Compiled by Charles Moore
and edited
by Dan Knight
- 2006.11.22
This Week's MacBook, PowerBook, and iBook News
We hope you've had a great year and have many things to be
thankful for.
Thursday is Thanksgiving here in the States, and we're taking a
four-day weekend to travel, spend time with family, and maybe do
some Christmas shopping. Maybe. So this week's 'Book Review is
coming out on Wednesday - and it's been a slow news week.
Enjoy the break!
All prices are in US dollars unless otherwise noted.
General Apple and Mac desktop news is covered in The Mac News Review.
News & Opinion
Products and Services
News & Opinion
Switch to Core 2 Duo Drops MacBook Temps
5°F
Macworld's Brian Chen reports:
"The MacBook's switch to
a Core 2 Duo processor may have produced only modest gains when
compared to a similar upgrade to the MacBook Pro. But the updated
MacBooks do beat their high-powered counterparts in one significant
area - they run significantly cooler.
"Testing by Macworld Lab found that the move from a Core Duo
chip to a next-generation Core 2 Duo processor decreased the
MacBook's external temperature by about 5 degrees, allowing you to
actually set this laptop upon your lap. The chip swap produced
similar results for the new line of MacBook Pros released in late
October, but potential buyers may be more impressed by the new
MacBooks' consistent peak temperatures of approximately 95 degrees
Fahrenheit near the battery."
Link: Core 2
Duo Switch Drops MacBook Temps by 5 Degrees
13" MacBook a Good Buy 'in Specific Cases'
Between the Lines' David Berlind says:
"Depending on where Google or your favorite search engine takes
you when you're looking for more information on Apple's latest
notebook MacBook offerings, you're likely to get a different
opinion on whether it's worth a looksie. What makes the latest
round of MacBook's different (I'll refrain from using the word
"special" since that's a judgement that not everyone agrees with)
is that they're based on Intel's Core 2 Duo technology, versus the
Core Duo (no "2") technology found in the previous round of
MacBook...
"Opinions vary widely whether the improvements in moving from
the Core Duo to the Core 2 Duo are noticeable....
"Apple's claiming up to a 25% performance increase from moving
the MacBook from the Core Duo to the Core 2 Duo, and for once,
Apple's claims don't seem entirely unreasonable....
"Given that there are three Core 2 Duo MacBook models with
entry-level one being built around the 1.83 GHz CPU with the
2 MB L2 cache, I'd ignore the entry level model and focus on
the remaining two 2.0 GHz models if you're hoping to get any
enduring mileage out of this round of MacBooks."
Link: 13" MacBook
Is a Good Buy, but in Specific Cases
MacBook Core 2 Duo 'a Powerhouse'
Digit's Ken Mingis reports:
"Announced last week, already on store shelves and measuring up
well not only to its predecessor but to its big brothers in the
MacBook Pro lineup, the new MacBook is an even better value than
the model it replaces. With a notable speed boost from the new
Core 2 Duo processor, more standard RAM and larger hard drives, the
MacBook arrived just ahead of the holiday shopping season. It's as
if (insert your holiday icon of choice here) had arrived early.
"A prediction: Apple will sell a ton of these, an expectation
not at all lost on Apple bigwigs who rushed to tout their new
consumer line as soon as it was released. Yes, they readily
acknowledged, they wanted to get the updated model out before the
holiday shopping season. That makes sense given the upsurge in
sales of Apple's laptops this year."
Link: Review:
Apple MacBook Core 2 Duo
15" MacBook Pro Core 2 Duo Really Is Up to
30-40% Faster
Macworld's Henry Norr reports:
"Apple says that its latest MacBook Pro laptops, equipped with
Intel Core 2 Duo processors in place of the Core Duo chips that
powered the first generation of the family, 'deliver performance
that is up to 39 percent faster.' Based on past experience with the
company's benchmark boasts, I expected to find myself writing, in
effect, 'Sure, but you'll never see anything close to that in real
life.'
"So imagine my surprise when I began to study the results of
Macworld Labs' performance tests on the new notebooks: the new
$2,499 version of the 15-inch MacBook Pro, with a 2.33 GHz Core 2
Duo processor (Best Current Price: $2449), outpaced its similarly
priced predecessor, which had a 2.16 GHz Core Duo chip, by 30 to
even 40 percent in tests with very real applications such as Adobe
Photoshop CS2 (running on Apple's Rosetta code-translation
technology), Compressor, and iTunes. Those results are all the more
striking when you consider that our Core Duo comparison system had
a 7,200-r.p.m. hard drive, while the new MacBook Pro with Core 2 Duo
processor had a stock 5,400-r.p.m. drive."
Link: 15-inch
MacBook Pro Core 2 Duo/2.16 GHz and 2.33 GHz
Al Jazeera Chooses Apple Technology
ameinfo.com reports:
"Al Jazeera International, the English version of leading news
broadcaster, Al Jazeera, announced the selection of a wide range of
Apple products to deliver a comprehensive, end-to-end solution for
the media organization.
"Catering to a wide range of media requirements, the Apple-based
technology project is set to deliver a total solution ranging from
editing to storage needs. With a reputation for using cutting-edge
technology, Al Jazeera plans to use the latest from Apple's
portfolio of solutions to revolutionize the functioning of the TV
station's video network....
"Focusing on bringing the truth to the masses in time, Al
Jazeera has signed up with Arab Business Machine's (Apple IMC
Middle East) Reseller, PRO TECHnology to implement a comprehensive,
turnkey media solution for the channel's growing
infrastructure....
"Al Jazeera chose cutting edge technology which includes 41
MacBook Pro and Final Cut Studio for journalists, a 70 TB Apple
storage solution using 10 Apple Xserve 7 TB XRAID and 14 Apple Xsan
Software Licenses, plus 12 PowerMac G5 Quad, 2 PowerMac G5 Dual
Core and 19 Apple Cinema HD Display 23' for editing and
design....
"Journalists will also greatly benefit from the usage of Apple
tools as the Final Cut Studio allows professional editors to
elevate production values with powerful editing tools,
revolutionary sound design, real-time motion graphics and next
generation DVD authoring from the field, while the MacBook Pro is
the first Mac notebook built on the Intel Core Duo processor, which
delivers the power of two processors on a single chip - for
blistering performance with high-end creative applications."
Link: Al Jazeera
International Chooses Apple Technology
Products and Services
Quicky Wireless Antenna Doubles Wireless
Performance
PR: QuickerTek
announces the Quicky Transceiver that doubles wireless networking
for Apple MacBook Pro and MacBooks models. Quicky connects through
the MacBook's USB port, eliminating the need to disassemble the
computer for installation. Quicky boosts wireless networking
distance as well as networking speeds once connected. Quicky is
available directly from QuickerTek or from its dealers for a SRP of
$225.
Quicky temporarily clips to the top of the open MacBook case.
The Quicky is a unique combination of the wireless networking power
of the Transceiver and an external antenna that is more effective
placed up and out of the confines of the MacBook case. It requires
no computer skills to either set up or use and is functionally
invisible to the user. Once Quicky is clipped to the case and the
short USB cable is connected to the MacBook's USB port, users
experience double the wireless networking power.
Quicky has 500 milliwatts
of RF (wireless) power - that's ten times more than a stock
MacBook. This additional RF power means two things: greater
operating distances from the AirPort Base Station or wireless
access point, and more available networks to choose from.
"Quicky is a breakthrough product for us. Customers have asked
us to make wireless networking even simpler. The AirPort system is
quite good, but there are improvements we've made to give Mac users
more flexibility. Quicky is the easiest way to get vastly improved
wireless and you don't have to know anything about RF, milliwatts,
AirPort or antennas. It's so easy to install and delivers on the
promise of ease-of-use that we spend our time trying to build
enough of them," stated Rick Estes, president, QuickerTek, Inc.
Quicky works with all 802.11/b/g WiFi equipment from common
manufacturers such as Linksys, dLink, Belkin, including Apple
AirPort and AirPort Extreme. Since these products are the ones
you're most likely to encounter when going mobile, you can expect
to be able to connect just about anywhere. Quicky works with all
AirPort-equipped MacBook Pro and MacBooks and requires no software
drivers or extra steps each time you want to go online. And once
online, users will have access to more available wireless networks
and connect to any of them at full speeds.
Like most QuickerTek products, Quicky is backed with a one-year
warranty on parts and labor.
Link: Quicky
Help the Earth and Yourself with NewerTech's
Battery Recycle Program
PR: Clean and Green
As the premier provider of high capacity PowerBook, iBook, and
iPod replacement batteries, NewerTech is committed to helping make
sure that every used laptop and iPod battery is properly recycled.
Elements from Li-Ion batteries can be recycled for use in multiple
industries and proper disposal of other components prevents
contamination to the environment.
NewerTech is devoted to making sure your used notebook and iPod
batteries get recycled and that the most convenient means are
available for you to do so - including pointing you to the local
battery disposal and recycling drop off sites in your immediate
area within all 50 U.S. states. Visit Earth911.org for more
information.
Proactive Protection
In addition to their commitment to helping you properly recycle
your used laptop, NewerTech is dedicated to proactively protecting
the environment. Every NuPower laptop battery in production today
is manufactured Mercury-free. Further, NewerTech's Intelligent
Battery Charger/Conditioners extend the useful life of Apple,
NewerTech, or third party laptop batteries, reducing the number of
batteries consumers need to discard in the first place.
No-Hassle, Free Shipping
Whenever you purchase a NewerTech battery - whether online or at
your local retailer - you'll find that packaging and postage are
automatically included for you to ship us your old used battery to
ensure proper recycling and disposal.
No Battery Left Behind
NewerTech has a special program in place so that even if you
don't obtain a free shipping label through the in-store or online
purchase of a new NuPower replacement battery, you may still send
in laptop and iPod batteries and NewerTech will take care of proper
recycling and disposal. Simply address packages to:
- NewerTech Battery Recycling Program
- 1002 Courtaulds Drive
- Woodstock, IL 60098
Link: NewerTech's
Battery Recycle Program
Pell Technology Offers State of the Art Repair
Technology for Laptops
PR: Pell Technology is now using state of the art repair
techniques to repair laptops. These methods are saving customers a
good amount of money when compared to working with major retailers
and manufacturers for these same repairs.
The actual method is referred to as component level repair. This
involves the technician repairing the different areas of the
circuit board. After pre-evaluation, the technicians at Pell
Technology will remove the circuit board from the laptop, pinpoint
the area that is causing the problem, and then repair that specific
area.
This is also done with the laptop screen. Although a laptop
screen can not be repaired if it is cracked, many times customers
have a screen with very faint view or no view at all. A screen with
these problems can be removed and repaired.
This type of repair is different from the type of repair that
major retailers and most computer shops offer in one major way.
Most of these retailers will just quote the customer on the
replacement cost of these major parts (circuit board and screen).
This price is normally about five times the price of component
level repair offered by Pell Technology, Inc.
On average a repair of this nature at Pell Technology costs in
the neighborhood of $150, where a replacement would run upwards of
$700.
Major repair depots have been using these methods for years now,
but they are not readily available to the public. Pell Technology
Inc. is one of the few companies in the US that now offers this
service to the American public.
Pell Technology has also started working with retailers
nationwide, so they can offer their customers this service as
well.
Editors note: Apple is not specifically mentioned on the
Website, but the technique should work on Apple hardware as well.
cwm
Link: Pell
Technology
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.
- used 12" iBook G3/800, 256/30/CD, $425
- used 12" iBook G3/800, 256/30/DVD, $455
- used 12" iBook G3/900, 256/40/Combo, $499
- Add AirPort for $90
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.
- used 12" iBook G3/800, 256/30/CD, $399.99 - $25 = $374.99
- used 12" Book G3/700, 256/20/Combo, $429.99 - $25 =
$404.99
- used 12" iBook G3/900, 256/40/Combo, $469.99 - $25 =
$444.99
Computer Geeks
- used PowerBook Lombard G3/333, 128/4/CD, OS 9, $199.99
- used clamshell iBook G3/300, 32/3/CD, OS 9, $199.99
- used 12" iBook G3/500, 256/10/CD, OS X, AirPort, $254.99
- used 12" iBook G4/1.33 GHz, 512/40/Combo, AirPort, OS X,
$749.99
- used 12" iBook G3/500, 128/10/CD, OS X, $209
- used 12" iBook G3/600, 128/30/CD, OS X, $329
- used Newton eMate 300, $59.99
- used 12" iBook G3/600, 128/20/CD, OS X 10.2, $279.99
- used 12" PowerBook G4/867, 256/40/Combo, $619.99
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.
