Compiled by Charles Moore
and edited by
Dan Knight
- 2003.07.25
Except as noted, prices are in US dollars.
Bike Warrioring with a Little AlBook
Detroit Free Press technology columnist Mike
Wendland writes, "I'm back from a 281-mile bicycle ride
called the Michigander and about the only thing that worked
perfectly was my Apple PowerBook G4 12-inch laptop."
TravelScan 464M Scanner for Road Warriors
Syscan's TravelScan
464M is a bus-powered, USB portable page-fed scanner with
600 x 1200 dpi optical resolution that accepts pages up to 8.5" x
14". It includes Abbyy FineReader/Sprint OCR software for Mac
OS X plus a TWAIN driver. The TravelScan 464M is $179 for Mac
OS X 10.2 and Windows.
Digital-imaging technology took a significant leap forward with
the introduction of model 464. The newest member of TravelScan
family and the industry's first 600 dpi high resolution truly
portable A4 color scanner that interfaces to any standard USB port.
The 600 dpi resolution provides the high quality of output for
photo scanning and the better OCR quality. The TravelScan464 is a
lightweight (390g) mobile scanner that requires no external power
adapter. Its USB port connection feature allows for a fast and easy
one-cable hook up to your notebook or desktop PC and the unique
"launch" button starts your imaging application instantly.
USB interface, 600 DPI, automatic application "Launch" button.
Internal 48-bit analog-to-digital conversion for RGB three-color
channels.
Mac system requirements
- Mac OS X V.10.2 or later
- Power Mac with G3 or G4 processor
- 128 MB RAM or more
- A CD-ROM drive
System requirements: Windows 98, ME, 2000, XP & Mac OS X or
later compatible
Software Bundled: Page Manager 6.0 for PC and FineReader 5.0
Sprint for Mac
Suggested retail price: US$179
Keyspan Ships Retractable Cell Phone Charging
Cables
Keyspan is shipping
retractable charging cables for most popular cell phones. The
cables allow a cell phone 
to be charged
from the USB port of a PC or Macintosh and are designed for use
with Nokia, Motorola, Ericcson, Siemens, Sony, Samsung, LG Mobile,
Sanyo, and Kyocera cell phones. Keyspan has also released AC and DC
adapters that allow cell phones to be charged from a power outlet
in a building, car, or boat.
"Almost every laptop user carries a cell phone when traveling,"
notes Mike Ridenhour, president of Keyspan. "Charging the cell
phone from the USB port of the laptop makes it possible to leave
bulky cell phone chargers at home. Keyspan's ZIP-LINQ retractable
cables are easy to carry and convenient to use."
Keyspan's ZIP-LINQ cables are available to resellers via Ingram
Micro and to consumers through leading catalogs and online
resellers. Pricing for the retractable cell phone charging cables
ranges from $21.99 to $29.99.
The cables feature a remarkably compact form factor. The cable
spool is about the size of a quarter - yet the cable extends to 30"
by pulling on both ends. Simply pull again and the cable retracts
back into its small yet durable housing.
The ZIP-LINQ line of cables is a result of Keyspan's partnership
with Cables Unlimited, a Concord, California-based manufacturer and
distributor of cables. Keyspan and Cables Unlimited are
collaborating to market ZIP-LINQ cables in the United States.
Keyspan is the #1 USB Connectivity vendor in the United States
as ranked by NPD Intellect in 2000, 2001 and 2002.
You can read
my review of Keyspan ZIP-LINQ retractable cables on
MacOpinion.
D-Link Systems Releases Multiport Hub with
USB 2.0 and FireWire Ports
D-Link has announced
its multiport hub that delivers a combination of media-friendly USB
2.0 and FireWire ports in one compact device, the D-Link DFB-H7
QuickMedia USB 2.0/FireWire 7-port Combo Hub.
Featuring the two popular connection standards for digital media
and peripheral devices, the D-Link DFB-H7 
can simultaneously connect four USB 2.0 and three
IEEE 1394 FireWire devices, such as DVD drives, digital cameras,
and printers to the PC or laptop for transferring, editing, and
printing digital content.
The D-Link QuickMedia USB 2.0/FireWire 7-port Combo Hub provides
high-speed connectivity through the power of USB 2.0 and FireWire.
The USB 2.0 ports can transfer data at up to 480 Mbps, 40 times
faster than USB 1.1 hubs, and are backward compatible with USB 1.0
and USB 1.1. The D-Link DFB-H7's three FireWire ports support
transfer rates of up to 400 Mbps. At these speeds, users can edit
home video, transfer music, and print digital images without
latency.
Because the hub is externally powered, the D-Link DFB-H7 can
support multiple devices via daisy chaining through the hub. It
also supports over-current detection for any device that is plugged
into the hub. The combo hub is a true plug-and-play device,
requiring no device drivers to install, and supports both PC and
Macintosh-based operating systems, including Mac OS X (10.2)
Jaguar. Both a FireWire cable and a six foot USB 2.0 cable are
included in the hub's packaging.
The D-Link DFB-H7 USB 2.0 and FireWire Combo Hub will be
available in early August through authorized retail, reseller, and
distribution partners at a manufacturer's suggested price of
$49.99. The D-Link DFB-H7 Combo Hub comes with a One Year Warranty
and absolutely free 24/7 technical support.
Willow Announces Portable MacLab Case
Series
Do you have occasion to travel with an arsenal of laptops?
Willow Design has
just announced a set of cases to fit multiple titanium 
PowerBooks, 14" iBooks, and clamshell iBooks, to
make setting up portable Macintosh curriculum labs easier. The
cases were designed as a result of customer requests after Willow
released its popular 12" iBook MacLab case in December 2002.
The
Mac Lab cases offers a compact, convenient, and very
protective solution to carrying up to seven Mac portables plus an
AirPort hub, the power supplies, cables, and some other accessories
needed to operate a Macintosh lab, all in separated and highly
protective compartments. The 14" iBook MacLab case also fits the
Pismo or Lombard PowerBook G3.
After creating the 12" iBook Mac Lab case, Willow was
particularly surprised by the number of requests for clamshell
iBook versions. Willow president, Nigel Peck, was heartened by the
number of school boards that were still using these hefty laptops,
even though they have been long discontinued. "It's a sign of the
quality of the Mac, that they continue to work so well - I'm sure
all PCs would be long gone!" commented Peck.
MacLab Case features:
- 1.2 cm (0.5") foam reinforced by corrugated plastic on five
sides with 4 mm (1/8") hardboard on the bottom.
- Exterior 600 denier polyester and interior 200 denier nylon
both of which are urethane coated for waterproofedness.
- The fabrics give an excellent balance between superb protection
and durability and light weight. internal protection provided by
separated corrugated plastic dividers for all the iBooks, the
AirPort, power supplies, etc.
- Convenient elastic CD-ROM pockets for your operating system
CD-ROMs.
- Elastic band pocket for conveniently securing power supply
cords to avoid a tangled mess.
- Horizontal top divider and storage space for manuals or other
items.
- Convenient front organizer pocket for pens, pencils,
calculator, etc., plus room for legal sized paperwork.
- External business card pocket to identify the case or set it up
for shipping.
- Reflective strips on the front and sides of the case for
nighttime carrying safety.
- Quick release buckled web strap to easily strap the case to
roller carts for easier transportation.
- Luggage feet riveted through the hardboard bottom of the case
which actually keep it up and off the ground when you want to set
the display down whilst entering and leaving your vehicle.
- secure wrap handle straps with padded hand grip. contoured,
thickly padded shoulder strap with heavy duty snaphooks for secure
carrying.
- Lifetime guarantee against defects in materials or
craftsmanship.
Prices range from US$199-209/Can$280-290
MCE Technologies Now Shipping iBooks with
Internal DVD-R/RW Drive
MCE Technologies,
LLC is shipping new 12" and 14" 900 MHz iBooks with an
internal DVD-R/RW drive as standard equipment instead of Apple's
CD-RW/DVD Combo drive. Each iBook with the internal MCE DVD-R/RW
drive is compatible with Apple's iTunes and disc burner software,
and includes DVD authoring software for both Mac OS X and
OS 9 that enables the creation of video DVDs directly from the
iBook which are playable on most computer and home DVD players. The
easy to use software allows for customizable menus, backgrounds,
music, etc. in the creation of video DVDs. The 900 MHz Apple iBook
with internal MCE DVD-R/RW drive also ships with Roxio's Toast Lite
software to facilitate faster and more efficient data DVD and CD
recording.
"For the same price, users can now buy an Apple iBook which can
not only burn typical 700 MB data and audio CDs, but is now capable
of creating real video DVDs, playable on most computer and home DVD
players, as well as 4.7 GB data DVDs for reliably backing up large
amounts of data at a time," stated Arnie Ramirez, president of
MCE.
The 900 MHz iBook with internal MCE DVD-R/RW drive writes to
standard 4.7 GB DVD-R and DVD-RW media at 1x speed, reads DVD-RAM
media, writes to standard 650 MB (74 minute) and 700 MB (80 minute)
CD-R media at up to 16x speed, writes to standard CD-RW media at up
to 10x speed, reads DVD-ROM discs at up to 8x speed, and reads
standard CD-ROM discs at up to 24x speed.
The 12" 900 MHz iBook with
internal DVD-R/RW drive maintains the original retail price of
$1,299 and the 14" iBook,
similarly equipped, also maintains a retail price of $1,499. Both
are available for immediate shipping. Other customizable options
such as a larger hard drive or increased memory are also
available.
ResQMobile Black Portfolio Briefcase/Laptop
Carry Case
Carry your belongings in style with this black
faux-leather portfolio! With seven pockets and multiple
subpockets of various sizes, plus an expanding midsection, there is
plenty of room for whatever you need to carry! All the style and
sophistication of leather without the cost!
General features
- Black
- Leather-like material
- Durable construction
- Seven pockets
- Mesh subpockets in primary compartment
- Three-section accordion file folder compartment
- Double-thick handles
- Removable shoulder strap
- Brass-colored zippers
- External Dimensions: 7 x 18 x 13.5 inches (maximum
expansion)
- Primary Compartment Dimensions: 4.5 x 16 x 12 inches
MacResQ 1 Year Warranty
Price: $24.99
Four New Ultra-Hi Resolution Dual Monitor
Wallpapers Released
PlasmaDesign
has expanded its widescreen desktop wallpaper collections suitable
for use on Apple Cinema Displays and PowerBooks, with the release
of four new dual monitor wallpapers. All of these images are
rendered at a resolution of 3200 x 1200 pixels and are suitable for
twin screen setups comprising of monitors with up to a resolution
of 1600 x 1200 each.
PlasmaDesign is committed to adding one new dual screen
wallpaper a week to the galleries. The dual monitor wallpapers are
only available to PlasmaDesign members.
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).
MCE Enterprises
http://store.powerbook1.com/apclosspec.html
For more deals on current or recently discontinued models, see
our Best PowerBook G4 Deals
and Best iBook Deals.
