Compiled by Charles Moore
and edited by
Dan Knight
- 2004.11.12
iPod News
Freescale's e600 PowerPC Processors iBook and
PowerBook Bound?
Applications today require more and more processing power within
existing system power budgets - a big challenge for developers.
Fortunately for developers, Freescale (formerly Motorola's CPU
division) is providing many options for increasing processing
capabilities without dramatically increasing power consumption. The
decision just depends on the amount of processing power you need.
Three new product architectures from Freescale have been disclosed,
all based on the
e600 PowerPC core and leveraging 90 nanometer
silicon-on-insulator (SOI) technology.
MPC8641D Dual Core Processor
Freescale has leveraged its expertise in building
high-performance PowerPC processors and highly integrated
communications processors to design the MPC8641D Dual Core
Processor. This processor integrates two e600 PowerPC cores, two
memory controllers, ethernet controllers, a RapidIO fabric
interface, a PCI Express I/O interface, and a high performance MPX
bus that scales to 667 MHz. It's one powerful processor, but it
doesn't break the power budget starting at 15 Watts.
The MPC8641D supports flexible software implementations:
symmetric multiprocessing (SMP) and asymmetric multiprocessing.
With SMP, one operating system runs on both cores, but from a
programming perspective, it appears that the developer is writing a
program for a single core. With asymmetric multiprocessing, two
instances of the same operating system or two entirely separate
operating systems can be run on the two cores, largely unaware of
each other.
MPC8641 Processor
The MPC8641 is a single core version of the dual core processor
with the same level of peripheral integration - but at a lower
power point. This processor is an excellent option for developers
needing additional processing provided by the e600 core combined
with integrated memory controllers and high-speed interfaces. It is
also pin-for-pin compatible with the dual core processor.
MPC7448 Processor
The MPC7448 represents another performance leap in Freescale's
discrete processor line. It provides more than 1.5 GHz processing
power, increased L2 cache (1 MB), and a higher-speed bus than
its predecessors. It is also pin-for-pin and software compatible
with the MPC74xx processors used in current iBooks, PowerBooks, and
eMacs - an easy drop-in to existing designs. But the MPC7448 keeps
the power low, able to consume less than 10 Watts running at 1.4
GHz.
Processor Comparison
|
Feature
|
MPC7448
|
MPC8641
|
MPC8641D
|
|
Processor
|
Single e600 PowerPC core, >1.5 GHz, 2.3 MIPS/ MHz
|
Dual e600 PowerPC core, >1.5 GHz each, 2.3 MIPS/ MHz
|
|
Caches per core
|
L1: 32 KB I/D
L2: 1 MB with ECC
|
|
AltiVec Engine
|
Yes - includes performance improvement of out-of-order
instructions
|
|
Memory Controller
|
Separate System Controller, 200 MHz bus
|
Dual 64b DDR2, 667 MHz with ECC
|
|
Fabric Interface
|
None
|
Serial RapidIO, 1x/4x at up to 2.5 Gb/s per lane
|
|
Local I/O Interface
|
None
|
Dual PCI Express, x1/x2/x4/x8, 2.0 Gb/s per lane
|
|
Voltage
|
0.9, 1.0, 1.1V
|
1.0, 1.1V
|
|
Package
|
360 HiCTE BGA
|
960 pin HiTCE ceramic, 33x33mm
|
In short, the MPC7448 should be able to simply plug into
existing computers and upgrade cards designed for earlier CPUs in
the MPC74xx series, while the MPC8641 processors would require a
newly designed logic board.
Canadian Classifieds for Used Macs and
Accessories
UsedMac.ca offers a new
place for Canadian Mac users now have a new online medium to buy
and sell used Apple and related products.
Features
- Free posting of ads
- Control panel with easy access to add new ads
- User statistics on ads
Lithium-ion Batteries Explained
Apple has posted an
article with information about Lithium-ion Batteries used in
'Books and iPods
"Rechargeable Lithium-based technology currently provides the
best performance for your PowerBook, iBook or iPod. You can also
find this standard battery technology in devices such as cell
phones and PDAs. Apple batteries share the characteristics common
to Lithium-based technology found in other devices. Like other
rechargeable batteries, these batteries may eventually require
replacement.
"Lithium-ion batteries pack in a higher power density than
Nickel-based batteries. This gives you a longer battery life in a
lighter package, as Lithium is the lightest metal. You can also
recharge a Lithium-ion battery whenever convenient, without the
full charge or discharge cycle necessary to keep Nickel-based
batteries at peak performance. (Over time, crystals build up in
Nickel-based batteries and prevent you from charging them
completely, necessitating an inconvenient full discharge).
Topics covered include:
- Standard Charging
- How to Maximize Power Use
- About Notebook Batteries
- About iPod Batteries
- Battery Terms
- Hot Tip
- On Playing It Cool
- Exercise Your Machine
- Dispose Your Disposables
Ergonomics: Working with Laptop Computers
Stephen Didcott, principal partner for Facility Associates,
says:
"I have been talking to people about the physical disadvantages
of poorly designed office seating for over twenty years. However,
there is a disturbing new phenomenon in modern business life that
is having a dramatic effect on the health of the office nation -
the habitual usage of laptop computers.
"The original concept of the laptop computer was to enable
temporary computing on the move or from remote locations away from
the office. This proved very useful and the cost easily justified
for the highly valued Executive.
"Like mobile phone technology, the laptop computer has over
time, become more portable, more powerful, more legible, more
affordable and much more user friendly. Consequently, the laptop is
fast becoming the preferred choice of computer in the same way that
the mobile phone is beginning to replace landline equipment. But
the similarities do not end there.
"When used in moderation, mobile phones and laptop computers are
quite harmless; but frequent or habitual usage brings health
risks....
"The posture that one has to adopt when using a laptop teetering
on the edge of a small café table; in an airport lounge; on
a sofa or in the car is very unnatural.
"Because the laptop screen is attached to the keyboard, we
instinctively bend our neck (cervical spine) to enable our head to
lower and protrude forward to view the screen. Our shoulders roll
in and the chest appears sunken. With our head in this
'turtle-neck' position, we involuntary arch the whole length of the
spine (thus loosing the healthy 'S' shape). The lower the laptop,
the more extreme the posture."
Titanium Laptop Stand and Micro Keyboard
An elegant and stylish mobile laptop stand and
micro-keyboard for the Apple Mac User on the move, the Portable
Laptop Solution 1 stand has secured FIRA's coveted Ergonomic
Excellence Award.
Available in two sizes to suit the pocket size of your laptop
carrier case.
Features
- Suitable for Apple laptops
- Folds into plastic wallet for stowage in laptop case
- Five possible height settings
- Integral document holder with anti-reflex coating
- Hard foam internal protection for laptop
- Rubber anti-slip feet
- Winner of "Good Industrial Design" Award
- Winner of "Dutch Teleworking" Award
- Holder of FIRA "Ergonomic Excellence" Award
Specifications: Large/Small
- Colour: Titanium
- Material: Aluminium material (Hylite)
- Sizes in use (WxDxH): 247 x 340 x 182-245mm (working
height)/230 x 310 x 140-230mm (working height)
- Travel sizes (in its plastic carrier wallet): 247 x 340 x
14mm/230 x 310 x 9mm
- Travel Weight: 700 grams/500 grams
- Height of laptop screen (based on 240 x 310mm screen): 440 to
510mm over five height settings/385 to 490mm over five height
settings
Pricing and Delivery
- Price (not including Micro-Keyboard), £75
- UK Packaging and special delivery, £8
- Overseas Packaging and special delivery Calculated by Shop
Keyboard and Mini Optical Mouse Bundle
- Specifications: Keyboard/Mini-Mouse
- Colour: Titanium case and graphite keys/Silver Grey
- Material Casing of Aluminium material (Hylite)/Plastic
- Size (WxDxH): 280 x 135 x 10 mm/52 x 85 x 30mm
- Travel Weight (in use): 300 grams/50 grams
- Cable length: 1650mm/ 810mm
Design Details (Keyboard)
- 40% smaller than a full-size keyboard
- Ergonomic 84 UK Layout
- Scissors Key switch offering quiet and low wobble key
stroke
- 5 hot keys for Sleep, Volume Up, Volume Down, email, and
Web
- Key Top Angles: -10 Degrees
- Key Switch Life: 20 Million
- MTBE: 100,000 hours
- Mac Compatible
Design Details (Mini Mouse)
- Precise and Smooth Navigation
- Easy-to-Use on most surfaces
- Scroll and Zoom directly with scroll wheel
- Suitable for both Left and Right Hand Users
- Compact size
- Optical Sensor
- Signal Strength: 1500 signal per second
- Tracker Resolution: 400 CPI
- Connectivity: USB - USB / PS/2 Adapter
- Plug and Play: Installation CD provided
- Mac Compliant with OS 8.6 or later
- Compliant with Windows 95, 98, NT 4.0, ME, 2000, and XP
- Certification: FCC, CE, TUV, CSA, C-Tick, VCCI, BSMI
- Tested to comply with IEC 835-1:1993
Pricing and Delivery
- Price (Keyboard and Mouse Bundle), £45
- UK Packaging and special delivery, £7
- Overseas Packaging and special delivery Calculated by Shop
Programme
IOGear Introduces External 1.8" Hard
Drives
IOGear has slimmed
down the equipment required to transfer files on an external hard
drive with the launch of its 1.8" USB 2.0 and Combo external ION
hard drives. The devices allow consumers to store documents,
pictures, music, and videos in one compact enclosure.
Perfect for the mobile professional, the products are small
enough to be clipped onto a belt or on an airplane or car seat
pocket. The external drives are compatible with both Mac and PC
platforms and offer high data transfer rates of up to 480 Mbps (USB
2.0) and 400 Mbps (FireWire). Both the USB 2.0 and Combo ION Drives
are backward compatible with USB 1.1 specifications. The product
also offers an exclusive version of Dantz Retrospect software for
easy backup.
Depending on the size of the hard drive, the products vary in
price from $199.95 for the 20 GB USB 2.0 version to $299.95 for the
40 GB USB 2.0 version. Users can purchase the Combo 20 GB drive for
$249.95 and the 40 GB version for $349.95 . The drives are
available immediately from all major catalog resellers, online
resellers,, and selected retail outlets.
"Mobile professionals are always looking for more convenient
ways to store their files while on the go or traveling for
business," said Bryan Wells, storage product manager at IOGear.
"With the tiny 1.8" external hard drives, consumers can save space
in their luggage or on their desktop, without sacrificing transfer
speed or storage capacities."
IOGear's hard drives function on Windows 98/ME/2000/XP and Mac
OS 9.2 and above. The hard drives are available in 20 GB and 40 GB
storage sizes and are hot swappable and Plug-n-Play. The products
come with IOGear's standard three-year warranty.
Mars II Laplight: Light for People on the
Go
No need to have a power source,
you only need to plug the Mars
II Laplight into a USB port
- Free to adjust the height and angle as much as user need in
order to have the best light efficiency
- Slim and light design
- Available to add more Lights in order to increase the
lighting
- Easy to carry with users' briefcase or hand-carry
- Lower LED power consumption, longer life (up to 100,000
hours)
- Most single LED USB lights are dim and only cover a very small
area
- Mars II LapLight's expendable add-on create a new level of
clear bright light for your work area
- Laplight is a very simple, perfect, and valuable LED lighting
device.& The user just plugs it into any USB Ports, it can
generate a stable, clear and full-spectrum light. For presentation
or reading on the plane, The Laplight can give you enough light as
needed and when needed
- Adjusting the brightness, simply directly adjust the angles and
directions of Mars II's "magic cable" to any position required
- Adjusting the Mars II Laplight to the right, to the left or at
the top is effortless. It is as easy as it can be
- The Mars II Laplight is even bright enough to be use as a desk
lamp
Mars II Laplight: $10.50
Harmony Express Sound Card from Miglia
Barely the size of a USB
memory stick, Harmony
Express is a a fully featured sound card that connects to your
USB 2.0 port.
Simple to install, Harmony Express let's you enjoy the
incredible sound quality of your speaker system to its full extent,
thanks to its virtual 5.1 output support.
The compact design and ease of installation through USB makes it
an ideal add-on for your portable and desktop computers.
Harmony Express' small form factor makes it ideal for notebook
users who wish to enjoy their 5.1 sound system.
No software drivers required. Harmony Express is directly
supported by compatible operating systems. No need to install any
additional drivers.
Virtual 5.1 output: Harmony Express supports virtual 5.1 output,
helping you to maximise the potential of your 5.1 system.
Macintosh Compatibility
- Mac with USB 2.0 connectivity
- Mac OS X 10.3.4 or higher
Mac Recovery Bundle from WiebeTech and
Prosoft
WiebeTech DriveDocks teamed with award winning Data Rescue
software from Prosoft Engineering. The quickest route to data
recovery from corrupted notebook or laptop drives for Mac OS X
users
All Mac
Recovery products include Prosoft's Data Rescue software
(personal user version).
Simply connect your corrupted drive to a WiebeTech drive dock,
connect it to your computer via FireWire, and allow Data Rescue to
perform recovery procedures.
For 3.5 inch IDE drives:
- Mac Recovery ComboDock: FireWire800 / USB2 Docking Device for
3.5 inch Hard Drives
- Mac Recovery FireWire DriveDock: FireWire Docking Device for
3.5 inch Hard Drives
For 3.5 inch SATA drives:
- Mac Recovery TrayDock for 3.5 inch SATA Hard Drives
For 2.5 inch notebook drives:
- Mac Recovery Notebook DriveDock: Bus powered Docking Device for
mounting notebook drives over FireWire
To prevent possible data loss Data Rescue should be used prior
to using any repair utility. Because no data recovery software can
work in all situations, the recovery success of Data Rescue will
depend upon the condition of the drive and data structure. Data
Rescue can be used as an emergency CD as long as the host computer
is operational.
Pricing and availability
Product/ Product Code/ Price/ Availability
- Mac Recovery FireWire DriveDock/ MAC-RECOVERY-FWDD/ 149.95/ In
stock
- Mac Recovery Notebook DriveDock/ MAC-RECOVERY-NBDD/ 149.95/ In
stock
- Mac Recovery ComboDock/ MAC-RECOVERY-CDK/ 199.95/ In stock
- Mac Recovery TrayDock SATA/ MAC-RECOVERY-TDK-SATA/ 199.95/ In
stock
Put Your Linux-Running Aluminum PowerBook to
Sleep
Linux kernel hacker Benjamin Herrenschmidt recently posted on the
debian-ppc mailing list a patch that finally permits sleep on
aluminum PowerBooks.
The patch is in test stage and will work just for Al PowerBooks
with an ATI graphic device. iBook support should come, sooner or
later, Herrenschmidt is working on the video wake-up code. Nvidia
graphics based, instead, are for the moment left out of the games.
Patch applies to 2.6.x kernels.
Another badly desired feature has been added. Sleeping is
usually called suspend-to-RAM, as opposed to suspend-to-disk
mechanism that at the moment is known to work well but is clearly
not that flexible and comfortable.
Repair Your Hard Drive
Hardmac's Lionel has posted this
report:
Source : http://nassim.operapublica.com/
"We thought it was impossible, but Indif did it! He repaired his
2.5" hard drive, and got his data back:
"A short time ago, the drive of my laptop started his requiem.
One day, it made painful "crack and crisp" noises, and the computer
froze. I rushed to shut it down, waited for a while until the
mechanics cooled off, but it was useless, it didn't boot any more.
R.I.P. Hard drive :(....
"With resignation, i bought another bigger drive. but I still
had in mind to find a way to get my work back. I install the
"said-to-be-dead" drive in a USB case, and vainly tried with Disk
Utility, that cannot detect anything, while the poor drive is
suffering the hell, trying to spin with an awful noise.
"This weekend, I decided to perform a highly dangerous "last
chance" operation: dissecting the drive... With a Torx screwdriver,
I open the metal panel and check out the mechanics...."
iPod News
BiblePlayer for iPod Catches On
Cnet News.com's
Matt Hines reports:
"For those seeking spiritual guidance via a handheld device, a
California start-up called BiblePlayer is offering free downloads
of the world's best-selling book for use with Apple Computer's iPod
media player.
"The brainchild of Los Angeles-based programmer Pablo
Mendigochea, BiblePlayer offers three different text versions of
the Bible that can be read on the iPod's screen using the device's
"Notes" function. The company also markets a deluxe version of the
product, which features MP3 audio readings of the Bible on CD-ROM
for $29. Either product can be used with any third- or
fourth-generation iPod....
"BiblePlayer offers a King James Version of the book, as well as
the World English iteration and the Spanish New Testament.
Mendigochea has plans to launch products based on Dutch, French and
German translations of the Bible, as well as a Torah-oriented
download."
Contour Design Announces Ultra-Clear Hard Case
for Click Wheel iPod
Contour Design announces another addition to the award winning
iSee case
lineup for the iPod. Hot on the heels of the recently launched
iSee-20, Contour announces the iSee-40 for Apple & HP 40 GB 4th
Generation Click Wheel iPods.
"Contour customers have been demanding
more of the hard case line that started with our original iSee.
They just love the low profile fit," says Mike Jackle of Contour
Media & Retail Products Group. "We are the market leader in the
Apple iPod hard case accessories. Last week we released the
iSee-20. This week it's the iSee-40 and this is not the end of the
line".
The iSee-40 is manufactured using the very latest in ABS
plastics technology, offering unrivaled protection from hard impact
while providing easy access to the iPod controls and accommodating
a wide range of third party accessories. Not only does the clear,
scratch-resistant plastic protect the iPod, but also coupled with
the stylish, horizontally mounted belt clip, the iSee-40
significantly enhances the natural look of the iPod while resting
comfortably at the hip.
Key features
- Ultra-clear case offering all around protection for the Apple
iPod
- Easy access to all of the iPod's controls
- Flexible docking port protector offers complete protection and
accessibility to the iPod docking connector using Contour Design's
simple latching mechanism
- Top opening provides easy access to the headphone jack, hold
switch, and third party products such as FM transmitters and voice
recorders
- Strong, detachable, belt clip provides a secure, stylish, and
comfortable fit
The Contour iSee-40 is now available for immediate delivery
through Contour Design and our extensive distributor and reseller
partners, worldwide. MSRP is $19.99
New eVo 2 from iSkin for the Click Wheel
iPod
The Think Different Store has in stock the new eVo 2
from iSkin Inc. for the click wheel iPod (4th Generation) -
superior protection for Apple's market leading personal music
player.
In response to customer input, iSkin recently
introduced the eVo 2, its update of their hugely popular iPod
protector. eVo 2 is designed to offer all around surface protection
while maintaining the natural beauty of the iPod.
iSkin has left in place the most popular features of the eVo
such as the form fitting design, rear heat release pores, and
elegant lines and combined them with needed upgrades and other key
refinements to create the eVo 2.
iSkin's eVo 2 now ships with an upgraded reinforced rotary
RevoClip and an improved screen protector that maintains an
ultra-clear view of iPod's screen. eVo 2 has an all-new six point
soft contact base that reduces the possibility of your screen
scratching. The eVo 2 allows devices like the iTrip to connect
seamlessly while maintaining solid protection by featuring a
thinned-down top surface with beveled edges. iSkin has maintained
the available color selection including the Ultra-Glo
(glow-in-the-dark) skin tones with future plans for limited edition
skins and an even greater selection of colors.
The iSkin eVo 2 sells for $29.99.
Ice Creme & Ice Creme M Scratch
Remover
Easily remove surface abrasion and scratches from acrylic
surfaces.
Ice Creme allows you to easily remove the scuffing, scratching,
and abrasion that tends to occur on highly polished acrylic panels,
like those used in several consumer devices and popular computers.
Products like the iPod, iBook, PDAs, and cell phones can all
benefit from the ease of use and power of Ice Creme. Makes
scuffed-up plastic products gleam like new. Great when you want to
spruce up or sell your gear.
The regular formula is for plastic products. The "M" version
contains an additional bottle of metal polish for products like the
iPod's polished metal back panel. Both versions include special
application and polishing cloths.
Features:
- Two part formula removes even aggressive damage.
- "M" version removes damage from iPod's metal back pan.
- Enough to repair several units.
- Includes application and polishing cloths.
Price: $24.95
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.
- 12" iBook G4/1 GHz,
256/30/Combo, PC2100 SO DIMM 1 GB DDR 266, $1,219
- 15" aluminum PowerBook G4./1
GHz, 256/60/Combo, Bluetooth, $1,679
- 12" PowerBook G4/1.33 GHz,
256/60/Combo, AirPort Extreme,/ Bluetooth, PC2700 SO DIMM 512 MB
DDR 333, iSkin ProTouch PB Arctic White Keyboard Protector,
$1,725
Special Deals: Apple
Certified
- refurb 12" iBook G4/1 GHz,
256/30/Combo, $799
- refurb 12" PowerBook G4/1.33
GHz, 256/60/Combo, AirPort Extreme, $1,349
- refurb 12" PowerBook G4/1.33
GHz, 256/60/SuperDrive, AirPort Extreme, $1,549
- refurb 15" PowerBook G4/1.33
GHz, 256/60/Combo, AirPort Extreme, $1,699
- refurb 15" PowerBook G4/1.25 GHz, 512/80/SuperDrive, AP
Extreme, $1,899
- refurb 15" PowerBook G4/1.5 GHz,
512/80/SuperDrive, AP Extreme, $2,099
- refurb 17" PowerBook G4/1.33
GHz, 512/80/SuperDrive, AP Extreme, $2,199
Power Max
sFor more deals on current or recently discontinued models, see
our Best PowerBook G4 Deals,
Best iBook G4 Deals, and
Best iBook G3 Deals.
