Compiled by Charles Moore
and edited
by Dan Knight
- 2006.01.13
This Week's MacBook, PowerBook, and iBook 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
Reviews
Products
Tech Trends
News
MacBook Pro with Intel Core Duo Processor Up to
4x Faster than PowerBook G4
PR: Apple on Tuesday unveiled its new MacBook Pro notebook computer
featuring the new Intel Core Duo processor which delivers up to
four times the performance of the PowerBook G4. The new MacBook
Pro, the first Mac notebook based on an Intel processor, features a
stunning aluminum enclosure just one inch thin, weighs only 5.6
pounds, includes a built-in iSight video camera for video
conferencing on-the-go, and the Apple Remote and Front Row software
for a simple, intuitive and powerful way for users to enjoy their
content wherever they go. The new MacBook Pro, available in
February, also features Apple's new patent-pending MagSafe magnetic
power connector, designed especially for mobile users.
![15" MacBook Pro]()
"MacBook Pro delivers dual-processor desktop performance in
a thin, sleek notebook," said Steve Jobs, Apple's CEO. "The new
MacBook Pro, with its Intel Core Duo dual-core processor, delivers
the performance of not just one, but two G5 processors in the
world's most stunning one inch thin design."
MacBook Pro features the new Intel Core Duo processor which
delivers dual-core performance in a breakthrough power-efficient
design, making it ideal for use in MacBook Pro's thin and
lightweight design. MacBook Pro is up to four times faster than the
product it replaces, the PowerBook G4, running industry standard
benchmarks.
Every new MacBook Pro comes with a built-in iSight video camera
for video conferencing on-the-go using Apple's award-winning iChat
AV, or recording a video Podcast or iMovie using iLife '06. MacBook
Pro also includes Photo Booth, Apple's fun-to-use application that
lets users take quick snapshots with the built-in iSight video
camera, add entertaining visual effects and share their pictures
with the touch of a button.
The new MacBook Pro is the first notebook to feature Apple's
breakthrough Front Row media experience and the Apple Remote,
turning MacBook Pro into a portable theatre. Front Row gives
customers a simple way to enjoy their content wherever they go -
including songs from their iTunes music library, photo slideshows
from iPhoto, videos including TV shows, Podcasts, iMovies and DVDs,
and popular movie trailers streamed from apple.com - all from up to
30 feet away.
The new MacBook Pro also debuts Apple's patent-pending MagSafe
magnetic power connector, designed especially for mobile users. The
MagSafe power connector makes charging the notebook's battery
easier than ever by magnetically coupling the power cord to the
MacBook Pro. The MagSafe power connector safely disconnects from
the notebook when there is strain on the power cord, helping to
prevent the notebook from falling off its work surface when the
power cord is inadvertently yanked.
The new MacBook Pro features a 67% brighter 15" display, which
is now as bright as Apple's Cinema Displays, and offers a
completely new system architecture for faster performance,
including a 667 MHz front-side bus that is four times as fast as
the PowerBook G4 and 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM memory expandable to
2 GB that is twice as fast as the PowerBook G4. Each MacBook
Pro comes standard with ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 PCI Express
graphics, with either 128 MB or 256 MB of dedicated GDDR3 graphics
memory. Each MacBook Pro 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 that is designed to protect the hard drive in case of
a fall.
The new MacBook Pro includes iLife '06, the next generation of
Apple's award-winning suite of digital lifestyle applications
featuring major new versions of iPhoto , iMovie HD, iDVD ,
GarageBand and introducing iWeb , a new iLife application that
makes it super-easy to create amazing websites with photos, blogs
and Podcasts and publish them on .mac for viewing by anyone on the
Internet with just a single click. All the iLife '06 applications
are Universal applications that run natively on the new Intel-based
MacBook Pros for maximum performance.
Every new MacBook Pro comes with the latest release of the
world's most advanced operating system, Mac OS X version 10.4.4
"Tiger" including Safari , Mail, iCal , iChat AV, Front Row and
Photo Booth, running natively on Apple's first Intel-based
notebook. Mac OS X Tiger includes an innovative software
translation technology called Rosetta that lets customers run most
Mac OS X PowerPC applications seamlessly.
Pricing & Availability
The new 15" MacBook Pro will be available in February through
the Apple Store, Apple's retail stores, and Apple Authorized
Resellers. Visitors to the Apple Store can pre-order MacBook Pro
beginning immediately.
The 1.67 GHz, 15" MacBook Pro, for a suggested retail price of
$1,999 (US), includes:
- 15.4" widescreen 1440 x 900 LCD display with 300 cd/m2
brightness
- 1.67 GHz Intel Core Duo processor
- 512 MB of 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM, expandable to 2 GB
- 80 GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 5400 rpm, with Sudden
Motion Sensor
- a slot-load SuperDrive optical drive
- PCI Express-based ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 with 128 MB GDDR3
memory
- DVI-out port for external display (VGA-out adapter included,
Composite/S-Video out adapter sold separately)
- built-in Dual Link support for driving Apple 30-inch Cinema HD
Display
- built-in iSight video camera
- Gigabit Ethernet port
- built-in AirPort Extreme wireless networking and Bluetooth
2.0+EDR
- ExpressCard/34 expansion card slot
- two USB 2.0 ports and one FireWire 400 port
- one audio line in and one audio line out port, each supporting
both optical digital and analog
- scrolling trackpad and illuminated keyboard
- the infrared Apple Remote
- 60 Watt hour lithium polymer battery; and
- 85W AC power adapter with MagSafe magnetic power
connector.
The 1.83 GHz, 15" MacBook Pro, for a suggested retail price of
$2,499 (US), includes:
- 15.4" widescreen 1440 x 900 LCD display with 300 cd/m2
brightness
- 1.83 GHz Intel Core Duo processor
- 1 GB of 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM, expandable to 2 GB
- 100 GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 5400 rpm, with Sudden
Motion Sensor
- a slot-load SuperDrive optical drive
- PCI Express-based ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 with 256 MB GDDR3
memory
- DVI-out port for external display (VGA-out adapter included,
Composite/S-Video out adapter sold separately)
- built-in Dual Link support for driving Apple 30-inch Cinema HD
Display
- built-in iSight video camera
- Gigabit Ethernet port
- built-in Airport Extreme wireless networking and Bluetooth
2.0+EDR
- ExpressCard/34 expansion card slot
- two USB 2.0 ports and one FireWire 400 port
- one audio line in and one audio line out port, each supporting
both optical digital and analog
- scrolling trackpad and illuminated keyboard
- the infrared Apple Remote
- 60 Watt hour lithium polymer battery; and
- 85W AC power adapter with MagSafe magnetic power
connector.
Additional build-to-order options for the 15" MacBook Pro
include the ability to upgrade to 120 GB (5400 rpm) or 100 GB (7200
rpm) hard drive, up to 2 GB DDR2 SDRAM, Apple USB Modem, and
the AppleCare Protection Plan.
Reviews
15" PowerBook G4/1.67 GHz vs. 12" PowerBook
G4/1.33 GHz
MacSpeedZone has posted a bake-off between PowerBook 15" G4/1.67
GHz vs. PowerBook 12" G4/1.33 GHz
- Link:
Mac Performance in the Raw - PowerBook 15" G4/1.67 GHz vs.
PowerBook 12" G4/1.33 GHz
Products and Services
New BookEndz Docking Station for 17"
PowerBook
PR: BookEndz, a division of OlympicControls Corp. is
pleased to announce the long awaited 17" Docking Station to the
existing product line that dock with the new PowerBook G4 Apple
laptop computers.
BookEndz Docking Stations eliminate cable confusion and damage
to connectors. Once the peripheral devices are plugged into the
BookEndz Dock, they can remain in and the PowerBook can be
connected or disconnected as needed. No hassle, no crawling around
looking for cables.
The New 17" BookEndz Docking Station replicates all of the
connectors on the PowerBook and plugs in quickly and easily. It has
an easy to use ejection system that ejects the PowerBook with one
simple movement. The product line includes docking stations for all
of the Power Books and iBooks dating back to 2000.
BookEndz is protected by US Patent # 5,186,646 and produced by
OlympicControls Corp. in Elgin, Illinois USA.
- Link: BookEndz
OWC Launches 160 GB Pocket-size Portable
Drive
PR: Six days prior to the 2006 Macworld Conference and
Expo in San Francisco, Other World Computing (OWC) gave an advanced
preview of the highest capacity, fastest speed portable storage
solution on the market, offering the newly engineered Mercury
On-The-Go Pro Series 800/400+USB 2.0 in an under 12-ounce design
with an unparalleled 160 Gigabyte storage capacity and running
speed of 5,400 revolutions per minute (RPM).
OWC was scheduled to introduce the unmatched 2.5", 160 GB drive
in early second quarter 2006 but instead shocked the technology
industry by previewing the design prior to the Consumer Electronics
Show in Las Vegas January 5, 2006, with the unit's official premier
and immediate availability to the public at the Macworld Conference
and Expo beginning January 10, 2006.
"Other World Computing is dedicated to always striving to exceed
consumer expectations by providing innovative solutions for today's
technology users that are faster, more powerful, more reliable and
more affordably priced than those available anywhere else," stated
CEO Larry O'Connor. The Mercury On-The-Go features both FireWire
800/400 and USB 2.0 ports, making it compatible with any Apple or
PC with an available FireWire or USB port. The new 2006 On-The-Go
Pro series adds FireWire 800 capability to double the potential
performance power of the previous incarnation of the On-The-Go
line, already recognized by technology authorities including Mac
Addict, Macworld and Maximum PC for industry-leading value and
performance.
All Mercury On-The-Go drives come with two FireWire 800/400 and
one USB 2.0/1.1 ports and ships with carrying case, FireWire 400
cable, FireWire 800 cable, USB cable, EMC/Dantz Retrospect and
Intech Speed Tools. They also are covered by a one-year warranty
and officially supported by Dantz Retrospect with the EMC/Dantz
Retrospect Backup Certification.
On-The-Go plug-and-play drives are compatible with all Apple OS
Versions 8.5 through 9.2.x; Apple OS X 10.0.3 and higher (including
OS X 'Tiger' 10.4.x); Microsoft Windows 98SE, ME, 2000, XP; and any
OS or electronic device with FireWire and/or USB data ports,
including digital video and still cameras.
The On-The-Go line features drives with 40- to 160 GB of storage
space running 4200-, 5400- or 7200 rpm starting at $129.99.
- Link: OWC FireWire
Drives
FirmTek Serial ATA Adapter for Mac and Windows
Laptops
PR: New SeriTek/1SM2 PC Card Enables Native Serial ATA
1.5 Gbps Performance Option over Slower FireWire and USB
Interfaces
FirmTek, LLC, a leading developer of Serial ATA storage
solutions, announced today at Macworld Expo the latest addition to
their line of Serial ATA adapters for Macintosh and Windows
computers. The SeriTek/1SM2 PC Card is a Type II 32-bit CardBus
host adapter which brings superior Serial ATA 1.5 Gbps storage
transfer performance to notebook computers. The SeriTek/1SM2 shares
many advanced features with FirmTek's popular line of SeriTek host
adapters such as best-in-class performance, the ability to hot-swap
hard drives without having to power down the notebook (even drives
which are configured as part of a RAID array), ease-of-use
comparable to USB and FireWire, and the incorporation of FirmTek's
expertise in providing quality products with extreme compatibility
and reliability.
"Users who take their work on the road need an option to quickly
and reliably swap and share high-performance Serial ATA hard drives
among desktop and notebook computers," said Chi Kim Stanford, VP of
Business Development. "Now they have that option with our new
SeriTek/1SM2 notebook PC Card adapter, enabling desktop-style
storage performance and capacity on laptop computers."
SeriTek/1SM2 Key Features and Benefits
- Supports two 3.5" SATA hard disk drives
- Enables effortless transport of high-capacity and
high-performance Serial ATA hard drives
- Supports operating system and software-based RAID or JBOD
configurations
- Disk activity LEDs for each hard drive
- Hot-swappable flexibility in switching drives
- Compatible with FirmTek's full line of hard drive
enclosures
- Allows exchanging of Serial ATA hard drives between multiple
desktop and notebook computers
- Designed as a native Serial ATA solution; no Parallel
ATA/USB/FireWire to Serial ATA bridge chips that might impact
performance and reliability
- Features new eSATA external connectors which offer maximum
insertion/removal dependability
- Platform independent; compatible with G4+ Macintosh and PC
notebooks with PC Card 32-bit CardBus Type II slots
- Supports Mac OS 9, Mac OS X, Windows, and Linux
- Works with original style shielded SATA-I or the latest eSATA
enclosure ports (original style shielded SATA-I to eSATA data
cables available separately)
FirmTek's SeriTek/1SM2 PC Card Notebook adapter will be
available during the first quarter of this year for the estimated
retail price of $89.95 (P/N SATA-1SM2 -
http://www.firmtek.com/seritek/seritek-1sm2). Specially priced
bundles with enclosures will also be available. For more
information or to purchase FirmTek products, please email
sales@firmtek.com or visit FirmTek's website.
- Link: FirmTek
First Laptop Bag for MacBook Pro
PR: TOM BIHN, designer, manufacturer and retailer of
laptop bags has created the new Size 4X of their hard-shell Brain
Cell and Monolith laptop cases specifically for the 15.4" MacBook
Pro.
The MacBook Pro, introduced by Steve Jobs during his keynote at
the Macworld conference, requires an entirely new size of
protective case designed specifically around its dimensions, which
include a very thin 1" height.
You can pre-order the Size 4X Brain Cell (Shipping February
15th) and Size 4X Monolith (Shipping February 28th) today.
The
Brain Cell (available in eight sizes, including Size 4X) and
Monolith (available in five sizes, including Size 4X) laptop cases
take laptop protection a step further. Cradled in 8mm thick soft
foam padding, the laptop hangs suspended in a 4mm hard corrugated
plastic insert that protects from the front, back, and bottom. The
sides are protected by dense crosslinked closed-cell polyethylene
foam. This offers the toughest protection you can get for your
laptop in a case that is still light and minimalist. The Brain Cell
will clip securely inside one of our messenger bags or briefcases,
be carried on its own, or slip into your current bag.
The Monolith
is designed to clip inside our backpacks, slip inside your current
backpack, or it can also can be carried on its own. The Brain Cell
and Monolith are available in five colors: Black, Steel, Deep Blue,
Crimson, and Wasabi.
The Size 4X Brain Cell is in production now and available for
pre-order today with a ship date of February 15th, 2006. The Size
4X Monolith is available for pre-order today with a ship date of
February 28th.
The Size 4X Brain Cell retails for $50. The Size 4X Monolith
retails for $45.
Ladies Notebook Cases from Targus
PR: Targus Inc., maker of the world's best-selling
notebook cases and accessories, introduces the Beemer line of
ladies notebook cases, featuring a unique, two-tone nylon
fabrication and soft pink suede-like lining in four fashionable
silhouettes - Messenger, Topload, Backpack and Slipcase.
"The basic black case in any category is always our number-one
seller, but female consumers are now looking for style and color as
well," said Michael Greco, director, US product marketing for
Targus. "The Beemer line of notebook carrying cases provides the
ideal combination of a conservative exterior with a fun and
fashionable lining. Feature-packed, the Beemer line offers the
durability and protection Targus cases are known for, but also
incorporates style and functionality that women will
appreciate."
Beemer Messenger (Model # TLM006US)
Designed to protect notebook computers with screen sizes up to
15"es, the Messenger front pocket workstation that offers a
notebook compartment with petal pink faux suede lining, removable
business card holder, compartments for files, a cell phone and PDA,
as well as pens and pencils, a key fob, and back slip pocket for
additional file folders. The Messenger's padded shoulder strap
provides extra comfort and is removable for an additional carrying
option. Measuring 15" x 3" x 13.25" and weighing 1.9 lbs., the
suggested retail price is $49.99.
Beemer Topload (Model # TLT030US)
Offering quick and easy access to the notebook compartment for
airport security removal, the Topload is designed for notebook
computers with screen sizes up to 15"es and includes a security
strap to protect the notebook during travel. The Topload featuring
a mini front pocket for small items, an interior slip pocket for
files, as well as a front pocket workstation with pockets for a
cell phone and PDA, pen and pencil holders, a business card holder
and a key fob.
The Topload's shoulder strap is padded for a comfortable fit, or
can be removed and carried by hand. Measuring 15.75" x 4" x 13.75"
and weighing 2.65 lbs., the suggested retail price is $59.99.
Beemer Backpack (Model # TLB005US)
Loaded with features, the stylish Backpack includes a front flap
with a business card holder, key clip, pen loops, a pocket for
airline tickets, a detachable mobile phone case and strap, as well
as a padded inside compartment that fits notebooks with screen
sizes up to 15.4"es with a bonus file folder section, and a back
zip pocket for additional files and travel accessories. The
convenient "hideaway" backpack straps and removable shoulder strap
offer a variety of carry options. Measuring 13" x 4" x 15.75" and
weighing 2.93 lbs., the suggested retail price is $69.99.
Beemer Slipcase (Model # TLS008US)
Designed for notebook computers with screen sizes up to 15"es,
the Slipcase offers an interior slip pocket and security strap to
hold the notebook in place during travel, as well as oversized
front pockets for additional accessories and mobile devices such as
a cell phone and PDA, as well as a business card holder and pen
loops. The padded shoulder strap provides comfortable travel, and
can be removed for an additional carrying option. Measuring 15.37"
x 2.5" x 13" and weighing 2.54 lbs., the suggested retail price is
$39.99.
All Beemer cases offer a limited lifetime warranty, and will be
available in March at select retailers as well as online.
- Link: Targus Ladies
Cases
Tech Trends
Asus Revs Lamborghini Laptops
The Register's Tony Smith reports:
"Asus has signed a deal with Italian automobile maker
Lamborghini to produce a line of notebooks that sport the car
company's logo.
"The Lamborghini laptop lineup will include glossy black and
yellow machines which, Asus claims, 'with the look alone, exude
power, speed, strength and beauty'. Apparently.
"Actually, they look quite swish, with some sharp-looking
angular features that give them a certain futurist quality, which
broadly matches the car company's own design philosophy."
- Link:
Asus Revs Lamborghini Laptops
Lamborghini Laptop Looms Large
crave.cnet.co.uk reports:
"...Intel is about to join forces with Italian sports car giant
Automobili Lamborghini to produce Lambo-branded laptops.
"According to Intel, the collaboration is a match made in
heaven, as laptop PCs account for two-thirds of computer sales in
Italy....
"The laptops are said to be based on the next generation
Centrino platform, codenamed Napa, and will feature the forthcoming
Yonah CPU that uses two processing cores instead of the usual one.
So it should be fast enough to live up to Lamborghini's reputation.
Sort of.
"As a Windows-based laptop, the Lambo will inevitably be
crashing a lot, but the good news is that (unlike a real
Lamborghini) its chassis won't be reduced to a mangled heap of
metal, and there's no insurance premium to pay - just hours of your
valuable time."
- Link: Lamborghini
Laptop Looms Large
ASUS and Lamborghini Partnership to Yield New
Lamborghini Notebook Series
PR: ASUSTeK Computer Inc. (ASUS) and Automobili
Lamborghini have announced a comprehensive partnership that merges
advanced information technology and automobile heritage. The result
is the stunning Lamborghini Notebook Series that inherits all the
striking traits of a true Lamborghini.
Available in both yellow and black, the Lamborghini Notebook
Series is the ultimate representation of technology and automobile
fusion and a true mobile computing revolution. With design details
and special mirror painting finish, the Industrial Design team at
ASUS has successfully produced an exceptional innovation that, with
the look alone, exudes power, speed, strength and beauty.
"The ASUS and Lamborghini alliance brings together two brands
that represents the highest quality and performance," said Tony
Chen, Director of ASUS Notebook Business. "The new ASUS Lamborghini
Notebook Series, a fusion of the best from both companies, will
surely provide a different mobile computing experience. With unique
mobile technology from ASUS and Lamborghini's cutting-edge
industrial designs, the all-new notebooks provide a breath of fresh
air to the boring looks of existing portable PCs."
[Editor's note: Not a Mac, but it looks exceedingly cool from
the teaser shots in the press release. I wish Apple would do an
automotive exotic cobranded 'Book]
- Link: ASUS
and Lamborghini Partnership to Yield New Lamborghini Notebook
Series
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.
PowerBook and iBook profiles linked in our Portable Mac Index.
With the release this week of the Intel based MacBook Pro,
prices of used/refurbished PowerBooks have begun to plummet.
- refurb 12" iBook G4/1.2 GHz, 256/30/CD, $699
- refurb 12" iBook G4/1.33 GHz, 512/40/Combo, APX, BT 2.0,
$799
- refurb 14" iBook G4/1.42 GHz, /512/60/SuperDrive, APX, BT 2.0,
$1,049
- refurb 12" PowerBook G4/1.33 GHz, 256/60/Combo, APX,
$1,049
- refurb 12" PowerBook G4/1.33 GHz, 256/60/SuperDrive, APX,
$1,099
- refurb 15" PowerBook G4/1.33 GHz, 256/60/Combo, APX,
$1,299
- refurb 15" PowerBook G4/1.5 GHz, 512/80/Combo, APX, BT 2.0,
$1,399
- refurb 15" PowerBook G4/1.67 GHz 512/80/SuperDrive, APX, BT
2.0, $1,599
- refurb 17" PowerBook G4/1.5 GHz, 512/80/SuperDrive, APX,
$1,699
- 15" PowerBook G4/667 MHz (DVI), 256/30/Combo, $639.99
- 15" PowerBook G4/867 MHz, 256/30/Combo, $739.99
- 15" Titanium PowerBook G4/1 GHz, 256/60/Combo, $829.99
- 15" PowerBook G4/867 MHz, 256/40/Combo, $798 (extra 512 MB add
$89)
- 15" PowerBook G4/1.33 MHz, 256/40/Combo, $1,225 (extra 512 MB
add $89)
- used 12" iBook G3/800, 128/30/CD, $369
- used 12" iBook G3/900, 128/40/Combo, $469
- used 12" iBook G3/900, 384/40/Combo, $549
- used 14" iBook G3/700, 256/30/Combo, $459
- used 14" iBook G3/800, 384/30/Combo, $589
- used 12" PowerBook G4/867 MHz, 256/40/Combo, $699
- refurb 15" PowerBook G4/1.5 GHz, 512/80/Combo, APX, $1,399
- used 17" PowerBook G4/1.33 GHz, 512/80/SuperDrive, APX, Scratch
& Dent, $1,449
The Apple Store Special Deals (Canada)
Prices in Canadian dollars
- refurb 12" PowerBook G4/1.5 GHz, 512/60/Combo, APX, BT 2.0,
$1,319
- refurb 12" PowerBook G4/1.5 GHz, 512/80/SuperDrive, APX, BT
2.0, $1,439
- refurb 15" PowerBook G4/1.5 GHz, 512/80/Combo, APX, BT 2.0,
$1,679
- refurb 17" PowerBook G4/1.67 GHz, 512/100/SuperDrive, APX, BT
2.0, $2,219
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.
