Compiled by Charles Moore
and edited
by Dan Knight
- 2006.02.24
This Week's MacBook, PowerBook, and iBook News
MacBook
Pros are shipping, and this week we have real world battery life
and performance benchmarks as well as the first teardown guide. On
the PowerBook front, NewerTech has released the longest lasting
batteries yet for the 15" titanium and 15" aluminum PowerBooks G4
models.
All prices are in US dollars unless otherwise noted.
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.
MacBook News
News & Opinion
Products and Services
MacBook News
MacBook Pro Battery and MacBench 1.2 Benchmarks
Posted
PowerPage's Jason O'Grady says:
"I did my first real test of the controversial MacBook Pro battery today. I wanted
to test the MBP in a typical setting for my daily use...."
Preliminary testing shows the MacBook Pro has slightly better
battery life than a 15" PowerBook G4/1.5 GHz.
Also posted by Jason are some initial benchmarks comparing the
PowerBook G4 1.5 GHz (2 GB RAM, 120 GB HDD) and the MacBook
Pro 2.0 GHz (1 GB RAM, 100 GB HDD) from MacBench 1.2.
MacBook Pro Photoshop Benchmarks Posted
ZD Net blogger Jason D. O'Grady has posted more MacBook Pro benchmarks:
"I've run some benchmarks on Apple's new MacBook Pro running an
application that hasn't been optimized for the Intel chip yet -
Adobe's notoriously resource intensive Photoshop CS.
"For the test I ran two Photoshop actions on my PowerBook G4 1.5 GHz and on my MacBook
Pro 2.0 GHz. Both are similarly configured with 2 GB of RAM
and 120 GB (5400 RPM) hard drives. For the purposes of these tests
both machines were booted into clean OS X user accounts with
no other applications running. Photoshop guru Will Hammond created
the actions and provided me with benchmarks for his TiBook
1 GHz with 1 GB RAM and 100 GB HDD for comparison....
"The results are very interesting…"
Editor's note: looks like the MacBook Pro running
Photoshop in Rosetta emulation would be about as fast as a
1 GHz PowerBook (Intel CPUs/Rosetta don't support AltiVec, and
Photoshop for Mac is highly optimized for AltiVec.
cm
- Link: MacBook Pro
Photoshop Benchmarks Posted
iFixit Posts MacBook Disassembly Guide
PR: iFixit, maker of the revolutionary Fixit Guide
series, has posted the first MacBook Pro disassembly instructions
and photos. The MacBook Pro disassembly is online.
The MacBook Pro disassembly guide contains high resolution
photos of the MacBook's internals, including the Intel Core Duo
processor. The MacBook guide complements iFixit's revolutionary
do-it-yourself laptop repair manuals, the Fixit Guide Series. Fixit
Guides are available for every laptop Apple has made since 1998.
All Guides are available free online.
iFixit also sells a full line of PowerBook and iBook parts. "I'm
proud to announce that we have over 600 different Mac parts and
upgrades in-stock and ready to ship. We couldn't be more excited
about our market position," said Kyle Wiens, iFixit's CEO. Fixit
Guides are available for these computers:
- MacBook Pro
- Mac Mini
- PowerBook G4 Aluminum (867 MHz - 1.67 GHz)
- PowerBook G4 Titanium (400 MHz - 1 GHz)
- PowerBook G3 (233 - 500 MHz)
- iBook G4 (800 MHz - 1.42 GHz)
- iBook G3 (300 - 900 MHz)
iFixit launched in 2003 and instantly became the leader in the
Mac laptop part industry. iFixit is dedicated to helping Macintosh
zealots everywhere keep their Macs running. For more information,
visit: www.iFixit.com or call 1-866-61-FIXIT.
Link: iFixit
Guides
OWC Posts MacBook Pro Teardown Pix
A new OWC record. Machine received about 10:30 2/21/06 - and
already fully taken apart, pictures taken, and posted to the web by
1 PM. Not even enough time to benchmark this system! :>)
You can check it out here:
https://eshop.macsales.com/Reviews/Framework.cfm?
page=/hardwareandnews/mbp1520/mbp1520.html
News & Opinion
The 15" PowerBook Gone; 12" and 17" May Not Be
Far Behind
MacBookLive reports:
"Buh bye, 15" PowerBook. We knew it was coming, but it's still a
bit of a shock to see the most popular PowerBook no longer
available for sale in the Apple Store. Are the 12" and 17" models
far behind?
The full court press is on with the move to Intel Macs, and six
weeks after the announcement of the 15" MacBook, its PowerBook
brother is kicked out of the family. That seems about right for the
amount of time necessary to clear out an inventory channel. The
question now is, if Apple is no longer manufacturing the 12" and
17" models, how long until the current stock of these models dries
up? A little low tech research comprised of calling around the
country to various Apple Stores may indicate that this will happen
sooner rather than later...."
- Link:
The 15" PowerBook Is Gone; Indications that the 12" and 17" May Not
Be Far Behind?
17" MacBook Pro 'to Debut in June'
The Register's Tony Smith reports:
"Apple will launch a 2.16 GHz 17in MacBook Pro in June - exactly
one year after it formally announced the move to Intel processors.
However, there's still no sign that the company will similarly
create a MacBook Pro version of its 12in PowerBook G4.
So claim "reliable" sources cited by AppleInsider. According to
the website, the 17in notebook's development work has matched that
of the Intel-based iBook line-up, but while the consumer laptops
are expected to debut in April, the availability of suitably
slimline 8x DVD±RW drives for the 17in model - Apple's
flagship notebook, after all - may well be holding up the product's
introduction."
- Link:
Apple 17in MacBook Pro 'to Debut in June'
iTab: The iBook Evolved into a Tablet
Computer
PR: A company called ThePlaceforitAll.com has announced a
new Mac OS tablet computer called iTab. According to the company's
Website, the iTab is built by taking Apple's 12" iBook laptop,
taking the screen off, applying a touchscreen, then flipping the
screen around and fastening it on. The whole thing is finished off
by putting the leftover screen backing over the top of the iTab,
giving it the "rounded white edges." The image reproduced here is
claimed to be a very close approximation of what iTab should look
like when constructed.
The iTab is not built
yet. ThePlaceforitAll.com plans to build them as they are sold, at
least initially one at a time, through
eBay auctions.
Every iTab will come with all of the original iBook accessories,
plus a stylus, and all of the iBook's software (Mac OS X Tiger
preinstalled, games, etc.). The hardware specifications are the
same as the original iBook (except for the touchscreen and the lack
of keyboard, trackpad, and one less USB port).
ThePlaceforitAll.com does emphasize two points that have to be
made about the purchase of an iTab:
1. The Apple iBook hardware warranty is voided when they modify
it to make iTab. Your software warranty is not, but Apple probably
won't even accept the iTab for repairs if the charges are on you.
With that caveat in mind, the company pledges to do extensive tests
on the iBook before modifying to catch any potential problems. Any
problems with a computer are usually immediately visible after
these tests, so the chance of your iTab breaking after purchase is
lower. If you aren't afraid of opening a computer up, fixing an
iTab is similar to fixing an iBook (a bit of fear here is
appropriate; iBook repairs are dauntingly difficult - CM0. All you
would need to do is buy a new part to replace the old, remove the
screen of iTab, and follow the normal install directions. However,
ThePlaceforitAll.com will not fix any broken iTabs.
2. There is no handwriting recognition. The touchscreen
technology used in iTab is not compatible with InkWell, Apple's
handwriting recognition technology. There are other input options,
though. KeyStrokes is a virtual on-screen keyboard that provides
advanced multilingual word prediction. It can do word completion,
next word prediction and even multi-word prediction in any Roman
language as well as many other languages. The PolyPredix prediction
engine offers many unique, time and effort saving features allowing
significantly easier and faster typing. KeyStrokes can reduce
typing efforts by 50 to 70%. Try doing that with handwriting
recognition! There is also the cheaper TouchStrokes, made by the
same company, that is optimized for touchscreens but lacks word
prediction. Neither TouchStrokes nor KeyStrokes are included with
iTab [and they are quite expensive. You might want to check that
out prior to purchase - CM].
The iTab comes with a 1.33 GHz PowerPC G4 processor and 512K
Level 2 Cache, a 133 MHz system bus and 512 MB of onboard memory,
upgradable to 1.5 GB, a 40 GB hard drive and slot-loading Combo
Drive
The iTab has a 1024 x 768 pixel resolution display, and having
worked with one of these in an iBook for the past three years and
counting, I'll give it a big thumbs-up. The iTab's video support is
powered by an ATI Radeon 9550 graphics processor with 32 MB of VRAM
and AGP 4x support, and there is an internal 56k modem.
ThePlaceforitAll.com is selling a limited number of 100 iTabs
(series #1) through eBay. There will only be 100 iTabs made of
series #1. Every time Apple upgrades the iBook, there will be
another series of 100 iTabs using the new iBooks. Each iTab will be
numbered and signed by the maker. The first iTab (which has been
auctioned) will now be built. A new eBay auction for iTab #2 of
series #1 will be coming soon.
- Link: iTab
Mac Tablet Computer
Products and Services
Kensington 70W AC/DC Power Adapter for 'Books
and iPods
PR: This new go-anywhere
adapter for the Apple lifestyle features:
- AC and DC capabilities power your Apple or iPod virtually
anywhere
- Compact and lightweight design is up to 40% smaller and lighter
(by volume) for more nimble portability
- 70 watts of anytime, anywhere power for your Apple PowerBook,
iBook, or iPod
- Flexible SmartTip design lets you power dozens of devices with
a single adapter - just swap tips (sold separately)
- One adapter can replace your existing power supply and give you
portable power
- Included in the package are the following notebook tips: N16,
N23 and J3 (iPod tip)
Warranty - 70 Watt AC/DC Power Adapter for Apple Notebook is
backed by the Kensington 1-Year warranty.
Price: $119.99
- Link: Kensington 70 Watt AC/DC
Power Adapter for Apple Notebook
Highest Capacity Battery Ever for 15" Aluminum
G4
PR: Utilizing the newest premier cells available, Other
World Computing and NewerTech today introduce the highest capacity,
highest quality replacement battery ever made available for the
PowerBook G4 15-inch Aluminum.
Other World Computing (OWC) and Newer Technology, Inc.
(NewerTech) round out their complete line of PowerBook replacement
batteries by today introducing the highest capacity battery every
made available for Apple's PowerBook G4 15-inch Aluminum
models.
Engineered with revolutionary cells just released on the market
and not available through any other manufacturer in units of this
capacity and quality, the newest addition to the NewerTech NuPower
Lithium-Ion battery family are rated at 55.5 watt hours providing
almost 16% more run time capacity than Apple factory-shipped
batteries.
All NuPower batteries are designed, engineered, and manufactured
in the United States of America using only the world's top quality
Lithium-Ion cells from Japan and Canada to ensure both longer
runtime and life span.
"NuPower batteries are a total win-win-win," said Larry
O'Connor, CEO of OWC. "More run time between charges sets you free,
the longer life span of Newer NuPower batteries provides both
economical benefits as well as those for the environment"
The new 55.5 Watt Hour PowerBook G4 Aluminum 15-inch batteries
retail for only $139.99 and come with a one-year NewerTech
warranty. A 53.3 Watt Hour model also is available for $129.99.
These batteries are compatible with all of Apple's PowerBook G4
Aluminum 15-inch models from 1.0 GHz and up to the current 1.67
GHz.
NewerTech's full line of NuPower high capacity battery
replacements for Apple PowerBook G3 & G4, iBook G3 & G4,
and iPod models can be purchased through OWC and other fine
retailers.
- Link: NewerTech
Batteries
48% Capacity Battery Upgrade for Titanium
PowerBook G4
PR: Other World Computing (OWC) and Newer Technology,
Inc. (NewerTech) have added to their award-winning line of NuPower
PowerBook replacement batteries by introducing the highest capacity
battery every made available for Apple's PowerBook G4 15-inch
Titanium models.
The newest addition to the NewerTech NuPower Lithium-Ion battery
family is rated at 74 Watt Hours, providing up to 48% more run time
capacity than Apple factory-shipped batteries.
"Titanium G4 owners who buy today can now achieve the
highest capacity run times ever," said Larry O'Connor, President of
NewerTech, in discussing the new NuPower batteries. "The longer
life span of NewerTech NuPower batteries translates into long term
economical and environmental savings."
The new high capacity batteries from NewerTech's NuPower line
utilize revolutionary cells only just released on the market and
not available through any other manufacturer in units of comparable
capacity and quality.
All NuPower batteries are designed, engineered, and manufactured
in the United States of America using only the world's top quality
Lithium-Ion cells from Japan and Canada to ensure both longer
runtime and life span.
NewerTech offers extreme power, high capacity battery upgrades
for every PowerBook and iBook model produced from 1998 to 2006. A
custom line of Intelligent Charger/Conditioners also is available
from NewerTech, allowing PowerBook and iBook users to get the most
out of any battery. Exclusive from NewerTech, the Intelligent
Charger/Conditioners work to enhance the life span of any Apple,
NuPower, or third party battery.
The new 74 Watt Hour PowerBook G4 Titanium 15-inch batteries
retail for only $159.99 and come with a one-year NewerTech
warranty.
Also available:
- NuPower Ti 65 Watt-Hour $139.99
- NuPower Ti 71 Watt-Hour $149.99
NewerTech's full line of NuPower high capacity battery
replacements for Apple PowerBook G3 & G4, iBook G3 & G4,
and iPod models can be purchased through OWC and other fine
retailers.
- Link: NewerTech
Batteries
SIIG FireWire and eSATA ExpressCards
Pass Compliance Testing
PR: SIIG, the market leader in I/O connectivity products
(including Serial ATA and Ultra ATA Controllers, FireWire, USB,
serial/parallel I/O, etc.) has announced announce that four of
SIIG's new ExpressCard products have passed all testing & are
certified compliant with the Personal Computer Memory Card
International Association's (PCMCIA) ExpressCard
specifications.
Commitment to Quality & Reliability "SIIG has always been
proud of being a leader in the development of leading-edge I/O
technology and offering products that meet a high-level of quality
and reliability," said Dolly Chao, Director of Sales and Marketing
of SIIG, Inc. "With the release of our new line of ExpressCard
connectivity solutions, we continue that tradition."
Current ExpressCard compliant products include:
- FireWire 2-Port ExpressCard (SIIG part # NN-EC2012-S1) -
ExpressCard/34 module size, includes 2 external FireWire 400 6-pin
ports
- FireWire 2-Port ExpressCard DV-Kit (SIIG part # NN-EC2112-S1) -
same adapter as the FireWire 2-Port ExpressCard, bundled with Ulead
VideoStudio 9.0.
- eSATA II Express Card (SIIG part # SC-SAE512-S1) -
ExpressCard/54 module size, two-port host adapter with two eSATA
ports, data transfer rates of up to 3Gb/sec, NCQ (native command
queuing), & more.
- eSATA II ExpressCard RAID (SIIG part # SC-SAE612-S1) -
ExpressCard/54 module size, two-port host adapter with two eSATA
ports, RAID 0 (striping) & RAID 1 (mirroring), data transfer
rates of up to 3Gb/sec, NCQ (native command queuing), &
more.
SIIG's other products based on the new ExpressCard format will
include assorted FireWire (400 & 800), Serial ATA II, &
other adapters. All products will be built using the same quality
manufacturing standards that SIIG is known for, conform to
ExpressCard/34 or ExpressCard/54 module sizes (depending on the
application), compliant with the Personal Computer Memory Card
International Association's (PCMCIA) ExpressCard standard, and come
with a lifetime warranty.
The ExpressCard standard was developed by the Personal Computer
Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA), along with
technology leaders, system manufacturers, card manufacturers, and
representatives from all other parts of the PC Card industry in
order to offer a new standard for hot swappable systems and modules
that dramatically improves the I/O performance of both desktop and
notebook computers by supporting both the PCI Express and Universal
Serial Bus (USB) 2.0 standard.
ExpressCard advantages include:
- A Smaller & Faster PC Card Solution
- Suitable for Mobile and Desktop Systems
- Supports USB 2.0 and PCI Express Applications
- Lower System and Card Complexity
- Link: SIIG
QuickerTek Automator Eases PowerBook
Antenna Switching
PR: QuickerTek PC Card Buffalo Bundle users can now
update their computers with this latest release. Now using this
new, free OS X Automator, you can switch between the Buffalo PC
Card and the built-in AirPort card while using your AirPort
wireless connection. This free solution can be downloaded here:
http://www.quickertek.com/QuickerTek_AirPort_Switcher.zip
Why is this important? If you are traveling and the PC Card
malfunctions or for any reason won't work, you can always switch
the connection.
The PC Card Buffalo Bundle consists of the 802.11g Buffalo PC
Card 54g which offers the fastest 802.11 speeds available. This
card has excellent Mac support and works consistently.
Specifically, the PC Card Bundle works with the following Apple
PowerBook computers: titanium 15-inch PowerBook G4 PowerBook G3
Pismo
Customers have asked us about this and we've delivered. It's
easy to use.
Get the Buffalo Bundle PC Card fix at the QuickerTek website or
from one of our dealers, such as EchoTech Wireless.
QuickerTek has been a recognized leading innovator of antennas
and RF products for Apple Power Macintosh, iMac, PowerBook and soon
the MacBook Pro computers. QuickerTek products can be purchased
online and from authorized dealers.
- Link: QuickerTek
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.
- used 12" PowerBook G4/867, 128/40/SuperDrive, BT, $749.99
- used 15" PowerBook G4/667, 256/30/Combo, DVI video,
$719.99
- used 12" PowerBook G4/1 GHz, 256/40/Combo, BT, $899.99
- used 15" PowerBook G4/667, 256/30/Combo, SVGA video,
$729.99
- used 15" PowerBook G4/867, 256/30/Combo, $799.99
- used 15" PowerBook G4/1 GHz titanium, 512/60/SuperDrive,
$1,049.99
- used 17" PowerBook G4/1.33 GHz, 512/60/SuperDrive, APX, BT,
$1,499.99
- used 12" iBook G3/700, 128/20/CD, $399
- used 14" iBook G3/700, 128/30/Combo, $459
- used 14" iBook G3/900, 256/40/Combo, $549
- used 12" PowerBook G4/867, 256/40/Combo, $699
- used 17" PowerBook G4/1 GHz, 512/60/SuperDrive, APX, scratched
- $1,049
- refurb 12" PowerBook G4/1.5 GHz, 512/80/SuperDrive, APX, BT
2.0, $1,199
- refurb 15" PowerBook G4/1.5 GHz, 512/80/Combo, APX, BT 2.0,
$1,399
- refurb 17" PowerBook G4/1.67 GHz, 512/100/SuperDrive, APX, BT
2.0, $1,849
Power Max
- refurb 12" iBook G4/1 GHz, 256/30/CD, $669
- refurb 12" iBook G4/1.25 GHz, 256/30/CD, $849
- refurb 17" PowerBook G4/1.67 GHz, 512/100/Super Drive, APX,
$1,749
- used 12" iBook G3/600, 256/20/CD, $390
- extra 512 MB, add $89
- Lombard PowerBook G3/333, 128/4/CD, $319.99
- Lombard PowerBook G3/400, 128/4/CD, $369.99
- G4 Processor upgrade special, add $179.99
- Upgrade to a 20 GB hard drive, add $49.99
Prices in Canadian Dollars
- refurb 12" PowerBook G4/1.5 GHz, 512/80/SuperDrive, APX, BT
2.0, $C1,439
- refurb 15" PowerBook G4/1.5 GHz, 512/80/Combo, APX, BT 2.0,
C$1,679
- refurb 17" PowerBook G4/1.67 GHz, 512/100/SuperDrive, APX, BT
2.0, C$2,219
For more deals on current or recently discontinued models, see
our best 15" MacBook Pro deals,
our best 17" MacBook Pro deals,
12" PowerBook G4 deals, 15" aluminum PowerBook G4 deals, 17" PowerBook G4 deals, titanium PowerBook G4 deals, iBook G4 deals, PowerBook G3 deals, and iBook G3 deals.
