Compiled by Charles Moore
and edited by
Dan Knight
- 2004.01.09
Except as noted, prices are in US dollars, bold links are to
outside sites, and regular links lead to 'Book profiles on Low End
Mac.
PowerBook G4 Trade-In Program Details Posted
The PowerBook Zone has posted the full details from Apple
about the PowerBook G4 Trade-In Program.
The program is a lot like the PowerBook 5300 trade-in program
offered several years ago. PowerBook G4 owners are offered a flat
rate allowance (in this case $700) for their old machine on the
purchase of a new 15" or 17" PowerBook.
In this scribe's opinion, this deal only makes sense if you have
a 400 MHz or perhaps a 500 MHz first-generation TiBook. Otherwise,
your machine's inherent value is too much more than $700 to make it
a sensible proposition.
New iBreeze Acrylic Cooling Stand for
PowerBooks
MacMice has announced its all-new
iBreeze acrylic cooling stand for Apple PowerBook computers.
The completely redesigned iBreeze is a low-rise desk stand
crafted completely from clear acrylic, has two low-speed, very
quiet clear acrylic fans, and is powered by the PowerBook's USB
port, so no AC adapter is required. It has an on-off switch and a
passthrough USB port on the rear, so there are still two open USB
ports when using the iBreeze.
The iBreeze will ship on January 12th and is available as a
prepaid preorder for US$29.99 at the MacMice Workspace Products Co.
website.
Daystar Teams Up with MacGurus on XLR8 Brand
PowerBook Upgrades
Daystar Technology, creators of the
first Macintosh processor upgrades, has announced that it is
expanding its reach and availability by authorizing MacGurus to sell Daystar's MAChSpeed G4
PowerBook upgrades. This new relationship will allow MacGurus to
offer the same exclusive performance and 24 hour service that has
earned Daystar its 100% customer satisfaction status, as noted by
"perfect"
eBay feedback (daystartech) and XLR8yourmac.com's
customer database.
"Frankly, the 550 MHz
Pismo G4 upgrade has been so successful, that we need help
meeting all of the customers needs. " said Gary Dailey, president
of Daystar. "By bringing a Mac expert like MacGurus onboard, we can
give customers a choice... and an added assurance of fast,
intelligent and reliable customer service".
How The MAChSpeed G4 Pismo Upgrade Program Works.
Due to the sensitivity of the electronics within the PowerBook
G3, and the need for low-power tuning, Daystar handles the
MAChSpeed G4 Pismo as a factory installation. Unlike competitive
Pismo upgrades, Daystar completes all upgrading and testing within
its own facility, on the users system, using its own state-of-the
art equipment and worldwide recognized professionals. It also
includes all shipping of the Pismo unit in the price of the
upgrade.
The user orders their product online from MacGurus (also
available direct). A variety of discounted software and hardware
installations (RAM, Drives, etc.) are also available at the time of
ordering.
- The user is shipped a professional antistatic foam shipping
container direct from Daystar.
- They complete the checklist, then use the prepaid label
(domestic only) to return the container with their PowerBook G3 to
Daystar.
- Daystar performs the upgrade, updates firmware and software if
required, then tests and returns the upgraded unit direct to the
user.
- The user removes the PowerBook and boots up running fast G4
speeds.
ALL shipping costs and insurance is included. The user pays an
additional shipping fee for the initial shipping of the container
only.
"We are extremely excited to be involved with Daystar and XLR8
again" said Rick Stephens, president of MacGurus. "Daystar fits
into our model of offering only the best of the best for our
customers, plus their upgrades allow us to extend our reach from
the desktops to the PowerBooks".
Daystar Technology is the designer and manufacturer of XLR8
brand products. With its history from the early days of the Mac as
DayStar Digital, Inc., the company continues to deliver the best of
the best. Daystar currently distributes XLR8 brand products via its
own web store and also via eBay and select resellers.
MacGurus is a quality focused reseller that has served the
Macintosh user community since the mid 90s. The management of its
own user based tech forums and focused online product sales have
made it a mainstay for Mac power users. Additional information on
MacGurus is available on their website.
Free Fix for Dr. Bott Wireless Airport
Antenna
QuickerTek, developers
of Apple PowerBook antennas and external antennas for Apple AirPort
wireless base stations, has announced an improvement for a
competitor's product. This free do-it-yourself "tune-up" is
designed to improve the antenna performance of Dr. Bott's ExtendAIR
Omni Antenna for the Apple Extreme Base Station. These instructions
are posted on the QuickerTek web site for immediate download.
Some customers have requested that QuickerTek examine the
possibility of applying its antenna-boosting know-how to other
products, including non-QuickerTek antennas for the AirPort Extreme
Base Station. Upon investigation, they decided that they could help
customers get the most out of non-QuickerTek antennas.
The instructions are provided without support and are for the
technically savvy. They are complete and will provide Dr. Bott
customers with sufficient direction to unlock the full potential of
this antenna. These antenna upgrade instructions can be downloaded
from the QuickerTek website.
QuickerTek's product line includes Titanium PowerBook antennas;
AirPort Base Station Antennas for Graphite, Snow, and Extreme
models; as well as antennas for Power Mac G5 desktop computers.
RadTech Announces MacTruck Notebook Case,
X-ScreensavRz, and PodSleevz
The RadTech MacTruck notebook case, by CompuShell, a
professional-grade enclosure designed to be the most rugged and
functional case available for both transporting and using late
model Mac notebooks.
The MacTruck provides notebook protection under the most severe
conditions imaginable. In tests, the case survived intact and
remained functional even after being run over by a full-size, four
wheel drive truck. The case also retained its form during a test in
which the truck parked one of its front tires squarely on the cases
side. The heavy-duty version is constructed of 3 mm thick 6061
aluminum alloy and weighs about 5 lbs.
MacTruck cases, sized for each Mac portable, add minimal bulk
and allow complete use of the notebook without removing it -
providing full access to all ports and optical drives. The opened
case can also be manipulated to provide a slight incline for more
ergonomic keyboarding. The cases feature a durable, powder-coated
finish, topped by an epoxy clear-coat. Available in 3 appealing
colors: Brushed Aluminum, Aqua, and Deep Red. The RadTech MacTruck
- Ruggedized defined.
Pricing starts at $199 USD.
Also debuting at MWSF, the new
X-ScreensavRz. This new edition is black in color and features an
elegantly debossed "X". Constructed from RadTech's exclusive Optex
fabric, codeveloped with the optical polishing industry, RadTech's
ultra-thin ScreensavRz provide single solution LCD care.
ScreensavRz provide LCD display protection, cleaning and
refinishing (abrasion and keymark removal) without the need for
chemical sprays or wet-wipes.
RadTech will also be showcasing their new control-thru PodSleevz
case. The PodSleevz is the ultimate, full-coverage protective
sleeve case for 3G iPods. Based on RadTech's popular PowerSleevz
notebook sleeves, the PodSleevz formfitting case adds almost no
bulk to Apple's svelte iPod, and is the first case to fully
envelope the iPod while allowing operation of the devices touch
control buttons right through the case! The PodSleevz features
control zones debossed into its 0.8 mm thick Optex face which
provides perfect control sensitivity.
Weighing a feathery 4 grams, PodSleevz utilize a supple, double
polished Vinyl window for iPod display protection, as well as a die
cut knockout for docking port cable access. The PodSleevz allow
full use of Apple's included clip case, as well as most third party
iPod accessories; Griffin iTrip, Belkin Voice Recorder, Altec
Lansing's inMotion, etc.
OWC Introduces 5400 rpm 80 GB Mercury On-the-Go
Portable FireWire And FireWire+USB 2.0 Drives
Other
World Computing (OWC) has introduced 5400 RPM 80 GB Mercury
On-The-Go FireWire and FireWire+USB 2.0 storage solutions.
The announcement was made by OWC at the Macworld Conference
& Expo, being held January 5-9, 2004 at the Moscone Center in
San Francisco, where the company is exhibiting in booth #2233.
Immediately available online through OWC, the 80 GB 5400 RPM
Mercury On-The-Go drives feature an 8 Megabyte (MB) data buffer and
are available with either a FireWire only interface for $349.97 or
with both FireWire and Universal Serial Bus (USB) 2.0 interfaces
for $359.97. The IEEE1394/iLink-compliant FireWire interface
features two ports (one powered 6-pin and one unpowered 4-pin),
while the USB interface on the combination drive supports both USB
v2.0 and v1.1.
"While it would have been difficult to imagine such a speedy,
high-capacity drive in a pocket-sized package just a short time
ago, the newest of OWC's Mercury On-The-Go portable storage
solutions makes that a reality today," said Larry O'Connor,
president of OWC. "With data transfer rates in excess of 40 MB per
second, our 5400 RPM solutions are fast enough for even the most
demanding A/V applications and are indispensable tools for
'on-the-go' professionals in need of practical, high-performance
storage solutions at the right cost."
Weighing 11 ounces and measuring only 3.5" x 5.5" x 1.0",
Mercury On-The-Go drives provide convenient and portable solutions
for additional storage capacity, transporting large files between
multiple computers and real-time audio/video editing. They are
100-percent plug-and-play-compatible for quick access wherever one
travels. Additionally, the On-The-Go drives can be used with any
electronic device that has FireWire and/or USB data ports,
including digital video and still cameras.
In addition, OWC has reduced prices on select Mercury On-The-Go
storage solutions. Updated pricing is as follows:
- 40 GB 5400 RPM w/16 MB buffer: $249.97 (FW only) and $259.99
(FW/USB),
- 60 GB 4200 RPM: $249.97 (FW) and $259.99 (FW/USB),
- 60 GB 7200 RPM: $339.97 (FW) and $349.99 (FW/USB), and
- 80 GB 4200 RPM w/8 MB buffer: $299.97 (FW) and $309.97
(FW/USB).
Mercury On-The-Go drives are compatible with any operating
system with FireWire or USB (combo model) support, including Apple
OS 8.6-9.2.2, OS X and Windows 98SE/2000/XP. Features include
shock-protective design, a cool blue activity LED, near-silent
operation and multiple connecting ports. Drives may be powered (via
FireWire or USB) or with the included AC adapter, and all cables,
formatting software and a one-year warranty are also included.
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).
- 12" iBook G3/800,
128/30/CD-ROM, AirPort, $749
- new 12" PowerBook G4/867,
256/40/Combo. Also includes: installed Small Dog Brand 256 Mb PC133
SO DIMM, Aspyr: X2-Wolverines Revenge, $1,299
- new 14" iBook G4/1 GHz,
256/60/Combo. Also includes: Ogio Jack Pack Messenger Bag (Royal),
$1,539
For more deals on current or recently discontinued models, see
our Best PowerBook G4 Deals
and Best iBook Deals.
