Compiled by Charles Moore
and edited by
Dan Knight
- 2004.07.23
This week's PowerBook, iBook, and iPod news
Best Mac Laptop Ever?
MyMac's John Nemerovski
declares:
"In my work as a traveling computer tutor I sample everything
from Apple's original 100 series PowerBooks through the mighty
monster PB 17" G4.
"Looking backward, PowerBook 3400 is a great computer that runs
forever but has limited memory capacity and won't work with OS X.
The current PowerBooks and iBooks are lean, mean, workhorse
machines, but they only run OS X.
"Why should I mention long-forgotten OS 9, now that Panther,
Jaguar, Tiger, Bobcat, and Ocelot are here or around the corner?
Mac OS is dead &emdash; long live Mac OS! Right or wrong?
"People who spend more time with me than it takes to boot up
their OS X systems understand that I actually enjoy working
with OS 9.2.2. If this possibility makes you tremble with rage and
break into hives, stop reading now and deliver your pithy
pronouncements below in the Article Discussion box.
"Is there a viable Macintosh laptop
model that runs OS X efficiently and delivers top performance
in OS 9? Of course! Plenty of TiBooks and white 'Chicklet'
iBooks do both with ease...."
However....
"Do a little homework, roll up your sleeves, then let me have it
in rebuttal as I pronounce my blueberry FireWire G3 iBook 366 the best Mac laptop
of all time."
Actually it's indigo - not blueberry, but that's a niggle.
G4 v G3 iBook
MyMac's Chris
Seibold says:
"...a quick note about the new iBook:
"I am quite impressed by the jump in performance, I think the
five hundred dollar outlay was very well spent. It's a bigger
performance increase than the move from an original G3/233 to the
400 MHz G4.. I suspect its because the G4/400 was first used with
OS 9. So I was comparing OS 9 on a 233 G3 with a
OS 9 on a 400 MHz G4. I saw a definite performance increase,
but it wasn't spec-freaking-tacular. Why? I don't think OS 9
took the same advantage of the G4 chip that OS X does, so the
difference is magnified....
Lovable Laptops
Rocky Mountain News'
Jeff Smith says:
"Laptops don't yet dominate the corporate or consumer landscape,
but they're giving desktops a run for their money.
"Despite lingering ergonomic, durability and video quality
issues, laptops are selling briskly because of recent performance
gains, price drops and their ability to connect into the Internet
wirelessly through built-in WiFi devices....
"The growing popularity of laptops versus desktops is reflected
in the data.
"U.S. shipments of mobile computers, including laptops,
notebooks and ultraportables, increased by more than 40 percent
from 8.8 million units to 12.5 million units between 2000-2003,
according to Gartner Dataquest, a research and advisory firm.
"By comparison, shipments of desktop computers actually declined
slightly from 43.1 million to 42.9 million during that period."
Capacity Meter Displays & Tracks PowerBook
Battery Capacity
Capacity Meter
displays and tracks battery capacity. Shows detailed battery
statistics.
System requirements:
- Mac OS X 10.1 or later
- PowerBook Ti/Al or Dual USB iBook or later
Capacity Meter is freeware.
Temperature Monitor
Temperature
Monitor is an application to read out all available temperature
sensors in Macintosh computers. The program can display and
visualize measured values in a large variety of fashions. The
application supports the following operations on the measured
readings:
- display in a default window
- display in a floating window d
- tabular display in an overview window
- display in the menu-bar
- display of a maximum of two readings in the Dock
- graphical display of short-term and long-term history
curves
- speech output of readings
- export to text files
Moreover, the application can display additional technical
information about your computer. Among other information this
includes:
- Processor type
- Processor and bus frequencies
- Manufacturing information
Of course the application can read out the data only if your
computer is equipped with the necessary sensors, and if Mac
OS X can access them without needing third-party device
drivers. Beginning in summer 2002, Apple has begun to massively
drive forward the use of monitoring probes in the PowerMac series,
the Xserve series, and in portable computers. Some models are
equipped with 38 and more sensors. But Temperature and Hardware
Monitor can detect sensors on many older systems as well if they
are available.
New in this version:
- The program now supports an unlimited number of sensors per
computer. It tries to support all Macintosh systems equipped with
sensors that are accessible by Mac OS X without needing third-party
device drivers.
- Support for on-die temperature measurement of G5 processors has
been added. This the first Mac OS X application with this
capability that is distributed publicly.
- Support for temperature measurement of hard disks has been
added. With this feature the application will now also support
older Macintosh models that neither have temperature sensors on
their mainboards, nor are capable of processor-based temperature
estimates. (This feature is only supported with Mac OS X 10.3 or
later. For technical reasons it cannot be offered for Jaguar.)
- The temperature sensors of a variety of iBook and PowerBook
computers as well as sensors in some graphics cards are
additionally supported.
- The program is no longer terminated when no sensor has been
found. In this case it is still possible to read the documentation
or use the system information feature.
- Rendering issues in connection with shadows not updated
correctly for the floating window have been resolved.
- The application now makes sure speech output uses exactly the
same update interval as graphical output, so there are no longer
discrepancies between spoken and displayed values.
- By user request, a feature was added to optionally display
temperature values in degrees Celsius and degrees Fahrenheit
simultaneously.
- By user request, a feature was added to optionally zoom the
visualization of history data into the current value range, so the
curves are presented without losing details.
- By user request, the display size of readings in the Dock has
been enlarged.
- By user request, readings in the Dock can optionally by
displayed as plain text lines, enlarging the display even
more.
- By user request, the application can be launched in a "Lite"
version which only displays readings in the menu bar but doesn't
use any space in the Dock.
- By user request, the number of digits after the decimal point
is held constant when displaying readings. The format can now be
specified for each sensor.
- By user request, a feature was added to monitor if values
exceed or fall below definable limits and announce this by alarm
messages. Optical, acoustical and spoken alerts are possible.
- The history graphs now contain an additional feature to display
rulers that allow to exactly determine history values and their
time.
- Long-term history data is now saved persistently when the
application is quit. One week of readings per sensor, per computer
is stored.
- The application supports "roaming" users in networks who use
different computers with central private folders on a file server.
In this case, the application stores individual sensor preferences
per computer, allowing the user to take over configurations of
similar machines. History data is stored per sensor, per computer,
per user.
- The history graphs no longer show unavailable readings by
horizontal lines. Time intervals that have not been recorded will
appear as interruptions in the curve.
- The user can define an unlimited number of history windows and
map sensors to them. An unlimited number of curves for the same
type of physical quantity can be superimposed in one graph.
- A feature to display processor type, frequencies, production
date and production place, memory and cache sizes, as well as
operating system version has been added.
- A feature to display the MPU product data of G5 processor cards
has been added.
- A new window to display an overview of all sensors has been
added. The window allows that technical detail information about
each sensor hardware can be queried.
- Sensors can be identified by customized colors and names. For
each of the different output channels, a different sensor list can
be configured. Windows can display sensor readings in vertical or
horizontal layout. A color legend can be displayed in a drawer of
each history window.
- Windows can now be printed.
- Current readings or history data can be exported to text
files.
- A feature was added allowing the software to check for newly
available updates on the Internet.
- The BSD command line version of the program was revised and now
supports an unlimited number of sensors as well.
- The menu was restructured.
- The documentation was rewritten completely.
- The program is now also distributed in a "pro" version under
the name Hardware Monitor. The pro-version additionally displays
battery data of portable computers, as well as fan, voltage,
current, capacity and power sensors on supported computers. The
pro-version is distributed as shareware. Temperature Monitor
remains available for free.
System requirements: Mac OS X 10.2.5 or higher
Temperature Monitor is freeware.
Hardware Monitor 1.0 Reads All Available
Hardware Sensors
Hardware
Monitor is an application to read out all available hardware
sensors in Macintosh computers. The program can display and
visualize measured values in a large variety of fashions. It can
also store and export readings. The application Temperature Monitor
is available for free, but is limited to accessing temperature
sensors only. The application Hardware Monitor is commercial
shareware, but can access additional sensors if your computer is
equipped with them. This includes the following sensor types:
- Battery sensors on portable computers
- Voltage sensors
- Current (amperage) sensors
- Fan speed sensors
- Sensors for pulse-width controlled fans
- Power and load sensors
Moreover, the applications can display additional technical
information about your computer. Among other information this
includes:
- Processor type
- Processor and bus frequencies
- Manufacturing information
Of course the applications can read out the data only if your
computer is equipped with the necessary sensors, and if Mac OS X
can access them without needing third-party device drivers.
Beginning in summer 2002, Apple has begun to massively drive
forward the use of monitoring probes in the PowerMac series, the
Xserve series, and in portable computers. Some models are equipped
with 38 and more sensors. But Temperature and Hardware Monitor can
detect sensors on many older systems as well if they are
available.
System requirements: Mac OS X 10.2.5 or higher
Hardware Monitor is € 7 shareware.
QuickerTek Debuts PowerBook Carry Handles:
Carbon Fiber Makes Them Tough and Lightweight
QuickerTek, developers of
Apple PowerBook antennas and external antennas for wireless Airport
Base Stations, has just announced PowerBook carry
handles. These new handles are designed for the 12" aluminum
PowerBook, 15" aluminum Book, 15-inch TiBook, and 17" PowerBook.
These tough carbon fiber and aluminum handles attach to the
PowerBook case and offer an easy way to carry them, as well as a
tilted stand for desktop computing.
Rather than continue the original aluminum handle construction,
QuickerTek decided to use the latest and greatest material: carbon
fiber. Carbon fiber is so strong, it's used in race cars, aircraft,
and now in handles for your PowerBook. Stronger than metal, yet
much lighter, it makes intuitive sense. The carbon fiber is
interesting visually and completely unique - like many PowerBook
users.
Like the original QuickerTek titanium PowerBook handles, these
are designed to act as a a stand when the PowerBook is on the desk.
The inclined angle of the PowerBook improves typing for longer
periods.
"These latest QuickerTek handles are very, very cool. PowerBook
users are individualists that are looking for ways to 'think
different' and this new carbon fiber handle is part of that
philosophy. It's light, visually different and highly functional,"
says Rick Estes, president, QuickerTek. "Our customers demand
performance, and we developed a way to deliver it - with style," he
notes.
The really cool thing about these handles are that they're so
light. In fact, you might ask yourself if they are strong enough
when you feel just how light they are. Rest assured that they are
more than stout enough for your PowerBook.
Pricing
- $30 - 15" TiBook
- $30 - 12" AlBook
- $35 - 15" AlBook
- $35 - 17" PowerBook
QuickerTek PowerBook handles can be purchased from QuickerTek
dealers including: Small Dog Electronics, TechnoWarehouse,
MacAnywhere, MacGurus and PowerBookMedic.
QuickerTek is the recognized leading innovator of wireless
antennas for Apple Airport products including external titanium and
aluminum PowerBook antennas, Airport Base Station Antennas for Snow
and Extreme, as well as antennas for Power Mac G5 desktops.
Sharpie Metallic Fine Point Works for Touching
up TiBook Scratches
Show off your metal with
Sharpie Metallic Fine Points.
- Metallic silver adds flair to your marking
- Fade and water resistant ink further extends multiple project
uses
- Permanent on most surfaces
- Marks on most hard-to-mark surfaces - including dark
surfaces
Note: Do not use these markers to write on CDs, DVDs, or disk
labels.
QuickerTek Announces External Wireless Antenna
for 12" Aluminum PowerBooks
QuickerTek, developers of PowerBook
antennas for Apple titanium and aluminum PowerBooks and external
antennas for the Graphite, Snow, and Extreme Airport Base Stations,
are now ready to ship the Whip Antenna for the
12" aluminum PowerBook. The exclusive wireless signal technology of
the Whip Antenna typically increases signal strength up to 50% and
increases line-of-sight distance by an average of 250 yards. This
new wireless antenna is $89.95 at QuickerTek dealers.
The antenna kit includes a 5 Dbi omnidirectional whip
antenna including all of the necessary connections as well as
illustrated installation instructions. Now with the Whip Antenna,
12" PowerBook users don't have to settle for "average" wireless
network performance. Getting the antenna outside the confines of
the small metal PowerBook case greatly improves the wireless signal
strength and range.
"Our Airport Base Station antenna customers are thrilled with
the performance improvements," said Rick Estes, president,
QuickerTek. "Now with our Whip Antenna on the 12" aluminum
PowerBook, they can install high-end wireless networking. This
antenna is user-installable and they don't need to reprogram
anything. We're especially proud of this antenna because of the
really tight internal space of the 12" PowerBook, but we found a
way to get our whip connected," Estes continued.
FWDepot FireWire KC 2.5" FireWire 1394a USB 2.0
Combo Enclosure
Main features of the FWDepot FireWire
KC 2.5" FireWire 1394a USB 2.0 Combo Enclosure:
- State-of-Art mechanical architecture design
- Full Aluminum case body and grid for excellent airflow
air-cooling
- Cool Blue LED
- Excellent grounding and EMI shielding
- Space-saving design for daily portable purpose
- USB 2.0 / 1394a (FireWire) / Combo High Speed Interface
- Support Hot-Swap & Plug and Play functions
- Suitable for PC, Mac, Notebook or Desktop
- Microsoft Windows, Apple MacOS, Linux Compatible
- bus powerable - optional external power supply
- Dimensions: 3.34 x 5.15 x 0.86 inch
- Two FireWire 1394a ports, One USB 2.0 port (combo version)
- Front Panel: Metal Grid
- Outer Case: Aluminum
Excellent Heat-Dissipation
Both side brackets are made of full aluminum, that are ideal for
heat-absorption, produced from the hard disk or optical devices and
send them to the cooler fins (located to open-air).
Heat Path Conductors
In addition to conduct the heat (airflow design) produced by
current large capacity hard disk devices, beneath the top cover
& bottom cover many "Heat Path Conductors" have been added.
Mechanical
- Same Cover Design (Top & Bottom)
- Same Side Bracket (Right & Left)
- Same LED conductor and Decoration Screws Set
- Same Rubber Foot Stand
Usage
- Stackable (Skip-proof)
- Non-Slip Design (Skid Proof)
- Holder: Right & Left Fixation
- Positioning: Skid Proof
Supports
- Mac OS 8.6 to 9.x
- Mac OS 10.x
- Mac OS 9.0
- Windows ME/2000/XP FireWire
- Win 98 / 98SE
This product will be in stock on Wednesday 21 July, 2004.
FWDepot FireWire Warp 3.5" FireWire
1394a USB 2.0 Combo Enclosure
Main features of the FWDepot FireWire
Warp 3.5" FireWire 1394a USB 2.0 Combo Enclosure:
- State-of-art mechanical architecture design
- Full aluminum case body and grid for excellent airflow
- Cool blue LED
- Maximal Space-saving design for daily portable purpose
- USB 2.0 / 1394a (FireWire) / Combo High Speed Interface
- Support hot-swap & plug and play functions
- Suitable for PC, Mac, notebook or desktop
- Microsoft Windows, Apple MacOS, Linux Compatible
- External universal switching power adapter - 3.5" devices
should not be bus powered
- Dimensions: 8.20 x 5.35 x 1.38 inches
- Two FireWire 1394a ports, One USB 2.0 port (combo version)
- Front panel: Metal grid
- Outer case: Aluminum
Both side brackets are made of full aluminum, that are ideal for
heat-absorption, produced from the hard disk or optical devices and
send them to the cooler fins (located to open-air).
In addition to conduct the heat (airflow design) produced by
current DVD recorders and large capacity hard disk devices, beneath
the top cover & bottom cover many "Heat Path Conductors" have
been added.
Mechanical
- Same Cover Design (Top & Bottom)
- Same Side Bracket (Right & Left)
- Same Vertical Stand Holder
- Same LED conductor and Decoration Screws Set
- Same Rubber Foot Stand
Usage
- Horizontal
- Vertical
- Stackable ( Skip-proof )
Non-Slip Design (Skid Proof)
- Holder: Right & Left Fixation
- Positioning: Skid Proof
USB 2.0 Drivers
Supports
- Mac OS 8.6 to 9.x
- Mac OS 10.x
- Mac OS 9.0
- Windows ME/2000/XP FireWire
- Win 98 / 98SE
This product will be in stock on Wednesday 21 July, 2004.
WiFi Spy
The WiFi Spy is the perfect
tool for finding wireless hotspots, AirPort base stations, wireless
access points, or any other 802.11 b/g network.
Spy features:
- Detects the signal strength of 802.11 b/g networks
- Long battery life (approximately 2 yrs. depending on use)
- Simple one-button design with easy-to-read display
- Perfect size for carrying on a key chain
- Detects both open and closed networks
Dimensions: 4.5" x 2.75" x 1.25" (11.43 cm x 6.99 cm x 3.17
cm)
Color: Blue
Price: $29.95
Toshiba to Introduce Quick-start Multimedia
Laptop
Reuters Christopher
Borowski reports:
"Japan's Toshiba Corp. is launching its first multimedia laptop
with a much clearer display and quick-start video and TV functions
to carve out a position in the promising field, a company official
said on Wednesday.
"With the 'Qosmio' line to be unveiled on Thursday, Toshiba
seeks to benefit from expected growth in demand for multimedia
computers that can play and digitally record TV programmes, DVDs
and other video and audio materials from the Internet.
"The laptop will have a 15-inch LCD screen that is brighter and
clearer than other LCD televisions... [and] will also allow users
to turn on a built-in analogue TV tuner or DVD player within 5
seconds, avoiding a full system start-up that takes up to several
minutes on a normal laptop."
SkinTight Armband Lets You Exercise with Your
iPod mini
The SkinTight
Armband and included SkinTight Rubberized Skin provide you with
the freedom to run, bike, walk, or workout with your iPod mini. The
Armband is designed to work with the skin on, providing convenience
and allowing the iPod to always be protected. Cable clips keep cord
out of the way.
Features
- Armband works with Skin
- Includes armband and iPod skin
- Easy snap-in-snap-out design
- Comfort fit, Velcro adjustable armband
- Cable clips keep cord out of the way
Usage:
- Insert iPod into skin
- Place armband around upper arm and tighten Velcro strap
- Snap-in iPod with the skin on
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.
- refurb 12" iBook G4/800,
384/30/CD-ROM, $859
- new 12" PowerBook G4/1 GHz,
256/40/SuperDrive, $1,499
- new 15" PowerBook G4/1 GHz,
256/60/Combo, $1,799
- store refurb 15" PowerBook G4/1.25
GHz, 512/80/SuperDrive, AirPort. Less than 6 months remaining
warranty. With AppleCare, PowerBook would be completely covered by
AppleCare for a minimum of 2 years, $2,175
- iBook G3/300, 64/3/CD-ROM,
blueberry, free PrintMaster Gold software, $488
- iBook G3/366, 128/10/CD-ROM,
indigo, free PrintMaster Gold software, $549
- iBook G3/466, 128/10/DVD,
graphite, free PrintMaster Gold software, $699
For more deals on current or recently discontinued models, see
our Best PowerBook G4 Deals,
Best iBook G4 Deals, and Best iBook G3 Deals.
