Compiled by Charles Moore
and edited by
Dan Knight
- 2003.10.24
Except as noted, prices are in US dollars.
A Few Words on the G4 iBooks
The release of the new G4 iBooks is the big news in the Apple
portable orbit this week. Details have been reported elsewhere on Low End Mac, but
I'll just lead off The 'Book Review this week with a few
observations.
I was surprised that Apple chose to go with the G4 in the iBook
rather than the upcoming IBM 750GX G3 chip, with an eye to the 750
HX which is supposed to have some sort of AltiVec processor. In
fact, I wouldn't rule out the 750HX or whatever it's designated
finding its way into a future iBook.
Unlike some, I bid farewell to the G3 with sadness. I am a fan
of its cool-running, low power demand characteristics, which are
better suited to portable applications than the G4, or at least the
traditional G4. The new G4s reportedly run a lot cooler, which may
render the argument moot.
Anyway, in my estimation Apple has enhanced the value of the
iBook even more, notwithstanding the $100 price hike for the 12"
base model. Rationalizing the higher clock speed processors as
being available in the 14" iBooks only makes sense (I wonder if
heat from the faster chips bore on this decision).
The dual USB iBook form factor is difficult to improve upon, at
least in a conventional laptop, so I'm happy that Apple left it
alone. Great stuff!
Gartner Says Notebook Sales Drive Worldwide
PC Shipments to 14% Growth in Third Quarter of 2003
Driven by strong consumer and notebook demand, worldwide PC
shipments totaled 42.5 million units in the third quarter of 2003,
a 14.1 percent increase from the same period last year, according
to preliminary results from Gartner, Inc. The worldwide PC
industry began to show signs of an upturn in the second quarter of
2003, and it gained momentum in the third quarter. This was the
second consecutive quarter of double-digit shipment growth.
"Falling system prices, performance improvements and wireless
awareness continue to bring notebooks to the attention of buyers,
particularly consumers," said Charles Smulders, vice president of
Gartner's Computing Platforms Worldwide group.
"In the short term, the notebook may become a victim of its own
success," Smulders said. "Falling prices of LCD screens have
increased notebook demand as well as demand for flat panel monitors
and the small but emerging growth of LCD TVs. Mobile hard drives
have also seen supplies tighten. These shortages may lead to
increasing notebook prices in the coming quarters, which could hurt
demand."
On a global basis, all regions showed double-digit growth in the
third quarter of 2003, with the exception of Latin America. In
EMEA, demand continued to strengthen as a result of favorable
exchange rates and vendor discounts. Asia/Pacific showed consistent
growth, while Japan seems to be recovering from a long recession.
While Latin America did not experience double-digit growth, the
region is showing signs of improvement with stronger notebook
sales, as well as improved economic conditions in Brazil.
These results are preliminary. Final statistics will be
available soon to clients of Gartner's PC Quarterly Statistics
Worldwide by Region program. This program offers a comprehensive
and timely picture of the worldwide PC market, allowing product
planning, distribution, marketing and sales organizations to keep
abreast of key issues and their future implications around the
globe. To subscribe to this program, please call 408-468-8000.
Additional research can be found on Gartner's Hardware and Systems
Focus Area on Gartner's website.
FastMac PowerBook "Pismo" (FireWire) G4
Upgrades
A significant omission from my
PowerBook Pismo processor upgrades article last Monday were the
G4
upgrades from FastMac, which offer the lowest price
solutions in this category.
With the FastMac upgrades, all you have to do is send in your
Pismo's original processor daughtercard in working condition
(previously upgraded cards and nonfunctional cards are not
acceptable), and they will install a new processor and new, faster
backside cache. Using your original daughtercard not only saves
money but also eliminates third party software issues some other
replacement upgrades can have. Before FastMac ships it back to you,
FastMac rigorously tests your upgraded board to make sure it's
delivering the best performance possible.
With G4 power, on some operations you'll see speeds double -
even triple - that of your original processor. Screen redraws will
be faster. Scrolling will be quicker, more responsive. Overall
performance will increase. Programs that used to get bogged down
will fly, especially in OS X.
FastMac upgrade features:
- Motorola 500 MHz G4 7410 or Motorola 533 MHz G4 7410 running at
550 MHz
- Upgraded 1 MB backside cache
- AltiVec velocity engine
- Photoshop filters and tools accelerated
- iTunes faster CD ripping
- Mac OS X significantly better performance
- Games faster graphics, more responsive controls
- 1 year warranty
System requirements:
- Min. System: Mac OS 9.1
- Supports Mac OS X
FastMac are Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) for a
variety of Macintosh upgrade products. The reason you may not have
heard of them before is because until very recently did not sell
products direct to the public.
You will receive a box via DHL or FedEx with instructions to
send your processor board to FastMac. International buyers will be
contacted via email on how to proceed.
For a product to be shipped to any country other than the United
States or Canada, you need to fax a copy of a photo ID, driver's
license, passport, etc., and a copy of the front and back of your
credit card with the signature clearly visible. FastMac also needs
the customer service phone number of the credit-card issuer.
Turnaround time is from 8 to 10 days (excluding shipping). Also
offered is FastBack Service for an extra $29.95. Instead of a 8-10
day turnaround (excluding shipping), FastBack Service guarantees 5
day turnaround (excluding shipping). This shaves an average of 5
days off your wait.
G4/550 Upgrade
- Motorola 533 MHz G4 7410 running at 550 MHz. Upgraded 1 MB
backside cache. $289.95
500 MHz G4 Upgrade for PowerBook Pismo
- Motorola G4 7410 500 MHz Processor. Upgraded 1 MB backside
cache. $239.95
MacResQ Announces Full Service PowerBook/iBook
Hard Drive Upgrades
MacResQ
has announced a new full-service hard drive upgrade for PowerBooks
and iBooks as part of their PowerBookResQ repair program. The new
service offers PowerBook and iBook owners a quick and easy way to
upgrade to a larger-capacity hard drive with PowerBookResQ's
24-hour service and nationwide convenience.
The all-inclusive upgrade includes pickup at the customer's
location in a custom PowerBox, overnight delivery to the
PowerBookResQ service center, expert drive installation and data
transfer within 24 hours, and return overnight shipping to the
customer. The old hard drive will be returned and could be used as
an external drive or kept as a backup.
The new upgrade is available in two sizes - a 60 GB Hitachi
drive for $299 or an 80 GB Hitachi drive for $399. To get started,
customers can call 1-866-Mac-Repair or visit the website.
PowerBookResQ and PowerMacResQ also offer 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.
Diskology Releases Disk Jockey, Inexpensive
Hard Disk Copy and Diagnostic Tool
Diskology has released the
Disk Jockey, an inexpensive new hard disk copy and diagnostic tool
that allows users to copy data between IDE hard disk drives at
lightening-fast speeds while maintaining all of the attributes of
the original hard disk, including hidden folders, multiple
partitions, and operating system files. The Disk Jockey also lets
you mount, mirror, span, test, compare, and erase hard drives.
The Disk Jockey is a veritable Swiss army knife of disk
diagnostic tools - it includes 7 functions in one hardware product.
In addition to high-speed data copies, the Disk Jockey also mirrors
data between two hard drives, spans two hard drives to look like
one logical volume to the computer, tests hard drives at the block
level, and verifies data that has been copied between drives is
intact.
The Disk Jockey can also mount hard disk drives to the desktop
of your Windows or Macintosh computer to be used as standard
desktop storage via either USB 2.0 or FireWire. The Disk Jockey can
also erase hard drives quickly and securely using either a one-pass
or three-pass erase per the National Security Administration (NSA)
guidelines.
"The Disk Jockey is truly an amazing hard disk copy and
diagnostic tool," said Tony Overbay, CEO of Diskology. "We tried to
include all of the features necessary for this product to become a
mainstay on a technician's bench, an integrator's lab, or on the
desktop of a high-end computer user."
The Disk Jockey works either as a stand-alone duplicator and
diagnostic product or attached to a Windows or Macintosh computer
via either FireWire (IEEE 1394) or USB 2.0 (the product is also
backward compatible with USB 1.1). The Disk Jockey works with any
size drive that supports Ultra DMA and requires no additional
hardware drivers when used with Windows or Macintosh operating
systems that include native USB or FireWire support.
The Disk Jockey carries a suggested retail price of $299.95, and
is available online via the Diskology website.
"Flying Saucer" Apple Portable Power Adapter
Repair Tutorial Posted
Anson
Thurston says regarding the Apple "Flying Saucer" 45 W
Power Adapter Model #M7332 that shipped with clamshell iBooks and
Pismo PowerBooks:
"The Power adapter was working fine for 14 months, although
since the time I first purchased the iBook I have been cautious of
the power connector and was careful around it for two reasons:
First, it was designed in such a fashion that I was afraid of
knocking it off and breaking the circuit board on the computer
because of the way it sticks out from the side. Second reason is
the bare metal tip that protrudes from the plug. I was afraid it
was 'live' and could short out if I accidentally brushed against a
metal desk leg.
"At one point about two weeks prior to failing I observed that
the adapter was sparking. The sparks were in the cable right at the
point where the strain relief on the connector ended. The adapter
continued to function at this point. I took a magnifying glass to
the end and noticed that the sheathing wire of the cable appeared
frayed.
"I made a number of phone calls to various parties regarding
this failure including Apple Computer. The problem was not
something that was considered an issue by Apple, and since I was
out of warranty I had no recourse except to purchase another one.
The Apple Store informed me that they did not sell them. The reason
given was that there were so many different power adapters for the
various notebooks it is hard to match the right one, so only
dealers carry them.
"Since the quoted price to me was $75, an amount that I felt was
excessive since comparable supplies from other sources run about
$45, I decided to repair mine if possible. This would also give me
the opportunity to investigate the break."
Mike's 12" PowerBook iCons
These freeware
icons are intended as hard drive replacement icons for 12"
PowerBook users.
15 Gig Hard Drives for $63.99
These are brand new 9 mm, 2.5" 4,200 RPM IDE hard drives with
2 MB buffer. They'll fit:
- 5300/190
- 1400c/1400cs
- 3400c
- G3 Kangas
- All iBooks
- G3 Series (Pismo,Lombard, Bronze,FireWire, Wallstreet)
- All G4 PowerBooks (Titanium)
$63.99 (USA & Canada), $69.99 ($6 extra international
shipping for Europe/Asia/Australia) from Wegener Media.
OWC LSP Laptop Screen Protector
Have you ever noticed that the keyboard is leaving marks on your
PowerBook's LCD screen?
PowerBooks made since the 1998 Wallstreet models all the way up
to the PowerBook G4 Titanium have had problems with their keyboards
coming into contact with the delicate LCD display and leaving marks
on the screen that sometimes will not come off. Most are oils left
from your fingers on the key caps; however, some are not
removable.
Other World
Computing has released a keyboard protector made of 100%
top grain 1 oz. (approximately 1-2 mm thick) black vegetable-tanned
cowhide.
Leather has always been thought of as one of the most durable
natural materials, and it is also very soft. The leather used to
create the Laptop Screen Protector is glove soft to protect your
screen from any marks. The Laptop Screen Protector has one side of
the leather finished in a smooth, tight pinpoint grain, called a
chrome finish, to protect your screen from any lint or dirt
gathered by an unfinished hide. The back side that lays on top of
the keyboard is a soft suede backing, natural unfinished leather
hide.
- Laptop Screen Protector for the iBook Dual USB or the 12"
PowerBook G4, with Klear Screen Polish, $13.95
- Laptop Screen Protector for the PowerBook G3 Wallstreet (1998),
Lombard (1999), or Pismo (2000) with Klear Screen Polish,
$14.99
- Laptop Screen Protector for the 15" PowerBook G4, with Klear
Screen Polish, $17.95
- Laptop Screen Protector for 17" PowerBook G4, with Klear Screen
Polish, $17.99
Laptop Screen Protector Bundles:
- OWC Mobility Bundle #1: RoadTools "Traveler" CoolPad, LapBottom
Products LapBottom, and OWC Laptop Screen Protector - $46.95
- OWC Mobility Bundle #2: RoadTools Podium CoolPad, LapBottom
Products LapBottom, and OWC Laptop Screen Protector - $49.95
- OWC Mobility Bundle #3: RoadTools "Traveler" CoolPad, LapBottom
Products LapBottom, and OWC TiG4 Laptop Screen Protector -
$51.95
- OWC Mobility Bundle #4: RoadTools Podium CoolPad, LapBottom
Products LapBottom, and OWC TiG4 Laptop Screen Protector -
$54.95
- OWC Mobility Bundle #5: RoadTools "Traveler" CoolPad (White),
LapBottom Products LapBottom, and OWC iBook Dual USB Laptop Screen
Protector - $46.95
- OWC Mobility Bundle #6: RoadTools Podium CoolPad(White),
LapBottom Products LapBottom, and OWC iBook Dual USB Laptop Screen
Protector - $49.95
DVForge Limited
Edition iPod Dock Cover
MacMice has
announced its DVForge DockCover, a CNC machined polished aluminum
cover for the third-generation Apple iPod dock.
The DockCover is being offered as an extremely limited edition
of only 200 pieces, each one individually serial numbered. Each
DockCover is machined from 6061-T6 aerospace grade aluminum, is
hand polished, and is laser engraved with both the DVForge mark and
a serial number between 001 and 200. The DockCover is fully
described and available for paid preorder from the MacMice
Workspace Products Co. website. It will ship on November 10th and
is priced at $69.99.
Belkin Voice Recorder and Belkin Media Reader
for iPod
You can now add recording and digital-image storage to your
iPod's amazing music-playback capabilities. The Belkin Voice Recorder and
Belkin Media Reader for iPod let your iPod double as a digital
voice recorder and allow you to store thousands of digital photos
on it. Joining the innovative
iPod accessories line from Belkin, these two additions
are currently shipping in North America.
With the ultracompact
Voice Recorder, you can record lectures, interviews, or
conversations simply by plugging it into your iPod. The iPod's
abundant storage capacity lets you save hundreds of hours of
high-quality audio. A built-in speaker on the Voice Recorder lets
you easily review your audio notes. You can then transfer WAV file
recordings to your desktop or notebook computer for storage,
editing, or sending to others via email. In addition, the Voice
Recorder works as a travel alarm clock.
Benefits
- Features high-quality, omnidirectional microphone and 16 mm
speaker for quick playback
- Attaches securely to your iPod player through remote/headphone
connector
- Indicates recording status of Voice Recorder with LED
indicator
- Requires no software installation, with Plug-and-Play
technology; support is already built into the iPod
- Works with iPod software version 2.1 or later
- Includes protective cap for the remote connector
- ESP $49.99
The Belkin Media Reader
for iPod is the ideal tool for the mobile photographer. Now, you
can back up digital images to your iPod, and take them with you on
the road. Your iPod can hold thousands of digital photos and frees
up your camera's disk space so you can take more pictures. Simply
connect the Belkin Media Reader to your iPod's dock connector, and
insert any of the six supported media types. Using software support
that's already built into your iPod (with software version 2.1 or
later), transfer the pictures quickly via FireWire® technology.
When at home, simply connect your iPod to your computer to retrieve
the data.
Benefits
- Protects the media slots from pocket dust and dirt at all times
with sliding port features
- Indicates power and data transfer status of Media Reader with
LED indicator
- Supports CompactFlash (Type 1 and 2), SmartMedia, Secure
Digital (SD), Memory Stick, and MultiMediaCard (MMC)
- ESP $99.99
The new iPod software update, Version 2.1, is available now as a
free download from 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).
These products are new and unopened units.
- refurb 15" PowerBook G4/1 GHz,
512/60/SuperDrive, Macally iceStation Laptop Tray, Apple Bluetooth
Wireless Mouse & Keyboard, $2,249
- refurb 12" iBook 900,
128/40/Combo, Small Dog Brand 256 RAM, Palm Tungsten E Handheld
color organizer, $1,375
- PowerBook 1400c/117, 32/1/CD-ROM, floppy, $165
- PowerBook 1400c/117, 32/1/CD-ROM, $149
- PowerBook 1400c/117, 32/1/floppy, $139
For more deals on current or recently discontinued models, see
our Best PowerBook G4 Deals
and Best iBook Deals.
