Compiled by Charles Moore
and edited by
Dan Knight
- 2005.08.19
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 about
Apple's transition to Intel CPUs and other Intel developments is
covered in The Macintel Report.
All prices are in US dollars unless otherwise noted.
News & Opinion
Advice
Reviews
Products and Services
Software
Windows Watch
News & Opinion
iBook Sale Ends In Pandemonium
The Register's Lester Haines reports:
"A sale of second-hand iBook laptops in Richmond, Virginia,
yesterday ended in complete pandemonium as thousands of
bargain-hungry punters stormed Richmond International Raceway in a
desperate scramble to get their hands on the $50 machines...
"Seventeen people were treated for injuries...."
Panic Ensues in Rush for Cheap iBooks
AP reports:
"A rush to purchase $50 used laptops turned into a violent
stampede Tuesday, with people getting thrown to the pavement,
beaten with a folding chair and nearly driven over. One woman went
so far to wet herself rather than surrender her place in
line....
"More than 1,000 people turned out at the Richmond International
Raceway in hopes of getting their hands on one of the 4-year-old
Apple iBooks...."
PowerBook G4 Graphics Update for 1.67 GHz
Models
This update is recommended for the following PowerBook G4
computers:
- PowerBook G4 (15", 1.67 GHz)
- PowerBook G4 (17", 1.67 GHz)
The PowerBook G4 Graphics Update 1.0 improves graphics stability
for some 1.67- GHz PowerBook G4 computers.
System requirements:
- Installation of the PowerBook G4 Graphics Update requires Mac
OS X 10.4.2
- PowerBook G4 (15", 1.67 GHz)
- PowerBook G4 (17", 1.67 GHz)
- Link:
Apple PowerBook G4 Graphics Update 1.0 for 1.67 GHz Models
Apple's PowerBook G4 - Dead Man Walking?
Gizmodo reports:
"Rumors are flying that Apple is giving their PowerBook G4
lineup one last run around the track before sending it to the glue
factory."
Tear Down a Mac mini and You Get a Notebook
PC
DigiTimes' Michael McManus says:
"What do you call a mobile computer that has no display, no
keyboard and no other input devices? Apple Computer calls it the
Mac mini and it is really a desktop PC that is designed and built
like a laptop. A recent dissection conducted by iSuppli Corp.'s
Teardown Analysis service reveals that the Mac mini employs a
cutting-edge design that showcases Apple's aplomb for developing
elegant systems that pack a great deal of functionality into a tiny
form factor....
"iSuppli's Teardown Analysis service estimates the bill of
materials cost for the Mac mini at $274.69. With manufacturing
costs added, the total rises to $283.37...."
When Laptops Are a Pain in the Neck
The Guardian's Jack Schofield reports:
"My problem arose partly because of the perfectly natural
tendency to use the fastest machines around, and both my newest
computers - an IBM ThinkPad X31 and an Apple iBook - were
notebooks. Both have WiFi, too, and if you work at home, you get
extra points for staying-home time.
"As a result, I've spent too much of the past 18 months slumped
over a notebook rather than sitting upright at a desktop. This
helped accustom my upper spine to being in a bad position. Then I
woke up one morning with a cricked neck, and the pain didn't go
away in a couple of hours, it got worse. And worse. Soon, the only
way I could raise my right arm was if I lifted it with my left.
"As someone who has read more than one book on computer
ergonomics, I was surprised to find my physiotherapist so hostile
to notebook PCs. With the keyboard at the correct height, I felt my
typing position was comfortable, and my posture was not
particularly different from the one used when reading books.
"However, keen readers can change their posture at frequent
intervals, holding the book in a different position. That's much
harder to do with a notebook computer...."
Advice
Buyer Be Wise When Looking for a Laptop
The Washington Post's Rob Pegoraro says:
"An amazing thing has happened over the past decade: Laptop
computers, once expensive niche products, have become
commonplace.
"By one estimate, they outsold desktops for the first time in
the United States in the second quarter of this year.
"Many people buy laptops that will never leave a desk, just
because they like having all of the computer in one unit.
"But as laptops have reached mainstream status, they have not
become a simpler purchase to make. They're marketed just like most
other electronic items: Manufacturers skimp on features and
capabilities to save money, or so that you'll buy other products
and services from them. It's up to you to spot what got left
out."
DIY PowerBook AC Adapter Repair
theappleblog's Tony Korologos says:
"Apple engineers are some of the most imaginative and pioneering
in the technology industry. But they missed the boat on the design
of my 65W PowerBook G4 adapter.
About one year after I bought my $3900 PowerBook, the power
supply started to short out. Of course this event occurred after
the warranty had expired. The smaller white cable coming out of the
supply takes on a ton of stress through daily use. Eventually this
thin cable weakened and shorted out completely. It shorted out to
the point of actually sparking and melting the plastic. I'm lucky I
didn't have to sue Apple for my house burning to the ground....
"This week my 2nd adapter shorted out completely. And since my
battery only lasts about 7 minutes I was dead in the water. I
really didn't want to fork out more bucks on another new supply so
I decided to crack it open. I was able to fix the problem and put
it back together, just like new . . . sort of...."
Guidelines for Monitor Placement and
Lighting
Ankrum Associates' Dennis R. Ankrum CIE says:
"How do you set up a computer workstation? Do you buy monitor
risers or remove the CPU from beneath the monitor. Will even lower
monitor positions cause neck strain? Can you get away with tipping
the monitor down to avoid glare or should you invest in indirect
lighting? How about viewing distance? 16 inches? 25 inches? Or even
farther? Does screen color make a difference? Is there any evidence
that ergonomic workstations improve work performance?
"This article suggests guidelines for monitor placement and
lighting. They are based on the latest scientific research.
Demonstrations illustrate the principles behind the
recommendations.
- Eye-to-screen distance: at least 25", preferably more.
- Vertical location: viewing area of the monitor between 15°
and 50 below horizontal eye level.
- Monitor tilt: top of the monitor slightly farther from the eyes
than the bottom of the monitor.
- Lighting: ceiling suspended, indirect lighting. Use blinds and
shades to control outside light.
- Screen colors: dark letters on a light background.
[Long, detailed article]
Reviews
12" iBook G4/1.33 GHz
The Washington Post's Michael Tedeschi reports:
"Apple Computer's hardware tends toward the cutting edge of
industrial-design chic, with sleek, clean lines. Sometimes that
style costs extra, sometimes it doesn't.
"Apple's laptops exhibit that trend nicely. Most of them,
especially the larger PowerBooks, sell at a premium over similarly
equipped Windows portables. If you need DVD-burning capability, a
PC Card slot or a larger screen, you'll have to pay that extra
price.
"If, on the other hand, you just need an everyday machine that
won't weigh heavily on your shoulder, the entry-level iBook G4, at
$999, stands out as a great deal."
Macworld Looks at New iBooks and
Refreshed Mac mini
Macworld Magazine's Jennifer Berger reports:
"Some new Mac offerings are groundbreaking - the Mac mini's
debut in January comes to mind - while others are just incremental.
The latest revisions to the iBook G4 and Mac mini lines fall
somewhere between these extremes; their additional standard
features are few, but lower prices significantly increase their
value."
Products and Services
Wraparound Speakers for Notebook
Computers
[PR] For people who want better-sounding audio
performance from their notebooks, Digital Age Products introduces
the Wraparound 2.1 Notebook Speakers. The Wraparound Notebook
Speakers combine performance and innovative design to enhance the
weak audio output of many 14" and 15" notebook computers.
The
Wraparound Notebook Speakers were created to be portable and
designed to be one with your laptop, not just a pair of boxes that
hang off the side of your computer connected by miles of wire.
The Wraparound Notebook Speakers slide on and clip to the back
of your laptop's screen, held tightly with padded grips (a sizing
dial adjusts the tightness). Then the foldaway, wing-designed
speakers fan out from the back. When not in use, the speakers swing
closed and recede invisibly into the back of the notebook.
Powered by the notebook's USB port, the Wraparound Speakers
deliver increased volume that is sharp, crisp and loud enough to
fill a conference room, lecture hall or living room. And for extra
depth, the Wraparound Notebook Speakers come with a small but
powerful sub woofer that adds base and resonance (powered
separately by its own AC adapter).
"The Wraparound Notebook Speakers are easy to carry, easy to
connect and easy to use. They enhance any audio situation, from
business presentations to listening to your favorite audio or
Podcast, to watching your favorite DVD's," said Larry Reich. "We
think they are the best and most complete notebook sound system for
your laptop."
Wraparound Notebook Speakers - $59.95
All Digital Age Products can be purchased at major CE and
computer retailers like J&R, Laptops For Less, and other
national resellers, as well as the Digital Age Products
website.
FlashPoint, a USB Flash Drive with a
Brain
[PR] Xmultiple has developed a new and patent pending
technology called FlashPoint. FlashPoint provides users the freedom
to transfer files between flash drives, "Sharing-On-The-Go" (SOTG),
without the need of a notebook computer or cumbersome USB
Bridges.
SOTG technology is
embedded into Xmultiple's ShareDrive line of USB flash memory pen
drives and can easily download and upload data files between a
ShareDrive pen drive and any other USB Memory pen drive or any
other USB memory peripheral such as computers and MP3 players.
ShareDrives are small, lightweight devices and are powered by a
rechargeable lithium-ion battery and are available in 128k, 256k,
512k, 1 GB and 2 GB sizes. Features include:
- Easy one-step file transferring procedure Upload data from any
computer or host device or any other pen drive Download data to
other ShareDrives or any other pen drive Automatic USB battery pack
power management Low battery power indicator
- With Xmultiple's FlashPoint ShareDrives applications are only
limited by the imagination. At last sharing electronic data has
truly been set free of the bulky hardware. Now you can transfer
data without the use of a computer or USB bridge:
- Share business files at lunch, while traveling or at meetings
as simply as shaking hands! Transfer Mapping Software to your
Vehicle Exchange or transfer data from one cell phone to another
Download digital photos from your camera to be shared with other
USB flash drives or most any USB equipped peripheral Swap MP3 music
or photo files with friends at school, around town or at the office
Teachers and Students - Exchange Class Lectures, assignments,
research, etc. All without a computer using SOTG technology.
Exchange business card, Catalogs or product sheets at trade shows
electronically Make back-up recordings of other pen drive files or
USB equipped peripherals.
New FlashPoint ShareDrive USB Memory pen drives are small enough
to fit on a key chain for convenience and have enough capacity for
maximum enjoyment. This new technology will play a big role in the
ever-increasing portable digital formats for data files, digital
photos and the growing MP3 segment of the music world.
Not just a USB Memory pen drive, but a USB Memory pen drive with
intelligence.
This product is the worlds first computer-less USB copying
device . . . the product operates with almost any
thumbdrive.
Software
CPUswitch: Switch Your CPU Performance
Settings
[PR] CPUswitch allows you to change the CPU speed by a
click. It shows the current speed setting in the title bar of it's
window.
If you push the "I" button, it will show the current load of the
last minute and the current CPU usage in percent next to the
pushbutton.
These values are not automatically updated to prevent
unnecessarily consumption of CPU time. If you want to monitor your
CPU constantly, please go to the "Preferences" menu and enable the
"calculate CPU" and "calculate Power Source" checkboxes. This will
increase you system load for approximately 2%.
The window title shows you your current power source and the
current CPU setting.
- "c:" means you are currently using a charger
- "b:" means you are currently using a battery
- "a:" (pulldown menu only) set CPU performance for all power
sources
New in this version:
- CPU and Power Source can now set to be automatically
updated
- Calculation of Power Source is now more reliable
- you can now have individually settings for battery, charger and
all supplies
- You can close the application window now without quitting
CPUswitch
- When you start CPUswitch the preferences window will pop up and
ask for the Admin password
System requirements: Mac OS X 10.3.9 or later. No indication on
website which Macs CPUswitch works with.
CPUswitch is freeware.
- CPUswitch
(Editor's note: I was unable to download CPUswitch in Firefox, but
I could do so in Safari.)
Windows Watch
Toshiba Libretto U100 Ultraportable
Notebook
Pocket Lint's Stephen Patrick reports:
"Toshiba has been designing and manufacturing notebooks for 20
years, starting with the T110 in 1985, which weighed in at over
7kg, had a battery life of 60m and possessed a green screen. To
celebrate, the company has chosen to revive one of its older
ultraportable lines, in the form of the Toshiba Libretto U100.
Initially there will be this one model but if it proves popular,
the line will be expanded...
"The U100 is no normal laptop. Instead, it's a showcase for how
far miniaturisation has come. The U100 looks and feels more like a
shrunken notebook. Its proportions are in keeping with larger
machines - it's not a slimmed down ultraportable."
One wonders if Apple will someday release a subnotebook like
this 8-1/4" wide, 2.2 lb. Toshiba with its 7.2" 1280 x 768
display.
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.
- 12" iBook G4/1.33 GHz, 512/40/Combo, AirPort Extreme, $999.99
less $100 mail-in rebate
- 12" iBook G3/500, 128/20/CD, $345
- 12" iBook G3/500, 128/20/CD, AirPort, $409
- PowerBook Pismo G3/500, 256/12/DVD, $449
- 12" PowerBook G4/867, 512/40/Combo, $819
- PowerBook G4/400, 128/10/DVD, $549.99
- PowerBook G4/500, 128/20/DVD, $579.99
- PowerBook G4/550, 256/20/DVD, $639.99
- 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, $1,699
- refurb 17" PowerBook G4 1.5 GHz, 512/80/SuperDrive, AirPort
Extreme, $1,999
- 12" iBook G3/700, 256/20/Combo, $549.99
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.
