Compiled by Charles Moore
and edited
by Dan Knight
- 2006.12.01
This Week's MacBook, PowerBook, and iBook News
All prices are in US dollars unless otherwise noted.
General Apple and Mac desktop news is covered in The Mac News Review.
News & Opinion
Reviews
Apple Updates
Tech Trends
Products and Services
Software
News & Opinion
MacBook Pro Core 2 Features Improved Fans
Hardmac's Lionel reports:
"Following our yesterday's news related to MB Pro comparison,
Uli, one of our readers, has pointed out the new fans in C2D-based
MB Pro....
"We have tested the ratio noise/rotation speed, and we start
hearing them from 3000-rpm; but in all our tests they are much more
silent than the previous models installed in MB Pro Core Duo.
"Overall, the new MB Pro is more silent while being cooler."
Link: MacBook Pro C2D
Features New Improved Fans
Comparing Temperatures of Core Duo, Core 2
Duo
The Apple Core's Jason D. O'Grady says:
"I took some temperature benchmarks comparing the MacBook Pro
(Core Duo) and MacBook Pro (Core 2 Duo). The results substantiate
what I uncovered in a previous post about the Core 2 Duo running
significantly cooler than the Core Duo....
"I let both machines running the Nature Patterns screen saver
for an hour then took 12 temperature readings from the top and 12
readings from the bottom and compared them. Readings were taken
using a MasterCool 52224 infrared thermometer gun."
Link: Comparing the Temps of a Core
Duo to a Core 2 Duo
New MacBook Pro Really Is Cooler than Previous
One
BusinessWeek's Arik Hesseldahl says:
"Jason O'Grady over at The Apple Core has taken some serious
measurements concerning something I had noticed as well [above].
When I took my first MacBook Pro out for a run - a 17-inch with an
Intel Core Duo - I noticed it was running somewhat hot, hotter in
fact than my older PowerBook. But then once Apple swapped out the
Core Duo for the higher-performance Core 2 Duo the outer
temperatures seemed to be less. It was just a little difference I
noticed, but which I didn't think much about.
"It seems I wasn't too far off the mark. O'Grady took
temperatures on both MacBook Pros and found the newer appears to
run much cooler than the older one. The newer, high-performance
machine actually runs as much as 21 degrees F cooler than its
predecessor.
"My first though was that it gives proof to that old rule of
thumb about buying Macs: Never buy the first generation of
anything...."
Link:
New MacBook Pro Is Cooler than Previous One. No, Really
When Apple Rules the World
SF Gate Columnist Mark Morford says:
"I have right here in my hot little hands that actually aren't
all that little and are only slightly warm at the moment a brand
new lick-ready smooth-as-love Apple MacBook Pro Core 2 Duo Super
Orgasm Deluxe Ultrahard Modern Computing Device Designed by God
Herself Somewhere in the Deep Moist Vulva of Cupertino Yes Yes
Don't Stop Oh My God Yes.
"I believe that is the actual name of the product. I might be
wrong. I do not really care.
"This machine, this silky hunk of aluminum and wire and divine
Chinese factory-made love, was recently delivered into my hands by
a squad of naked cooing angels who all happened to look exactly
like Jenna Jameson or perhaps Eva Green and who also gave me a free
foot massage and four hits of premium Ecstasy and a complimentary
3-hour tongue bath, all at the same time.
"It is possible I imagined that last part. It is possible it was
merely, you know, UPS. It is possible I am exaggerating just
slightly overall. I do not really care."
Note: If you've ever wondered what I and other Mac aficionados
are babbling about when we talk about the "Mac Mystique," this
column is an eloquent homage to it. cm
Link:
When Apple Rules the World
17'' MacBook Pro Core 2 Has Faster GPU
Hardmac's Lionel reports:
"MacBook Pro 15" RevB features in addition to the Core 2 Duo CPU
a Radeon X1600 Mobility with increased RAM and GPU frequencies.
"It moved from 310/278 to 423/450 (GPU/memory).
"The GPU inside the new MB Pro 17" has also been clocked higher
than in RevA:"
Link: MB Pro 17'' Rev.
B Features Full Speed GPU
Laptops Polish Apple's Image
Washington Times' Mark Kellner says:
"Apple Computer has had 30 good years and 2006 will go down as
one of the company's best, if not the best, so far.
"Within the past two weeks, Apple has upgraded the Intel
processors in two of its portables, the MacBook and MacBook Pro,
offering greater speed at the same price as earlier models.
"If the former computers were good values, the new models are
superb values worth considering for an end-of-year purchase or for
holiday gift giving.
"The MacBook Pro, with its 15-inch screen and 2.33 gigahertz
Intel Core 2 Duo processors, would be a very good choice for many
traveling business people....
"In performance, the MacBook earns my respect for several
things. One is its sleek design, which isn't James Bondlike, but is
stylish enough. The Chiclets-style keyboard grows on you; at least
it grew on me, and I prefer typing on it a bit more than the
MacBook Pro's keys."
Link: Laptops Polish
Apple's Image
Reviews
MacBook Pro Core Duo versus Core 2
Duo
Bare Feats' Rob-ART Morgan reports:
"We have a 15" MacBook
Pro 2.33 GHz Core 2 Duo in the lab. Though we expect a 17" MacBook Pro 2.33 GHz Core 2
Duo to arrive soon, we went ahead and tested this one against
our 17" MacBook Pro 2.16 GHz
Core Duo....
"The MacBook Pro Core 2 Duo's advantage over the Core Duo version
ranged from 9% to 60% depending on what app we ran. The faster core
clock speed should provide an 8% advantage, so everything beyond
that is 'gravy.' Most surprising were the significant gains with
Aperture 1.5 and Photoshop CS2."
Link: Shootout: Two MacBook
Pros - Core Duo versus Core 2 Duo
MacBook Core 2 Duo versus Others
Bare Feats' Rob-ART Morgan reports:
"In recent article I said it would be nice if Apple would put a
'supercharger' in the 13"
MacBook (or Mac mini) -
like BMW did with the JCW Tuning Kit for a Mini Cooper S that turns
it into a 'rocket powered go kart' - for those of us who like
little things that go wickedly fast. Soon after, the Core 2 Duo version of the MacBook
was announced.
"So inquiring minds want to know if it provides enough 'punch'
over the Core Duo version to deem the MacBook as an 'S' model. Or
is that integrated GPU going to ruin all the fun?
"Good News: CPU intensive apps definitely get a boost from the
Core 2 Duo update of the 13" MacBook.
"Bad News: The Intel GMA 950 integrated GPU is a party
pooper."
Link: 13" MacBook Core 2 Duo versus
Others
MacBook Core 2 Duo 'Add Real Value'
"Macworld's Henry Norr reports:
"Before even reaching its six-month birthday, the MacBook has
undergone its first makeover. The changes - a new processor and (in
two of the three standard MacBook configurations) more memory,
bigger hard drives, and double-layer DVD burning - aren't quite as
substantial as Apple's recent enhancements to the 15-inch MacBook Pro, but they
add real value to a product that had already taken the consumer and
education markets by storm.
"Headlining the update is a switch to Intel's latest processor,
the Core 2 Duo, in place of the Core Duo chip that powered the first
MacBook generation. In the case of the MacBook Pro family, a
similar update had a dramatic effect on performance.
"With the MacBook, however, the benefits of the brain transplant
are more modest. There are at least three reasons for the
difference."
Link:
MacBook Core 2 Duo/1.83 GHz and 2.0 GHz Reviewed
Choosing MacBook Core 2 'a
No-brainer'
reviews.cnet.co.uk's Dan Ackerman reports:
"Now that the high-end MacBook Pro has Intel's Core 2 Duo CPU,
it's high time the latest processor technology filtered down to
Apple's more consumer-friendly MacBook line. There are three MacBook models, one with a
1.83 GHz CPU and two with 2.0 GHz CPUs. The MacBook starts at a
mere £749, but our review unit is the most tricked-out of the
three, offering the faster CPU and a larger hard drive for a still
palatable £999.
"These 13.3-inch laptops, available in the standard Apple
colours of black and white, are nearly as powerful as their 15- and
17-inch Pro cousins, and they include a lot of the same features,
such as the built-in iSight camera and Front Row remote. If the
handful of compromises vs the Pro model, such as the screen size
and the lack of discrete graphics, isn't a deal breaker, the
MacBook is a no-brainer for anyone who wants to step up to an Apple
laptop or upgrade their older MacBook."
Link: Apple
MacBook (Core 2 Duo 2.0 GHz) Reviewed
MacBook Core 2 Duo Review
Notebook Review's Budding reports:
"Studying Computer Science at Imperial College London has given
me the opportunity to use a wide range of Operating Systems. In the
past year, I have both casually played with and professionally
worked with Linux, Unix, Windows and Mac OS X. In my personal
opinion, Mac OS X impressed me the most with its logical
structure; powerful hardware drawn graphics and effects; and
security and stability...
"Therefore, I did not hesitate when Apple announced its Core 2
Duo MacBook, and ordered one the very same day...."
Link: MacBook Core 2 Duo
Review
17" MacBook Pro Gets Core 2 Duo Treatment
Computerworld's Ken Mingis reports:
"It has been said that buyers should generally avoid the first
year of a new model car, Version 1.0 of just about any application
and most Rev. A computers - especially Rev. A computers.
"Well, if you held off buying the first Intel-based versions of
Apple Computer Inc.'s MacBook Pro laptops, you can safely venture
forth to the nearest computer store and take one home. I base that
on my hands-on experience with Apple's latest updated consumer
MacBook lineup, the recently revamped 15-in. MacBook Pro and - now,
finally - the 17-in.
variation of Apple's professional laptop line. (This particular
model was also chosen for Computerworld's 2006 Cool Stuff gift
guide.)
"To paraphrase Victor Kiam, the late Remington CEO, I liked the
latest 17-in. MacBook Pro so much that I bought my own. And I'd
like to note that it is the first time I've bought an Apple laptop
that I didn't have to immediately upgrade with more RAM, a faster
hard drive or some other extra. Out of the box, the 17-in. model
comes completely stocked. About the only thing you can add is extra
RAM (for 3 GB max) or a different hard drive."
Link:
Hands-on: The 17-in. MacBook Pro Gets the Core 2 Duo
Treatment
Apple Updates
Troubleshooting iBook, PowerBook G4, and
MacBook Pro Power Adapters
An updated Apple Knowledge Base article says:
Is your iBook, PowerBook G4 or MacBook Pro power adapter not
working correctly? This article will tell you what you can do if
you experience one or more of the following issues:
- Your iBook, PowerBook G4 or MacBook Pro power adapter won't
charge the computer.
- The LEDs in the adapter don't light when the adapter is
connected.
- The adapter only charges the computer intermittently.
Link: Troubleshooting
iBook, PowerBook G4 and MacBook Pro Power Adapters
Tech Trends
Asus W6 Leather-clad Laptop
The Register's
Hardware Widow reports:
"Leather, a material that calls to mind, at one extreme, Diana
Rigg, tight thigh-length boots, the crack of the whip and, at the
other, well-worn sofas, ancient libraries and the air of long-faded
wealth. Somewhere in between sits Asus' latest leather-covered
laptop, the W6Fp...
"Asus might like to think so, but let's not kid - ho, ho -
ourselves that the W6 is a luxury item. Just look at the colours,
for starters. It's offered in a choice of pink, caramel and - the
covering I got to try - chocolate brown, none of which would look
quite right in a boardroom. Where's the black model, or the dark
brown version? The W6 isn't entirely the Vertu of the notebook
world. And Vegan it certainly isn't."
Link: Asus W6
Leather-clad Laptop
Products and Services
Two New Pelican Laptop Shipping
Cases
PR:
Finally a shipping case for a laptop and everything else. These
Pelican Cases mean business for those looking for affordable high
quality laptop computer cases. The new Pelican 1495 Laptop Case
fits notebooks up to 17" with plenty of room for cables, media, and
other electronics. It is totally water proof, crush proof, dust and
chemical resistant. The pelican 1495 comes with a built in
combination lock plus stainless steel padlock protectors for extra
security. Add a pelican TSA padlock from Shipping Cases for
checking on airlines and you're ready to travel. The Pelican 1495
is available with pick & pluck foam, a lid organizer, nylon
padded computer sleeve and shoulder strap.
The Pelican 1495 is just another case in the family of computer
cases that pelican offers. Other computer cases models include the
1490, 1470, and the 1080.
1080
HardBack Case is designed specifically for those notebook
computers. Watertight, crushproof, and dust proof it has a molded
plush foam liner that protects notebook from impact shock and
scratches. The 1080 has an easy snap anodized aluminum latch with
O-ring seal and a vent with Gore-Tex membrane for auto pressure
balance. Comes in two attractive color combinations - charcoal grey
with silver latches or black with black latches. Like all Pelican
Cases it comes with the unconditional Lifetime Guarantee of
Excellence. Fits notebook computers up to 12.3" L x 9.3" W x 1.5" D
and will hold 8.5 x 11" and A4 documents.
Find all the old reliable Pelican Cases as well as the newly
released Pelican Cases as well as numerous trade show display cases
for folding panel displays, popup displays and those large format
trade show graphics.
Link: Shipping Cases
15" MacBook Pro SeeThru Hard
Shell Case Holiday Sale
PR: Speck's MacBook Pro SeeThru Hard Shell Case is
believed to be the first translucent hard shell design for
computers in the market. SeeThru hard shells for MacBook and
MacBook Pro are made of sturdy, polycarbonate plastic and come in
clear and red colors.
With the easy snap-on design, users can shield their notebook
from scratches and bumps while enjoying access to all features
including keyboard, drives and ports.
Shells come complete with rubber feet to help prevent
movement on slippery surfaces. The durable shell is the perfect
add-on when transporting your notebook alone, in a sleeve,
briefcase or luggage.
Versions of the SeeThru for the 15" MacBook Pro are currently
shipping at a price of $40, whilst a MacBook version is due in
early November. The SeeThru comes in translucent red and clear.
Features:
- Two piece snap-on hard case
- Use everything without removing the case!
- Protective shatter proof hard plastic shell
- Sleek and shiny finish
- Available in clear and red
Keep
your 15" MacBook Pro closed when you put on the case. Place MacBook
Pro in bottom half of case, snap on the corners and back 'hooks'.
Place top half of the case on top of MacBook Pro, snap on corners.
Pull the small tabs away from the MacBook Pro corners to remove the
case. Open the MacBook Pro and pull off the front corners first ,
then pop off the back.
15" MacBook SeeThru - $39.95
surfACE Laptop Stand Holiday Sale
PR: The innovative and original surfACE line of
laptop computer stands are discounted up to 25%, on selected
models, this holiday season until December 20th. Order while they
last.
- • Ideal support for your laptop anywhere, indoors or
outdoors.
- • For web-surfing, gaming, watching DVDs, work and
much more.
- • Great design, quality materials and fine
craftsmanship.
- • Sturdy, durable, secure, adjustable and
expandable.
- • Increases comfort, cooling and ergonomics.
- Link: surfACE
Laptop Stand Holiday Sale
- Link: PowerBook
Mystique Review - surfACE I 1.5 Laptop Stand with Tripod
Adapter
Software
Absolute Software Expands Support for
Apple Computers with Universal Version of Computrace
PR: Absolute Software, a leading provider of patented,
firmware-based, Computer Theft Recovery, Data Protection and Secure
Asset Tracking solutions, announced today that its Computrace
software products now support the Apple Universal Agent (AUA),
meaning they operate natively on Macintosh computers using either
Intel (MacBooks) or PowerPC (PowerBooks) processor chips. "Support
for the Apple Universal Agent better positions Computrace as the
theft protection solution of choice for Apple customers in the
education market," said John Livingston, President and CEO of
Absolute Software. "Whether a college or a school has new
Intel-based Macs, older PowerPCs, or a mix of Macs and PCs,
Computrace can protect, help manage, securely track and provide an
institution a complete view of their entire computer population,
regardless of platform."
Apple Universal Agent compatibility means Absolute's education
customers can now install one piece of software that supports both
the Classic environment and the new Intel processor. This added
flexibility means the company's solutions better support
institutional needs for simplified total cost of ownership,
improved life cycle management and easier disk imaging.
An early adopter of the new version of Computrace for Apple
computers is Punahou School, a private, college preparatory K-12
school in Honolulu, Hawaii.
"We like the fact that Computrace will track and recover both
older Macs and the new Intel machines," said Wendi Takemoto, CIO
and Director of Information Technology at Punahou School. "This
means we can remain a mixed platform school, supporting the diverse
needs and innovative uses in teaching and learning with technology
in a K-12 school, and keep our machines protected by Computrace.
This provides us a flexible and robust solution that meets our
needs."
The latest version of the Computrace agent for Macintosh is
compatible with Apple's OS X system software version 10.3 and
forward.
Link: Absolute
Software
Bargain 'Books
The release of Core 2 Duo MacBooks has precipitated a ratcheting
down of prices on refurbished Macintel notebooks at the Apple
Store. You can now get a Core Duo MacBook for $899, one with a
SuperDrive for under $1,000, and a MacBook Pro for $1,399! If there
was any doubt that the switch to Intel chips would result in lower
prices, they should now be erased.
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.
- refurb 1.83 GHz MacBook Core Duo, white, 512/60/Combo,
$899
- refurb 2 GHz MacBook Core Duo, white, 512/60/SD, $999
- refurb 2 GHz MacBook Core Duo, black, 512/60/SD, $1,099
- refurb 15" 1.83 GHz MacBook Pro Core Duo, 512/80/SD,
$1,399
- refurb 15" 2 GHz MacBook Pro Core Duo, 512/80/SD, $1,449
- refurb 15" 2.16 GHz MacBook Pro Core Duo, 512/100/SD,
$1,599
- refurb 17" 2.16 GHz MacBook Pro Core Duo, 1 /120/SD,
$2,199
- refurb 17" PowerBook G4/1.67 GHz, 512/100/SD, $1,799
- PowerBook "Pismo" G3/400, 256/20/DVD, $299
- 12" iBook G3/800, 256/30/CD, $425
- 12" iBook G3/800, 256/30/DVD, $455
- 12" iBook G3/900, 256/40/Combo, $499
- Add AirPort for $90
- 12" iBook G3/900, 128/40/Combo, $399
- 12" iBook G3/900, 256/30/Combo, $449
- 12" iBook G3/900, 128/40/Combo, AirPort, $469
- 14" iBook G3/800, 128/40G/Combo, $399
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" PowerBook G4/867, 128/40/Combo, $599.99 - $25 =
$574.99
- 12" PowerBook G4/1 GHz, 256/40/Combo, Bluetooth, $699.99 - $25
= $674.99
- 12" PowerBook G4/1 GHz, 256/60/SD, Bluetooth, $799.99 - $25 =
$774.99
Computer Geeks
- 12" iBook G4/1.0 GHz, 512/30/CD, AirPort, OS X, $519.99
- 12" iBook G4/1.2 GHz, 512/30/Combo, AirPort, OS X, $599
- 12" iBook G4/1.3 GHz, 512/40/Combo, AirPort, OS X, $749.99
- 12" iBook G4/1.0 GHz, 512/30/CD, AirPort, OS X, $529.99
- iBook G3/500, 128/10/CD, OS X, $209
- iBook G3/600, 128/30/CD, OS X, $329
- 12" iBook G3/600, 128/20/CD, OS X 10.2, $209.99
- 12" iBook G3/600, 128/20/CD, OS X 10.2, $259.99
- 12" clamshell iBook G3/300, 128/3/CD, OS X 10.2, $259.99
- 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.
