Compiled by Charles Moore
and edited
by Dan Knight
- 2006.09.29
This Week's MacBook, PowerBook, and iBook News
Apple released updated drivers for AirPort and AirPort Extreme
to correct three security flaws in the old driver. They also
announced that Boot Camp doesn't yet support VGA or mini-DVI
adapters on the MacBook.
Clever idea of the week: Cool Feet, feet that stick to your
'Book with suction cups to improve airflow and reduce heat
buildup.
TechRestore has flat rate screen replacement for 12", 15", and
17" PowerBooks - even with overnight service for those in a hurry.
And FastMac has the fastest DVD-burner for 'Books, a slim unit that
can burn DVDs at up to 8x and includes dual-layer support.
All prices are in US dollars unless otherwise noted.
General Apple and Mac desktop news is covered in The Mac News Review.
News & Opinion
Tech Tips and Info
Products and Services
Software
News & Opinion
Apple Updates AirPort Drivers, Fixes Security
Flaws
eWeek's Ryan Naraine reports:
"Apple Computer has shipped a critical AirPort update to correct
a trio of security flaws that put WiFi-enabled Mac systems at risk
of code execution attacks.
"The patch comes almost two months after the public disclosure
of the threat at the Black Hat Briefings and brings an end to a
raging controversy over claims by two security researchers that
Apple's MacBook was
vulnerable to the flaw."
Despite Naraine's claims, Apple maintains that they have never
been contacted by the men behind the Black Hat hack. dk
Link: Apple Ships
Patch for MacBook WiFi Hack
Britannica 2006 Incompatible with Macintel
Blogger Rick Mansfield says:
"My transition over to my new MacBook went very smoothly. Apple's
Migration Assistant, which is part of OS X, moved all my
personal files and applications over for me, so I was up and
running in about an hour and a half. I remember back to the days
when it took me a good week to get everything moved over....
"...as I launched each program to make sure it was running, I
discovered - to my horror - that my Encyclopedia Britannica 2006
software would not launch. Upon going to the Britannica Tech
Support site, I found an article titled, 'Intel-Mac Compatibility
Issue.' Evidently none of the current Britannica software will work
on Intel-based Macs because of 'an unsupported third-party plug-in
that the Britannica application depends upon for rendering
articles.' Not only will it not work, but they say they aren't
going to fix it in the current versions: 'At this time, there are
no plans to patch any current or past versions of Britannica,
although we hope to be able to certify our 2007 software with
Apple's new Universal compatibility standard (
http://www.apple.com/universal/ ).'"
Link:
Irony of Ironies: Britannica Won't Function on My New
MacBook
Inside MacBook: Tetrabromobisphenol A
Hardmac's Lionel reports:
"Greenpeace has launched a major action against IT/computer
manufacturer for some times already. They have asked an independent
Danish laboratory to perform toxicological test on several
notebooks.
"Those tests have identified numerous toxic compounds, in large
amount in HP notebook but also in MacBook. According to the analysis,
customer-dedicated Apple notebook model is massively contaminated
with tetrabromobisphenol A. This compound is widely used and
incorporated in polymers as a reactive or additive flame
retardant."
Link: MacBook:
Tetrabromobisphenol A Inside
Roll Up that Laptop
Sydney Morning Herald's Louisa Hearn reports:
"Roll-up laptop displays and keyboards for more portable
computing are just two of the proposed applications for a new
'shape shifting' technology for solid structures developed at
Cambridge University.
"According to Keith Seffen, an engineering lecturer at the
university, "morphing" structures can be used to produce more
flexible configurations for hard materials like metals without
using complex parts or manufacturing processes.
"A specific area of interest is improving the portability of
computer technology and to this end the team has mocked up an
A5-sized flat display screen which can lock into the shape of a
tube so it can be placed in a briefcase or pocket."
Link:
Roll Up that Laptop
Tech Tips and Info
Boot Camp: VGA, Mini-DVI Adapters Not Supported
on MacBook
A new Apple Knowledge Base article says:
"With Boot Camp Beta 1.1 and Windows XP, VGA adapters are not
supported, even if they work in Mac OS X. For example, you
cannot use displays, projectors, or TV output devices if they
require a VGA adapter.
"Video output over Mini-DVI adapters for MacBook computers, or
DVI-to-VGA adapters for MacBook Pro computers, is also not
supported even if it works in Mac OS X."
Link: Boot Camp
Beta 1.1: VGA adapters, Mini-DVI Adapters Are Not Supported on
MacBook
Products and Services
Cool Feet for MacBook and MacBook Pro
PR: BlueLounge Design
has released of Cool Feet, suction-cup attached laptop computer
feet that elevate the machine from the work surface to improve
ventilation and cooling.
Each Cool Feet package comes with two tall feet, two short feet,
four circular adhesive plates and a carrying pouch, and sells for
$12.95.
The feet can be popped off easily for
travel.
Three position options are suggested - using both sets of feet,
short in front and tall in back, using the tall feet in the back
only for a steeper angle, or using the short feet in the back only.
Not suggested, but there's no reason why it would not work for
negative rake with just the short feet in front.
You can use the Cool Feet on your lap as well.
Link: Cool
Feet
MacBook & MacBook Pro Screen Replacement at
Reasonable Prices
PR: Has your screen gone dark, or has a fall damaged your
MacBook, PowerBook or iBook LCD screen? TechRestore now offers an
Overnight flat-rate LCD Screen Replacement for MacBooks for $399,
for MacBook Pro 15.4" for $499 and for MacBook Pro 17-inch for
$699, which I'm sure will beat whatever Apple charges for screen
replacements when these machines are out of warranty. The
TechRestore prices include a brand new LCD screen, installation,
and a 1-year warranty.
TechRestore say they realized
that due to the high volume of repairs they perform and their
Technician's expertise, that they could offer a complete repair
service for the same price (or less) that the no-frills parts
companies were selling just the screen for.
Flat-rate LCD screen repairs are also available for PowerBooks
and iBooks. Complete your order online, or call 1-888-64-Restore
(888-647-3786) to schedule your repair via phone. Choose from
Overnight Door-to-Door courier service or send your laptop to us on
your own and get return overnight shipping back to you. TechRestore
will install a new replacement LCD screen within 24-hours and then
send your laptop back to you via Overnight courier. You have the
choice of having them pickup your Laptop at your door for an
additional $49, or you can send it in via your preferred method and
they'll include overnight return delivery for $19 when your screen
repair is complete.
If you select the Overnight Pickup Option below, once you
schedule your repair, TechRestore will dispatch a RestoreBox to
your location in the continental U.S. via overnight courier (home,
office, school, you name it) to pickup your Laptop for a return
overnight trip back to TechRestore, who will receive your system
the following day (M-F), install your new screen within 24-hours
and then send your Laptop back to you overnight.
More good stuff to know:
- The replacement screens are new, not refurbished.
- There are no additional charges for cracked or broken
screens.
Link: Overnight Screen
Replacement
Fastest Slimline SuperDrive Upgrade with Dual
Layer Support, Enhanced Burn Speeds
PR: FastMac has announced the availability of a new
internal slimline slot-loading 8x Dual Layer SuperDrive upgrade for
PowerBook G4 (Titanium and Aluminum), iMac G5, iMac Intel, Mac Mini
Intel, iBook G4, PowerMac G4 Cube, PowerBook G3 (Lombard and
Pismo), and iMac G3 Slot-Loading systems. The drive adds Dual Layer
DVD-R (4x) support (previously unavailable at any speed) as well as
faster DVD-RW (6x), DVD+RW (8x), and Dual Layer DVD+R (4x) write
speeds, up to two times faster than Apple's top-of-the-line
slimline SuperDrives. It is the most functional and most complete
slimline SuperDrive available for the Mac. The upgrade is available
now for most models at an introductory price of $119.95. It comes
with a 1-year warranty and 30-day money back guaranty.
Drive Specifications
- DVD-RAM Write/Read: 5x
- DVD-R and DVD+R (Single Layer) Write/Read: 8x
- DVD-R and DVD+R (Dual Layer) Write: 4x; Read: 8x
- DVD-RW Write: 6x; Read: 8x
- DVD+RW Write/Read: 8x
- DVD-ROM Read 8x
- CD-R Write/Read: 24x
- CD-RW Write: 16x
- CD-RW and CD-ROM Read: 24x
Compatibility
- PowerBook G4 Titanium (all models)
- PowerBook G4 Aluminum (all models and screen sizes)
- iBook G4 (all models and screen sizes)
- PowerBook G3 Pismo and Lombard
- Mac mini Intel
- iMac G5
- iMac Intel
- iMac G3 Slot-Loading (all models)
- PowerMac G4 Cube
Link: SuperDrive
8x Dual Layer Slimline
MacBooks Surge Ahead on Intel Processors and
New 140 Watt-hour Portable Power Station
PR: Mobile computing finally realizes its full potential
with the recent marriage between Apple Computer and the Intel Core
Duo processor. As industry heavyweights forge a new partnership,
the move ultimately positions the MacBook Pro as a cornerstone in
today's mobile office. Built-in Bluetooth connectivity plus Apple's
AirPort Extreme let mobile professionals disconnect from their
tethered existence, and external battery technology provides an
additional 6+ hours of runtime between charges.
At the helm of this mobile office, Mac OS X
effortlessly manages the new Intel Core Duo processor for robust
performance that matches desktop power. Intensive tasks like
digital media editing are split between two computation cores for
maximum efficiency. With the MacBook Pro, mobile professionals can
touch up images on the latest version of Aperture or review daily
footage in Final Cut Studio on the fly.
Taking cues from the iPod, the MacBook's sleek design and
innovative ergonomics make work feel more like play. The built-in
iSight camera facilitates quick and easy podcasting and video
conferencing. Multimedia presentations flow smoothly with the Apple
Remote, while the MagSafe power adapter prevents stumbles in the
event a cord gets in the way.
Portable Power Station Cuts Power Cord
Until now, the mobile office has struggled to go completely
wireless. The predominance of WiFi networks has severed network
cables, however mediocre laptop batteries force mobile users to
find an outlet and recharge every couple of hours.
The mobile electronics industry has largely ignored battery
capacity in favor of smaller devices packed with more features. In
contrast, a high tech startup company from Oregon's Silicon Forest
has tackled and successfully developed the world's first and only
external battery for the MacBook family of computers.
The new Portable Power Station by Battery Geek, Inc. supplies an
additional 6+ hours of mobile computing time for the MacBook Pro,
and incidentally supports most Windows based laptops as well. With
a massive 140 watt-hour capacity spawned from premium grade Li-ion
cells, the Portable Power Station provides a reliable power source
to support a demanding mobile office.
140Wh Portable Power Station - Powers devices from 3V~28V
- List Price: $600
- Our Price: $399.99
- Sale Price: $349.99
- You save $250.01!
Welcome to the BMW M6 of battery packs which powers any device
from 3V~28V. Features built in variable voltage selection from 3V,
5V, 6V, 9V, 12V, 16V, 19V, 21V, 24V, 28V. Packed with power at
140WH Capacity. Features a power off button to conserve charge when
not in use and a built in USB port which outputs 5V. Includes
mobile cell tips to recharge and power most cell phones and PDAs
including mini-USB tip for Motorola Q, BlackBerry, RAZR and more.
Now powers all the new MacBook 13 inch and MacBook Pro laptops with
the optional connector tip not included unless you request it
Sean M. Murray, USMC veteran and founder and CEO of Battery
Geek, Inc. explains, "The Portable Power Station legitimizes the
concept of a true mobile office. It powers devices from 3 to 28
volts making it the most versatile external battery on the market
today."
As mobile professionals rarely travel without a mobile phone,
PDA or iPod, the Portable Power Station doubles as a battery backup
for these handheld devices. Connect through the USB charge port,
and the Portable Power Station recharges virtually any USB device.
Its sophisticated electronic control system regulates output power,
and integrated sensors monitor the battery to prevent overheating
and failure.
Designed as a MacBook companion, the Portable Power Station is
roughly half the size of the 13" MacBook and weighs less than 2
pounds. The shock resistant aluminum shell protects the battery
from damage, and its compact profile slides conveniently inside a
laptop case.
Melissa A. Bostick, co-founder and CFO adds, "International
travelers are especially excited by the Portable Power Station's
flexibility. They are working through long flights, and watching
multiple movies on their portable DVD players and iPods during
layovers."
Consumers seeking more information regarding Battery Geek's
newest product, the 140Wh Portable Power Station, are invited to
visit the company's website and use an online form to request a
free battery audit to help them determine the best power solution
for their laptop, cell phone, portable DVD player, or other mobile
device.
Link: BatteryGeek.net
Tips for Choosing Between Compatible Laptop
Batteries and OEM Laptop Batteries
PR: Laptops For Less, an industry expert and leading
online supplier of mobile power products, today offered some buying
tips regarding the choice between compatible laptop batteries and
OEM laptop batteries.
In the world of laptop batteries there are two different
categories. The first is OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) also
known as a brand name battery. These are laptop batteries that are
sold by the manufacturers (i.e. Dell, Sony, Compaq, Apple, etc.)
and carry warranties under such companies. The second type of
battery is known as a compatible battery. These are batteries that
are compatible with the OEM batteries, and in most cases contain
the identical power cells, but are made by a company other than the
original manufacturer.
Even though compatible laptop batteries are not stamped with a
brand name like Apple on them, they are in fact more similar to OEM
batteries than most people realize. Despite carrying the
manufacturer's name, most OEM laptop batteries are not manufactured
by the companies themselves. In most cases, the OEM batteries are
built by a different company and then sold by that company to the
manufacturer who then brands the battery with their name. For
example, the recent Apple laptop battery recall revealed that the
power cells inside Apple laptop batteries were produced by Sony.
Therefore, when you purchase an Apple laptop battery you are really
purchasing a Sony battery in an Apple casing. In these cases
purchasing a name brand does not necessarily guarantee superior
quality.
Other times the manufacturer of the laptop battery or the power
cells might be a so-called generic company that then sells their
product to a large company (i.e. Dell, Sony, Compaq, Apple, etc.)
who brands the battery with their name. In these instances the
battery is literally identical to a compatible battery, except that
the compatible battery maintains the generic name and can therefore
be sold at a significantly reduced price.
Compatible laptop battery manufacturers simply cut out the
middle man and instead of selling the battery to Apple who then
sells in to the consumer they sell them directly to the consumer.
Eliminating the middle man and the brand name allows the compatible
compatible laptop battery to be sold for significantly less money
than the OEM batteries - in some cases the consumer could save up
to 70%.
In addition to the savings advantage of purchasing a compatible
battery, most consumers find that compatible, or generic, laptop
batteries outperform OEM batteries. This is due to the fact that
the generic brands know that consumers tend to be skeptical with
their first generic battery purchase and therefore their product
must perform superiorly in order to maintain a customer base.
About Laptops For Less - since 1996, Laptops For Less has been
the leading provider of compatible laptop batteries and other
portable electronic power supplies. As an industry leader Laptops
For Less delivers high quality laptop parts and PDA accessories
with a high level of service. Their unique product lines of over
1,000 diverse accessory products and replacement parts provide
customers with an extensive selection of the best quality products
available.
Link: Laptops For Less
Software
MiniBatteryLogger 1.2
PR: MiniBatteryLogger monitors your laptop's battery,
traces the graph of charge over time, logs relevant power events,
and alerts you with Growl notifications.
New in version 1.2:
- Updated UI.
- Updated Comprehensive Help.
- User can now manually add or remove battery snapshots.
- Fixed bug: automatic snapshot visible only after restart.
System requirements: Mac OS X 10.4 or later, laptop.
System Support: PPC/Intel
$10 shareware
Link: MiniBatteryLogger
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, iBook, and MacBook profiles linked in our Portable Mac Index.
- 12" iBook G3/800, 128/30/CD, Scratches, $249
- 12" iBook G3/800, 256/30/CD, $299
- 12" iBook G3/900, 640/60/Combo, AirPort, $619
- 14" iBook G3 700, 128/30/Combo, Scratched, $299
- 14" iBook G3/700, 256/30/Combo, Scratched, $319
- 14" iBook G3/900, 640/40/Combo, $629
- 12" iBook G4/1 GHz 768/100/Combo, Scratched, $649
- 12" iBook G4/1 GHz 256/30/SuperDrive, APX, $699
TechRestore is offering a $25 discount to 'Book Review readers
off any PowerBook or iBook in stock. Just enter the code CWM during
checkout when ordering online. The coupon code is valid from now
through 2007.12.31.
- 12" iBook G4/1 GHz, 256/30/Combo, $679.99
- 15" PowerBook G4/1 GHz, 512/60/SuperDrive, BT, $999.99
- 12" PowerBook G4/1 GHz, 256/40/Combo, Mac OS X, $749.99
- 12" iBook G3/700, 256/20/Combo, $449.95
- 15" PowerBook G4/500, 256/20/DVD, $599.95
- 15" PowerBook G4/1.67 GHz, 1024/80/SuperDrive, APX, BT,
$1,399.95
- refurb 12" PowerBook G4/1.5 GHz, 512/80/SuperDrive, APX, BT
2.0, $1,199
- refurb 1.83 GHz MacBook, white, 512/60/Combo,$949
- refurb 2.0 GHz MacBook, white, 512/60/SuperDrive, $1,099
- refurb 2.0 GHz MacBook, black, 512/80/SuperDrive, $1,299
- refurb 17" PowerBook G4/1.67 GHz, 512/100/SuperDrive, APX, BT
2.0, $1,799
- refurb 17" 2.16 GHz MacBook Pro, glossy or matte,
1024/120/SuperDrive, $2,399
For deals on current and discontinued 'Books, see our 13" MacBook and MacBook Pro,
MacBook Air, 13" MacBook Pro, 15" MacBook Pro, 17" MacBook Pro, 12" PowerBook G4, 15" PowerBook G4, 17" PowerBook G4, titanium PowerBook G4,
iBook G4, PowerBook G3, and iBook G3 deals.
We also track iPad,
iPhone, iPod touch, iPod classic, iPod nano, and iPod shuffle deals.
