Compiled by Charles Moore
and edited by
Dan Knight
- 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 The iNews
Review.
News & Opinion
Products and Services
Tech Trends
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
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our original content, whichever is less.)
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
- 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.
