Compiled by Charles Moore
and edited by
Dan Knight
- 2004.11.05
iPod News
Tech Trends
iBook G4: You Have to See It to Believe
It!
notebookreview.com
contributors say:
"I switched from a Compaq PC to this notebook in hopes that
Apple's OS X could do all of the things that XP sucks at.
Allow me to say I was pleasantly surprised.... Overall I am
impressed with this being a first time purchase. I recommend this
to anyone looking for a reliable, moderate priced notebook.
"....my thumbs will be all up for the this machine."
"Powerful , easier to use than a PC, and more aesthetically
appealing as well!"
"Faster than the PowerBook 1 GHz...."
"One thing to say. BATTERY LIFE. YOU CAN GET 4-5.5 HRS. out of
the battery (depending on what you are doing with it). The
construction is superb (beastly) Screen is bright and clear..."
Combo Drive for PowerBook G3 Pismo and
Lombard
This new
Combo (CD-RW/DVD-ROM) Drive is compatible with 400 MHz and 500 MHz PowerBook 2000 (Pismo)
and 333 MHz/400 MHz PowerBook 1999
(Lombard).
- Bootable - Just hold "C" when booting
- Buffer Underrun Protection --no more bad CDs
- Fully Compatible with iTunes, CDBurner, Toast, even
Retrospect!
- 100% Compatible with OS 9.2, OS X, Jaguar, Panther
- New mechanism by OEM mfr
- Just slide into your right hand bay, and you're in
business
- Get $40 rebate for sending your old complete DVD drive (dead or
alive). Rebate not available for kit purchase
Identical look as original drive. No ugly faceplates or
non-matching hardware.
Complete Drives
- 16x Combo Drive
- 16x CD Burn capability
- 10x CD Rewrite capability
- 8x DVD Playback
- 24x CD-RW/CD capabilities
- Complete Drive--just slide in and use!
- $ 259.99
24x Combo Drive
- 24x CD Burn capability
- 16x CD Rewrite capability
- 8x DVD Playback
- 24x CD-RW/CD capabilities
- Complete Drive-just slide in and use!
- $ 299.99
Combo Kits - Buy as a kit. Use your old drive frame and
save.
Requires 3 minute installation. Very easy installation, photo
guide and screwdriver included. All electronics are new-you'll just
use your old plastic drive frame (the black plastic on the bottom
of your drive. Just remove 4 small screws, slide old out, and new
drive set in.
- 16x Combo Drive Kit. Same as Combo drive above, only as kit.
$199.99
- 24x Combo Drive Kit. $249.99
- 8x Combo Drive Kit. Same as above, only 8x CD-R/RW, 8x DVD, 24x
CD-ROM. $149.99
RadTech MacTruck Professional PowerBook
Enclosure
The MacTruck is a
professional-grade, operate-in, full-time notebook enclosure - a
whole new way to think about protection.
Forget everything you know about notebook cases, MacTruck just
rewrote the book. The MacTruck closely envelopes your PowerBook
with an ultra-tough 5052-H32 aluminum alloy shell that's rugged
enough to drive a truck over! And that's just for starters -
MacTruck is also designed to protect your notebook while you use
it. In fact, once you place your notebook into a MacTruck, you may
never need or want to take it out. MacTruck allows full use of your
machine, as well as full access to all ports, all while safely
cradled in MacTruck's high-density poly padding. The computer is
easily removed from the case as well - just lift it out and go!
MacTruck keeps your machine as
cool as it looks. Generous 5mm air channels located beneath the
notebook's bottom case, combined with the superior heat conduction
properties of the Aluminum shell, ensure that your notebook stays
cool in the most demanding situations imaginable.
Several amenities ensure that this case works for you. The
MacTruck's handle is constructed from a graphite enriched
poly-resin and shaped for comfort. The handle rotates throughout a
full 180 degree arc, very handy if you want to stow the MacTruck
within a backpack, shoulder bag, or suit case.
MacTruck features two full-width, hardened steel latch bars
comprising the case's super-rugged slam latch mechanism. And to
ensure you'll be using your MacTruck for a long time, we included
two Kensington lock ports to keep your case and computer secure!
Double D-rings on the case's front-plane allow the attachment of a
shoulder strap, shock cord or to lash the case to another
object
With MacTruck, you operate your notebook right in the case. The
top of the case conveniently rests at 90 and 180 degrees from the
base. At the full-open position, MacTruck angles the lower panel a
user-friendly and ergonomic 9.5 degrees - providing efficient
keyboarding.
Features:
- Designed for extreme duty - nothing is tougher or more
compact.
- Allows full, unrestricted use of a notebook while inside case -
ports and drives fully accessible.
- Aids in cooling via 5mm bottom case air channels and excellent
heat conduction of Aluminum shell.
- Dual steel alloy slam latches able to withstand relentless
abuse for years - fully serviceable.
- Kensington lock port permits the case to be locked shut -
notebook and case completely secured.
- Svelte form is only marginally larger than the notebook itself
- stows inside most other bags and packs
- High-density internal cushioning keeps notebook's case in
pristine condition.
- Rotating ergonomic handle makes carrying and stowing
comfortable and easy.
- Super-hard, powder-coated finish throughout for long-lasting
beauty.
- Three year warranty.
MacTruck Specs:
- Material: 5052-H32 Aluminum alloy
- Outer shell dimensions:
- 12", 30.3 x 26.2 x 4.9 cm
- 15", 37.8 x 28.4 x 4.7 cm
- 17", 41.8 x 29.0 x 4.5 cm
- Aluminum shell thickness: 3.2mm.
- Weight: 12", 1.9kg; 15", 2.4kg; 17", 2.7kg
Product of USA
Available for all recent Apple PowerBooks, in two stunning,
super-hard powder coated finishes - Brushed Aluminum and
Graphite.
Price Range: $199.99 to $229.99
Aluminum PowerBook Pitting: Wash Your
Hands
MacInTouch reader Jim Whitesell
says:
"I am a chemist with some knowledge of metal corrosion. Sweat is
salt water and Aluminum will be corroded by salt water, period.
Even stainless steel will corrode in the presence of salts. Even if
you do not have sweaty palms, you[r] skin still will accumulate
salts and the only cure is to wash your hands often, as I do
("studies" show that only 30-40% of men wash their hands after
going to the bathroom---why are there not those open containers of
mints on the way out of restaurants anymore? Analysis showed heavy
contamination with uric acid and urea)...."
A happy thought....
As anyone who has worked around sailboats in a saltwater
environment knows, salt water is a corrosive agent to aluminum,
although anodizing offers good protection. However, combined with
heat and electricity, both present in PowerBooks (which are
anodized) all bets are off.
I also wonder how much aluminum, if any, sweaty-palmed PowerBook
users absorb through their skin. Aluminum is a suspected factor in
Alzheimer's disease.
TiPaint Touchup Kit and iKlear iPod
Cleaning Kit Reviewed
Applelust's Dr.
Neale Monks says:
"There is no question that iPods, iBooks, and PowerBooks are
among the most beautiful machines that Apple has produced, but why
do they have to scratch so easily? The Titanium series of G4
PowerBooks were painted using some sort of metallic enamel that
doesn't stick to the underlying metal and plastic at all well, and
practically every example I have seen, including my own, has had
some paint abraded from the corners simply by being transported in
a laptop case. Much more annoying is the lack of clearance between
the keyboard and screen....
The iBooks and iPods present a different set of problems. Both
feature a soft translucent plastic that scratches easily. The small
size of the iPods makes any superficial scratches to the plastic
much more noticeable....
The TiPaint Professional Touchup Kit consists of two small
bottles of enamel paint, one that matches the titanium paint that
covers the main body of the PowerBook and the other for use on the
light silver PowerBook trim....
"It is possible to pick up computer screen cleaners at Office
Depot for a few dollars, so why spend 20 bucks on the iKlear kit?
Simply put, it does a really good job and comes with a variety of
tools to clean all sorts of different things, from your iPod and
iBook through to DVDs and camera lenses...."
iPod News
Turn Your iPod into a Universal Remote
O'Reilly's Hadley Stern, author of iPod and iTunes Hacks, has
posted some iPod hack tutorials, including Turn
Your iPod into a Universal Remote.
"Use a Pocket PC to record the 'sounds' an infrared remote
makes, transfer them to your iPod, and start changing channels with
your new universal remote control.
"We're going to take an iPod and turn it into a universal
infrared (IR) remote control, which can be used to control all your
home electronic equipment, or just about anything that uses a
remote control. For example, in my home, my iPod controls my TV,
DVD player, Direct TV, Ultimate TV PVR, Media Center PC, Xbox, XM
Satellite Radio, Roomba, and a few other random things, such as a
robot. Figure 1-14 shows a variety of remotes your iPod can
replace."
Two New irock! Beamit Wireless Music Adapters
for iPod, MP3 Players
First International Digital, Inc. (FID), maker of the popular
irock! family of digital
audio devices and the leader in FM transmitter technology, has
introduced its newest series of Beamit wireless music adapters, the
440FM and 450FM.
Beamit allows users to wirelessly broadcast music from portable
audio devices to the car or home's FM stereo and is compatible with
any MP3 player, including Apple iPods, laptops, and CD, mini-disc,
and tape players.
440FM: One-piece, 12 Volt Operation
For the first time, the 440FM features a built-in cigarette
lighter power adapter, enabling truly battery-free operation. The
device conveniently plugs into the car's 12VDC cigarette lighter
socket and the headphone or lineout jack of the audio device.
Twelve channels of digital tuning allows users to choose the best
FM frequency for the clearest reception of high-fidelity, full
stereo sound.
The 440FM measures 3.2" x 2" x 1.4" and offers 90 degree swivel
action, enabling users to adjust the device's position for best
viewing of the backlit LCD display. The device's MSRP is
$29.99.
450 FM: 100 Channel Digital Tuning Equals Crystal Clear
Reception
The lightweight, uniquely
designed 450FM, measuring a compact 3.2" x 0.9" x 0.9", plugs into
the headphone jack of any portable audio device and sends
high-fidelity, full stereo sound to your favorite FM stereo. The
device is powered by 1 AAA battery, but also features optional
battery-free operation, when used with the included 12VDC auto
adapter.
With 100 channel digital tuning and a signal distortion of less
than 0.2 percent, the 450FM guarantees crystal-clear reception on
your favorite station. The device's MSRP is $39.99.
Beamit's operating range is 10-30 feet (limited by FCC
regulations), depending on the quality of the FM radio
receiver.
Mini TrailVue iPod mini Case
The Mini TrailVue case
offers rugged, stylish protection for the mini on the go. A
patented belt clip system offers interchangeable clip options.
Seven color combinations to choose from.
Case Features :
- Can sync mini while in the case
- Ballistic nylon outer construction
- Fully lined interior
- Plastic inserts for protection
- Plastic screen protector affords full view of the mini
- Clear sides show off the color of your mini
- Easy access to hold button, headphone jack, and remote
ports
- Multidapt® interchangeable clip system
- Includes low-profile spring clip
Colors:
- Gray Black
- Olive Blue
- Gray Gray
- Lt. Blue Gray
- Red Olive
- Orange Purple
- Lt. Blue
Price: $29.95
Eclipse Solar Gear Backpack Charges iPod, Cell
Phone, PDA, GPS, More
Keeping the batteries charged and ready to go is an
obsession for many consumers of personal electronics. What happens
when you are outside in a remote area? Eclipse Solar Gear's
Reactor
Solar Backpack is designed to trickle charge the batteries of
many types and brands of electronics including cell phones, PDAs,
handheld GPS units, and some MP3 players with a convenient solar
charging solution. Basically anything you can plug into your car
using a 12V auto adapter can be trickle charged using the new Solar
Backpack by Eclipse Solar Gear.
Ideal for the outdoors-oriented, the Solar Backpack features an
integrated solar panel which provides up to 2.5 Watts of power with
no extra deployment or effort required other than plugging in your
accessory.
The Solar Backpack is made of durable 1680 Denier Nylon and
constructed to protect and power your personal electronics and
other items. The feature rich backpack includes a padded
waist-belt, mesh ventilated padded back panel, contoured and padded
shoulder straps, removable padded laptop case, organizer pockets,
accessory pockets, water bottle pockets, MP3 pouch with a headphone
portal exit, reflective features for nighttime visibility, key-ring
lanyard and clip, and of course the solar charging module.
The integrated solar charging module can be utilized by plugging
in your existing 12V auto adapter. There are no extra adapters
needed. The solar panel is made to withstand the environment and
provide a long lasting source of solar energy.
Designed to be a durable product and a convenient source for an
alternate charging solution, the Eclipse Solar Gear's Solar
Backpack should be ideal for the outdoors-oriented mobile
professional.
The Solar Backpack is available online from Eclipse Solar Gear
and from
Amazon.com at a retail price of $129. Future products include a
Messenger Bag due to hit the market in late November or early
December.
Adjustable Car Dock & Charger for iPod mini
from TEN Technology
TEN Technology,
maker of the top selling naviPod wireless remote control for the
iPod, is proud to introduce its next hot new product: the TEN
flexDock mini - for the Apple iPod mini.
The TEN Technology flexDock mini for the iPod mini features a
dock on an adjustable arm that plugs into standard cigarette
lighter sockets in most automobiles worldwide. The flexDock mini
will securely hold and power the iPod mini. TEN Technology expects
to ship the flexDock mini in November 2004.
The TEN Technology flexDock mini for iPod mini provides the most
flexible yet secure way to use the iPod mini in the vehicle. The
dock on a flexible metal arm allows easy and secure positioning of
the iPod mini for convenience and safety while in the car. The dark
gray color of the flexDock mini will match most car interiors and
lets the iPod mini shine. The flexDock mini plugs into standard
cigarette lighter sockets in most cars and charges the iPod mini.
The flexDock mini also features a 3.5mm line-out jack on the plug
for use with the included cassette adapter or most self-powered FM
transmitters (not included) for high-quality audio through your car
stereo.
"The TEN flexDock mini is our first product to address the
question of where to park your iPod mini inside the car," says John
Lin, CEO and founder of TEN Technology. "It will conveniently and
securely display the iPod mini while charging it and provides
line-out audio for better sound quality."
Users can also use the TEN naviPod along with the flexDock mini,
giving them wireless remote control of the iPod mini inside their
car. Now how cool is that?
"flexDock mini is such a great accessory, and just in time for
the holidays as a stocking stuffer for your favorite iPod mini
owner," said Eric Prentice, CEO of Dr. Bott, LLC, master
distributor of TEN products. "This product is innovative, elegant,
and intuitive. It is always a pleasure to bring a great product
like the flexDock mini to market!"
Pre-ordering for the flexDock mini will be available through the
Dr. Bott Online Store and
through TEN
Technology's online store. The flexDock mini will begin
shipping in November 2004 and also will be available through the
Apple Store Online. The suggested retail price is US$49.95/CAN
$69.95.
Tech Trends
Smaller, Cheaper, More Powerful Laptop Fuel
Cells Coming
IDG News Service's
Paul Kallender reports:
"A new fuel cell for notebook PCs, more compact and powerful
than competing technologies, could be on the market in early 2006
at a price of around $90, its Japanese inventors said Tuesday.
"Materials and Energy Research Institute Tokyo Ltd. (Merit) is
betting on direct borohydride fuel cell (DBFC) technology, which it
sees as cheaper and more compact than the direct methanol fuel cell
(DMFC) technology other Japanese companies are developing....
"Merit's fuel cells develop about four times more power for the
same area of membrane than DMFCs...."
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 12" PowerBook G4/1.33 GHz,
256/60/Combo, AirPort Extreme, Bluetooth, 512 MB PC2700 SO DIMM DDR
333, iSkin ProTouch PB Arctic White Keyboard Protector, $1,725
- new 12" iBook G4/1 GHz,
256/30/Combo, 1 GB PC2100 SO DIMM DDR 266, $1,219
Power Max
Free shipping (after rebate)
- refurb 12" iBook G4/1 GHz,
256/40/CD-ROM, $$849
- refurb 12" iBook G4/1 GHz,
256/60/CD-ROM, $869
- refurb 12" iBook G4/1 GHz,
256/30/Combo, $899
- refurb 14" iBook G4/1 GHz,
256/40/Combo, $949
- refurb 14" iBook G4/1 GHz,
256/40/Combo, $988
- refurb 12" iBook G4/1 GHz,
256/60/Combo, $999
Special Deals: Apple
Certified
For more deals on current or recently discontinued models, see
our Best PowerBook G4 Deals,
Best iBook G4 Deals, and
Best iBook G3 Deals.
