Compiled by Charles Moore
and edited by
Dan Knight
- 2005.06.17
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
Switching to Intel
Reviews
Products and Services
News & Opinion
Next Generation G3 Sampling
Dale Elson, Senior Engineer, IBM PowerPC Applications
Engineering, reports:
"Check out the new PowerPC in town: The low-power IBM PowerPC
750GL is now available in limited sampling.
"The new IBM PowerPC 750GL microprocessor is now available in
limited sampling. The 750GL features lower price and power
consumption than the 750GX; versions aimed at consumer applications
will be available in 800 MHz and 933 MHz speed grades.
"The 750GL is the newest member of the IBM PowerPC 7xx
microprocessor family."
As the latest model in the G3 family, the 750GX is a potential
candidate for PowerBook Pismo
processor upgrades.
Link:
IBM PowerPC 750GL Available In Limited Sampling
Inside the iBook's Battery - AA
Cells
Cult of Mac's Leander Kahney says:
"It's complete surprise to me that the iBook's battery pack is
filled with ordinary-looking rechargeable batteries. Apparently
this is also the case with the PowerBook....
"It's so un-high-tech. "
Link:
Laptop Battery Insides Revealed
Switching to Intel
Intel Yonah Pricing Revealed
Simmtester.com reports:
"Intel dual-core notebook processors, (codenamed Yonah), will be
priced similarly to the current prices for the 700-series Pentium M
processors, according to sources in the Taiwan notebook
industry.
"Details of the dual-core notebook processors were revealed at
IDF (Intel Developer Forum) in San Francisco in September 2004 and
the processors will be launched in the first quarter of 2006.
"....Yonah-series processors will be adopted by Apple Computer,
which agreed to use Intel microprocessors for its Macintosh
computers starting in 2006."
Link: Intel
Yonah Pricing Revealed
Intel Choice Reflects Mobile-Computing
Trend
Sci-Tech Today's Jason Lopez says:
"For Apple to remain seriously competitive, it must address the
battery issue for its laptops and for mobile wireless devices the
firm is currently dreaming up. It is a serious subject at a company
that wants to be first in the market.
"...The research firm Current Analysis issued a report that
notebooks had outsold desktop computers in May, the first time that
has happened on a monthly basis.
"According to the research firm, computers made up 53.3 percent
of the personal computer market, outpacing desktop PCs....
"With IBM lacking the organizational focus to keep up with Intel
in the power-consumption arena, Apple might have had no choice but
to migrate."
Link:
Apple's Intel Choice Reflects Mobile-Computing Trend
Centrino Graphics, Audio Get a Boost
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Laptops Demand Lifts Intel's Outlook
The Globe and Mail's Roma Luciw reports:
"Intel Corp., the world's biggest computer chip maker, boosted
its second-quarter sales and gross margin forecast yesterday,
citing strong demand for its laptop-related chipsets....
"Shares of Intel, which recently signed a deal to supply
microprocessors to Apple Computer Inc., have risen 18.4 per cent
this year, making it the second-best performer on the Dow Jones
industrial average, behind Boeing Co. The stock was the
second-worst performer on the Dow in 2004....
"Chief executive officer Paul Otellini added new versions of the
laptop chips and is pushing engineers to enhance features such as
wireless Internet access rather than just wrenching up a chip's
speed. Laptops outsold desktops for the first time in May, and the
laptop market is growing three times faster than desktops,
researchers said."
Link:
Soaring Demand for Laptops Lifts Intel's Outlook
Reviews
15" PowerBook G4 Reviewed
PC Magazine says:
"The PowerBook is better
than before, with new features like the scrolling touch pad and the
Sudden Motion Sensor that protects your hard drive."
Link: Apple
PowerBook 15-inch
NotebookReview.com says:
"The PowerBook is Apple's desktop replacement notebook, but
unlike most PC notebooks in this category, the PowerBook is not
bulky, nor is it thick and heavy. In fact, the PowerBook is about
as thin as mainstream notebooks get, and as light as I could
imagine any laptop with this size screen. As far as configuration
goes, I opted for the 15.2 inch widescreen version with a 1.67 GHz
G4 processor, 512 megs of ram, a 64 MB ATI Mobility Radeon 9700
video card, and a super drive.
"I was very apprehensive about buying the PowerBook because I
had used PC's for my whole life. In fact, I was comfortable enough
with PC's that I had become the sort-of neighborhood mechanic. When
it came time to choose a computer for college, I had in the back of
my mind the aesthetic appeal of the Apple line of computers and
hoped that I could find a windows laptop with a similar look and
feel. After what seemed like endless searching, I came upon the
Asus W3v, which hadn't even begun to ship to the US yet. So, I put
most of my eggs into one basket and decided upon the Asus. But,
when they started shipping, I heard nasty things about palm rest
heat that scared me away enough to go to my local Apple store and
test-drive a PowerBook in the flesh. In a matter of minutes, I was
sold."
Link: Apple
PowerBook G4 15.2" Reviewed
Products and Services
Seagate Introduces World's First 160 GB
Notebook Hard Drive
PR: Breaking new ground in the mobile computing market,
Seagate Technology has announced the world's first 2.5" disk drive
built on perpendicular recording technology - a 160 GB notebook PC
giant with 25% more capacity than the largest capacity notebook
drive currently available. This expansion of Seagate's family of
Momentus notebook drives further closes the capacity and
performance gap between desktop and notebook PC hard drives as more
users replace aging desktop systems with fast, high-capacity
notebook computers.
Seagate today also became the first major hard disk drive maker
to announce plans to roll out strong, transparent hardware-based
data protection for notebook computers that prevents unauthorized
access to data. Robust notebook security is increasingly important
as thefts of notebooks with sensitive personal and business
information continue to rise, with companies incurring millions of
dollars of losses in lost or stolen trade secrets and intellectual
property and individuals facing the high cost of identify
theft.
"Mobile professionals are turning to notebooks to satisfy both
their mobile and office computing needs," said John Buttress, IDC's
research manager for hard drives. "They are also demanding
stronger, easier to use encryption solutions to protect their
sensitive information. Drive manufacturers such as Seagate that can
deliver stronger security and higher capacity using technologies
such as perpendicular recording will be in the sweet spot of market
demand for notebooks."
The new Momentus disc drive will be the first 2.5" notebook
product to use perpendicular recording, a technology that stands
data bits on end on the disc platter, rather than flat to the
surface as with existing longitudinal recording, to achieve new
levels of hard drive data density and storage capacity. Standing
bits on end also improves the reliability of read-write performance
in demanding environments. The Momentus enhancements come without
increases in power consumption or heat generation - crucial as
remote users look to work longer between battery charges and system
builders seek to pack more performance in smaller notebooks.
Seagate has taken the lead in responding to increasing concern
about lost or stolen business and personal data with an easy,
cost-effective way to deliver strong protection against
unauthorized access to data on notebook PCs. Seagate's new Momentus
5400 FDE hard drive will use hardware-based Full Disc Encryption
(FDE) to provide strong data protection and requires only a user
key to encrypt all data, not just selected files or partitions, on
the drive. What's more, Seagate FDE eliminates disc initialization
and configuration required by encryption software, and allows hard
drive data to be erased instantly so the drive can be
redeployed.
Seagate FDE puts all security keys and cryptographic operations
within the drive, separating them from the operating system to
provide greater protection against hacking and tampering than
traditional software alternatives, which can give thieves backdoor
access to encryption keys and are more vulnerable to viruses. FDE
is a key component of Seagate's DriveTrust Technology, a suite of
security features inside the drive that enables robust system-level
security such as key management and recovery.
"Seagate's introduction of hardware-based full disc encryption
is an important step to providing highly secure and easy to use
encryption technology to the broader marketplace," said Martin
Wulfert, CEO of Utimaco, a leading provider of security solutions
to major OEMs. "Momentus 5400 FDE is a perfect complement to our
enterprise key management and recovery solutions, which enable
corporations to centrally define and simplify management of IT
security policies across all mobile platforms."
"More office and home users want all the capabilities of a
desktop PC in a notebook computer - high performance and capacity,
stronger security and quiet operation - combined with power
efficiency so they can run longer between battery charges," said
Brian Dexheimer, Seagate executive vice president of Global Sales
and Marketing. "Some prefer lower-cost notebooks with lower
performance and capacity. All of them need products that can take a
pounding during travel and remote use. Seagate is meeting all these
needs with a comprehensive suite of hard drives built on the most
advanced technology platform in the industry."
Momentus 5400.3, a 5,400-rpm drive, will be Seagate's first to
bring the higher capacities and performance of perpendicular
recording to mainstream notebook PCs and non-PC applications
including external storage, commercial printers and copiers, and
non-mission critical blade servers. Next year Seagate will extend
the advantages of perpendicular recording to Momentus 7200.1, a
7,200-rpm drive designed for mobile workstations and other
high-performance notebook computing applications.
Perpendicular recording is a key addition to the 2.5" Momentus
family - a suite ranging from 4,200-rpm drives for mainstream
notebooks to 7,200-rpm drives for high-performance computing - as
Seagate redefines mobile computing by delivering rugged,
power-thrifty hard drives that combine whisper-quiet operation with
new levels of performance and capacity.
The Momentus family is built tough to withstand up to 900 Gs of
non-operating shock and 350 Gs of operating shock to protect drive
data, making the drives ideal for environments where systems are
jarred or subject to high levels of vibration. The hard drives are
also lean on power consumption, allowing notebook users to work
longer between battery charges, and are virtually inaudible thanks
to Seagate's innovative SoftSonic fluid-dynamic bearing motors and
QuietStep ramp load technology.
The new Momentus hard drives are among 10 new notebook, desktop
and consumer electronics products Seagate announced today. The
Seagate Momentus 5400 FDE and the Momentus 5400.3 will ship this
winter.
Seagate is the worldwide leader in the design, manufacturing and
marketing of hard disc drives, providing products for a wide-range
of Enterprise, Desktop, Mobile Computing, and Consumer Electronics
applications. Seagate's business model leverages technology
leadership and world-class manufacturing to deliver
industry-leading innovation and quality to its global customers,
and to be the low cost producer in all markets in which it
participates. The company is committed to providing award-winning
products, customer support and reliability to meet the world's
growing demand for information storage.
Link:
Seagate Introduces World's First 2.5-Inch Perpendicular Recording
Hard Drive
AC Adapter Powers 'Books, FireWire, and USB
Devices
PR: "Lucille" (BB King) is MadsonLine's first 65 watt AC
adapter for 12", 15", and 17" PowerBooks. Two years in development,
they are introducing it at WWDC and at Apple Expo Cologne. Lucille
is three adapters in one - 24 VDC for your PowerBook, regulated 12
VDC FireWire and 5 VDC USB. One adapter for your computer, USB hub
or cell phone, iPod. Reduce the number of adapters plugged into
your power strip.
From the engineering perspective, this adapter is rock
solid. It is a modified switching flyback design with a big
capacitor. The capacitor stores energy like a reservoir for the
momentary high demands like start up and when external devices are
plugged into it. What this means for you is longer product life,
what it means for us is fewer RMA's.
Lucille meets 'Energy Star Requirements' by being very energy
efficient. Consider that all the adapters in your power strip are
drawing power whether or not they are in use. Power management is
becoming more important every day as the expense to produce and
purchase energy continue to grow. Our 65 watt ac adapter draws only
0.4 watts of power in a no load state. In comparison, the Apple
adapter draws 0.9 Watts when not in use. Save a little on your
electric bill! Lucille also runs cool meaning 59 degrees F or 15
degrees C under full load.
Lucille is a travel adapter. It is three adapters in one with a
cord wrap, energy efficient and dependable. Now what would BB King
do without his Lucille, What would you?
- 2 year warranty.
- Taking Preorders Now.
- Shipping with luck, last week of June.
- Preorders are $78.
- Orders after July 10, $88.
Link: Lucille
Wireless Antenna Compatible with All
iBooks
PR: QuickerTek announces the first antenna for all Apple
iBooks with AirPort wireless capability, including AirPort Extreme.
This new antenna is an external device that features 5.5dBi of
power and improves the wireless range and signal strength in all
wireless environments. This new iBook antenna works with all iBook
models and is available for $99.95.
This new antenna adds 25 to 40 points to the MacStumbler rating
- a popular application used for measuring wireless performance.
Perhaps more impressive is that iBooks now have another 200-300
yards of wireless range effectively doubling the stock capability.
Another feature that iBook users can get excited about is that
there are connections for other QuickerTek external antennas such
as directional antennas for war-driving.
Gary Dailey of Daystar Technologies said, "This new antenna is a
huge win for all iBook users everywhere. The iBook has fairly good
wireless networking capability, but with this antenna you can
really stretch out the distance and still have great signal
strength. This is another great addition to QuickerTek wireless
lineup."
This antenna comes complete with all hardware required as well
as a CD-ROM with wireless software (not required to use the
antenna). Like most QuickerTek products, it's backed with a
one-year warranty on parts and labor.
QuickerTek is a recognized leading innovator of antennas and RF
products for Apple desktop and portable computers. QuickerTek
products can be purchased at Mac dealers such as Small Dog
Electronics, TechnoWarehouse, PowerBook Medic, DayStar Technologies
and many others.
Link: iBook Wireless
Antenna
Brenthaven Updates Notebook Cases with CORE
Protection System
PR: For years Brenthaven has been producing fine shoulder
cases and backpacks for Apple's PowerBook and iBook range of
notebooks. Now the line of cases has been redesigned.
The Brenthaven Pro
12/15-inch Shoulder Case incorporates the exclusive CORE protection
system that cleverly adjusts its grip to accommodate a 12 or
15-inch Apple notebook with a custom-fit. So, if you ever decide to
switch from a smaller to a larger notebook, a Pro 12/15 case will
still be there for you: still offering the ultimate notebook
protection for PowerBooks and iBooks.
SMALLER NOTEBOOK: The CORE Protection System remains flexed,
cradling the portable securely into place and providing maximum
protection.
LARGER NOTEBOOK: The CORE Protection System expands, cradling
the portable securely into place and providing maximum protection.
NOTE: The CORE expands up to 3" from the fully flexed position, to
allow a custom fit for various portable sizes.
The Pro 12/15 is a twin compartment case with a combination
accordion file folder and multimedia pockets designed for those
essential notebook accessories, cables and files. There's also an
all-new organizer panel with a special iPod protective pocket and
plenty of space for a cell phone and those other must-have items.
Apple users will also be pleased to note that the Pro 12/15
includes a quick-access pocket and a dedicated cable pocket. To the
rear of the case is another handy zippered compartment for
newspapers or magazines, as well as a wheelie strap for sliding the
Pro 12/15 over the handle of a wheeled suitcase for easy
transport.
Naturally, the new Pro 12/15 looks ready for business with
Brenthaven's smart new sleek look, coated oversized zipper pulls
for quiet travel and easy-grip handle. A very wide and comfortable
deluxe shoulder strap spreads the load nicely and features a
non-slip pad for extra security and comfort while on the move.
Like Brenthaven's other notebook cases, the Pro 12/15 is made
from military-grade ballistic nylon for a smart finish that will
stay looking new. This virtually indestructible material shrugs off
the rigors of the road with great style and panache. And with
Brenthaven's legendary lifetime warranty you'll have ultimate peace
of mind. The craftsmanship and heritage that goes into each case
means you'll probably never have to make a claim on that warranty,
but it's nice to know that's it there for you.
The Brenthaven Pro 12/15 Shoulder Case is available for $149.
There is also a Pro 17 Shoulder Case available for $179.
Link: Brenthaven
RadTech NeoCase Sleeves Tailored for Apple
Notebooks
PR: Sleek and durable water repellent Neoprene sleeve
features retractable handles and unique use-in capability.
Engage your missions with precise, minimalist style - confident
and ready for any assault.
Upgrade your notebook's durability, functionality
and style without bulking it up. Constructed from water-repellent,
3mm Type-W Siliconized Neoprene, RadTech's NeoCase sleeve offers
sleek and stylish protection. Features convenient use-in
capability, with retractable ballistic Nylon handles and top-grade
YKK zippers throughout - flange protected, so they'll never strike
your payload.
Conquer whatever life throws at you with 3 millimeters of
high-density, edge-reinforced, water-repellent Neoprene jacketing
your 'book.
NeoCase ensures that you remain fully functional, and ready to
work anywhere, and in record time thanks to it's unique stay-on
capability.
Disengage the over-strap, unzip and roll. Use it alone with it's
tough and comfortable handles, or feed it into the breach of your
larger bag or pack - either way, your notebook is confidently
protected.
Work anywhere with lightweight, stealthy and timesaving
confidence - RadTech's NeoCase delivers.
Features:
- Adapts to you - use as a protective sleeve, or as a stay-on
'jacket'
- Notebook protected by shock absorbing 3mm high-density
Neoprene.
- Confidently handles the extremes - tough and
water-repellent.
- Deployable ballistic Nylon handles and Velcro-secured
over-strap.
- Elastic corner retention straps keep notebook locked and loaded
when using in stay-on mode.
- Stealth black color compliments any uniform or urban
disguise.
- Top-grade, internally flanged YKK zippers throughout.
Material: 3mm Type-W Siliconized Neoprene
Cross-sectional thickness: 3.0mm
Dimensions - When fitted (Height x Width x Depth):
- 12" iBook: 1.6 x 11.6 x 9.5in (4.0 x 29.5 x 24cm)
- 14" iBook: 1.6 x 13.1 x 10.6in (4.0 x 33.3 x 26.9cm)
- 12" PwrBk: 1.4 x 11.3 x 9.0in (3.6 x 28.7 x 22.9cm)
- 15" PwrBk: 1.3 x 14.1 x 9.9in (3.4 x 35.8 x 25.1cm)
- 17" PwrBk: 1.2 x 15.8 x 10.6in (3.2 x 40.2 x 26.9cm)
Weight:
- 12" iBook - 0.2 kg / 0.4 lbs
- 14" iBook - 0.2 kg / 0.5 lbs
- 12" PwrBk - 0.2 kg / 0.4 lbs
- 15" PwrBk - 0.2 kg / 0.5 lbs
- 17" PwrBk - 0.3 kg / 0.6 lbs
Product of UK.
Price: $29.95
Link: RadTech
NeoCases
Think Different Store
ThermographX CPU Temperature Monitoring
Utility
PR: ThermographX monitors the internal temperature of
your PowerBook or modern Macintosh, utilizing the thermal sensors
built into the computer. It provides real-time measurementas as
well as historical graphs for plotting long-term temperature
trends. ThermographX also can display a customizable dock icon for
easy monitoring of your system performance. ThermographX also
incorporates user-submitted measurements, so you can compare your
system's measurements against those of other users.
ThermographX:
- Records maximum and minimum temperatures.
- Shows temperature records over time, using a zoomable display
so you can analyze short-term or long-term.
- Shows individual sensor temperatures on models that have
them.
- Graphs customer-submitted temperature results for comparison
with your own system.
ThermographX is compatible with many recent Macintosh
models. It is known to provide accurate sensor readings on
these models:
- 12" & 17" PowerBook G4.
- "Aluminum" 15" PowerBook G4.
- "Mirror Door" G4 (see note #2 below).
- Power Macintosh G5.
- iBook G4.
- G4 Cube (see note #2 below).
- iMac G4 & G5.
Note #1 : Motorola's MPC7450CE/D Rev 5 errata indicates "The
thermal assist unit (TAU) is no longer supported on the MPC7450,
MPC7451, or MPC7441.". Because of this, you will not be able to
measure the junction temperature on any system with these
processors. At current, this includes the "Gigabit" PowerBook G4
and the "2001 Quicksilver" G4's.
Note #2 : Mac OS X 10.3.5 eliminates compatibility with some
older Mac's, like the G4 Cube.
New in this version:
- Added measurements for 2GHz iMac G5.
- Updated with latest user-submitted temperature
measurements.
System requirements:
Mac OS X 10.2.4 or higher (Panther compatible); requires a
Macintosh with compatible thermal sensors (so far, these have been
found on the iBook G4, Aluminum 12", 15" and 17" PowerBooks, the
"mirror-door" G4 and the G5, and some G3 PowerBooks and G4 Cube
models).
ThermographX is $7 shareware.
Link: ThermographX
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.
- used 12" G3/500,
192/10/CD-ROM, $379.95
- used 12" G3/500,
192/30/CD-ROM, $419.95
- used 12" G3/500,
192/10/CD-ROM, AirPort, $459.95
- used 12" G3/500,
192/30/CD-ROM, AirPort, $499.95
- refurb 12" iBook G4/1
GHz, 256/30/CD-ROM, $699
- refurb 12" iBook G4/1
GHz, 256/30/Combo, $799
- 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 12" PowerBook G4/1.33
GHz, 256/60/Combo, AirPort Extreme, $1,099
- refurb 12" PowerBook G4/1.33
GHz, 256/60/SuperDrive, AirPort Extreme, $1,299
- refurb 15" PowerBook G4/1.5
GHz, 512/80/Combo, AirPort Extreme, Bluetooth 2.0, backlit
keyboard, $1,699
- used 12" PowerBook G4/1
GHz, 256/40/Combo, $829.99
- upgrade to SuperDrive, add $129.99
- add 512 MB RAM, $59.99
- 1 year extended service warranty, $99.99
- add AirPort Express, $39.99
- upgrade hard drive to 80 GB, add $119.99
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.
