This week's Mac News Review: Slow
Mac mini supercomputer cluster, Mini-to-the-max upgrades, first 1.8 GHz
G4 upgrades, and more. Also a blue-glo Mac mini skirt, Contour's
RollerMouse Pro and RollerWave, Wacom's 21" LCD tablet, and
QuickerTek's half-mile wireless antenna.
Trackpad Scrolling on a Pre-2005 PowerBook
soupnazi.org
reports:
"When Apple released the new PowerBooks recently, the feature that
caught my attention the most was the scrolling trackpad. But, since I
just got my PowerBook this past November, there's no way I'd buy a new
one just for the trackpad.
"Earlier this evening, I came across this post on Accelerate Your
Macintosh! It points to a customized mouse driver that enables trackpad
scrolling on pre-2005 PowerBooks that support it. The driver works with
Mac OS X Panther (it's been tested with 10.3.7 and 10.3.8), and it also
works with iBooks that support trackpad scrolling....
"For more information (and to download the driver), see http://www-users.kawo2.rwth-aachen.de/~razzfazz/
Battle of the Puny Servers: iBook v. Mac mini
The MacHelpDesk
says:
"Ever since Steve Jobs announced the Mac Mini, there's been a lot of
buzz about using one as a server. Of course, Apple has a great offering
of server hardware, with the XServe and XRaid, which has only gotten
sweeter with the addition of XSan, which now could propel Apple's
servers into the top tier of Enterprise IT solutions.
"So what's all of the fuss about using a Mac Mini as a server? I
suspect it's the excitement of having an affordable Mac, finally, to
supplement the 'other' Mac in the home or business space, and to have
something to 'play with' or 'practice on.'
"While I can understand the excitement, I just got done proposing an
Xserve/Xsan solution to a customer only to see it fall short on the
redundancy and performance side to an IBM Linux solution that was
several times more expensive. All this while the Mac Web is buzzing
about puny Mini Mac servers.
"It's grass roots IT (which some would call rogue IT), but the lure
of a small, cheap, and elegant computer running Unix server tools is
very hard to ignore, especially with the ease of use and elegance that
OS X and Apple hardware provides. It almost brings to mind (gasp)
the word 'appliance;' is this a warm-up for something in the future? An
Apple-branded NAS?
"Which leads me to believe that once again, the Mac might be
becoming the 'computer for the rest of us,' and the Mac Mini the
'server for the rest of us.' Just last week, however, I engaged in a
rather lengthy email debate with an Apple consultant in California
regarding my opinion that the Mac Mini, while a capable server, was
probably not a good solution for small business or even for colocation
as a server, and that the excitement (no matter how justified) should
be somewhat tempered by the fact that low-cost server Macs (actually
lower in cost than the Mac Mini) have been available for four years.
The Mac I'm speaking of is the iBook."
The article goes on to show how the battery built into an iBook more
than offsets the cost of a two-hour UPS for the Mac mini.
About the New PowerBooks' Motion Sensor
Several new Apple Knowledge Base Article posted provide information
about the Sudden Motion Sensor technology in the latest PowerBooks.
From Sudden Motion
Sensor and video editing performance: "PowerBook G4 computers
starting with PowerBook G4 (12-inch 1.5 GHz), PowerBook G4 (15-inch
1.67/1.5 GHz), and PowerBook G4 (17-inch 1.67 GHz) have Sudden Motion
Sensor technology, built-in protection for the hard disk that is
designed to help prevent disk failures if the computer is dropped or
undergoes severe vibration. The Sudden Motion Sensor is designed to
detect unusually strong vibrations, sudden changes in position or
accelerated movement. If the computer is dropped, the Sudden Motion
Sensor instantly parks the hard drive heads to help reduce the risk of
damage to the hard drive on impact. When the Sudden Motion Sensor
senses that the PowerBook position is once again stable, it unlocks the
hard drive heads, and you are up and running within seconds."
"If you have a computer with the Sudden Motion Sensor and you have
video editing applications, such as Final Cut Pro, Final Cut Express,
or iMovie that exhibit performance issues (like dropped frames), then
temporarily turn off the Sudden Motion Sensor while working in those
applications."
From Sudden Motion
Sensor: Advanced Tips:
"Apple has adjusted this feature carefully to provide the best
balance between protecting the hard drive and preventing unwanted
activation of the Sudden Motion Sensor. Most PowerBook G4 owners will
never need to turn this feature off, and Apple suggests that you not
modify the settings unless absolutely necessary.
"In some environments, such as live concert halls, recording
studios, or dance clubs, external vibrations may be major enough to
cause the module to unexpectedly park the hard drive heads, resulting
in interrupted sound or video playback. In these situations, you may
find that you want to disable the feature temporarily."
Review: NewerTech Clamshell iBook Replacement
Battery
MyMac's John Nemerovski
reports:
"Apple's original clamshell (or 'toilet seat') G3 iBooks are great
portable computers. They scream in OS 9 and they work in OS X
without any serious difficulties. But their replacement batteries were
expensive and not easy to locate. Until now.
"Other World Computing (OWC) purchased NewerTechnology (NewerT), and
maintains its well-respected brand name for domestic and international
sales, says CEO Larry O'Connor. Replacement batteries are big business,
as OS X becomes more efficient on older iBooks and PowerBooks.
"I use a bondi-colored USB-only iBook for training purposes, and my
personal travel laptop is a blueberry iBook with USB + FireWire. The
bondi machine had a dead battery, so OWC's NewerT replacement comes in
very handy."
[Small niggle: there never was a 'Bondi' iBook - a color that only
appeared on the original iMac. Blue iBooks were either blueberry or
indigo. CM]
Battorox 1.7.8 Laptop Battery Monitor Shows Variety
of Battery Info
PR: Battorox monitors
easily and simply the battery information in your laptop including its
capacity, amps, current capacity, voltage, flags and current capacity
in percent.
Note:
- The information of the battery can not be monitored while the
battery is charging.
- There are some Macintosh systems without any Sensor. So it is not
possible to monitor the Battery Temperature of those machines.
New in this version:
- Optimized for OS X 10.3.8.
- Added cycle count.
System requirements: Mac OS X
Battorox is freeware.
Crumpler New York: You Talking to Me?
PR: "Hi, I'm the
Crumpler bag website. I'm not a Johnny come lately, either. I've
been through the rites of passage so I can help your passage. And
whatever you passage with me.
"Plus, mum, I was here first, I was here first! NAHHHH ...
"I started in Ballarat, Australia, where u have to be tuff to
survive cos it's cold & people are born with teeth in their ears to
chew your every word. Then I ended up in Melbourne, Australia, on
couriers' backs. That was a ride close to a passage. Heavy humps nearly
put Crumpler into the grim creeper's dead bagland. But Crumpler bags
got through.
"So here I am with u. Done the huff tart miles. Still smilin. Can
teach u a thing or two about livin. Can hang on your shoulder coz I'm
sewn tight to be your private voice of conscience up there. If you ask
nice like, I'll carry your load through life for u.
"So what about this bier for bags? It's simple. You give us beer. We
give you bags."
iPod News
Budfrog iPod Earbud Accessory
PR: Welcome to budfrog.com!
You have discovered the iPod and iPod mini accessory that answers the
question "isn't there a better way to store and manage my earbuds?"
budfrog is the perfect earbud accessory because it's so unbelievably
simple!
What's that you say? Don't have an iPod or iPod
mini? You don't have iPod or iPod mini earphones? That's cool, budfrog
works equally well with almost every type of earbud style earphone on
the market today.
The Budfrog stops earbud cord tangles when in use and during
storage. no more pulling a knot out of your pocket or wrapping the buds
around your iPod.
When mounted on Apple's iPod clip, lets you listen to music without
wearing earbuds. the buds act as mini speakers which also comes in
handy with the iPod's alarm clock feature.
Lets you adjust the cord length, keeping the excess from getting in
your way when running, biking, or working out.
Can be used with cassette adapters to keep cords out of your
way.
Price: $6.95
Casemandu Armored iPod Case
PR: Hook Industries has created the ultimate protective case
for the iPod and all its accessories. Casemandu cases are waterproof, dust
proof, and shock proof. The precision routed foam insert, custom made
for both iPods and iPod minis, is the same foam used by elite military
units and NASA to protect the most sensitive equipment in their
inventories.
Casemandu cases are specially designed to
prevent "bag rash", a term used to describe the damage that occurs when
equipment is stored within backpacks and similar gear bags. When you
store something as valuable as an iPod inside abook bag or other
nonconforming type of container, the movement within the bag, combined
with the damage from other items rubbing and slamming into your
valuable iPod, creates "bag rash" and destroys the finish and the value
of your iPod. Not to mention the fact that the chances of quickly
locating and using your accessories for you iPod are not good.
Casemandu cases provide the very best protection for you expensive
iPod and accessories while keeping all your gear organized and ready
for immediate use. We looked around for a solution like the Casemandu
case and we couldn't find one, so we invented it and now many of the
features of our case are patent pending! Casemandu is the only case on
the market that combines all the protection, organization, storage
capacity, and military specification quality in one nearly
indestructible unit.
Price: $49.95
Casemandu cases will begin shipping on March 1, 2005.
OtterBox for iPod mini: Protection Exclusively for
iPod mini Users
PR: Otter Products, LLC has announced the expansion of the
iPod case line with the OtterBox
for iPod mini, engineered exclusively for iPod mini users. This
fully waterproof, interactive case allows digital music enthusiasts
access to controls through a durable, yet compact design providing
versatility for active lifestyles.
"With the expansion of the
OtterBox Apple MP3 line, Otter Products offers a full range of products
to consumers," said Curt Richardson, CEO of Otter Products, LLC. "This
distinct product line allows users to protect their Apple iPod mini
from harm and carry their music virtually anywhere."
In 2004, Otter Products, released iPod 3rd and 4th Generation cases
and now with the introduction of the OtterBox for iPod mini, customers
can take their iPod mini to the beach, gym, hiking, canoeing, or other
activities without fear of ruining their valuable device. The OtterBox
for iPod mini retails for $49.95.
"The new case incorporates many improvements that our original
OtterBox for iPod users asked for," said Brian Thomas, Director of
Sales and Marketing for Otter Products. "The OtterBox for iPod mini is
completely waterproof, has an easy to read through screen, is useable
with any style headphones and incorporates cable management on the belt
clip for headphones."
Customers can also use the OtterBox for iPod mini's optional armband
to listen to their favorite tunes as well as still access iPod mini
controls through a clear membrane. With its transparent design, the
OtterBox for iPod mini allows the color of the iPod Mini to show
through.
"Numerous iPod mini users are restricted on where they take their
digital music players because they worry about damaging their valuable
device, not to mention loosing their favorite tunes," Thomas said. "The
OtterBox for iPod mini allows users to become mobile and fully protects
the valuable mini."
So for iPod users who are still taking their digital music players
to the beach in plastic bags for protection, there's a better way to
safeguard against environmental hazards with a comprehensive line of
iPod protection cases from Otter Products.
Windows Watch
Toshiba Gets Tough with Notebooks
The Register's Tony
Smith reports:
"Toshiba today [Feb. 15] launched a new line of business-oriented
notebooks, claiming the systems offer better connectivity, data
security and reliability than rival products.
"Notebooks equipped with the EasyGuard system are intended to appeal
to IT departments fed up with fixing or replacing damaged laptops. The
new machines feature sealed keyboards to protect more valuable
components from drink spillages - sufficient, at least, to 'safeguard
the notebook from certain low-volume spills and gives users several
minutes to close any open files and turn off the machine'. They also
feature rubber corners to limit the effect of impacts."
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 (VGA) and
G4/667 (DVI), the
titanium vs. aluminum 15" PowerBook G4 at 1 GHz, and 1.25 GHz to
1.5 GHz 15" PowerBooks.
For more deals on current or recently discontinued models, see our
Best PowerBook
G4 Deals, Best
iBook G4 Deals, and Best iBook G3 Deals.
