Compiled by Charles Moore
and edited by
Dan Knight
- 2004.02.27
Except as noted, prices are in U.S. dollars, bold links are to
outside sites, and regular links lead to 'Book profiles on Low End
Mac.
New Motorola G4 Chip Likely Bound for PowerBooks
and iBooks
The Register's Tony Smith
reports:
"Motorola's chip division -- soon to be spun off as Freescale
Semiconductor -- today updated its G4-class PowerPC processor, the
MPC7447, taking the part to 1.5 GHz and paving the way for one more
PowerBook G4 update the line before its upgraded to IBM's 90nm G5 chip,
the 970FX.
"The new Motorola part is dubbed the 7447A and adds on-the-fly clock
frequency adjustment, allowing system makers to run at reduced
frequencies according to workload. The upshot is longer battery life.
And there's now a temperature-sensing diode included to monitor die
temperature, Motorola says.
"At 1.42 GHz, the chip consumes 20W of power, Motorola claims, which
compares well to the 7447's 21.3W at 1.33 GHz. The company also
mentions a lower power version of the 7447A that consumes less than
9.3W at 1.167 GHz, which seems no better than the old 7447's claimed
7.5W at 1 GHz. The low-power 7447A has a core voltage of 1.1V; the
regular 7447A runs at 1.3V."
"Essentially, the 7447A is a revised 7447, itself a low-power
version of the 7457. The 130nm 7447 is currently used by Apple in its
PowerBook G4. The iBook is based on the older 7455. The 7447 is a
trimmed down version of the 7457, losing the latter's support for
external L3 cache....'
Will Apple Bite on Motorola's New PowerPC
Chip?
News.com's Ina Fried
says:
"Motorola on Monday announced a faster PowerPC chip that could be
used in speedier Apple Computer laptops.
"Motorola said it is now producing samples of a 1.42 GHz PowerPC
processor, a chip analysts say might soon find its way into the
PowerBook, Apple's high-end laptop. Motorola said the chip has a
typical power consumption of less than 20 watts, a level that makes it
suitable for laptops. The chip also contains multimedia instructions
that are required for chips that Apple bills as G4 processors.
"'It certainly would be a fit for a portable Mac,' Mercury Research
analyst Dean McCarron said. 'It's obviously up to Apple whether they
would do that versus using an IBM (chip).'
"A Motorola representative declined to comment on whether Apple
might be interested in the chip. In a press release, Motorola said the
chip is designed for a wide range of uses, including in computing as
well as embedded, noncomputer, tasks."
Motorola 1.4 GHz PowerPC Processor Consumes Less
Than 20W
embedded-control-europe.com reports:
"Motorola announced the MPC7447A processor. This high-performance,
power-efficient 32-bit RISC device, operating in excess of 1.4 GHz, is
the latest and fastest member of the MPC74xx PowerPC processor family.
The MPC7447A offers developers on-chip power management features, such
as the ability to change clock frequencies dynamically. This capability
enables users to change CPU clock speed on the fly and significantly
reduce processor power consumption to match performance with
application requirements. The MPC7447A processor also contains a
temperature sensing diode that can be used to monitor die temperature
under various operating conditions."
It is speculated that this chip is likely to end up in PowerBooks
and/or iBooks.
iFlex FireWire Extension for Apple's iSight
Webcam
You're a PowerBook or iBook user, and you don't want to lug around a
heavy base with your 'Book. What do you do? Well, here's your answer:
the
iFlex, the world's only flexible metal tube FireWire extension
for Apple's iSight webcam.
iFlex is a lighter version of the SightFlex for use specifically
with their PowerBooks or iBooks -- cool and clever little solution for
iChat AV/iSight users on the go.
The iFlex is a fully shielded, high quality FireWire cable inside a
carefully engineered all-metal flexible tube. It's 18" long and is
specifically crafted with just the right stiffness and shape-holding
rigidity to provide an easily adjustable stalk for mounting your
iSight.
The iFlex simply plugs into the FireWire port on your 'Book -- any
model, old or new, with a FireWire port. The other end of the iFlex
plugs into the FireWire port underneath your iSight webcam, giving you
a high quality electrical and data signal connection. Once the two ends
are plugged in, you can play around with the location and the shape of
the iFlex and find just the right position for your iSight.
The weight of the iFlex and iSight combination is modest and
presents no risk of damage to your FireWire port on your PowerBook or
iBook. And, the easy flexibility of the iFlex makes some pretty
outrageous mounting positions possible. Some well-balanced positions
can be achieved with the iFlex rising from the FireWire port,
unsupported. Even more extreme positions can be gained by bending the
iFlex so that it is supported by the desk top surface.
Apple is right when they say that the best video chat happens when
the webcam is located as close to the video chat window on your screen
as possible. With the iFlex, getting that perfect position just became
simple. If you want, you can locate the iSight webcam directly in front
of your PowerBook or iBook screen, actually overlapping the edge of
your iChat AV chat window. Or, you can locate the iSight anywhere you
like, either in front of or behind the PowerBook's or iBook's display
-- your choice, no restrictions.
Price: $19.99
Breathing New Life into an Old PowerBook
PowerBook Central's Noah
Kravitz says:
"Last November I wrote about the then-new line of iBook G4s and my
newfound lust for upgrading. I even went so far as to put my trusty
PowerBook on eBay to see what I could get for it: Had the high bid come
in a few hundred dollars higher, I would have said a fond farewell to
my TiBook and a grand hello to a
faster and sturdier, if smaller, iBook. Alas, the market didn't bear
out for me and I realized that 500 MHz of G4 power could certainly tide
me over for another year or so.
"Of course last week I had to go and drop my PowerBook on the
hardwood floor in my living room and the term "forced upgrade" almost
became a new part of my vocabulary. The case cracked in two places
(along the lighter grey plastic around the headphone jack and under the
screen) but no internal damage was done. Maybe it was my TiBook's way
of letting me know the iBook ain't so tough, after all.
"What I didn't spend on upgrading to a new computer I decided to put
towards making my machine a little more useful....
iBook Logic Board Fiasco Still Not Over - Class
Action Suit Revived
Apple announced several weeks ago a Repair Extension
Program to cover a limited range of G3 iBooks built beginning
2002 to some cutoff point in 2003.
The iBook Logic Board Repair Extension Program covers iBooks that
have a particular component failure on the logic board, resulting in
the computer starting up but the built-in and attached external
displays exhibiting one or more of the following symptoms:
- Scrambled or distorted video
- Appearance of unexpected lines on the screen
- Intermittent video image
- Video freeze
- Computer starts up to blank screen
The program is available for iBooks with serial numbers in the
following range(s): UV220XXXXXX to UV318XXXXXX
iBooks with the serial numbers listed above may be referred to
as:
- iBook (16 VRAM)
- iBook (14.1 LCD 16 VRAM)
- iBook (Opaque 16 VRAM)
- iBook (32 VRAM)
- iBook (14.1 LCD 32 VRAM)
That would have been a satisfactory solution if it was only machines
built to during that interval that were afflicted with whatever the
problem is, but that's not the case. I've heard from readers with
iBooks both earlier and later than the privileged serial number range
specified in the repair program who have suffered the all-too-familiar
issues, and who are not amused at being excluded from the remedy.
The class
action suit initiative launched prior to the announcement of
the Extended Repair Program has been revived. The BlackCider site,
which has been coordinating class action suit efforts, reports:
"We're almost there . . . Apple has announced a three-year repair
program for some iBooks. A significant victory for some iBook victims,
sure, but Apple still has a long way to go. One day they say "no known
issues, the next morning they offer a multimillion dollar recall
(oh, sorry . . . "repair program"). Who is zooming who here?"
BlackCider has announced a new class-action initiative for those not
covered by current Apple iBook recall, noting that:
"Over 2000 people signed up and were interested in pursuing a class
action suit on this iBook issue. These people are the people who
deserve credit for forcing Apple to admit that they sold us defective
products.
"Our collective voice has already made a difference to many iBook
owners . . . let's push Apple the rest of the way. Apple's current
iBook repair 'solution' is unsatisfactory. We need to continue to put
pressure on Apple to satisfy ALL faulty iBook victims with faulty
motherboards.
"If Apple's recent recall does not cover your iBook and you wish to
join a class-action suit to have Apple address your logic-board issues,
sign up for the new class-action initiative. Our attorney's are still
willing to keep this on their radar. This new class-action form is for
those who own Apple iBooks and are not covered by Apple's new Logic
Board Repair Extension Program ONLY."
TimeLeft 1.0 Laptop Battery & UPS Monitoring
Tool
TimeLeft is a
unique laptop battery and UPS monitoring tool. It monitors your laptop
battery and UPS batteries (connected to serial, USB, or ethernet) in
real time.
A little battery icon is displayed on the desktop (as a desktop
picture, no menu bar, no dock icon), giving informations (time
remaining, battery charge in percent).
TimeLeft can execute an AppleScript when battery level is under a
threshold you determine.
To customize TimeLeft's behaviour a preference pane is installed.
You can :
- Choose the power source to monitor.
- Change battery's color.
- Select an AppleScript to execute.
- Determine threshold for AppleScript execution
- Move the battery on the desktop.
- Change battery transparency.
- Launch / Quit TimeLeft.
System requirements: Mac OS X 10.3 or higher
TimeLeft is freeware.
The MacSpeedZone: PowerBook vs. iBook; 16 Tests on
6 Portables
MacSpeedZone has posted
performance results for most of the currently shipping Apple
laptop computers.
New machines added to the list include:
- 15.2" PowerBook G4/1 GHz Combination Drive
- 15.2" PowerBook G4/1.25 GHz SuperDrive
14" G4 iBook or 12" PowerBook? Which Is Faster and
Has Better Features?
MacReviewZone Buyer's Guide has posted
a comparo of the 14" G4/1 GHz MHz iBook which has the
Combo optical drive, to the 12" G4/1 GHz PowerBook.
G3 iBook vs. G4 iBook ... Is the G4 iBook
Faster?
This may seem like a "well duhhhh...." proposition, but it turns out
that the 900 MHz G3 iBook actually is faster than the new G4 unit in
some areas. However, where the G4 machine is faster, it's a lot
faster.
You can check it out at
MacReviewZone.
iKlear Apple Polish Kit
Challenge after challenge was created and met utilizing
iKlear
Apple Polish technology when the new Flat Panel iMac was
introduced in January 2002 at Macworld. A full-size Flat Panel display
screen, clear acrylic screen surround for adjusting optimal viewing
angle, high-luster chrome pivot tube, low-luster designer case
materials and DVD players in every model. iKlear Apple Polish will
clean, protect and preserve every surface you can either see or touch
on the new iMac.
- (1) iK-5 5 oz non-aerosol pump spray bottle. Antistatic, alcohol
& ammonia-free. For hundreds of cleaning applications.
- (6) iKlear Singles-On-Demand Screen Preservation Kits.
- (12) Klear Kloths lint-free, non-damaging, aerospace-grade,
wood-pulp-free polishing cloths.
Price: $24.95
Small Dog iPod Battery Replacement
Program
Small Dog Electronics now offers replacement
batteries for both the original and third generation (slim)
iPods. These batteries have the same capacity as the original batteries
and are available in both kit form for do-it-yourselfers and as an
installed product if you send your iPod to Small Dog.
These replacement batteries will include a detailed instruction
sheet as well as the ideal tool to open your iPod. Not comfortable
opening your iPod? No problem! Small Dog also offers the batteries with
installation for $20 more.
FireWire 800 Meets 8X DVD Burning in New
UltraBurn VIII Studio Series
FireWireDirect.com, Inc. has announced the industry's first 8X
multi-format DVD burning solution be available in a speedy FireWire 800
enclosure.
The
UltraBurn VIII Studio Series 8x DVD±R/±RW
combines a powerful new 8x DVD burning system with FireWireDirect's
series of FireWire 800 storage products. The result is the world's
first DVD burning system to write at the brand new 8x speeds and
include support for the newer faster FireWire standard. FireWireDirect
has been in the vanguard of the FireWire 800 rollout with several 800
Mbps firsts and a wide selection of storage products.
The 8x DVD mechanism also finds its way into FireWireDirect's
established line of FireWire 400 and USB 2.0 products as well, making
8x DVD burning available in several new products in the popular
UltraBurn series of DVD solutions. With 8x DVD±R/±RW
multi-format support and the speed promises of FireWire 800, this
product will find an increasingly vital role in the digital video and
digital audio production environment.
Each UltraBurn Studio Series system includes DVD software for
Windows or Mac OS 9.x or OS X, and powerful DVD authoring
solutions are available as options on some systems.
"We are very excited about introducing a product that is currently
unmatched in the industry," says Daniel Jackson, FireWireDirect's Chief
Technology Officer. "By combining FireWire 800 technology with the
latest in 8x multi-format drives, we can now offer high performance
products that our customers can daisy chain without slowing other
FireWire 800 peripherals. Given the increasing number of FireWire 800
capable computers and upgrade options, this product is right for now
and will allow users to grow with the new possibilities in upcoming
technology."
EZ Quest Pro Audio FireWire 800
EZQuest's new line of Pro Audio FireWire
800 hard drives have a larger 8 MB buffer and new ball
bearing fans to decrease noise levels while maintaining a low
temperature. The Pro Audio drives are optimized for digital audio, and
are preformatted for Macintosh systems. The drives also use internal
power supplies instead of space consuming wall warts. Complete and
ready to install, the EZQuest Pro Audio hard drives are the only
sensible solution for your digital Pro Audio needs.
Features:
- Optimized for digital audio
- 8 MB buffer
- Quiet Ball-bearing fan
- Meets Digidesign requirements
- IEC power supply -- no wall wart
- Oxford 922 chipset
- 2 year warranty
- Mac formatted
- Support from experienced audio experts
- Durable steel-enforced casing
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) and the titanium
vs. aluminum 15" PowerBook G4 at 1 GHz.
- new 14" iBook G3/900,
384/40/Combo, $1,049
- new 12" PowerBook G4/1 GHz,
256/40/Combo, Small Dog Generic 512 MB PC2100 DDR 266 MHz SO DIMM,
iSkin ProTouch PB Keyboard Protector in Arctic White, $1,725
For more deals on current or recently discontinued models, see our
Best PowerBook G4 Deals and
Best iBook Deals.
