Charles Moore - 2005.06.10

This Week's PowerBook, iBook, and Notebook News

General Apple and Mac desktop news is covered in The Mac News Review. iPod news is covered in iPod News Review.

News & Opinion

• Move to Intel May Mean Cheaper 'Books
• Apple Eyes Pentium M
• Pentium M May Become Next Apple Core
• Intel Spills Beans on Yonah, the Next Notebook Chip

Products and Services

• GlobeTrotter 3G Quad For PowerBooks
• Laptop Bag with Room for Full-sized iPods

Tech Trends

• Laptops Outsell Desktops for First Time
• Notebooks Outsell Desktops
• Seagate Pledges First 2.5" Perpendicular Hard Drive

Bargain 'Books

News & Opinion

Move to Intel May Mean Cheaper 'Books

Bloomberg reports:

"Apple Computer Inc.'s plan to switch its computers to Intel Corp. chips for the first time may help Chief Executive Steve Jobs sell cheaper laptops and extend gains in market share....

"The shift would help Jobs court laptop buyers, a market that's growing more than three times faster than desktop personal computers. Intel chips cost less, run faster and generate less heat than the products built by Motorola Inc. and International Business Machines Corp. that Cupertino, California-based Apple has relied on for 21 years."

• Link: Apple's Move to Intel May Signal Cheaper Mac Laptops

Apple Eyes Pentium M

IDG News Service's Tom Krazit reports:

"A processor alliance between Intel Corp. and Apple Computer Inc. would have seemed unthinkable five years ago, when Apple CEO Steve Jobs first began setting up the company's 'just in case' plan for moving to Intel chips if its relationship with IBM and Freescale Semiconductor Inc. faltered. With IBM and Freescale moving in different directions from Apple, the backup plan moved front and center this week....

"The first Apple systems in 2006 will use Intel's Pentium M processor, according to sources familiar with the companies' plans. The Pentium M uses the same x86 architecture as the Pentium 4 but consumes far less power. Its design philosophy is expected to be the model for Intel's future processors."

Since the Pentium M is a chip designed primarily for mobile applications, that would seem to imply that the first Macintels will be laptops.

• Link: Analysis: Apple eyes the Pentium M; IBM looks to game consoles

Pentium M May Become Next Apple Core

eWeek's John G. Spooner reports:

"Apple may choose Intel's Pentium M to become the first Intel chip inside a new generation of portables and small desktop computers.

"The Pentium M's mix of relatively low power consumption and high performance - Intel Corp. geared the chip to deliver more performance per clock cycle in order to consume less energy and thus run cooler than its Pentium 4 - makes it an ideal candidate for the likes of Apple Computer Inc.'s PowerBook line and its Mac Mini....

"The chip, which currently tops out at 2.13 GHz, typically performs as well or better than all but the fastest Pentium 4 chips, which clock in at 3.6 GHz and 3.8 GHz, even for applications such as computer-aided design, Intel and analysts say, while consuming roughly a quarter of the amount of power those chips use. "

• Link: Pentium M May Become Next Apple Core

Intel Spills Beans on Yonah, the Next Notebook Chip

CNET News.com's Michael Kanellos reports:

"Yonah, a notebook chip coming from Intel in the first part of next year, is going to be a lot different than its predecessors, company executives say.

"The chip, which will be made on the 65-nanometer process, will come with a number of enhancements over the current Pentium M line of notebook chips, Mooly Eden, vice president of the mobility group, said at a briefing here.

"For one thing, it will contain two cores, instead of the single core on current notebook chips.... performance. I am speaking about something crazy," Eden said.

"A single-core version of Yonah will also come out for budget notebooks."

• Link: Intel Spills Beans on Yonah, the Next Notebook Chip

Products and Services

GlobeTrotter 3G Quad For PowerBooks

PR: GlobeTrotter 3G Quad is a PC Card that supports 3G UMTS and GPRS connections worldwide.

GlobeTrotter 3G Quad is the ultimate solution for PowerBooks to provide a fast mobile Internet connection from virtually anywhere in the world with support of 850, 900, 1800, 1900 and 2100 MHz networks.

GlobeTrotter 3G Quad supports 3G UMTS connections with up to 384 kbit/s download speeds and up to 64 kbit/s upload speeds as well as fast GPRS connections with up to 53,4 kbit/s download speeds and up to 26,8 kbit/s upload speeds.

Easy to install, yet powerful to use Mobile High Speed 3G software included

Mobile High Speed will completely configure your Mac OS X system to use a 3G UMTS or GPRS online connection provided by your mobile network carrier with no pain of searching for such interesting information like APN number, connection parameters and modem scripts.

3G UMTS connections with up 384 kbit/s download speed and up to 64 kbit/s upload speed

GPRS connections with up to 53,4 kbit/s download speed and up to 26,8 kbit/s upload speed

(Multislot Class 10 GPRS allows 4 channel download and 2 channel upload with use of 5 channels simultaneously)

More than 200 3G UMTS and GPRS connection settings are already included in the software to feature an instant online experience

Connector for an external antenna to boost reception

Easy to use SIM card handling

System Requirements: Mac OS X (10.2.6 and higher)

3G UMTS/ GPRS/ GSM PC Data Card to be used with Apple PowerBooks 15" and 17" with PC Card slot

The GlobeTrotter 3G Quad sells for 389 Euro

• Link: GlobeTrotter 3G Quad PC Data Card for 3G UMTS and GPRS Connections

Laptop Bag with Room or Full-sized iPods

PR: You had to have the latest and coolest iBook/PowerBook (or other notebook computer) and now you're looking for a carrying case that exemplifies this same "coolness."

And now you've got an iPod. Wouldn't it be nice to be able to transport your cool notebook in a case that also fits your iPod and at the same time allows you to listen to your favorite tunes through amplified speakers in your carrying case?

Now it's possible! Introducing the "Coolest of Cool" Musak Carrying Case from TechWiz Innovations, Inc.

This Musak case contains everything you need for your notebook computer plus provides a mobile sound system for your iPod. It includes a special integrated flip-up case for your iPod that allows you to easily change volume and tracks. Plug in the attached cable into your iPod and now you are connected to your amplified speaker system. The Musak contains two high powered built-in speakers and a hidden, battery powered amplifier that really rock. Imagine, being able to hear you favorite tune anywhere you may go! And others around you can also enjoy what you are listening to.

There are two Musak models available. One for the full size iPod and one for the Mini. (Also fits most other brand MP3 players).

Musak is also compatible with 12", 14" and 15" Apple notebooks including PowerBooks and iBooks. (Most other brand, same-size notebook computers also fit well).

Compatible with 1G, 2G, 3G, and 4G iPod with Click Wheel, including iPod from HP, U2 Special Edition iPod, and iPod photo.

Musak features:

• Two models available - one for standard size iPod and one for iPod mini
• Integrated swing up case for iPod allows you easy access for changing tracks and volume
• Two built-in speakers for dynamic sound
• Built-in battery powered amplifier (4 AA batteries not included) provides power to the built-in speakers
• Amplifier hidden in zippered compartment for easy access to turn on/off and for battery exchange/removal
• Case made of high-quality, heavy duty fabric material, double-stitched to ensure a long life
• Black anodized hardware for a great look and extra strength
• Softly padded compartment, (top and sides) to ensure your notebook computer is safe from damage
• Separate compartment for files or books
• Inside, closed pocket for PDA or cellphone plus pen, ID and credit card pockets
• Adjustable shoulder strap adjusts to fit any person for that "just right" fit
• Fits 12", 14", and 15" iBook and PowerBook notebooks (as well as other same-sized brands)
• Works well as a standard carrying case even if you don't have a laptop, but want the mobile sound system for your iPod.

Price: $99

• Link: Techwiz Innovations's Musak, Laptop Bag for Full-sized iPods

Tech Trends

Laptops Outsell Desktops for First Time

The Associated Press's Greg Sandoval reports:

"In a sure sign that the era of mobile computing has arrived, notebooks have for the first time outsold desktops in the United States in a calendar month, the research firm Current Analysis says.

"After tracking sales from a sampling of electronics retailers, Current Analysis says notebook sales accounted for 53 percent of the total personal computer market last month, up from 46 percent during the same period last year."

• Link: Laptops Outsell Desktops for First Time

Notebooks Outsell Desktops

The Register's John Oates reports:

"US citizens bought more notebook computers than desktop computers for the first time ever last month.

"Laptop sales made up 53.3 per cent of total retail PC sales in May, compared to 45.9 per cent last year. Laptops have outsold desktops before - but only for a few days thanks to specific promotions, not for a whole month."

• Link: Notebooks Outsell Desktops

Seagate Pledges First 2.5" Perpendicular Hard Drive

The Register's Tony Smith reports:

"Seagate today pledged to be the first hard disk maker to bring to market 2.5in HDDs with perpendicular recording technology, drives with hardwired data encryption and the first 1in unit to deliver 8 GB of storage capacity.

"The 1in HDD will be pitched at hand-held devices like PDAs, MP3 players and phones. The 8 GB unit will be offered to OEMs and is part of Seagate's ST1 line-up, while a CompactFlash model, the 8 GB Photo Hard Drive, will ship through retail, Seagate said. The 8 GB ST1 is shipping now "in limited quantities... to select customers", Seagate added.

"The perpendicular recording technique, in which the magnetic domains are angled at 90 degrees to the disk surface rather than across it, is being pursued by a number of hard drive makers. The advantage is much greater data storage densities. Seagate said it will implement the technology in a 2.5in notebook drive running at 5400 rpm but offering a capacity of 160 GB, well beyond today's highest-capacity laptop-oriented units. In 2006, Seagate will ship a 7200 rpm model, the 7200."

• Link: Seagate Pledges First 2.5in Perpendicular HDD

Bargain 'Books

Bargain 'Books are used unless otherwise indicated. New and refurbished units have a one-year Apple warranty and are eligible for AppleCare.

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.

This Week's 'Book Deals

• 12" iBook G3/700, 256/20/CD-ROM, $449.99
• PowerBook Pismo G3/500, 256/12/Combo, $479.99
• 15" PowerBook G4/550, 256/20/Combo $799.99

• PowerBook G4/400, 128/10/DVD, $499.99
• PowerBook G4/500, 128/10/DVD, $549.99

• PowerBook Pismo G3/400, 192/10/DVD, $415
• PowerBook Pismo G3/500, 256/12/DVD, $459

Special Deals: Apple Certified

• refurb 12" iBook G4/1.2 GHz, 256/30/CD-ROM, $799
• refurb 12" iBook G4/1.2 GHz, 256/30/Combo, AirPort Extreme, $849
• refurb 14" iBook G4/1.33 GHz, 256/60/Combo, AirPort Extreme, $1,099
• refurb 14" iBook G4/1.33 GHz, 256/60/SuperDrive, AirPort Extreme, $1,299
• refurb 12" PowerBook G4/1.33 GHz, 256/60/SuperDrive, AirPort Extreme $1,299

For more deals on current or recently discontinued models, see our Best PowerBook G4 Deals, Best iBook G4 Deals, Best PowerBook G3 Deals, and Best iBook G3 Deals.