBreeze is semitransparent.
The iBreeze uses a clear coated, stainless metal braided USB
cable to provide both maximum electrical shielding and maximum
appearance. The clear polymer bumpers on the top face of the
iBreeze are gummy enough to securely hold even a 17" PowerBook in
place and are tall enough to provide substantial air flow space
between the iBreeze and your PowerBook. iBreeze has an on-off
switch, should you decide you don't need the cooling function.
Priced at $24.99
SportFolio Extreme for Apple Titanium G4 and
17" PowerBooks
The
SportFolio Extreme 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.
Case features:
- Extra heavy-duty plastic inserts for maximum protection
- High-tech vulcanized neoprene front pocket
- Carrying handles
- Roomy, zippered back pocket
- Large, secure interior pocket
- Dual zippers for easy opening
- Zipper is lined to protect laptop
- Rugged 3 mm neoprene construction
- 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: 16.0 x 10.5 x 1.25" (40.64 x 26.67 x
3.17 cm)
Price: $57.95
MacSkinz for iBooks and TiBooks
MacSkinz
are formed plastic "Skinz" that snugly fit over the top of your
existing computer panels. They add a personal touch 
to the already beautiful industrial design of the
Macintosh computer and help to protect portables such as the iBook
and G4 titanium PowerBook.
MacSkinz are molded out of a very tough clear plastic. Most are
then silk-screened and/or digitally printed in reverse fashion on
the inside to create a scratch resistant product. Others, such as
the simulated wood grain or carbon fiber, actually have the
"design" embedded in the plastic itself.
MacSkinz snugly fit over the existing panels and are secured
with the provided nondrying gummy-tape. No tools are required.
Prices:
- G3/G4 Printed (silk-screen) (pair), $50
- G3/G4 Clear (pair), $30
- iBook Printed (silk-screen/digital) (each), $30
- iBook Clear (each), $20
MacSkinz Macworld, New York 2003 Offer
Simply take a photo of yourself holding up your iBook with a
MacSkinz on it and send it to MacSkinz, which will then refund your
purchase price of $30.00. Just follow the guidelines below.
The offer applies to the first 100 respondents only. The
MacSkinz need to be photographed on an actual iBook. The photo must
include the Apple Booth Logo at the Macworld Expo in July 2003. The
photo should be from the waist up but you does not need to show
your face. The original invoice number needs to be submitted with
photo. One offer per household. Invoice date must be prior to
7/14/03. Offer ends 8/14/03. Submission address will be included
with invoice.
Full details on the MacSkinz
website.
Orange Micro Bluetooth USB Adapter
Update your Macintosh or PC with the Blue2 Bluetooth USB
Adapter. With this addition to your computer, you can throw
away the cable that binds you to your Bluetooth enabled mobile
phones, cameras, printers, PDAs, and many other hand held devices
that support this revolutionary wireless technology
Features
- Data Transfer rate of up to 723 kbps
- 30 feet (10 meter) transmitting range
- Security: Pairing, encryption, authentication
- Up to seven simultaneous Bluetooth devices can be detected
Hardware Features:
- Full Speed, Low Power, USB 1.1 compliant
- Bluetooth v1.1 compliant
- Class II Bluetooth device
- Supporting 2.4 GHz to 2.483 GHz
- Dimension: 58.6 x 19.8 x 8.1 mm (L x W x H)
- Typical Power Consumption: 40mA
- DC power: 5V from USB port
Services supported in Mac OS X:
- With Bluetooth technology integrated in Mac OS X v10.2,
you can link to your Palm OS-based handheld device,
Bluetooth-enabled mobile phone, and other peripherals.
Package Includes:
- Blue2 USB to Bluetooth Adapter
- 20" USB range enhancement cable
- Software and Manual CD-ROM
- Quickstart Guide
System requirements: One available USB 1.1 port; Mac OS X v10.2
(Jaguar) or newer.
SimpleTech Introduces New Embedded USB Flash
Drive
SimpleTech, Inc. announces the availability of its embedded
USB Flash
Drive, combining solid-state memory and a USB connection
for fast and easy data storing and sharing from any computer with a
USB port. The embedded USB Flash Drive expands the company's
portable storage offerings after the successful launch of its
upgradeable USB Flash Drive, Bonzai.
SimpleTech's USB Flash Drive eliminates the need for floppy
disks and CDs for data storage and sharing. In the office, at home,
or on the road, the USB Flash Drive plugs directly into the USB
port on a PC or Macintosh. The Flash Drive is recognized as a
removable storage device, allowing immediate access for storing and
sharing data, including MP3 files, digital photos, games,
applications, and more.
Measuring 2.7" x .75" x .31" (LWD), the Flash Drive's
low-profile design does not block other USB ports when plugged in,
and it fits easily into a pocket, purse, or briefcase for
convenient travel. For added convenience, the Flash Drive is
hot-swappable and does not require an external power source.
Available in capacities of 128, 256, and 512 MB, the USB Flash
Drive offers file transfer rates of up to 1.5 MB/sec. The USB Flash
Drive's advanced features include a write-protect switch to prevent
files from being accidentally deleted or modified. To ensure data
safety and security, USB Flash Drive customers can also download
SimpleTech's StorageSync backup software for free at http://www.simpletech.com/software/storagesync.php
The SRP is $49.99 for the 128 MB USB Flash Drive, $89.99 for the
256 MB USB Flash Drive, and $179.00 for the 512 MB Flash Drive.
TEN Technology Introduces Wireless Remote for
the Apple iPod
TEN
Technology has announced the TEN naviPod - the first
wireless remote control for the Apple iPod.
naviPod is the first wireless remote for the iPod consisting of
a receiver that plugs into the top of the iPod and a 5-button
infrared remote control that produces the same functions as the
Apple iPod wired remote.
"naviPod is really going to foster a change in the idea of
stereo systems. With the naviPod and a pair of speakers, the iPod
becomes a true alternative to the conventional stereo system," says
John Lin, CEO and founder of TEN Technology.
naviPod was specifically designed to allow the Apple iPod user
to control audio functions from across the room. Just plug
in a pair of self-powered speakers, or
connect to a stereo receiver/amplifier, and the iPod becomes the
centerpiece of a digital entertainment system. Play/Pause, Next,
Previous and Volume are all right at your fingertips.
"naviPod is all about accessing your music how and where you
want it," said Eric Prentice, CEO of Dr. Bott LLC, "This product is
innovative, elegant, and intuitive. It is always a pleasure to
bring a great product like naviPod to market!"
naviPod is available in two models, both sporting an audio out
port and chrome stand. naviPod for original iPod is compatible with
all generation 1 and 2 iPods with FireWire port and includes a
pass-through FireWire port for keeping the iPod charged. naviPod
for 3G iPod is compatible with all iPods with the new Dock
Connector.
naviPod for original iPod and naviPod for 3G iPod are available
for preorder from Dr.
Bott and its authorized resellers, along with
the Apple online store. Both models of naviPod retail
for $49.95 US/$69.95 CAN.
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).
- refurbished 17" PowerBook G4/1
GHz, 512/60/SuperDrive, $3,099
- new 15" PowerBook G4/667 (DVI),
256/30 GB/Combo, $1,649
- refurbished 12" iBook 600,
128/20/CD-ROM, Airport Card & Base Station, $999
- refurbished 12" iBook 600,
128/20/CD-ROM, $795
- refurbished 12" iBook 800,
128/30/Combo, $1,049
- refurbished 14" iBook 800,
256/30/Combo, AppleCare, $1,429
- refurbished 12" iBook 900,
128/40/Combo, $1,199
- refurbished 15" PowerBook G4/667
(DVI), 256/30/Combo, $1,399.99
- 15" PowerBook G4/550,
256/20/DVD, $1,249.99
- 15" PowerBook G4/500, 256/20/DVD,
$1,149.99
- 15" PowerBook G4/400, 256/10/DVD,
$1,079.99
For more deals on current or recently discontinued models, see
our Best PowerBook G4 Deals
and Best iBook Deals.
