Except as noted, prices are in US dollars.
G5 PowerBooks by the End of 2004?
The Spanish language 5dias.com website has posted
an interview with Steve Jobs containing an interesting
comment regarding the future possibility of a G5 PowerBook. In
Spanish, the paragraph reads:
- "Reconoció después que la revolución
decisiva será la introducción en los
portátiles del nuevo chip de 64 bits, G5, que la
compañía ha desarrollado junto a IBM, con una
inversión de 3.000 millones de dólares. 'Estamos
trabajando en ello y lo que nos gustaría es conseguirlo para
finales del año que viene', afirmó."
Rough translation:
- "He said that the decisive revolution will be the introduction
of portable computers with the new 64 bit G5 chip that the company
has developed with IBM, with an investment of 3,000 million
dollars. 'We are working in it and what we would like it is to have
it ready for end of the year,' Jobs affirmed."
"3,000 million dollars" sounds pretty steep and refers to the
entire cost of
IBM's microchip plant, but this is encouraging news for
the future of the PowerBook.
MacResQ Announces PowerBook G4 Hinge Repair
Program
Have the hinges on your Titanium G4 PowerBook seen better days?
MacResQ has announced a new PowerBook
G4 hinge replacement service as part of their PowerBookResQ repair
program. The new service offers PowerBook G4 owners a quick and
easy way to replace damaged hinges on their G4 PowerBook with
PowerBookResQ's famous service and nationwide convenience.
The price for the hinge replacement is $499 and includes pickup
at the customer's location in MacResQ's custom PowerBox, overnight
delivery to the PowerBookResQ service center, expert hinge repair,
and return overnight shipping to the customer. The flat-rate price
includes repair of one or both hinges as needed.
The program includes:
- Overnight shipping of PowerBox to your location
- Return overnight shipping of your PowerBook to
PowerBookResQ
- Hinge repair by expert technicians
- Return overnight shipping to your location
- The PowerBox, which you can keep for future use
- Due to the bonding required to attach the new hinge(s) to your
PowerBook, this repair takes 48 hours to complete.
To get started, customers simply call 1-866-MAC-REPAIR or visit
the PowerBookResQ Website.
PowerBookResQ and PowerMacResQ also offer fast and convenient
Mac repairs for $99, which includes 3-way overnight shipping, the
initial diagnostic service, and their unique PowerBox, which the
customer may keep for future use. For even faster service, same-day
pickup is available in most areas of the country.
For computer resellers and repair centers, PowerBookResQ and
PowerMacResQ offer discounted rates on products and services.
Computer dealers can send overflow service work or seamlessly
outsource their entire Mac repair operation. Volume discounts are
available for schools, corporations and government agencies.
Tom Bihn Smart Alec Backpack
The
Smart Alec daypack features clean lines and stealth
styling. The top zipper to the main compartment features a
waterproof 
zipper. There are also two
exterior pockets, "hidden" in the side panels. If you're tired of
backpacks with endless geegaws, bungee cords, and buckles, this is
the bag for you.
Add any size of Tom Bihn Monolith laptop case and the Smart Alec
becomes the answer for those who want a laptop backpack but find
the Tom Bihn Brain Bag to be too big - the Smart Alec is perfect
for people less than six feet tall.
If the organizer pocket with room for pens, business cards, a
cell phone/PDA, etc. on the inside flap at the top of the Smart
Alec just isn't enough, consider adding the Freudian Slip , an
accessory slip that keeps your papers and files neat on one side
and extra pens or small electronics organized on the other.
Features:
- 1000 denier Cordura® and 1050 Ballistic
- #10 water-resistant zipper on main compartment and #9 YKK
zippers on pockets.
- 1/4" padded straps with removable sternum and waist
straps.
Colors: Crimson (October availability), Grape, Charcoal,
Back
Stealth Styled Smart Alec Daypack: $95
Add a Monolith for $40
Add a Freudian Slip for $35
TiArmor Protects PowerBook Paint
Vix Inc., has
announced that TiArmor, which covers and protects PowerBook G4
paint, is now available for all models, including 12", 17", and
both 15" models. TiArmor is available in clear and gray, and is
made of a durable, yet soft, polyurethane material that is used by
the U.S. space program.
Featuring a peel-and-stick adhesive, it is easy to install and
may be removed later without causing further damage. Vix offers
TiArmor in three pieces to specifically cover the front edge, wrist
rests, and top cover of your PowerBook.
Aluminum PowerBook 15" Teardown Photos
Posted
The Japanese Kodawarisan site has posted teardown photos showing the
internals of the the new 15" aluminum PowerBook.
There are also teardown photos of the 12" and 17" PowerBooks, as
well as a "skeleton iBook" on the site.
Free PowerBook Classifieds at PowerBook
Central
Looking to sell your 'Book or to find a good deal on a used one?
PowerBook Central offers
free PowerBook and iBook classified ads.
The classifieds are totally free (no catch), and PBC has nearly
8,000 registered members. There are categories for all the
PowerBooks and iBooks, from the newest 1.33 GHz screamer to the
original Mac Portable. The classifieds are active, and folks are
typically able to buy or sell a laptop quickly and with little
fuss. It's a safe haven from the chaos that is eBay.
LowePro DryZone 200 Backpack
The new DryZone 200 from LowePro is the first
soft-sided camera backpack that's completely waterproof. Even if
this backpack falls into the water, 
your photo and electronic gear is completely
protected. With the zipper closed, this unique backpack floats -
even fully loaded.
While it's intended to protect camera equipment, the DryZone 200
could also accommodate a small laptop like an iBook or
LittleAl.
The DryZone 200 has three components. At the heart of the
DryZone is a waterproof case - think of it as a drysuit for the
backpack. The drypod has a hi-tech TIZIP zipper that you can close
for watertight protection. When you're away from water, sand or
snow, you can fasten an inner zipper and top clip, and leave the
TIZIP open for faster, easier access to your equipment.
Inside the drypod is a heavy-duty camera compartment, completely
customizable for a variety of systems. Wrapping it all up is the
backpack, which includes a tuck-away tripod holder, two
self-draining outer mesh pockets, generous inner mesh pockets, a
drain hole for the pack, an ergonomic, fully adjustable backpack
harness, rubber handle and attachment loops for SlipLock add-ons on
the padded waistbelt and the contoured shoulder straps.
capacity:
- large 35mm or digital pro SLR outfit, including 4 to 5 lenses
(up to a 300mm f/2.8, with hood reversed), flash and
accessories
- compact medium format system (like the Mamiya 645)
- small field camera system
- professional video system
- size (exterior): 14.5W x 11.5D x 19H in. (37 x 29 x 48.5
cm)
- size (interior): 12W x 6D x 17H in. (30.5 x 15 x 43 cm)
- outer fabric (Waterproof Drypod):
- waterproof plastic-coated nylon
- outer fabric (Backpack): water-resistant 600D TXP™ and
2000D ballistic nylon
SideTrack PowerBook Trackpad Driver
SideTrack
is a replacement driver for the trackpad (touchpad) found on
PowerBooks. It brings many of the trackpad scrolling features found
on Windows laptops to Mac OS X. Most Windows laptops implement
trackpad scrolling using drivers made by Synaptics. Although
PowerBooks also use custom Synaptics trackpads, the standard Apple
driver uses none of the special Synaptics features.
SideTrack supports these features:
- Vertical scrolling at left or right edge of pad.
- Horizontal scrolling at top or bottom edge of pad.
- Map hardware button to left or right click.
- Map trackpad taps to no action, left click, left click drag
(with or without drag lock), or right click.
- Compatible with uControl, including uControl's scroll
emulation.
SideTrack is fully multiuser aware; different users on the same
PowerBook can have different settings depending on their needs.
SideTrack is presently a public beta. As a beta release
SideTrack may contain bugs and could potentially cause a kernel
panic.
This public beta version of SideTrack will expire on November
30, 2003.
Are PowerBooks Really Ready to Replace
Desktop Macs?
Not in terms of raw speed, says Bare Feats' Rob Art
Morgan:
- "Steve Jobs asserts that laptops will soon replace desktops. I
assert that 'heavy lifting' will continue to be done by desktops,
especially ones with dual processors.
"...PowerBooks lag significantly behind the newest desktops. If you
need a 'professional grade' computer that can get things done in a
hurry, you better hope the PowerBook isn't your only
computer."
Yellow Dog Linux 3.0.1 For PowerPC Expands
PowerBook Support
Yellow Dog
Linux is a complete Red Hat and RPM-based operating system
for PowerPC computers. Yellow Dog Linux version 3.1 is Terra Soft's
most recent release which offers a completely rebuilt Installer,
1,300 packages on 6 CDs (3 install, 3 source), a unified KDE and
GNOME desktop environment featuring shared menus, applications, and
user interface.
Based upon the "Anaconda" installer engine, the Yellow Dog Linux
installer leverages automated, advanced hardware detection;
provides onscreen help, flexible package selection, multiple
install methods (CD-ROM, FTP, HTTP, NFS), creation of ext3
partitions, embedded XFree86 (video) testing, multiple ethernet and
wireless port configuration, and automated partition creation.
You have never before seen anything like this on your Mac.
Wanting to spiff up that PowerBook
3400? How about serve email from your 7500? Got an 8500 or a beige G3 that's itchin' to try
something new? Yellow Dog's full featured graphical environment
runs amazingly fast and stable on older Apple hardware - as well as
the latest that Apple has to offer.
Includes:
- 6 CDs (3 binary, 3 source)
- Anaconda installer engine
- RPM Package Manager 4.1
- GNU LibC (glibc) 2.3.1
- GNU Compiler Collection (gcc) 3.2.1
- XFree86 4.3
- KDE 3.1
- GNOME 2.2
- Wonderland unified theme for KDE and GNOME NVidia GeForce 4 and
ATI Radeon 9000 support Mac-on-Linux 0.9.68 (OS X 10.2)
- Kernel 2.4.20
- OpenOffice.org
- apt-get for automated RPM updates
- Completely revised "Getting Started with Yellow Dog Linux" book
(290 pages; available with full box set)
New in this version:
- contains all YDL 3 errata as of 9/4/03
- kernel 2.4.22 expands hardware support (e.g.: Xserve rev. 2,
PowerBook 17" rev. 1)
- improved Anaconda installer (no more dual drive bug!)
- Notable, new hardware support for Apple eMac, GeForce 4
MX-based Power Macs, PowerBook 12"
With enhanced support for the latest ATI and NVidia graphics
cards (full 3D support for the ATI Radeon series), "video issues"
are a thing of the past.
Connect Multiple Devices with Reversible,
Stackable Belkin Hi-Speed USB 2.0 4-Port Hub
Computer users who wish to have easier access when connecting
their peripherals can now do so with the new compact Belkin Hi-Speed USB 2.0 4-Port
Hub. Its reversible and stackable design allows the unit to be
positioned toward the back of the desktop for efficient cable
management, or toward the front of the desktop for easier port
access. The $29.95 hub will begin shipping in North America on
September 30, 2003.
The Belkin USB 2.0 4-Port Hub offers four 480 Mbps ports
together in one compact unit that is the size of a deck of cards.
With a sleeker and more compact shape over previous USB 2.0 hubs,
this Hub will allow you to connect up to four peripherals, quickly
and easily. The included power cable and device cable are
right-angled, which allow the hub to be positioned toward the back
of the front of the desktop. The Hub is self-powered and allows
cascading, so that up to 127 USB devices may be connected to a
single port.
Benefits
- Transfers your data at up to 480 Mbps
- Prevents damage to your computer and devices with over-current
protection
- Installs easily with Plug-and-Play convenience
- Supports "hot swapping" of all your USB devices
- Lowers power consumption for longer battery life
Belkin Hi-Speed USB 2.0 7-Port Hub First to
Offer Top-Loading Ports for Easier Access to Connected Devices
Computer users who are tired of digging around in the back of
their computers to manage device cables can now have easier access
when connecting peripherals with the new Belkin Hi-Speed USB 2.0 7-Port
Hub. Speaking to the demand for easier access to connected devices,
this Hub features two top-loading 480 Mbps ports, ideal for
accessories such as flash drives and USB lights, and five
horizontally mounted 480 Mbps ports. The $49.95 hub will begin
shipping in North America on September 30, 2003.
The Belkin 7-Port Hub saves desk space with a stackable and
attractively slim design-with the thickness of two candy bars.
Monitoring device activity is simple with LEDs for master power
status and all port activity. The Hub installs with the convenience
of Plug-and-Play ease and works seamlessly with USB 1.1 and USB 2.0
devices.
"We've heard complaints from people about the hassle of cables
when unplugging their devices," said Gavin Downey, Business Unit
Manager. "So, we created a hub with two top-loading ports so that
people can quickly plug and unplug their devices without dealing
with the tangled, messy cables."
Benefits
- Makes power supply optional in laptop applications
- Supports "hot swapping" of all your USB devices
- Lowers power consumption for longer battery life
- Features over-current detection and safety
SmartDisk Introduces CrossFire External Hard
Drives
The SmartDisk
CrossFire external hard drive instantly adds high-performance
storage in an attractive design for 
your PC or Mac. Connect it to either a FireWire or
USB 2.0 port and you're ready to store thousands of digital photos,
videos, MP3 songs, and other electronic files.
Powered by a 7200 RPM hard drive, the CrossFire blazes through
the most demanding audio/video applications allowing you to work
more and wait less. CrossFire delivers outstanding quality,
performance and reliability for both professional and home use.
Versatile features:
- CrossFire's combo interface can connect to either a USB 2.0 or
FireWire port
- Store thousands of digital photos, videos, and MP3s and backup
all your system data
- Fast, high-performance 7200 RPM hard drive
- Can be "daisy-chained" to your other FireWire peripherals
- Quiet "no fan" operation
- Plug-n-play operation for most operating systems
System Requirements:
- Available USB or FireWire Port
- CD-ROM Drive
- Mac OS 8.6 - 9.x, Mac OS X 10.1 or higher
- Windows 98SE, ME, 2000, or XP
Specifications:
- External Power: +5 VDC and +12 VDC input
- Interface: Two 6-pin FireWire (IEEE 1394 ) ports and One USB
2.0 port
- Transfer Rate:
- FireWire: 400 Mb/s (max)
- USB 2.0 High Speed: 480 Mb/s
- USB 1.1 Full Speed: 12 Mb/s (max)
- Dimensions: 8.7 in X 5.0 in X 1.5 in (221 mm X 127 mm X 39
mm)
- Warranty: 1 year
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 Pismo G3/500,
384/18/DVD, $775
- PowerBook Pismo G3/500,
256/12/DVD, $733
- PowerBook Pismo G3/400,
192/6/DVD, $620
- PowerBook Lombard G3/400,
192/6/DVD, $525
- PowerBook 1400c/117, 32/1/CD-ROM,
floppy, ethernet, $180
- PowerBook 1400c/117, 32/1/CD-ROM,
floppy, ethernet, $160
- PowerBook 1400c/117, 32/1,
floppy, ethernet, $150
- refurb 12" iBook 700,
128/20/Combo, AppleCare, $1,149
- refurb 12" PowerBook G4/867,
256/40/SuperDrive, AppleCare, $1,599
- refurb 12" PowerBook G4/867,
256/40/SuperDrive, $1,399
- refurb 17" PowerBook G4/1 GHz,
512/60/SuperDrive, AppleCare, $2,789
- refurb 17" PowerBook G4/1 GHz,
512/60/SuperDrive, Airport Extreme Card. Also Includes Harman
Kardon/JBL SoundStick 3 piece USB speaker system (refurbished, 90
day warranty), $2,575
Still a raft of refurbished iBooks and PowerBooks at the Apple
Store.
- refurb 12" iBook 700,
128/20/CD-ROM, $729
- refurb 12" iBook 800,
128/30/CD-ROM, $799
- refurb 12" iBook 800,
128/30/Combo, $999
- refurb 12" iBook 900,
128/40/Combo, $1,079
- refurb 14" iBook 800,
256/30/Combo, $1,199
- refurb 14" iBook 900,
256/40/Combo, $1,249
- refurb 12" PowerBook G4/867,
256/40/Combo, $1,199
- refurb 12" PowerBook G4/867,
256/40/SuperDrive, $1,399
- refurb 15" PowerBook G4/867,
256/40/Combo, $1,599
- refurb 15" PowerBook
G4/1 GHz, 512/60/SuperDrive, $1,999
- 12" iBook 600, 256/20/CD-ROM,
$629.95 (available late September, taking pre-orders)
- 12" iBook 500, 128/10/DVD,
$629.95 (available late Septembe,; taking pre-orders)
For more deals on current or recently discontinued models, see
our Best PowerBook G4 Deals
and Best iBook Deals.
