Compiled by Charles Moore
and edited by
Dan Knight
- 2005.10.21
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
Products and Services
News & Opinion
PowerBooks Improved with Higher-Res Displays,
Longer Battery Life
PR: Apple has enhanced its PowerBook G4 line of notebook
computers for business and creative professionals with
higher-resolution displays and up to one hour more battery life on
the 15" and 17" models.* In addition, every new PowerBook now
includes a DVD burning SuperDrive with prices starting at just
$1,499.
"The Apple PowerBook continues to deliver the ultimate in
portability, performance and innovative features," said Philip
Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Product
Marketing. "Our mobile customers are going to love working on the
new high-resolution PowerBook displays and appreciate the added
productivity that one more hour of battery life delivers."
The new higher-resolution PowerBooks provide significantly more
screen real estate and include the 17" PowerBook with a 1680 x 1050
pixel resolution - 36% more than the previous generation - and the
15" PowerBook with a 1440 x 960 pixel resolution - 26% more than
the previous generation. Ideal for business and creative
professionals, the new 15" and 17" PowerBooks make reading text and
viewing images even easier with brighter displays - up to 46%
brighter on the 17" model. The 15" and 17" PowerBooks also provide
up to an additional hour of battery life to get even more work done
while on the road.
The PowerBook line includes three models: the 1.5 GHz 12"
PowerBook with an 8x SuperDrive and the new 1.67 GHz 15" and 17"
PowerBooks with an 8x SuperDrive with double-layer support. Both
the 15" and 17" PowerBooks include ATI Mobility Radeon 9700
graphics with 128 MB DDR dedicated video memory and now feature
built-in Dual Link support to drive Apple's groundbreaking 30-inch
Cinema HD Display as an external monitor, providing more than four
million pixels of additional workspace.
Every PowerBook includes built-in Bluetooth 2.0+EDR (Enhanced
Data Rate), integrated AirPort Extreme 54 Mbps 802.11g WiFi
wireless networking**, a scrolling trackpad and Apple's Sudden
Motion Sensor technology. Mac OS X version 10.4 "Tiger," the fifth
major release of the world's most advanced operating system and
iLife '05, Apple's award-winning suite of digital lifestyle
applications, are included with every PowerBook.
Pricing & Availability The 12" and new 15" and 17"
PowerBooks are available immediately through the Apple Store,
Apple's retail stores, and Apple Authorized Resellers.
The 1.5 GHz, 12" PowerBook G4, for a suggested retail price of
$1,499 (US), includes:
- 512 MB of PC2700 333 MHz DDR SDRAM, expandable up to 1.25
GB;
- a slot-load 8x SuperDrive (DVD±RW/CD-RW) optical
drive;
- an 80 GB Ultra ATA/100 (5400 rpm) hard drive with Sudden Motion
Sensor;
- AirPort Extreme 54 Mbps 802.11g WiFi fast wireless networking
and internal Bluetooth 2.0+EDR;
- DVI, VGA, S-video and composite video support;
- two USB 2.0 ports and FireWire 400;
- audio line in and headphone out; and
- a scrolling trackpad.
The 1.67 GHz, 15" PowerBook G4, for a suggested retail price of
$1,999 (US), includes:
- a slot-load 8x SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD+R
DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW);
- 512 MB of PC2-4200 DDR2 SDRAM running at 333 MHz, expandable up
to 2 GB;
- 80 GB Ultra ATA/100 (5400 rpm) hard drive with Sudden Motion
Sensor;
- Built-in AirPort Extreme wireless networking & Bluetooth
2.0+EDR;
- DVI (Dual Link for 30-inch Cinema HD Display support), VGA,
S-video and composite video support;
- Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000BASE-T);
- two USB 2.0 ports, FireWire 400 and 800;
- analog and optical digital audio input and output;
- illuminated keyboard with ambient light sensor; and
- a scrolling trackpad.
The 1.67 GHz, 17" PowerBook G4, for a suggested retail price of
$2,499 (US), includes:
- a slot-load 8x SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD+R
DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW);
- 512 MB of PC2-4200 DDR2 SDRAM running at 333 MHz, expandable up
to 2 GB;
- 120 GB Ultra ATA/100 (5400 rpm) hard drive with Sudden Motion
Sensor;
- Built-in AirPort Extreme wireless networking & Bluetooth
2.0+EDR;
- DVI (Dual Link for 30-inch Cinema HD Display support), VGA,
S-video and composite video support;
- Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000BASE-T);
- two USB 2.0 ports, FireWire 400 and 800;
- analog and optical digital audio input and output;
- illuminated keyboard with ambient light sensor; and
- a scrolling trackpad.
Additional build-to-order options for the 12" PowerBook include
the ability to upgrade to 100 GB (5400 rpm) hard drive, up to 1.25
GB DDR SDRAM, a slot-load Combo (DVD-ROM/CD-RW) optical drive, and
the AppleCare Protection Plan. Additional build-to-order options
for the new 15" and 17" PowerBooks include the ability to upgrade
up to 2 GB DDR2 SDRAM, a slot-load Combo (DVD-ROM/CD-RW) optical
drive, and the AppleCare Protection Plan. The new 15" PowerBook
also offers a 100 GB or 120 GB (5400 rpm) hard drive as a
build-to-order option.
- *Battery life depends on configuration and use.
- **Actual speed will vary based on range from the base station,
environmental conditions and other factors.
Intel Shows Instant Booting Laptop Using Flash
RAM
Ars Technica's Eric Bangeman reports:
"Intel showed off its new Robson cache technology yesterday,
when it gave a demonstration using a laptop that booted up almost
immediately. The laptop in the question was equipped with a nice
chunk of NAND flash RAM, which made the super-speedy startup time
possible. As part of the demonstration, Intel also launched several
applications from the flash drive, including Adobe Reader in 0.4
seconds and Quicken in 2.9 seconds.
"Any seasoned road warrior will tell you that when it comes to
draining your laptop battery, there's nothing like a constantly
spinning hard drive. Intel's Robson cache technology attempts to
ameliorate the problem by moving frequently accessed data over to
the flash RAM. According to Intel, Robson is at the point where it
could be shared with laptop makers, although the company declined
to go into detail about how the technology works."
Products and Services
Lapvantage Loft Laptop Stands
PR: The Plasticsmith, Inc. today announced the release of
Lapvantage Loft, a laptop stand designed to improve computing
ergonomics while offering a sleek minimalist design. The Loft is a
full-featured desktop enhancement unit for anyone whose notebook
doubles as a desktop computer. It swivels 360 degrees and sports an
extra-thick polished acrylic platform in either iridescent
blue-edged, clear or opaque white. The steel pedestal is available
in black or metallic, designed to complement Apple's PowerBook
line.
More and more people are replacing their desktop computers
with laptops. But the inherent design of laptops - a fixed screen
and keyboard - violates the most basic ergonomic guidelines. Now
laptop users no longer need to compromise on comfort. The Loft lets
you show off your laptop while at the same time providing you the
ergonomic benefits of optimal viewing height, improved posture and
enhanced functionality. Its small footprint saves valuable desk
space and allows you to tuck an external keyboard under the
platform. This keeps you close enough to your laptop's screen for
comfortable viewing while preventing neck, shoulder and back
strain.
What's more, you can swivel the Loft to your heart's content,
making it easier to plug in peripherals and allowing you to more
smoothly turn your laptop screen for presentations or simply
showing your work to a colleague. It comes with 3M rubber feet that
attach to the top of the platform, keeping your laptop running
cooler.
Now you can enjoy the benefits of ergonomics and the look of
magic with either the shimmering blue-edged platform that radiates
a polychromatic effect, the clear platform that creates its own
lighting or the opaque white platform with its clean, modern
look.
And because safety is everything, the Loft is sturdy enough to
support most laptops and engineered to be exceptionally stable,
weight tested to support 15 lbs.
The Lapvantage Loft is available in 6 combinations - metallic
base/blue platform, metallic base/clear platform, metallic
base/opaque white platform, black base/blue platform, black
base/clear platform, black base/opaque white platform. It is
selling at the introductory price of $79.95 and sold exclusively at
The Plasticsmith's online store.
400 MHz G3 WallStreet Upgrade
PR: Wegener Media says:
We've all loved the WallStreet. But sometimes it's a bit slow.
So we decided to overhaul it, and with the Avanti upgrade, we're
sure you'll be happy with your PowerBook once again! We've taken
the PowerBook WallStreet, inspected it from head to toe, and we've
found a great way to speed it up!
- 400 MHz or 417 MHz G3 processor
- 1 MB L2 (backside) 250 MHz cache
- Runs Cooler than other upgrade kits
- 100% OS X compatible
- 100% OS 9 compatible
- No ROM upgrade necessary!
- No software installation!
- Supports from 32 to 512 MB
- Good for Mac OS 8.1 through Jaguar!!
- 1 year Warranty
The bottom line is, will this thing function? The
answer is yes! We have been able to reduce processor heat by nearly
50% cooler than even the G3 PowerBook Pismo! Our processor operates
at a balmy 50°C (that's 121°F for you Americans!). And cool
is good - this means great reliability for your processor, and
excellent performance for you!
Since our system upgrades don't require ROM updates, software
installation, or any other drivers, you're guaranteed complete 100%
compatibility. No need to install ANY software at all! Just plug in
the upgrade and restart your computer! Many folks who've bought
upgrades requiring ROM installation have experienced problems,
requiring them to return the units for reworking. By comparison,
our upgrade utilizes the original Apple ROM, therefore completely
bypassing the ROM issue, and guaranteeing you complete hassle-free
service!
Now one unit fits all WallStreet models! WallStreet Series 1 or WallStreet Series 2!
Price: $99.99
Kit includes processor, installation photo-guide, and upgraded
heat dissipation panel.
550 MHz G4 Pismo Upgrade
PR: Wegener Media says:
- 1 MB fast 250 MHz L2 caching, for high speed processing
& data transfer
- Low power consumption, excellent heat dissipation.
Our upgrade gives you performance surpassing PowerBook
Titaniums! With the unique 1 MB L2 cache level at 250 MHz, the
performance surpasses all of the early Titaniums, and with our
low-power consumption design, you'll see longer battery life, more
horsepower, and a cooler running processor than you have ever had
before!
- No software to install!
- No firmware modification!
- No issues!
- 100% compatibility with OS 9 and OS X - Jaguar, Panther,
Tiger!
- Easy, 10 minute installation with our kit!
- Kit includes: Processor unit, heat dissipation panel, cover
plate, cooling compound, tools, and instructions
Buy and install yourself: $199 (core return required - $150 core
charge will be refunded after your core is returned)
Order the upgrade and we'll install (you ship to us): $239. You
ship your PowerBook in, we'll install & return it to you.
Overnight Full Service: $349. We'll pickup your machine, and
have it back in your hands in 48 hours upgraded! Enter your phone
number in the Notes section (during checkout), and we'll call you
to arrange pickup same day if possible!
Options: Need more RAM? A larger hard drive, Combo drive, or our
exclusive SuperDrive? No problem -just order with your processor,
or call us when you send your machine - we'll install any extra
components from our site at no extra charge.
Hi-Speed USB 2.0 CardBus Adapter
PR: IOGear introduces the first Dual Port Hi-Speed USB
2.0 PCMCIA CardBus card for Macintosh and PC notebook computers.
IOGear's USB 2.0 PCMCIA CardBus card auto configures and requires
no additional drivers.
IOGear brings the cutting edge technology of USB 2.0 to
your Macintosh PowerBook or PC Laptop. You will enjoy the
convenience and newfound speed that has made USB an industry
standard. IOGear's USB 2.0 PCMCIA CardBus card will allow you to
easily add up to 127 simultaneous USB 2.0 and 1.1 devices. This
device will fit into any PCMCIA CardBus slot.
IOGear's USB 2.0 PCMCIA CardBus card will fit the need of any
mobile professional who needs the speed and convenience of USB
2.0.
Features
- Fully backwards compatible to USB 1.1
- Supports 32-bit CardBus PC Card Type II slot
- Up to 480 Mbps data transfer rate
- Hot Swappable - Plug-n-Play
- USB 1.1 and USB 2.0 compliant
- 2 built-in type A USB connections
- No software needed
- 3 Year Limited Warranty
Requirements
- For PC Users
- Windows 98SE,2000, ME, XP
- Available 32 bit PCMCIA slot (CardBus slot)
- For MAC Users
- Mac OS 8.6 or greater
- (NOTE: OS X 10.1.x is required for USB 2.0
functionality)
- Available PCMCIA slot
Price: $49.95
Milano 12" PowerBook/iBook Case
PR: The Milano leather case that is as slim and
full-featured as your new PowerBook. This high-quality leather case
is geared to the executive who wants a slim, stylish case for
business use.
Crafted of high-quality cowhide leather, the Milano comes
in a 12", 15" and 17" version to ensure a custom fit for all
PowerBook models. The 12" and 14" iBook also fit nicely in the
respectively sized cases. The Milano is a tight design that avoids
the bulkiness found in most other cases.
The Milano has a comfortable, padded non-slip shoulder strap
with an attachment for your iPod, digital camera or cellphone. Or
you can go strapless and carry the case by its rugged handle. The
buckles and handle connectors are all-high quality solid stainless
steel hardware.
The interior features a padded laptop pocket, lined with soft
plush fabric. A smaller pocket holds your non-digital documents and
folders. There is also a pocket for your extra batteries, cables,
adapters, etc. The back of the case features a large open pocked
for quick access to magazines, plane tickets or other quick-reach
items.
The Milano is a slim design with enough storage for the "on the
go" professional. Matter of fact, it is so sleek that most people
won't even realize that you have a laptop in your bag.
Price: $179.95
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" iBook G3/700, 128/20/CD, $399
- used 12" iBook G3/700, 128/20/Combo, $429
- used 12" iBook G3/700, 384/20/Combo, $469
- used 12" iBook G3/800, 128/30/CD, $419
- used 12" iBook G3/800, 384/30/CD, $429
- used 12" iBook G3/800, 384/30/Combo, $529
- used 12" iBook G3/900, 128/40/Combo, $559
- used 14" iBook G3/700, 256/30/Combo, $559
- new 15" PowerBook G4/1.5 GHz, 512+512/80/Combo, AirPort,
$1,699
- new 15" PowerBook G4/1.67 GHz, 512+512/80/SuperDrive,
$1,899
- refurb 12" iBook G4/1.2 GHz, 256/30/Combo, AirPort Extreme,
$749
- refurb 14" iBook G4/1.33 GHz, 256/60/Combo, AirPort Extreme,
$899
- refurb 15" PowerBook G4/1 GHz, 256/60/Combo, $1,299
- refurb 15" PowerBook G4/1.67 GHz, 512/80/SuperDrive, AirPort
Extreme, Bluetooth 2.0, $1,899
- refurb 17" PowerBook G4/1.5 GHz, 512/80/SuperDrive, AirPort
Extreme, $1,949
- 15" PowerBook G4/500, 256/20/DVD, $599
- 15" PowerBook G4/867, 256/40/Combo, $899
- extra 512 MB add $89
- used 14" iBook G3/700, 256/30/Combo, $549.99
- used 17" PowerBook G4/1 GHz, 512/60/SuperDrive, Airport
Extreme, $1,499.99
For more deals on current or recently discontinued models, see
our best aluminum PowerBook G4
deals, best titanium PowerBook G4
deals, best iBook G4 deals,
best PowerBook G3 deals, and best iBook G3 deals.
